First gig in 20 years!

[Stev187]

Wow, I feel old just typing that subject line. No question here, just sharing my excitement and hoping for a word or two of encouragement. Here's the story:

My 10-year old son recently inspired me to start playing out again after two decades away. He has taken up bass guitar and is doing really well with it; he's in a band and they've played some live shows in clubs and schools. He's having a great time. Over the holidays, I thought I might like to get out there again. I played in bands in my 20s before I went back to college and started this happy hampster wheel that is my life. In December I responded to a Craigslist ad that sounded like it might work; it was the frist one I saw, actually. Prior to the audition, my only electric bass was in parts in a plastic tub (and I had gone years without even owning one). I re-assembled the bass in time for an audition on Jan 10 and did pretty darn well. I got offered the gig, and we've been rehearsing every week since Jan 17. We're a party/cover band with a wide variety of fun material: some Stax/Motown, some 70s pop/rock/country, some 90s alternative and even a little hip hop. They guys are great, and we are really compatible with the same goals, etc. We managed to put together about 36 solid tunes for our first gig, which is this coming Friday at a decent-sized club. Not bad for a rustly old dude in the space of two months. Last practice before the gig is tomorrow night.

I can't imagine getting back into this without the cool folks on TB. Since I've started this again, I've had a couple of amps fry up and some other assorted problems. I also seriously modded my bass (got some parts from TB members) and picked up some other useful tools. I've combed to archives for advice on playing, learning tunes, and being in a band. Always someone friendly on the other end of the "line" ready to listen and help.

So, thanks everybody! And wish me luck on Friday.

--Steve

(Oh, and before anybody asks... I'm 43, which is--depending on your perspective--not all that old, or really ancient).

[DONZI97]

Good Luck! Were you playing? I'm about 2 hours away, but have a gig myself in Marine City Friday.

[Marginal Tom]

Welcome back! Your break was a few years shorter than mine, but I've certainly enjoyed playing again. You're also about 25 years younger than I am, so you'll have lots more time to enjoy it.

Let us know how the first gig goes.

[Marko5657]

Man, really cool how that worked out!

and not that you’ll need it, but best of luck on Friday, and be sure to follow up here.

[TinIndian]

I went through the same thing a year ago! Quit playing back in 1990 until and old friend tracked me down for his band. You're going to love it! Forgot how much I missed playing out!

Good Luck! and more importantly, Have Fun!

[ChrisB2]

Your story is awesome! Love it! You'll have a blast, enjoy it man.

Here in BM you'll see guys starting threads asking "Am I ready to play in a band?" Be sure to jump in and encourage them!

BTW, you're not all that old.

[garak7]

Yes, go get 'em! Keep us posted on your progress!

[thomashawk]

Great story man; have a blast!

[bassbully]

Good luck! It took me 25 years to get back to music and playing again and now I have not looked back. Been giging since 10 years now.

[Stev187]

Originally Posted by DONZI97

Good Luck! Were you playing?

We're playing in Flint (Mundy Twp) at a place called Alexander J's. On Sunday, we're doing a couple of sets at a benefit with my son's band; the benefit is at one of the larger clubs in the area, so it should be fun.

Thanks everybody for your kinds words. Practice went great tonight. All over but the shouting.

I'll check in after the gig, perhaps with some pics.

--Steve

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by Stev187

We're playing in Flint (Mundy Twp) at a place called Alexander J's. On Sunday, we're doing a couple of sets at a benefit with my son's band; the benefit is at one of the larger clubs in the area, so it should be fun.

Thanks everybody for your kinds words. Practice went great tonight. All over but the shouting.

I'll check in after the gig, perhaps with some pics.

--Steve

Good luck with your gig!

Sounds like you're having a blast. Glad you listened to your son. Lots of wise words come from such young minds sometimes. I'm sure you are your sons hero since he can tell everyone "That's my dad on stage". Love your story.

My story is kinda in reverse. I looked up all my old band mates from years ago, found them all and some were still playing so I got invited to sit in on a regular jam playing a bit of keyboards and when the other bass players moved on, I switched to bass. The BL brought on another guitarist that I also knew from back in the day. The BL sings lead, plays guitar and keys so we play all kinds of tunes in a rented studio with backline and have a great time every few months or so.

And a great time was had by all.

