2nd project...Shocked! Shocked, I tell ya!

[txbasschik]

The drummer from CW called me yesterday to ask what my plans were for the evening. He told our singer (his wife) that, since she's decided to go back to school and no longer has time for performing, or even rehearsals, we would get another guitarist and make a new band. She is welcome to join us when she has time, and we can revive CW when she's done with school, but neither drummer nor myself can sit for a year or two and wait for her.

I nearly fainted dead away! He not only wants a 2nd project, but he asked me, rather than the other bassist that used to work with them!!! SHOCKED!!! PLEASANTLY *SHOCKED*!!! It really was a total surprise.

So, we got together with a guitarist last night, and had a great time. We will all take turns at singing lead, and the material will be more rock than blues. This is something I've wanted to do for a long time, and I am just blown away that drummer and I are on the same page with this.

We expect to start gigging within a month...two or three times a week. This is exactly what I need to avoid having to take a full-time office job, and I couldn't be happier!!!

We either played, or at least went through, the following last night...

Slow Ride -- Foghat
Simple Man -- Skynyrd
Needle & Spoon -- Skynyrd
Paranoid -- Sabbath
War Pigs -- Sabbath
Children of the Grave -- Sabbath
Sunshine of Your Love -- Cream
Hey Joe -- Hendrix
You Shook Me (All Night Long) -- AC/DC
Train, Train -- Blackfoot
Cocaine -- Clapton
Bitch -- The Stones
Hurricane -- The Scorps
The Zoo
Headin' Out To The Highway -- Priest
Whole Lotta Love -- Led Zep

YAY!!!



Cherie

[Jared Lash]

Wow. Based on everything you've said about this band in the past, I figured you'd be forming a new band while the husband and wife quietly reunited with their old bassplayer behind your back.

Congrats. I hope it works out well for you, and I'd love to hear some clips when you guys tighten things up and start gigging.

[txbasschik]

Originally Posted by TheBigO

Wow. Based on everything you've said about this band in the past, I figured you'd be forming a new band while the husband and wife quietly reunited with their old bassplayer behind your back.

Congrats. I hope it works out well for you, and I'd love to hear some clips when you guys tighten things up and start gigging.

Yeah, I expected to be out, too. I thought they would focus on their acoustic shows, also. The singer had made it crystal clear that I was not welcome in that lineup. But, the promoter that was involved in those shows totally screwed them over (I told them not to work with him, and I have been proven correct). And now, the singer has taken on such a heavy school load, she can't even practice.

I think the thing that shocks me most is that Drummer asked me, rather than the other guy. And, that he stood up to his wife and refused to just lay back and not play because she has chosen school and a larger, more-demanding career. They make plenty of money, so this was a personal choice for her, not something she *had* to do. Fine...cool, even. But that doesn't mean her husband doesn't still want to play. I'm just so surprised he wants to keep playing with me!

Maybe the other guy just doesn't have time, or isn't interested? I don't guess it matters. I'm just so pleasantly shocked that the drummer called me for this. I truly, truly did not expect it at all.

He's also given me the role of keeping the band organized, and creating our marketing. I am also given a real voice in decision-making. This is greatly expanded over the role I've had in CW.

I think taking the "couple" component out makes us all freer to be full members in a band, rather than a couple plus one other person, you know? The wife is, of course, welcome to sit in when she has time. But I think a band without a married couple in it will provide less stress and more freedom, which can only be a good thing!

YAY!!!

Cherie

[txbasschik]

Oh! This is more than twice the number of songs the CW usually gets through on an average practice night. And without all the bickering!!! I hadn't realized how much time the couple's bickering at practice took up. Without that component, practice is much nicer. We got so much done, even with sitting and talking, going over lists of material, etc!

Cherie

[Tenma4]

Bickering-free practices are great! I was in a band once with a engaged-->newlywed couple. We easily spent half the time waiting on them.


My wife has been in a band with me before, and I was always proud that we saved any of that for out-of-band times. We did not discuss personal matters during practice time. She served as manager of my previous band too. The sucky part for that band was she quit when they kicked me out. What's worse is they wanted to keep her...

[txbasschik]

Originally Posted by Tenma4

Bickering-free practices are great! I was in a band once with a engaged-->newlywed couple. We easily spent half the time waiting on them.


My wife has been in a band with me before, and I was always proud that we saved any of that for out-of-band times. We did not discuss personal matters during practice time. She served as manager of my previous band too. The sucky part for that band was she quit when they kicked me out. What's worse is they wanted to keep her...

Hubby and I take the same policy...no personal issues when we work together. (We have a sometimes-project.) Also, we work hard not to let the "couple" thing affect how we treat each other as band members. But then again, we don't work together all the time, so that makes it easier.

