kidblast Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 so. back a few months ago, reunited with a few guys to work a benefit last month. Three of the guys I've worked with before, and I've known them just about all my life and have worked with in numerous occasions, for many years. (I grew up with one, started out in bands with another in 77, and the third guy in 1980).. the forth guy I have not known, (Two of the others did..) So anyway, We got together with the idea that it would be just for the gig. We picked out 15/16 songs, most of them classic rock hits, all upbeat/danceable stuff and a few slow blues tunes. Rehearsed weekly to get things tight, and to us, it all seemed to come together great. Come the night of the benefit, there were two other bands that played, (we were were the second band in the change over) We had the dance floor packed from the first tune. No one danced for these other bands, Many folks asking us after where we are playing, love to come see you guys, etc. so we walked out of there thinking, we had the right idea for song selection, and worked the crowd perfectly About a week or so later, one email led to another and as everyone had seemed to have real good time at the benefit the talk started to surface to keep it going. So we have a meeting of sorts to talked about direction, venue, rehearsals etc.. four of us (the guys I've known and played with on numerous occasions) are all agreeing totally on the material we should work on, (same formula that has always worked for us, Classic Rock, stuff people know and can dance to,, makes sense right?) after the meeting, get an message form the keyboard player. "Well looks like we wont be playing anything I want to play".. When I press him for this, he starts out with a list of songs that 1: Are not really danceable or well known songs and 2: would take us weeks to get them down.. long story short seems he wants to play what he labels as "Challenging material and not the S***t we played at the benefit..." Eventually he relays message to some of the other guys.. well what the heck?? I interpret this as someone who looking to play songs that impress (perhaps) other musicians? (what's that.. maybe 2% at best of any crowd on an average night?) in the mean time, what to do with the other 98%.. should we put them to sleep?? We're trying to keep this fun, and in the past, we've always used this formula, (well known, classic rock) we've never been the type to want to impress people coming out to hear us, and personally I could care less about the guys who are there to critique the bands. We had thought it was pretty obvious form the benefit, the stuff we had for that set, killed it. We entertained people, they loved the music.... So I started out thinking,, well whats the harm, we can toss him a few bones now and then, but at the end of the day, none of us are interested in spending a few weeks to get one song down when in that time, we can get down 10 others. To sum it up, Old Time Rock And Roll wins the day over Bohemian Rhapsody with a crowd of people guzzling beer and dancing their sneakers off, every time. Wondering what the rest of you lads have in mind here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 I'm happy to say and I'm sorry to say I don't miss any of it at all. Good luck with it. rct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted October 7, 2013 Author Share Posted October 7, 2013 I know Rich It's making me ask myself -- What have I gotten into here.. Going to try patience for now.. /ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 We always seemed to have the kind of problem you are having with keys players, so we had the Revolving Door Of Keys. They always complain that they can't get a gig, they get a gig, and they don't want to play anything the gig requires. I guess they envision some world where you play Giant Steps and you make a fortune. One of the first things I did when I stopped playing in bands and made the decision to start just recording whatever I write was to bulk up on keyboards and get to practicing so I could do it and not have to bother with any of the freaks we have around here that pass as keyboard players. rct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted October 7, 2013 Author Share Posted October 7, 2013 We always seemed to have the kind of problem you are having with keys players, so we had the Revolving Door Of Keys. They always complain that they can't get a gig, they get a gig, and they don't want to play anything the gig requires. I guess they envision some world where you play Giant Steps and you make a fortune. One of the first things I did when I stopped playing in bands and made the decision to start just recording whatever I write was to bulk up on keyboards and get to practicing so I could do it and not have to bother with any of the freaks we have around here that pass as keyboard players. rct I know, sort of the same experience with these guys. they seem to be their own breed. been playing keys for about 10 years now myself, can I can probably handle the job for the 12/15 songs we'd do that would NEED keys. and I'll be honest, the night of the gig, there were plenty of bum notes coming from his side of the stage, how's he gonna handle the more complex stuff if he can't even play the easy s**t ( as he calls it ) properly. I can handle anything you can throw at me, so can the other guys, the fact is,, we are more interesting in playing what the people who are coming to have a good time would be into hearing... IMHO Sort of the point of gigging to some degree no? Just venting I guess but I'm second guessing including him, but willing to see if he chills out a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quapman Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 If it ain't broke don't fix it. When we had our band many moon ago we all were eager to be creative and write stuff. We made the decision to do that knowing full well that we would never be able to gig because nobody cares about our originals. That was our decision. I also played in another band that the intent was to gig. Other than the experience of learning new material I didn't like it as much as doing my own thing but I did learn alot. I think the key dude should figure out what he wants to do and go do it. Gotta be realistic. Sounds like you have a good working formula going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted October 7, 2013 Author Share Posted October 7, 2013 If it ain't broke don't fix it. the key dude should figure out what he wants to do and go do it. Yes,, ! Exactly! Thing is, he's really a very nice guy, seems really easy going, and has (up till now anyway) been a great a team player. That's part of what's pulling us in different directions, we like him. I'm sort of chalking it up to he's just gotta get the "formual" (prefect words there Quapman) hey I've just gotten out of an originals band too. it was definitely more interesting, but we rarely gigged. Although when we did, we got favorable responses. But the shows were few and far between. