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East Tennessee Talkbass
- Thread starter Michael Vee
- Start date
Hey guys. I've been lurking here for a while. I've been out of the gigging scene for several years while raising a family, but managed to keep up the chops over the years playing at my church and doing private events and parties with pickup bands. Been trying to get active in the club scene again here in Knoxville over the last year or so, and it's been a frustrating venture. Finally got in with a band who had recently lost their bassist, had similar tastes in music, and we clicked fairly well. We played the Chris Armstrong benefit at Wild Wing Cafe a few weeks ago, and then the band imploded. So, I'm searching yet again. If you guys know of any bands lacking the bottom end, I'd greatly appreciate a heads up. I prefer 70's - 80's classic rock covers, but I'm open to other genres as well.
I'm also looking forward to meeting some of you guys. I do recognize some of the band names that I've seen on this list, but haven't yet had the chance to see any of you playing out yet. I hope that changes soon.
I'm also looking forward to meeting some of you guys. I do recognize some of the band names that I've seen on this list, but haven't yet had the chance to see any of you playing out yet. I hope that changes soon.
When I moved here I put a bass player available ad on CL and I bet I received 10 emails. A few of those bands were classic rock bands.
My suggestion would be to put a similar ad up
Craigslist is littered with a lot of frustration IME. In my experience, it hasn't put me with a band going anywhere, but it is a good way to meet other musicians, and the experience led to projects that DID go places.
One of the best ways to get in a working band is being in the right place at the right time, and knowing the right people. So a lot of "gettting gigs" is networking, playing a lot of music you don't care for, playing with people you may not share many interests with, and old fashioned politics. Or any combination of the above. If you sit at home waiting on the call, most of the time, it ain't coming.
YMMV, IME yadda yadda.
One of the best ways to get in a working band is being in the right place at the right time, and knowing the right people. So a lot of "gettting gigs" is networking, playing a lot of music you don't care for, playing with people you may not share many interests with, and old fashioned politics. Or any combination of the above. If you sit at home waiting on the call, most of the time, it ain't coming.
YMMV, IME yadda yadda.
I used bandmix dot com to put Third Obsession together back in '07 (best originals band I've ever been in). And it helped get a cover band together a few years later. Not sure how good a resource it is now though.
I have gone the CL route with my own ads and Bandmix, and have received a few replies, none of which went anywhere. I've hit CL as an observer every other day for a year and a half, and I've jammed/auditioned with many of the contacts I've made there, and they went from one extreme to another - from struggling through an hour of jamming with people that just shouldn't pick up an instrument to jamming with some really great musicians, but musical tastes were just too far apart, to playing with one group for over three months and finally realizing that they were never going to get out of the basement and into the clubs. I've made some really good connections, but just not many open doors. I've even been "that guy" that walks up to band members during their breaks to introduce myself, and try to network.
I did actually find this last band through Craigslist and they were a great bunch of musicians, but due to some differences of opinion just couldn't hold the band together. But for the most part, CL and Bandmix don't seem to be doing it these days, so I am trying to get acquainted with as many local musicians as possible, including other bassists.
I did actually find this last band through Craigslist and they were a great bunch of musicians, but due to some differences of opinion just couldn't hold the band together. But for the most part, CL and Bandmix don't seem to be doing it these days, so I am trying to get acquainted with as many local musicians as possible, including other bassists.
Sites like CL and Bandmix are a good way to meet people.
The reason why bands don't work out or the people that you meet off of those sites suck or are flakes is simple.... a ton of people who play music are nut jobs and unreliable. That's just how it is and it's a problem that is universal.
The reason why bands don't work out or the people that you meet off of those sites suck or are flakes is simple.... a ton of people who play music are nut jobs and unreliable. That's just how it is and it's a problem that is universal.
True.
Paul McCartney said they got in a band to avoid work and pick up birds (girls) and it worked pretty well. That really is the basic job description, at least when you are young. Sometimes later in life we get more motivated and have grander goals, but there will always be that big majority that are out do as little as possible while stoking the ego. Sometimes the results are not pretty.
Another reason to get to know the guys on this thread: Maybe a job comes up that one of us doesn't have time for, if you're connected with that person, maybe you get the call.
Plus there are a bunch of guys I TRUST on here, If Jody called me tonight and said he needed my Dingwall for a recording, it's his for the taking, and I know he will take better care of it than me. Same for guys like code911, he gigs all the time and if his amp blew up, I'd be rushing my Ampeg fridge right over.
All different backgrounds, religious and political beliefs, skill levels all over the place, but one thing we all have in common is the love of the instrument. Plus, I personally think bass players are the cream of the crop when it comes to human beings!
Plus there are a bunch of guys I TRUST on here, If Jody called me tonight and said he needed my Dingwall for a recording, it's his for the taking, and I know he will take better care of it than me. Same for guys like code911, he gigs all the time and if his amp blew up, I'd be rushing my Ampeg fridge right over.
All different backgrounds, religious and political beliefs, skill levels all over the place, but one thing we all have in common is the love of the instrument. Plus, I personally think bass players are the cream of the crop when it comes to human beings!