But this couple...whew!!! They bickered while engaged, and it got worse after they married. It just blew me away, how much material we covered without having to wait for an argument to end.

Cherie

[CincyBassMan]

I also echo TheBigO's comments. I too, thought you got "jammed" in CW. It also seems to me that hubby is spreadin' his wings a bit. I hope his wife remains supportive and doesn't try to interfere with your'alls progress!

Super happy for you!!

[txbasschik]

Originally Posted by CincyBassMan

I also echo TheBigO's comments. I too, thought you got "jammed" in CW. It also seems to me that hubby is spreadin' his wings a bit. I hope his wife remains supportive and doesn't try to interfere with your'alls progress!

Super happy for you!!

Thanks!!!

You know, maybe this is exactly what needed to happen. Its a different type of music than we do in CW, and that may take away the temptation for them to compare me to the old bassist. Without having to worry about upsetting the singer, the drummer can just be himself and speak his mind, knowing he won't be paying for his comments later. And I also can feel more free to give my input, being more a full member, not just an accessory piece that can be easily exchanged for another.

I hope she'll be supportive, too. I think it will be fine until we start gigging. She will be home doing her school work, and I think that's when she'll start really missing doing gigs. So long as she understands she is welcome to sit in anytime should help counteract that. I hope!

Still gonna keep up my house party jams, though. I still want to work with that Mexican guitarist and, if we mesh well, make a new band with him. Without a full-time job, I can have more than one band.

Cherie

[CincyBassMan]

I believe you're right on with the different styles and such. The fact that HE wanted to do this says alot AND the fact that progress was made in little time...

I also agree that the kicker will be when gig time rolls around...keeping the other things going is key, if not only for your sanity but for growth as well.

I do hope your can get together with that getar player before someone else does!!

[txbasschik]

Originally Posted by CincyBassMan

I believe you're right on with the different styles and such. The fact that HE wanted to do this says alot AND the fact that progress was made in little time...

I also agree that the kicker will be when gig time rolls around...keeping the other things going is key, if not only for your sanity but for growth as well.

I do hope your can get together with that getar player before someone else does!!

Yeah, him calling me up like that is a pretty big deal. It really is a lovely surprise. I would never, in a million years, have predicted this. Here's to happy surprises! ***clink!***

We'll see, when gig time comes. We'll be playing places we used to do as CW. I know it would be very hard for me to sit and watch while my band continued on without me, even if it was due to a life choice I'd made. I would imagine it will be just as hard for her. I expect we'll still take gigs from time to time, but not like before. The new band expects to work two or three nights a week.

The new guitarist we played with last night is a transplant from Arizona. Knows loads and loads of songs, and has a good attitude. And we didn't have to tell him to turn down!!!

Oh man, *everybody* wants to play with that guy from Mexico. The dude has really impressed the local musicians. Hubby and I gave him our phone number, because he asked. If my husband is too busy to work with him, I know a good local drummer. He's got his own studio, and would be committed to a good, professional project. Beto wants to work on some originals he's got, and I think it would be really exciting. I'll be at this week's jam, and hope to set a date to come and work up some music after Christmas.

Cherie

[thumblypeg]

Well I have to admit, I don't know your backstory as well as the other posters, but you seem very excited and proud about this. As well you should be. This is what it's all about! And not having to have a full time job and actually being able to conentrate on more than one project is fantastic. Day jobs suck!

I'm very happy for you.
Good luck with all this. Sounds like you'll be busy.

[Depth_Charge]

I wish you all the best with this project Cherie!

[txbasschik]

Originally Posted by thumblypeg

Well I have to admit, I don't know your backstory as well as the other posters, but you seem very excited and proud about this. As well you should be. This is what it's all about! And not having to have a full time job and actually being able to conentrate on more than one project is fantastic. Day jobs suck!

I'm very happy for you.
Good luck with all this. Sounds like you'll be busy.

Thanks. The backstory...well, CW's music is great, but the hang hasn't been, um...premium. I'm hoping that the new project will have a new dynamic, as far as members and their roles. And I'm excited about getting to play music I love, but haven't had the opportunity to play with a band.

As for the *other* new project...well, I'm really excited to have the opportunity to work on that guy's originals. He's played with every bassist out here, and a bunch in Austin, and he's asked me to work on his originals. That is very, very flattering. The guy's a really good guitarist...I hope his writing is just as good!

Cherie

[markjazzbassist]

congrats, rock out!!

[tycobb73]

Nice, but do you plan to play anything for the people under 50? . My band does everything from Johnny B Goode to Crazy Bitch (with a female singer).

Other than that, good luck. It seems you weren't totally satisfied with that band from what I could gather from your other posts.

[txbasschik]

Originally Posted by tycobb73

Nice, but do you plan to play anything for the people under 50? . My band does everything from Johnny B Goode to Crazy Bitch (with a female singer).

