Please wish me the best

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #1 08-11-2006, 12:50 AM

Hi everybody.

Today I have a gig with my rock band. As I've said before, we don't play often because unfortunately that music isn't popular among people who can pay for a music show here. This time, the director of the languages' department of one of the universities I work with called me because they organized a big event promoting the English courses they offer, and they wanted to close it with a rock concert. I'm a bit nervous because my singer's English speaking skills aren't the best and I begged him to hear and learn the songs' lyrics the best he can. Of course I offered myself to help him with pronunciation as far as I can.

But more than nervous, I'm pretty excited because we've prepared a long set of music we (the band) really love (and we think the audience will dig). And there's something special: Both our current and former drummer will be playing. First half will be played by our current drummer and the second half by the other guy. And for the last three songs, they'll play at the same time (two drum kits on stage, of course). Needless to say, I'll bring both my fretted EBMM Bongo and my Ric 4003. Here's the set list as planned:

With our current drummer:

- AC/DC's "Hell's Bells" (played with the Ric)
- Rush's "Anthem" (Ric)
- Pink Floyd's "Young Lust" (Bongo)
- Van Halen's "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love" (Bongo)
- Kiss' "Detroit Rock City" (Bongo)
- Scorpions' "Still Loving You" (Bongo)
- Rush's "La Villa Strangiato" (Ric)
- Iron Maiden's "Aces High" (Bongo)

With our former drummer:

- Rush's "Tom Sawyer" (Ric)
- Extreme's "Cupid's Dead" (Bongo)
- Rush's "Bastille Day" (Ric)
- Los Lobotomys' "Party In Simon's Pants" (Bongo)
- AC/DC's "Back In Black" (Bongo)
- Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" (Bongo)
- Rush's "The Spirit Of Radio" (Ric)
- Rush's "2112" Overture + The Temples Of Syrinx (Ric)
- Kiss' "Black Diamond" -our current drummer returns for this one- (Bongo)

And with both drummers:
- Led Zeppelin's "Rock And Roll" (Ric)
- Rush's "YYZ" (Ric)
- Kiss' "Love Gun" (Bongo)

Song order isn't the best for me, but we didn't want the drummers to play "mixed" and that's the best order we could think of for them to play continuously. We chose "Love Gun" as the closing song because both drummers and me will sing the three-part harmony vocals (our guitarist doesn't sing), and we thought it would be a nice touch for a great ending. I only hope everything will result as planned, weather won't ruin the concert, no strings will break, the singer won't lose his voice, the PA system will work fine... the Hell's Bells are supposed to start tolling at 6:00 P.M. (GMT -5) I really want this to be a great evening.

Atoz · #2 08-11-2006, 01:08 AM

Awesome set, Man. Kick some booty!

Peter Squire · #3 08-11-2006, 02:05 AM

Safe to assume you like Rush?

Best of luck with it!

steve21 · #4 08-11-2006, 02:06 AM

Kick some butt bro! Sounds like a fun set.

B-NoteCowboy · #5 08-11-2006, 02:46 AM

Good luck dude! Killer set. ooooh oohhh Black Diamond!

spudmaster34 · #6 08-11-2006, 10:38 AM

good luck, knock 'em dead

invader3k · #7 08-11-2006, 11:20 AM

Yeah...kind of a Rush-heavy set list, but a lot of people like that.

I would come to your show just to hear "Black Diamond." A much under-appreciated KISS song.

RoMeRz · #8 08-11-2006, 11:29 AM

sounds like it would be awesome!

Hope nothing goes wrong !

bassjamn · #9 08-11-2006, 03:36 PM

Rush's "YYZ" (Ric)
Rush's "La Villa Strangiato" (Ric)

Hey cool! you get to play those live that's awesome.
Good luck Alvaro

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #10 08-11-2006, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

...no strings will break...

ARGH! My Ric's A string broke during La Villa Strangiato! And precisely in the section I like the most (The Waltz of the Shreves)!!!!

I can't believe this happened!! La Villa Strangiato is my all-time favorite rock instrumental. It was also my band's genesis. WHY???

Aside from that, everything went so great. The string thing got me so down, but the audience deserves a great show regardless of the inconveniences, so I played the rest of the gig with my Bongo trying to deliver the best of me. I don't do drugs (I don't have any vices, BTW) but during "Comfortably Numb", for instance, I felt in a trip that can't describe with words. People were so enthusiastic and we received a lot of praise.

Atoz · #11 08-11-2006, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

ARGH! My Ric's A string broke during La Villa Strangiato! And precisely in the section I like the most (The Waltz of the Shreves)!!!!

I can't believe this happened!! La Villa Strangiato is my all-time favorite rock instrumental. It was also my band's genesis. WHY???

It's called Murphy's Law. Didn't you get the memo?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

Aside from that, everything went so great. The string thing got me so down, but the audience deserves a great show regardless of the inconveniences, so I played the rest of the gig with my Bongo trying to deliver the best of me.

Words of a consummate showman.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvaro Martín Gómez A.

I don't do drugs (I don't have any vices, BTW) but during "Comfortably Numb", for instance, I felt in a trip that can't describe with words. People were so enthusiastic and we received a lot of praise.

This is what your memory of the show should be. You know that no one in the crowd even remembers your A-string experience at this point. Sounds like you gave them a great, enthusiastic show, and they responded in kind. Well done!

AdlerAugen · #12 08-12-2006, 12:40 AM

Don't you have to pay royalties to EVERY SINGLE one of the artists if you get paid for the gig? (if they have a copyright that is)

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #13 08-12-2006, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdlerAugen

Don't you have to pay royalties to EVERY SINGLE one of the artists if you get paid for the gig? (if they have a copyright that is)

At least here, those royalties are paid by the people who organize the gig, not the band(s). But in this case, it was a free concert within an university, so no royalties must be paid.

Alvaro Martín Gómez A. · #14 08-12-2006, 03:25 AM

Here's a pic:

**bassybill** · #15 08-12-2006, 05:51 AM

Hey, you're going to be swapping basses a few times during that gig! I'd be really tempted to see if you can play the whole lot with just one, keep it moving. Ric for me all the way, if you can manage with a 4 string - no offence to Bongo fans.

Have fun and best of luck with what sounds like a great set.

PS How about swapping Bruford's "Hell's Bells" for the AC/DC number?

invader3k · #16 08-12-2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdlerAugen

Don't you have to pay royalties to EVERY SINGLE one of the artists if you get paid for the gig? (if they have a copyright that is)

Nope.

Peter Squire · #17 08-13-2006, 10:14 PM

Not sure how it works in US, but over here, the club/pub owners pay a license fee to play ANY kind of music (recorded or live). The fee is distributed to the performers through the union.