NorCal Bass Players club

jellymax · #1 01-06-2010, 11:16 AM

Ladies & Gents of the bass! not to exclude players from
outside Northern California, but to provide a place to connect
with local players, teachers, subs, bands, GTG. also, i would
like to share info about local venues, which i have been
wanting to do for a while. sure, some gearhead stuff
would be fine as well...

did a search for a club---california, etc... nothing came up

i'll start off soon with some posts about local venues.
(good things/bad things/ sound issues/etc...)

crucislancer · #2 01-06-2010, 04:47 PM

Great idea!

I'm up in Sonoma County, by the way.

jellymax · #3 01-06-2010, 05:32 PM

Sonoma is great! i lived in Napa for many years, i know the north bay roads like the
back of my hand. Cotati is great for music. how are the clubs these days?

jellymax · #4 01-06-2010, 05:32 PM

my classic rock quartet plays in SF mostly. about once a month we do Johnny Foley's
on O'Farrel near union square. supposed to be a Irish bar, but there are a lot of
tourists there--always a good crowd, holds about 200 people, give or take.
no problems getting paid. the sound is, for lack
of better words, dark. everything sounds boomy. midrange is your friend here.
what i do is boost at approx 750-800 hz, keep the lows back a bit & its good.
load in thru the back means stairs unfortunately. bring your own PA

good club!

boamedt · #5 01-06-2010, 05:35 PM

I work in cotati, good music, plenty of places, only good music store within 20mi. U given out numbers? I will take 3

jellymax · #6 01-06-2010, 05:50 PM

crucislancer---2
boamedt------3

Zone music? great store. there is a number of good rehearsal spaces over near 101
if i remember correctly.

crucislancer · #7 01-06-2010, 05:50 PM

I haven’t been out to Napa in ages, but I like it out there. Beautiful area.

My band didn’t gig much last year, but here are some impressions:

Spancky’s in Cotati – smallish biker bar, has a small stage, need to bring your own PA. I think they mainly have rock and blues bands there. It can actually get pretty crowded in there on a Friday or Saturday. All of the shows we’ve played there are free, though we have received a cut of the bar in some cases. Under new ownership recently, the previous owner passed away.

Black Cat in Penngrove – very small place, with a strange atmosphere. Bras on the ceiling. Very cool bartenders. Again, gigs are free but they encourage bringing a tip jar. Packing that place is easy, it’s really small. No stage, but they have a PA. Wide range of genres.

Tradewinds in Cotati – right across from Spancky’s. They have a wider mix of music then Spanky’s, I’ve seen rock, blues, calypso, country…….not sure of the details, never played a gig there, but they have a PA, no stage however.

Last Day Saloon in Santa Rosa – This is one of the better places to play in Sonoma county. Solid PA, good sized stage, big dance floor, restaurant. They have everything from local acts to nationals. Tough to book, though, you really need to bring in some people to get in. We’ve played there 3 or 4 times, but on someone else’s bill. 101.7 the Fox used to have a local showcase there but I’m not sure if they are doing that anymore.

Russian River Brewing Company in Santa Rosa – I’ve never been in, but I hear the place gets packed, and that they have a decent stage and PA system.

Mystic Theater – The best place to gig, only did that once for a battle of the bands. You pretty much need to be a national act or a local act with a huge following to get in there. Huge stage, awesome PA, connected to McNears Saloon next door.

I know there are a few more places, from small dive bars to bigger venues that escape me right now.

becker4567 · #8 01-06-2010, 06:20 PM

Lake County here! Sign me up!

Billy K · #9 01-06-2010, 08:53 PM

Novato here.sign me up too.

jellymax · #10 01-06-2010, 10:08 PM

crucislancer---2
boamedt------3
beckeer4567----4
Billy K---------------5

Lake county is great. whats the name of that hall where big name groups
come through? James Brown played there many times

Matt Dean · #11 01-06-2010, 10:10 PM

I live in Sebastopol... I'll take 6!

Matt

Matt Dean · #12 01-06-2010, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jellymax

crucislancer---2
boamedt------3
beckeer4567----4
Billy K---------------5

Lake county is great. whats the name of that hall where big name groups
come through? James Brown played there many times

Konocti Harbor... they're closed now though... economy.

rosanne · #13 01-06-2010, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Dean

Konocti Harbor... they're closed now though... economy.

Wow, when did they close??? A lot of name acts played there.

jellymax · #14 01-06-2010, 10:23 PM

ideally, we could get a list of players with some info on what styles they do, locality,
etc... in case a clinic or similar could be put together. i know there some name
players living in the area---who knows. not to mention the possibility of substitute
players in your area.

for example; i live in Pacifica. play electric. i know a lot of classic R & B covers, also
know a lot of classic rock tunes. know some jazz standards, can read chord
charts.

jellymax · #15 01-06-2010, 10:30 PM

crucislancer---2
boamedt------3
beckeer4567----4
Billy K---------------5
Matt Dean--------6

that is sad about Konocti Harbor
i've played a big hall in Guernville/russian river--how is that place doing?

boamedt · #16 01-06-2010, 10:59 PM

i play electric, mostly reggae, i love jazz and funk tho.
i no tons of reggae standards.

Other venues:
The Vine: Santa Rosa
Used to be club seven, good stage med size dance floor, full bar and PA. On 7th st in santa rosa, off mendocini ave. They have a different style music almost every night, Reggae thurs. Usually charge a cover at the door.
Jasper O'Farrels: Sebastopol
No pa, beer only bar, med size dance floor, small stage, good atmosphere usually pretty packed, mon, fri, sat.
Stout Brothers: Santa Rosa
No pa, full bar, no stage, u play upstairs lookin over everyone, cool setup. Always packed, not hard to get a gig. Gigs are usually free

chanson · #17 01-07-2010, 12:28 AM

I've lived in Napa my whole life. The Phoenix in Petaluma is a really cool venue and has a pretty good sound. I've never played there but I know a few local bands who have. Really cool venue and definitely has a nice vibe

bassteban · #18 01-07-2010, 01:01 AM

I hate all clubs, but join every one I can. I'm in Vacaville & play w/Rebuilding Rome & Gado Gado.

Edit: HEY Jellymax- Gado Gado has an upcoming gig in Pacifica; it's late & I can't recall the date but I'll get back to you tomorrow.

Edit#2: Using the Beta Capsule, Hayate becomes ULTRAMAN!!!

Edit #3: 8pm January 30 Octopus lounge.

Sartori · #19 01-07-2010, 01:20 AM

Alameda county. Probably going to try to live in SF in a couple years.

jellymax · #20 01-07-2010, 10:17 AM

reggae standards?! that is way cool...

Quote:

Originally Posted by boamedt

i play electric, mostly reggae, i love jazz and funk tho.
i no tons of reggae standards.

Other venues:
The Vine: Santa Rosa
Used to be club seven, good stage med size dance floor, full bar and PA. On 7th st in santa rosa, off mendocini ave. They have a different style music almost every night, Reggae thurs. Usually charge a cover at the door.
Jasper O'Farrels: Sebastopol
No pa, beer only bar, med size dance floor, small stage, good atmosphere usually pretty packed, mon, fri, sat.
Stout Brothers: Santa Rosa
No pa, full bar, no stage, u play upstairs lookin over everyone, cool setup. Always packed, not hard to get a gig. Gigs are usually free