Ahh, I remember my first series of gigs with the high school Big Band on bass. It was my senior year, and I had to move from lead trombone to bass because our bassist was a dumbf*ck and went snowboarding over winter break and broke his left hand wrist. It was a three-night Arts program, and it was my first time in front of THAT many people (over 100 people). I'll break it down for ya.
First night: Scared poopless. I F up about half the songs and never fall into the pocket.
Second night: The drummer is out of town, so the music teacher tells me to put a combo together at the last minuet. I end up getting a sax player to play drums, and we do (horrible) arrangments of Chameleon and Mercy, Mercy, Mercy. On the way off the dark, crowded stage one of the stage hands hits me square in the forehead with a cymbol stand. I end up blacking out in the parking lot and having to be carried home. Great show, I would say.
Third Night: Pure magic. Me and the drummer (an old friend who I sadly don't talk to anymore after a petty argument) achieve that almost-cosmic pocket most of us only DREAM of. We could do no wrong, and it elivated the horn section to even greater hieghts. I also got the only standing ovation to a bass solo ever in my short carear, and me and the drummer are asked to take our own bow at the curtain call. I also got to wear my oh-so-fugly 70's blazer and rose-colored glasses. Sadly, still did'nt get any chicks.
Oh well...
You can't have it both ways.
