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1st rock gigs for old guy

Bredian

Bredian

Apr 22, 2011
916
158
unlicensedtherapyband.com
#1
This week I played my first 2 bass rock gigs. One on the 4th, a neighborhood street party, 4 sets, 4-1/2 hours. Friday night, a downtown club, 3 sets, 3 hours. With the help of youtube and chord/tabs and 2-3+ hour practices, was able to pull it off with a a few flubs, but a great time. We knew the club would be empty due to a city music in the park program, so we treated it as a dress rehearsal. Helped that the band leader (singer/guitarist) and drummer have been together 2 years, the lead guitarist is talented and had a couple of practices and one show on me.

Playlist included a lot of Clapton/Yardbirds/Cream, Santana, The Band, Moody Blues, Deep Purple as well as lighter 60s and 70s pop rock stuff and a couple of 50s rock classics.
 
#3
First bar of the first song of first set of first gig (Can't get enough of your love/Badd Co.)..... lead guitarist, who practices plenty, has an 10+ year old Ibanez Randy Rhoads pro style in beautiful pearl with a monster tremolo bridge and a lot of hardware at the nut, blows out a D string. Listening to the recording, the string sound is funny, but he grabs his backup, an older Les Paul, that I've only seen him tune, and is back in groove by bar 8. Professional.

Each set has been better than the last, although the first set we both had comfort issues. He restrung for the second set, and I let out a few notches in the strap.

Some highlights , Clapton's Holy Mother, Doobie's South City Midnight Lady, Smoke on the Water ended the 4th of July.

Considering I've got less than 200 hours of gigging/band practice over the past 6 years, mostly in a Church Jazz band, its going well. Of course, everything we play, still is stuck in my head from listening to the radio in the 60s and 70s, the drummer is a rock, the lead player is a total cameleon, and the band leader knows what hes doing. Its a great ride.
 
#4
noeinstein said:
Good job, buddy! It'll keep you young and vibrant, keep it up... your learning curve will level out before long.
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Absolutely. First standing 3 hour practice was a little sore, but was totally wired after last gig. Trying to stay animated on stage, otherwise, will have to invest in an Entwistle wardrobe and get a hell of a lot better.

Learning curve.... I innocently went over to a jam session with the husband of a gal I went to HS with, he email me 7 sets of tunes, 60-70. I said I'd try to focus on the first 40..... Thankful for youtube and online chord sheets. 2 weeks later, gigging.

Like I said, what a blast. I remember the sheer joy I felt as a teenager playing for hours on end in school bands, jazz and marching bands.
 
#8
Glad for you, Bredian. And I love your repertoire. I had a classic rock thing going on up to last summer, and loved it. I was getting to play all that good stuff I never got to play way back, finally. Alas, but the band died. Back to variety stuff. Good luck with it in the future, pal.
 
#10
mottshoople said:
Congrats. I'm a late comer myself. 47 and played my first gigs a couple of months ago. We're going thru some band restructuring, but I can't wait to get back out there. Keep it up and enjoy.
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Motts Hoople? Can't let that get by without telling you that I have 3 Ian Hunter/Mott The Hoople tunes for the band to consider..... always thought they were goofy to watch and listen to in the 70s. Now, I'm thinking it would be a kick in the ass to play a few of their tunes.
 
#11
Bredian said:
Motts Hoople? Can't let that get by without telling you that I have 3 Ian Hunter/Mott The Hoople tunes for the band to consider..... always thought they were goofy to watch and listen to in the 70s. Now, I'm thinking it would be a kick in the ass to play a few of their tunes.
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Which three tunes? I can tell you that I saw the reunion in 2009 in London and they kicked butt. For a bunch of guys in their 60's and 70's, they can rock like teens.
Good to see that you (like myself) have decided to get out there. It's never too late. It definitely makes you feel younger when you're up there playing.
 
#12
I'm looking at tunes I may not have liked much on the radio, but would be a kick in the pants to play to a dance floor. Here's some MTH tunes:


All The Young Dudes ‪Mott the Hoople All The Young Dudes‬‏ - YouTube

Written by Bowie

All The Way From Memphis Invalid Link Removed

Drew Carry Show Intro "Cleveland Rocks" ‪The Drew Carey Show Intro (Cleveland Rocks full)‬‏ - YouTube

Written by Ian Hunter (MTH) If you listen to it, you can tell. Of course, we're not in Cleveland.

Glam rock cracks me up. Makes me want to check out Alice Cooper, Kiss, etc. for ideas.
 
#14
A couple of band photos
 

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#16
Well, we play a little Clapton/Cream. Just recording Badge on our 4th run through. The dynamics aren't perfect, but its ready. I listened to the MP3 all afternoon. Soon as the boss puts them up on a site, I'll link it, otherwise, I'll have to come up with $20 and support myself here. The photo is from a quickee band shot before practice under a tree (note some shadows) that the boss (hat) shopped into the airport security. Eric is standing next to me. Bar photo cut off the lead guitar player, but nice quaint venu in Old Sacramento...Vega's. Next photos should include keys/flute/sax/singer who's been gone to the Far East to visit son. She's boss's boss, wife.

Boss says everybody's gotta sing, so next working on my mouth/finger coordination beyond my usual driving applications.;)
 
#17
Yes, there's hardly more fun you can have with your clothes on than cranking your amp up and letting loose in a good, tight band in front of a good, appreciative audience. I have a few years on you but have been playing since switching from guitar at the age of 20 or so. My only regret (apart from failing to become a multi-zillionaire rock star) is the periods when real life got in the way and bandlife went by the wayside. One thing hasn't changed though - about halfway through the first set I start turning orange and by the middle of the second set I'm glowing red and sweating so prodigiously I look like I've been swimming fully clothed. Handy tip for fellow perspirators; those nice linen napkins you can borrow from restaurants make excellent face and hands wipers - always keep a couple of freshly-laundered ones in your gig bag!
 

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