New idea for a band…

[Marko5657]

New idea for a band…

I’m presently in a bar band, classic rock, country, oldies, blues… strictly dance. Full PA, lights, heavy stuff, volume, late getting home, y’all know the routine.

Well, I also have jam buddies (one of whom is a band member), and we’re thinking about doing a different kind of thing.

We’re thinking about listening-type covers for restaurants, early gigs, small low-volume setup, with great vocals/harmonies (you’ll have to trust me on that part, we’re good with the vocals).

We’ll have a bit of Latin flair, nice Conga rig w/timbale and all the percussion stuff, one guitar, bass and a keyboard to cover that and strings, brass or whatever’s needed.

Also, we figure to start, we’d only need maybe an hour’s worth of music (again, just to start), play the set, then take a break and do it again, since the audience should be changing by then.

It just sounds like such an enjoyable thing to us.

We also have some good connections since the present band plays in some venues that might like the new project earlier in the day or during the week.

So, anyone do anything like this? I’m looking for some advice on what to expect or prepare for.

Marko

[Stumbo]

Are there other groups doing the same thing at other venues that you can check out?

[AfroCubanFunkMa]

Go for it man.. As the old saying goes, do what you love.. My only comment is that I wouldn't limit yourself to just restaurant gigs.. I play in a band much like what you describe and we also play nightclubs, festivals, weddings, fundraisers, corporate events, etc.. Sometimes we come small and acoustic.. Sometimes big and electric.. The gigs and what we're feeling determine the equipment..

[bluewine]

Most of us are never going to be rich or famous.ln lieu of that, you better be having fun. Which I am not at this time.

[fab4fan]

You are fulfilling a niche that may not being reached. Go for it.

Some players are hesitant to do this because its "not their style" but I think you get your own enjoyment jamming with buddies and playing rock/country in other settings.

We have a venue in my town that is very eclectic (martini lounge for well to do clientele) and very small. But musicians have done well with lower volume sets and instrumentation.

I'd recommend looking at Pomplamoose on Youtube and see how they have done covers of popular tunes with less instruments and maintain a fresh sound.

Its all about connecting with the audience.

[bolophonic]

I have thought about doing something similar around here, but it would be hard for me to adapt my bass style for that type of project with plausible results. Reading your question made me reconsider the idea, but casting myself in the role of percussionist, instead. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Marko5657]

Hey, thanks for the responses and positive feedback.

The Latin-flair thing came from the drummer/percussionist buddy bringing over the stuff he puts around his Conga set to put around mine. I love those sounds and it can be incorporated into so many good songs. In fact I just bought/ordered about $800 worth of stuff for mine so it’s here at-the-ready, and even if this doesn’t fly, I just like having toys in the music room, although it is getting just a bit cramped these days.

Anyways, here’s what I’m dealing with…

Guitarist isn’t that great, but plenty good for what we’re wanting to do, he has a very high clear voice and likes to sing. No gigging experience, but not shy.

Percussionist, guitarist’s brother, was a drummer but decided to get into this years ago, and he’s pretty good, plays very tastefully, and seems to understand music very well. I see no problem with him at all.

Keyboard will be minimal as none of us are keyboardists, just string backgrounds little brass accents, little sax/flute/whatever parts. My neighbor/buddy is kinda getting stuck on that, and I just happen to have an appropriate keyboard for this project. He’s the drummer in the other band, and sings some leads and backups. His real history is front man/lead vocals, but he just didn’t want to do that anymore, but he’s cool about fronting this project, so we’re good.

Bass is all I can do that’s stage-worthy, and sing, but only softer songs, not much power or growl, maybe some rhythm guitar with practice, but that’s covered.

I did my homework on three songs that were discussed, and we’ll be getting together soon here, so I’ll know better where their heads are at then.

My goal, depending on time/cooperation/ability, is to get at least two arrangements down, record them and hand them CDs to practice to on their own. If they handle that well, I’ll let myself get excited.

Thanks again.

[Marko5657]

Originally Posted by Stumbo

Are there other groups doing the same thing at other venues that you can check out?

To be honest, I don’t go out much to restaurants/bars, only with the band. I’ve seen those mariachi bands and solo guys doing stuff a couple times.

I have confidence that it’s a marketable venture, I just don’t know how much money we could get, and with four guys, it’s not gonna be much, unless we do bigger stuff, which I suppose is feasible.

[Marko5657]

Originally Posted by fab4fan

You are fulfilling a niche that may not being reached. Go for it.

Some players are hesitant to do this because its "not their style" but I think you get your own enjoyment jamming with buddies and playing rock/country in other settings.

We have a venue in my town that is very eclectic (martini lounge for well to do clientele) and very small. But musicians have done well with lower volume sets and instrumentation.

I'd recommend looking at Pomplamoose on Youtube and see how they have done covers of popular tunes with less instruments and maintain a fresh sound.

Its all about connecting with the audience.

Originally Posted by AfroCubanFunkMa

Go for it man.. As the old saying goes, do what you love.. My only comment is that I wouldn't limit yourself to just restaurant gigs.. I play in a band much like what you describe and we also play nightclubs, festivals, weddings, fundraisers, corporate events, etc.. Sometimes we come small and acoustic.. Sometimes big and electric.. The gigs and what we're feeling determine the equipment..

Awesome.

[Marko5657]

Originally Posted by bluewine

Most of us are never going to be rich or famous.ln lieu of that, you better be having fun. Which I am not at this time.

Yep, that’s the idea.

[Marko5657]

Originally Posted by bolophonic

I have thought about doing something similar around here, but it would be hard for me to adapt my bass style for that type of project with plausible results. Reading your question made me reconsider the idea, but casting myself in the role of percussionist, instead. Thanks for the inspiration.

Great. We not really going to be doing Latin music necessarily, just replacing the drum kit with a Conga/Timbale type thing with the other percussion stuff, and choosing appropriate covers.

I don’t figure my bass playing will be affected much.

But if you can play percussion, that sounds like a blast.

[stflbn]

I'm currently part of a project with a retired Nashville pro engineer/producer/road player doing ELO, MoodyBlues, BeeGee's, Pink Floyd type stuff in the type of environment the original poster describes.

Very nice change from the typical bar stuff.

.