Stoner/DOOM Bassists part 35: Colorado Bound

[The_Janitor]

Originally Posted by mc_muench

Okay so I've gotten a few replies for my funk band ad. But there is this one that first peaked my interest, then got me a little steamed. Think I handled it well...what do you think?

First here's my ad...http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/muc/3412231660.html


Emails...

Hi,
saw your ad and everything you listed is right up my alley, been playing stuff like that a long time with various people and am just starting up another project now, so looking for a bassist in that ballpark. But that being said, I also want to lean more heavily in the real jazz direction mixed with all that stuff...in another words it will be a little more complex than just simple jam funk grooving all the time, but that stuff is still in there. So for my project I'm looking for a bassist that in addition to the above funk 70s style approach, also can and has played some real jazz in the past, to be able to create a hybrid of the two somewhere in between. Must have a working knowledge of jazz based chord and scale theory in addition to the groove funk feel and sound you talk about. I play different instruments and have a rhodes, hammond organ etc. Looking for a seasoned player at least in their 30s on up, or a very experienced player in their later 20s that already has played in projects like this so everyone can be on the same page. If this is you let me know.

Thanks,
Bob

________________________________________________

Hi Bob,

I have to say, that I'm not exactly what you list in your email. I'm 20 and I have no real jazz experience. But what I do have is that I was classically trained playing the cello then the upright bass from kindergarten to 12th grade, so learning scales and chords is not foreign to me. I haven't thought about that type of stuff for awhile, since I graduated, I've been playing in some original rock bands since then, but I would be willing to start practicing and versing myself in it though. And I'm pretty good at improvisation, if you just play something, I can normally work something out that doesn't suck. I'm currently playing in another band, heavy rock, and looking for a medium to let my love for funk out. Age doesn't matter to me, my bandmates now are 38 and 40, so if you feel like harboring the next generation of funk, I love music and am very serious when it comes to music. I want to play as much and different styles as possible. My other band practices once or twice a week but I'm free most nights after 4.

If you're still interested, let's jam, see how stuff sounds, and go from there. I look forward to hearing from you,
Max Muenchow

________________________________________________

Hey Max,

Thanks for being honest about where you are at, as many bassists that have tried out for some of my projects have talked a good game but when we get together to play its obvious they cant really play real jazz and its a big waste of time, which is why I had to get that out up front first. I thought since you mentioned all the same kinds of stuff I like, that you would be older and have some jazz experience. The material we play is more jazzy than most jam funk stuff, so requires experience already gained playing real jazz for some years, as it's not something you can just learn real quick by rote. Good luck with your playing and projects.

Bob

_______________________________________________

Hi Bob,

Well Im sorry too, that you dont want to at least sit down, and try things out. If one night, where you play music with someone new, and make music, good or bad, and have a fun time, is a waste of your time, that is a closed minded view, and I dont think I want to play with people who think like that. Anytime you play music, it shouldnt be a waste of your time. Especially if I was older and a younger musician is interested in real music and not the **** they play on the radio, I would give them a chance, they might learn something because thats how this Music survives. People playing with other people. Everyone has to start out somewhere. I'm no musical slouch, but just because I havent played this type of music for years doesnt mean jts impossible for me to play. Will I be amazing not likely, but will I give it my all, yes. Ive played instruments for like 80% of my life so far and I dont ever plan on putting them down. I love music and I feel you are robbing me and yourself a possibly fun time doing what we love, making music. If you change your mind and want to TRY things out, and not waste our time, I would still love to jam with you.

Max Muenchow







I was actually really mad that he would just completely write me off because I'm too young and dont have experience in jazz, I think I could hold my own. I'm younger yes, but I'm not someone who picked up the instrument when they were 18 to impress girls, I wouldve picked up guitar anyway and play pop, not play bass in doom and funk bands. I've been working hard and practicing basically my entire life so far, whos this guy that tells me I'm not good enough to at least try to play with him once, and see how things go. Balls in his court now, and I dont think he was expecting a reply like that. It made me feel good that I said something. I feel mature, like an adult, wierd.


Was I over reacting? How do you older doomers feel about playing with younger people? Not high school, but 18-20's.


Young guy rant over, back to your daily DOOMcasting

You did right to stand up for yourself. The guy sounds like a dick and not someone that I would be involved in a project with. Just no.

I'm 32, and if I was looking for band members age would be one of the last variables that I would consider (within reason, of course, I wouldn't want to play with high school kids). The only consideration would be the ability to play shows in bars, but most venues are cool about that. A lot of people took chances with me when I was younger and I try to keep that attitude now. I judge a person by their attitude/outlook/enthusiasm, not their age.

[Lazarus.Bird]

Max, it's craigslist. Move on =P Maybe the guy will realize he should have given you a chance down the road and will e-mail you again. But don't sit there and brew over it.

[mc_muench]

I have moved on, I more want to see if this guy has big enough balls to say something back. I already have a couple meets up with people planned for after thanksgiving week. One is a 55 year old lady. She's cool with me being 20.

[The_Janitor]

Originally Posted by mc_muench

I have moved on, I more want to see if this guy has big enough balls to say something back. I already have a couple meets up with people planned for after thanksgiving week. One is a 55 year old lady. She's cool with me being 20.

Haha, she wants your funk.

[Toastfuzz]

Originally Posted by Lazarus.Bird

Max, it's craigslist. Move on =P Maybe the guy will realize he should have given you a chance down the road and will e-mail you again. But don't sit there and brew over it.

