A positive "audition" story

Erik Schieffer · #1 05-20-2010, 11:30 AM

I put audition in quotes because it really started as just a jam.

I've put most of my band activity on hold for the past few years to concentrate on being a father and husband. Mostly I've just been bashing out really bad classic rock covers in a couple of non-gigging "Dad bands." A couple of weeks ago, a drummer friend of mine tells me that he's been trying to get something casual together with a guitarist/singer that he met, and wants to know if I wanted to check it out. I figured why not, so we picked a few songs and he sent mp3's of some originals.

When I showed up, I expected the worst. The guitarist brought a pair of Fender twins and a Marshall combo to a jam in a small gameroom. Turns out, my fears were unfounded. The drummer played with rods and the guitarist was at a comfortable bedroom level. His glassy, mostly clean tone left me plenty of room to stretch a bit. More importantly, he could really play. Lots of Andy Summers, Eric Johnson and Jeff Beck influences. He brought charts(!) to some more originals and we managed to play for several hours.

We have our second rehearsal this weekend. I half expect to crash and burn, since the first one went way too smoothly. I hope not, we have our first gig scheduled in two weeks. (So much for casual.)

Sometimes things just click. We all have busy schedules, so this will likely never be a serious gigging band. But it sure seems like it will be a great way to keep the chops up and vent some creative energies.

I just figured I'd offer a counterpoint to the usual craigslist fiasco stories.

bassman10096 · #2 05-20-2010, 12:40 PM

Wow. Why didn't I answer that ad?

(LOL)

kesslari · #3 05-20-2010, 12:47 PM

Nice. Enjoy the groove and the music.

the_hook · #4 05-20-2010, 12:52 PM

Along your lines of everything going well...

I've been trying to find a guitar player than can play the stuff I like (Rush, Zeppelin, etc.) and so far, after meeting 2 guys, neither could play well enough. I managed to find a guy I met through another bass player.

Until recently we only sent emails about which songs to work on. He came over for the first time this weekend. I wasn't sure what to expect as I've been disappointed a few times.

This guy was amazing. Sound, technique, theory knowledge, it all worked perfectly. We blasted through a few songs and we worked really well together. To top things off my 10 year old son sat on drums and the 3 of us worked on some Rush and Zeppelin tunes and just locked in well. The guitarist kept shaking his head at watching my kid play so well.

We then played a tune I created off a bass line, and my son had built his own drum parts to. In 10 mins. this guitar player laid down some nice riffs and even solo'd over the last half of the song.

Awesome feeling, I hope that's how all the jams go.

Wyrm74 · #5 05-20-2010, 02:20 PM

Hey Erik, long time no...well, anything! I hope that Micro POG is treating you right. When/where is your gig? I might be able to come check you out!

Levi

Erik Schieffer · #6 05-20-2010, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wyrm74

Hey Erik, long time no...well, anything! I hope that Micro POG is treating you right. When/where is your gig? I might be able to come check you out!

Levi

Hey Levi! The Micro POG is great. I keep going back and forth between it and an analog octave (EBS).

The gig is at a coffee shop in Grapevine (http://www.bgcoffee.net/). It's on June 5th. (We're listed as Matt Sims, who is the guitar player in question.)

Wyrm74 · #7 05-21-2010, 05:42 PM

I don't suppose it's after 7pm? Gotta work! That stupid job sure does get in the way of my fun. I'm still using my MXR BOD and digging the tone. I've added a 3Leaf Groove Regulator and Bass Big Muff Pi, and should have my MXR Carbon Copy in a few days. Now I just need to order that Analogman chorus I've been dreaming of and my PT Mini will be full!