Other than that, good luck. It seems you weren't totally satisfied with that band from what I could gather from your other posts.

Yes, we will definitely play music for people under 50. I'll make certain of it. The drummer and I want to do some P.O.T.U.S.A., and I'm thinking about covering a Foos tune, among other things. I'm certain we'll have more 60's through 80's stuff, but I want to bring newer material, too, and so does drummer. Guitarist leans more towards old-school metal and hard classic rock, but I think he'll come along, if the drummer and I choose songs with his style in mind.

As for CW...can't really tell yet, but without the whole "couple" thing, there's a different feel. We covered, what?, nearly a dozen songs in one practice? Also, at the Wednesday jams, drummer and I get hang time, and that helps. It just seems to be more about music overall, less personal b.s. So far, so good.

Got to play with that awesome Mexican guitarist again last night. Played some Santana, then went into a freestyle jam on some of his original riffs. Then he told me to just take it over, change the rhythm, the feel...do whatever I wanted to do, just stay in the same key sigs we'd been in. Oh MAN!!! Ohman, ohman, ohhhhh MAN!!! SO MUCH FUN!!! First time anyone's ever given me that much room to run, full gallop. Took it from Latin to funk to blues and back to Latin again. What a blast!

Was also given opportunity to sing and play, by the jam leader, and given a list of songs to learn.

Can't stay online long...gotta practice!!!

Cherie

[txbasschik]

Originally Posted by tycobb73

Nice, but do you plan to play anything for the people under 50? . My band does everything from Johnny B Goode to Crazy Bitch (with a female singer).

Other than that, good luck. It seems you weren't totally satisfied with that band from what I could gather from your other posts.

Yes, we will definitely play music for people under 50. I'll make certain of it. The drummer and I want to do some P.O.T.U.S.A., and I'm thinking about covering a Foos tune, among other things. I'm certain we'll have more 60's through 80's stuff, but I want to bring newer material, too, and so does drummer. Guitarist leans more towards old-school metal and hard classic rock, but I think he'll come along, if the drummer and I choose songs with his style in mind.

As for CW...can't really tell yet, but without the whole "couple" thing, there's a different feel. We covered, what?, nearly a dozen songs in one practice? Also, at the Wednesday jams, drummer and I get hang time, and that helps. It just seems to be more about music overall, less personal b.s. So far, so good.

Got to play with that awesome Mexican guitarist again last night. Played some Santana, then went into a freestyle jam on some of his original riffs. Then he told me to just take it over, change the rhythm, the feel...do whatever I wanted to do, just stay in the same key sigs we'd been in. Oh MAN!!! Ohman, ohman, ohhhhh MAN!!! SO MUCH FUN!!! First time anyone's ever given me that much room to run, full gallop. Took it from Latin to funk to blues and back to Latin again. What a blast!

Was also given opportunity to sing and play, by the jam leader, and given a list of songs to learn by three different people.

Can't stay online long...gotta practice!!!

Cherie

[txbasschik]

Huh...that was weird. Didn't mean to post that twice.

Cherie

[Howlin' Hanson]

And no doubt you will let us Texas folks know when you first hit the stage, so we can come hear you live?

I'm very glad that all the ill omens turned out to be wrong!

[txbasschik]

Originally Posted by Howlin' Hanson

And no doubt you will let us Texas folks know when you first hit the stage, so we can come hear you live?

I'm very glad that all the ill omens turned out to be wrong!

Thanks, hon.

The singer's not taking all this very well at all. She doesn't want us to have this be a second band with a different name, but she doesn't want us to represent CW without her singing lead. She doesn't want to play out more than once a month or so...can't do more, too much schoolwork. She feels like we're trying to replace CW. That's not true, but its difficult for her to get past her anxiety right now.

She joined us for the 2nd half of practice last night. That totally changed the focus of our practice...made it a CW practice, instead of us working our new material. We were listening to some newer rock, and some POTUSA, to cover, and she was steady telling the drummer how he'd never be able to play it, it was too fast, he would have to *change the beat*, and how we should stay away from music like that, etc. Honey...who asked you? This ain't your project...CW is! This isn't going to be yet another blues band!

So...I'm spending time today making certain that everyone has a copy of lyrics and chords for next week, and an updated song list. We need to focus on the new material, whether she's with us or not, and a little applied organization will keep us moving in the right direction. I've been assigned the task, and am working to give structure to our practice, so we can't be thrown off like that.

We're planning on playing a few songs as a group at Larry's Lone Star, at the Wednesday night jam next week. If I think it will actually happen, I'll post. I'll know by Tuesday night whether the guitarist can be off work for Wednesday's jam.

That's a real good jam, anyway. You should come out for it sometime! Gets started 'round 8.

Cherie