[jarrydee]

Originally Posted by Stev187

We're playing in Flint (Mundy Twp) at a place called Alexander J's. On Sunday, we're doing a couple of sets at a benefit with my son's band; the benefit is at one of the larger clubs in the area, so it should be fun.

Thanks everybody for your kinds words. Practice went great tonight. All over but the shouting.

I'll check in after the gig, perhaps with some pics.

--Steve

Wishing you a great gig from a fellow Michigander!!! Im only half an hour away!!

PS. let me know how their steaks are!!!

[Ronbassman]

So, what will be the setlist?
I hope you have a blast!

[Stev187]

Originally Posted by Ronbassman

So, what will be the setlist?

3 sets. 1st is pretty up-tempo (Motown, Stax, country rock & some Elvis); 2nd set is pretty 70s, plus some more Motown and a little Sublime; 3rd set is almost disco, more 70s, and a little hip hop. We have four more in the pocket in case we want to play longer. Should be a lot of fun.

The song that surprised me the most is our version of Andy Kim's "Rock Me Gently," which I have never played (or ever listened to) in my life. We'll do that in the middle of the 3rd. Again, I never ever thought I'd play a song like that and it's just a heck of a lot of fun.

I'll check in afterward, and thank you all.

--Steve

[Stev187]

Originally Posted by Marko5657

...and not that you’ll need it, but best of luck on Friday, and be sure to follow up here.

Hey gang. Just a quick note to say that the gig went great. Got there to load in and had a Spinal Tap moment with the marquis, which had the wrong band name. Our band is called "Static" and they had us up there as "Stride." We had a great laugh about this (the staff changed it quickly) and decided that we now have an alter ego band that we can perform as. If we were nervous about how we'd sound, I suppose we could have performed as Stride in case we bombed.

We ended up packing the place. A good chunk of the crowd was there because we invited them, and the owner noticed. Muscially, it went pretty close to perfect; a couple of miscues and mistakes, but nothing that anyone other than us might have noticed.

A sax player showed up during the 3rd set and asked to sit in, and that went great. She was actually really good and played on some 70s funk and a couple of the hip hop tunes. I had a great time and moved around a great deal while we played. I was having too much fun to really be nervous. For Michigan folks, this is a nice room to play. I think the place used to be a Bill Knapp's.

As part of another thread, I tested out these really cheap Xaviere P & J copies I recently purchased. My main bass is a Fender Jazz with EMGs and a BadAss II, but I thought I'd see how these basses did on a gig (each was about $170 new from Guitar Fetish). Both did great, but the P bass rocked. I have GHS Preceision Flats and a foam mute on it.

Here's a 30 second video of each of those basses.

Xaviere P & J on a Gig - YouTube

You can tell that I am having a great time here. Thank you all for your thoughts and encouragement. I'll be sure to pay it forward in future posts!

--Steve

P.S. Again for the Michigan folks: while I didn't try the steaks there, the rib tips were excellent! Here's a link to the venue:

Alexander J's Smokehouse | Michigan BBQ Bar and Restaurant | 5490 Fenton Road Mundy, MI, 48507

[rootsbasscanada]

awesome! my old ass should start gigging too again.

keep playing bro.

[howardkohler]

Awesome! I'm glad to hear it went well. Makes me want to kick the other guys in my band in the butt. We spend too much time recording stuff and not enough time gigging.

[DERECOLA]

Great job I cant wait to see some more vids. from you guys....

[Marko5657]

Very cool!

[ACalbass]

Is nice that everything worked out good for you in your return.
My story is similar : 20 years away from the music,because of family,now that kids are grown ups I went back to play in January 2012.
Same as you,got a gig off Craigslist,those became 5 or 6 gig during January and February,then found a nice band in Connecticut that do originals and covers,already had 2 gigs with them in March,an upcoming packed April with gigs every week,and a weekend long studio session to get the material in a decent form,also a date to play next September in Utica music festival.More to come.
All with guys a lot younger than me.
We old guys (I am 51 now) shouldn't be ruled out to perform as younger guys do,and should not lose the faith and confidence in ourselves.
Looks like you came back at the right time and the right place and with the same young spirit that got you into music in the first place.
Congrats and keep on rocking,it makes our life a lot funnier.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw2GRlA6XdY