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveinspain Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 In my situation I'm just happy to be rehearsing and out playing out with a band... I play/learn what they want me to. Do I like all the material..., no! Some of it I really dislike but I usually learn something when I put the time into it. I play some traditional Spanish tunes that are corny as hell but the people like and know them. I feel lucky to be in a band here, I mean it's not like there are tones of venues to play at nor am I a great guitar player. We do however play one original tune which is mine... So I can't complain... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevDavidLee Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Seems like there's one in every band. Dump the keyboard player and go have fun. Life's too short as is without letting one guy mess up the path that everyone else is on. No harm to the keyboard guy - do it nicely and professionally and just explain the rest of you are on the same page and you all think he would be happier finding like minded people for what he wants to play. As my brother use to say "Guys - this is supposed to be fun". Rock on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Bill Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Seems like there's one in every band. Dump the keyboard player and go have fun. Life's too short as is without letting one guy mess up the path that everyone else is on. No harm to the keyboard guy - do it nicely and professionally and just explain the rest of you are on the same page and you all think he would be happier finding like minded people for what he wants to play. As my brother use to say "Guys - this is supposed to be fun". Rock on AMEN!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted October 7, 2013 Author Share Posted October 7, 2013 Dave and Rev-- right again, also in the same general ball park that we are in. It's not like we all love playing the "Mustang Sally" type covers, OTOH, I had four requests for that song before we finished our third song. - I know the cliche on songs like this but you want em up and dancin, not lookin at their watches. I hope he "Gets it" time will tell. I like the guy.. but I wont hang on to this if it's a pissin contest every week. thanks for the replies so far, and I'd love them to keep coming. I really wanted to see what the forum brother/sister hood's opinions were. so far, I aint surprised. /ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Seems like there's one in every band. Dump the keyboard player and go have fun. Life's too short as is without letting one guy mess up the path that everyone else is on. No harm to the keyboard guy - do it nicely and professionally and just explain the rest of you are on the same page and you all think he would be happier finding like minded people for what he wants to play. As my brother use to say "Guys - this is supposed to be fun". Rock on Exactly that! Everybody will have to compromise since not all songs will be same fun for every musician, like not everybody who is part of the audience will like all the songs the same. But what counts in the end is that everybody had one's share of fun, and exciting people is a big fun in itself I think. There are chances for every musician to make some solo part a solitary event, but fouling up the whole setlist for a gig seems counterproductive to me. Singing and playing in two cover bands and pursuing individual fulfilment in a creative band myself, I know where I have to compromise in what respect, and both activities deserve all my passion and dedication I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdgm Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 I'm with rct and the Rev on this. The gig is play the hits and if you want to play even those tunes really, really well you need to be tight, rehearsed and committed. Any musician who is good enough can do that and sneak in a hip run or quote here and there. Any musician who is good enough will play the gig because they understand that's what it is. Entertainment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosemarie Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 I'm with rct and the Rev on this. The gig is play the hits and if you want to play even those tunes really, really well you need to be tight, rehearsed and committed. Any musician who is good enough can do that and sneak in a hip run or quote here and there. Any musician who is good enough will play the gig because they understand that's what it is. Entertainment. I'm not in a band, but I have auditioned for a few. I am realistic when I go in knowing that I may not like all the songs I sing, but still have to do my best. I look at it like this: a gigging band does what they do for the audience's enjoyment than for their own. True, you have to like what you are playing to a certain extent to give it your best effort, but in the end it's about the audience. As RCT and Rev have said, if it ain't broke don't fix it. If the keyboardist can't accept that then perhaps it is time for him to move on and pursue what makes him happy. Just my opinion, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pippy Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 As everyone else has said; either four of you are in the wrong band or one of you is. And I know which way I'd lean. The great news, somewhat lost in all this, is how you all had folk up dancing and having FUN! No brainer, really, IMO. Go to it! and my sincerest wishes for many more repeats of the same. It sounds like your neighbourhood enjoys enjoying themselves when the opportunity arises! P. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfpup Posted October 7, 2013 Share Posted October 7, 2013 Better off without keyboards anyway! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edlo Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 I'm happy to say and I'm sorry to say I don't miss any of it at all. Good luck with it. rct Been there done that, I agree with rct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saturn Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Maybe you guys could do a few Steely Dan songs and that would make everyone happy. A lot of their songs are very listenable to the casual audience, yet musically challenging for the band. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