Id be more thankful that he showed his true colors before wasting your time... its worse to wake up one day and have to say to yourself "wow my one bandmember is a real d***head"

[beebassdude]

Originally Posted by mc_muench

The one thing that was going for him, is that he said he has a Rhodes...whether thats true or not I dont know, and probably wont find out, but man, love me some Rhodes.

he clearly just wanted a jazz bassist and when you said you didnt have that jazz knowledge (and it looked like you also said you werent a theory nut which is 100% needed for jazz) he just said itd be a waste of time. and id assume it would be, especially if his direction is so concrete. when jazz guys say they want to jam, that means pull out a fake book and play some tunes, its not like a bunch of guys sit down and start playing and see what happens. first thing he would have done was be like "ok, lets play ornathology in A, ready 1 2 3 go!".

jazz guys have songs memorized like i have metallica songs memorized. they have specific things in mind. a lot of the time theyre douchey musicians too and dont want to play anything but jazz, so i say youre better off haha.

[JoeVictim]

Originally Posted by mc_muench

Okay ...

It would only be an issue when we went to play bars. My limit is 21. I have jammed with dudes that were younger than that (really beast grind drummer I met in my Bio class, jammed a few together). But because of what I play, i would want all the members to be able to play a show.

With Jazz/Funk (I think this guys wants a Jazz band. He responded to you based on you being a bass player, not a funk band looking), I would imagine weddings, dances, parties, maybe a few gin bars... But yeah, totally writing you off for the reasons he listed, is complete bull ****. You are a trained musician.

[The_Janitor]

Any of you guys use wah pedals? If so, what? I think I need one but I'm wondering if there's better options that the old bass crybaby.

[Toastfuzz]

Just nabbed a MXR Bass Envelope Filter. Ed Friedland told me its legit, can't go wrong there Seems to have all the controls I'd want in a filter and none of the bells n whistles I don't. It will satisfy my Claypool urge whenever it comes around and has a small footprint so it can creep on the edge of the board indefinitely. I'll put up some clips when it comes to see if it can cop the ol' Dragonaut tone we all think of when filters are mentioned.

[beebassdude]

Originally Posted by The_Janitor

Any of you guys use wah pedals? If so, what? I think I need one but I'm wondering if there's better options that the old bass crybaby.

MORLEY
POWER
WAH
BOOST/FUZZ

end of discussion.

[mc_muench]

Originally Posted by beebassdude

when jazz guys say they want to jam, that means pull out a fake book and play some tunes, its not like a bunch of guys sit down and start playing and see what happens. first thing he would have done was be like "ok, lets play ornathology in A, ready 1 2 3 go!".

jazz guys have songs memorized like i have metallica songs memorized. they have specific things in mind. a lot of the time theyre douchey musicians too and dont want to play anything but jazz, so i say youre better off haha.

yeah, thats definitley not me...

[Toastfuzz]

Originally Posted by The_Janitor

Any of you guys use wah pedals? If so, what? I think I need one but I'm wondering if there's better options that the old bass crybaby.

Thats what I use, it leaves a bit to be desired... its sweep is goes from bassy to midrange honk to lost in the mix in sort of harsh increments, but putting some dirt pedals before or after adds a bit of versatility. I've heard good things about Ibanez' Weeping Demon but I've never tried it, always have an eye out for new wahs in the classifieds to replace the Crybaby.

[ampegfuzz]

Originally Posted by beebassdude

MORLEY
POWER
WAH
BOOST/FUZZ

end of discussion.

BIG PLUS 1!!!!!!!!!!!

And max your my hero

[JMac4strngr]

Originally Posted by Toastfuzz

Id be more thankful that he showed his true colors before wasting your time... its worse to wake up one day and have to say to yourself "wow my one bandmember is a real d***head"

Hey, I just so happened to have that day a while back! Happy to say I'm no longer a part of that outfit.

[beebassdude]

Originally Posted by mc_muench

yeah, thats definitley not me...

if you showed up and didnt know how to play a Super Locrian scale (real mode by the way lol), youd be shunned by the spirit of Charlie Parker.

[The_Janitor]

Hmm, I'll check out that Morely. I had my eye on the weeping demon, mostly because there's one in stock at work and I can get a discount.

[mc_muench]

Originally Posted by beebassdude

if you showed up and didnt know how to play a Super Locrian scale (real mode by the way lol), youd be shunned by the spirit of Charlie Parker.

Your what hurts? And whos in the well Lassie?

[Rushing]

Originally Posted by Lazarus.Bird

new sword music video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...&v=GnsbOE71adM

lol for some reason that video reminds me of Ozzy - Shot in the Dark

[ampegfuzz]

Jazz people and blues people bug me for their elitist state of mind.

[Jason Hall]

Originally Posted by Toastfuzz

Thats what I use, it leaves a bit to be desired... its sweep is goes from bassy to midrange honk to lost in the mix in sort of harsh increments, but putting some dirt pedals before or after adds a bit of versatility. I've heard good things about Ibanez' Weeping Demon but I've never tried it, always have an eye out for new wahs in the classifieds to replace the Crybaby.

Tried the demon, hated the sweep on it, felt very narrow. Owned a bass crybaby for a while, was alright but wasn't dramatic enough for my tastes. I have a morley power wah volume on my christmas list right now that I might get if I've been a good little bass player =P.