Grand Funk Railroad

lawsonman · #1 03-21-2007, 05:55 PM

I've been listening to a lot of old Grand Funk stuff lately and I have really come to appreciate how great of a rock band they really were. I was a junior in high school when they hit the scene in 1969 and I remember how the music critics really didn't think much of them. If some of you young players haven't really sat down and listened to Mel Schacher on Bass give it a try.He was a monster for that time period.They turned out some real good rock and roll for a while.

Lazylion · #2 03-21-2007, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawsonman

I've been listening to a lot of old Grand Funk stuff lately and I have really come to appreciate how great of a rock band they really were.... If some of you young players haven't really sat down and listened to Mel Schacher on Bass give it a try. He was a monster for that time period...

+1 one of my all-time favorites! That's why I listed him in my profile. And to think he did all that rockin' wearing those kooky platform shoes! I saw them live once, they kicked major a**!

lawsonman · #3 03-21-2007, 07:26 PM

I had been playing bass for around 7 years when they hit the scene. Mel almost made me take up a different hobby when I listened to the stuff he was doin'.

RWP · #4 03-21-2007, 07:32 PM

Funny, was just talking to a friend about Grand Funk today and what a killer band they are. Three guys that put out a ton of sound. I liked their early years before all the keyboard.

Mr. Limousine Driver.

smidgley · #5 03-21-2007, 07:33 PM

GFR did have terrific fashion sense!

lawsonman · #6 03-21-2007, 07:42 PM

One of my favorites was Mean Mistreater.

CTbass&birdsong · #7 03-21-2007, 07:53 PM

my favorite...heartbreaker !!!

smidgley · #8 03-21-2007, 08:06 PM

I liked Inside Looking Out a lot.

ryco · #9 03-21-2007, 08:27 PM

Mel was killer at copping the perfect rock'n'roll bassline. Grit + flavor!

I always admired the fact that when they started adding keyboard parts they actually went out and brought a keyboardist on board. That was one of my beefs with The Who (my favs) and the Stones. If you're gonna use keys get a player please!

My fav song is "Paranoid" off of the red album.

buzzbass · #10 03-22-2007, 07:47 AM

Ah yes, Closer to Home is one of the most fun songs I ever learned to play.

Rocker949 · #11 03-22-2007, 10:46 AM

I always liked "I'm Your Captain."

buzzbass · #12 03-22-2007, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocker949

I always liked "I'm Your Captain."

It's called Closer to Home, LOL

EASonBass · #13 03-22-2007, 10:56 AM

Love Mel. Love his tone.

rekesbass · #14 03-22-2007, 12:53 PM

that first live album(2 lp set) from 71(?) is awsome..the overdriven bass tone is just....wow

Jumbotron · #15 03-22-2007, 02:25 PM

I wasn't really aware of them at the time (too young), but I've read that they were a HUGE band--one of the top selling American bands ever, still. Who knew?

Loel · #16 03-22-2007, 02:43 PM

A totally underated GF tune is Bad Time
nothing at all like the early stuff,nice groove
whish i'd had a chance to see'em in there early days!

EB/

Ben B · #17 03-22-2007, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzzbass

Ah yes, Closer to Home is one of the most fun songs I ever learned to play.

I heard it on the radio yesterday--full length version. Great song. Great bass line.

Ben

lawsonman · #18 03-22-2007, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electric Blue

A totally underated GF tune is Bad Time
nothing at all like the early stuff,nice groove
whish i'd had a chance to see'em in there early days!

EB/

Our band does Bad Time and it's fun just to watch people singing along.

XavierG · #19 03-22-2007, 09:58 PM

Atoz · #20 03-23-2007, 12:21 AM

Mel had killer tone. He used to load his amp with undersized tubes and overdrive the hell out of them. At gigs, he'd have a roadie standing behind his stack with a box of tubes and an asbestos glove to change them on the fly when he blew them out.