Just thought I'd share an interesting anecdote from a gig on Friday night. My band was opening up for another band at a bar in Harrisonburg, VA. When we arrived, the other band was already set up. After their sound check, the lead singer came over to chat with us, opening up with the line "You're probably not going to believe me, but..." He went on to ask if any of us had seen the commercial for the Bowflex home gym, wherein a chubby guy turns into a svelte guy, and proclaims something along the lines of "I'm in the best shape of my life, and I'm even in a rock band!", and the commercial shows some shots of said svelte guy playing bass.

Well, it turns out that the bass player for the other band was the guy from the Bowflex commercial. In a rare case of real life mirroring television, the bass player (Mike) was jacked (Bowflex does work!) and a very solid player to boot. He was also one of the absolute nicest guys I've ever met. He invited me to use his rig (Eden WT800 -> Eden 410 + Eden 115 with wireless!), and even offered to let me use his Spector (I declined, but how many dudes offer to let you use their axe?). Also, the band (called Torque) was excellent.

So that's probably the most interesting story from my young music career.


- Matt

Heh, that's cool. I have to admit, I was skeptical if the guy in the commercial really played in a band, or if it was just a made up story for TV.

That's cool that he let you use his rig too. Sounds like he has good equipment.

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA

I constantly make jokes about that guy, any link to a band website with some mp3s?

Even if he is a great player it doesn't make up for the fact that he comes off as a complete tool in the commericals.

That's hilarious.

Heh, I always thought that commercial was total BS, the bass looked like a Rogue or something and it didn't have any substantial stage shots.

wow, mabeye I should stop mocking that commercial now

the bass in the commercial was a thunderbird .. gibson or epiphone I dunno ..

but yeah I was skeptical too ..

did he take of his shirt for the show? lol.

(not like i care).

I thought the bass in the commercial was like Kubicki or something??

Ha whenever i see that commercial I always think the guy seems so full of himself and looks like a jackass maybe I'm wrong. Good laughs over that commercial. I don't get how anybody could mistake that bass with anything but a spector or warwick though and damn he wears his strap low.

wow. neato.

BWAAHAHAHAH, ohhh man, that guy is my hero. Frankly, I'm too fat to rock, I don't know how I got let into a band. If I ever get in super good shape, I'm sure I'll really start playing bass, no more messin' around.

Topless pics?

Thats funny! I didn't think that guy was for real!

the bass in the commercial was a thunderbird .. gibson or epiphone I dunno ..

but yeah I was skeptical too ..

did he take of his shirt for the show? lol.

(not like i care).

tis not a thunderbird, looks nothing like one...some kind of warwick i believe.

i always thought that commercial was rigged, but i guess im wrong

I think I know how this thread is going to end...

We're all going out right now, to buy a ****ing bowflex:D

Now if she only played bass ... http://www.fitgrandmother.com/images/lg_bikini.jpg

:eek: ... From a previous Bowflex ad campaign http://www.fitgrandmother.com/

wow. neato.



edit: just saw this commercial for the first time today.
it didn't look very convincing.

he was grooving like a real bassist though! ;)

Now if she only played bass ... http://www.fitgrandmother.com/images/lg_bikini.jpg

:eek: ... From a previous Bowflex ad campaign http://www.fitgrandmother.com/

what, you hoping that she'd show you how to groove;)

what, you hoping that she'd show you how to groove;)


:eek: ... Oh is that what they're calling it now?

:eek: ... Oh is that what they're calling it now?

hell i don't know, i'm a "Young-in" and we just call it "getting some":smug:

whenever i see that bowflex commercial, i get mixed feelings....:hiding:

hot older woman? but she's like, twice as old as i am:eek:

*turns off television*

it doesn't work for me...but then again I should probably use it once in a while.

it doesn't work for me...but then again I should probably use it once in a while.

they say five minutes a day is all u need right? hahahhahah:smug:

since this thread got linked into another 'bowflex bass player' thread, he had a guild pilot in the commercial

This thread is funny. I'm old school man, I go back to Soloflex days and back when I was sportin' a Steinberger.....so glad there is no commercial of that...:D

^ha, we have an old soloflex in our garage. My dad got it way back when, and I can't remember us ever not having it lol. I'm more of a free weights, olympic lifting guy myself though.

Seriously, did he take his shirt of during the show... That was the whole PREMISE of why he is using the bowflex in the commercial... "I play in a rock and roll band...I can take my shirt off".

This is so effing funny.

LMAO, thats just awesome. Like everyone else I thought that commercial was just a crock of You know what, with a hired actor.

I gotta say, considering that I too bust out laughing when I see this commercial, thats pretty damn cool! lol :bassist:

Well I'm guessing the commercial paid him enough to buy that sweet Eden rig. Now that's good incentive for out of shape TBers...work out and maybe you'll be able to buy a sweet new rig!!

I tried to see if using a Bowflex would help me get more gigs, but the damn thing kept falling off of my amp.