milod Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 The advantage to playing what amounts to "standards" of today's ear is that folks don't necessarily expect a total "cover" of somebody's version that played on the radio 60 years ago toward today, it's that you can rock it out and have fun. But again a couple of points the guys have made are quite valid. Bottom line is you've gotta do what you've gotta do. The music inside will evolve regardless. But if you wanna make money at it, you've some things to do; if you wanna be experimentally creative you've other things to do. Webern is a well-known composer, but ain't so many folks gonna crowd into saloon featuring his compositions. At least not more than once. Around here a band can get gigs if they're reliable and can do well with a mix of 50s-60s rock and 50s-early 90s country that can be danced to. It's a matter of familiar tunes. Ain't gotta be a "direct cover" as long as it's familiar. There even are a couple of jazz guys who've made a few bucks weekend warrioring. You don't hear material too far outa that sorta definition making money. OTOH, there are teen rock bands that are basically just rhythm acts as I understand some current "names" do, and they get along with a cupla tunes, but then even their adoring fans get obviously bored. There are some really traditional 20s-50s acoustic groups that get invited to low-pay gigs and benefits and are happy doing their thing. Heck, I have fun doing a few benefits doing whatever I wanna do and having fun at it reliving my younger days as a something of a green-broke folkie doing his own fingerpickin' that might range from cowboy to Misty to a variation of Vivaldi - on either an AE or a hollowbody electric jazz box. Or just getting a batch of kids to sing in unison to get funds for after school programs while strumming an AE. Bottom line... gotta do what you've gotta do and when that ceases to make you feel good about doing it - don't. Actually I get a kick outa entertaining an audience. I also get a kick outa trying new solo fingerpicking arrangements of stuff I like. So... I try to do a bit of both. m Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karloff Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 Like RevDave said, there is always one. Sometimes two... where i live , theres a shallow selection pool as far as musicians go. and as you get older, finding musicians around your same age, that are into similar music, wanna play, aren't raging a-holes, and don't still party like its 1977, are difficult to find. lol. I've always been willing to overlook most of the previous mentioned criteria, lol... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 " Early morning sunshine, tells me all I need to know " He wrote that for his wife at the time, and I can't remember her first name. BlueSky was her last, and they had built or bought a house, one of the two states, "goin to Carolina...won't be long and I'll be there...", just as soon as they got this(at the time) damn record done, and he was very looking forward to it. Had his horses up there and everything, going to go fishin and such. They didn't play that live for a very very long time. My vast knowledge of them guys and him is becoming increasingly worthless, so I thought I'd get some out there! You prolly knew all this stuff anyway! rct Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidblast Posted October 8, 2013 Author Share Posted October 8, 2013 thanks for all the participation here. I was really interested to see what the consensus would be, but I'm not shocked by any of the responses so far. I'm willing to play appeaser - for a while, but it's still GOTTA FIT the overall direction. with the years some of us have been doing this, we will know what works and what doesn't without even having to spend a minute thinking about it. Milod,.. this "It's a matter of familiar tunes. Ain't gotta be a "direct cover" as long as it's familiar. So agree, we've done a bunch of MoTown remakes in the past that have been terrific crowd favorites, and they sound nothing like the original, but most people who've heard those originals, know what the deal is pretty quickly. Bottom line will probably always be the same, the balance is having some fun, (I aint doing this to angst over a minor7-flat5 chord that someone missed) and playing to the crowd. everyone goes home happy. Like others have said,, "there's always one..." Yep... we found one of em.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick_s Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 I'm with you. I thrive off of seeing an audience enjoying themselves. The more they enjoy it, the more I enjoy the experience. Although I have to say, it has been YEARS since I played a live gig....I need to get back in that particular saddle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karloff Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 He wrote that for his wife at the time, and I can't remember her first name. BlueSky was her last, and they had built or bought a house, one of the two states, "goin to Carolina...won't be long and I'll be there...", just as soon as they got this(at the time) damn record done, and he was very looking forward to it. Had his horses up there and everything, going to go fishin and such. They didn't play that live for a very very long time. My vast knowledge of them guys and him is becoming increasingly worthless, so I thought I'd get some out there! You prolly knew all this stuff anyway! rct I knew of the Blue Sky reference, but not further particulars. Any knowledge and info that pertains to Betts and the ABB, will never be worthless in my book... thanks for the insight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyK Posted October 8, 2013 Share Posted October 8, 2013 It's quite simple - guitars are good; keyboards are evil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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