Thanks man! And I agree and would do the same w/ my "one of" irreplaceable Laklands.
Speaking of Bandmix, I've had Invalid Link Removed for nearly 10 years, but nothing has ever come of it. I briefly had a "premier" (paid) listing but dropped it, and glad I did.
Getting ready to play the last performance of Charlie Brown at 2 PM this afternoon. It has been fun. I did the show with my fretted Zenith into the house DI, and headphones (ick!) but it worked out okay. Still much prefer my Shuttle.
Getting ready to play the last performance of Charlie Brown at 2 PM this afternoon. It has been fun. I did the show with my fretted Zenith into the house DI, and headphones (ick!) but it worked out okay. Still much prefer my Shuttle.
All different backgrounds, religious and political beliefs, skill levels all over the place, but one thing we all have in common is the love of the instrument. Plus, I personally think bass players are the cream of the crop when it comes to human beings!
Very true - bass players are generally more selfless than say, oh I don't know....
We're supportive by nature - tend to be the 'reliable' bandmate & take responsibility for stuff others won't or don't
Very true - bass players are generally more selfless than say, oh I don't know....
We're supportive by nature - tend to be the 'reliable' bandmate & take responsibility for stuff others won't or don't
Well, lets see. My experience has been as follows.......
Audition from Band Mix. I asked for material and told them I wanted a week to get my poop in a group. Got a call 48 hours later that I had to show up because someone was going out of town. I explained that I wasn't ready. I was told just show up and do my best.
Walked in and the first thing out of guitard's mouth was 'We're recording you!'. To say that I was intimidated and flat peed the bed is the understatement of the year. But I learned an extremely valuable lesson. Don't ever agree to something that puts you in a compromising position and know your trash walking in to an audition so you can play with confidence and authority.
Got together with a guitar player and a drummer from a CL ad. Immediately got along famously with the drummer. Noticed that the guitar player was getting pushy, hacking it up because by god, if you learned a song back in 76, there is no need to go back and refresh your memory. One night guitar player told the drummer he was a horrible singer and just flat freaked out. I didn't know the drummer that well, but it was so uncalled for that I packed my stuff the same time as the drummer.
Ran down the drummer a few days later just to say that there was no way he deserved to be treated like that and that I punched out out of respect to him.
4 days later drummer called and asked if he could throw my name in a hat for a project he just joined. Bass player was sketchy. I said sure. One week after that I got a phone call and was given 8 songs that I had never heard of in my entire life. Worked my butt off and killed it at audition.
I am blessed that I am now playing in a local cover band with no drama, no egos, and a stellar work ethic. Couldnt ask for anything more.
To kill off my long-winded diatribe, I found my gig through another musician. And I know very few people here, although, I am starting to meet a lot more out gigging.
If I had to do it all over again, I would spend more time out checking out and supporting local bands to meet folks and develop relationships. Learn who the crazies are in order to avoid, but more importantly, learn who the good guys are and stay in touch with them, especially the bass players! I dont care if you clam it up like me or are a prodigy, the bass players in this group will be your biggest supporters.
And I agree with the above. This is a great group of players. I would kill myself to help any of the regulars here if they got in to gear trouble, or even just wanted to test anything that I have.
Audition from Band Mix. I asked for material and told them I wanted a week to get my poop in a group. Got a call 48 hours later that I had to show up because someone was going out of town. I explained that I wasn't ready. I was told just show up and do my best.
Walked in and the first thing out of guitard's mouth was 'We're recording you!'. To say that I was intimidated and flat peed the bed is the understatement of the year. But I learned an extremely valuable lesson. Don't ever agree to something that puts you in a compromising position and know your trash walking in to an audition so you can play with confidence and authority.
Got together with a guitar player and a drummer from a CL ad. Immediately got along famously with the drummer. Noticed that the guitar player was getting pushy, hacking it up because by god, if you learned a song back in 76, there is no need to go back and refresh your memory. One night guitar player told the drummer he was a horrible singer and just flat freaked out. I didn't know the drummer that well, but it was so uncalled for that I packed my stuff the same time as the drummer.
Ran down the drummer a few days later just to say that there was no way he deserved to be treated like that and that I punched out out of respect to him.
4 days later drummer called and asked if he could throw my name in a hat for a project he just joined. Bass player was sketchy. I said sure. One week after that I got a phone call and was given 8 songs that I had never heard of in my entire life. Worked my butt off and killed it at audition.
I am blessed that I am now playing in a local cover band with no drama, no egos, and a stellar work ethic. Couldnt ask for anything more.
To kill off my long-winded diatribe, I found my gig through another musician. And I know very few people here, although, I am starting to meet a lot more out gigging.
If I had to do it all over again, I would spend more time out checking out and supporting local bands to meet folks and develop relationships. Learn who the crazies are in order to avoid, but more importantly, learn who the good guys are and stay in touch with them, especially the bass players! I dont care if you clam it up like me or are a prodigy, the bass players in this group will be your biggest supporters.
And I agree with the above. This is a great group of players. I would kill myself to help any of the regulars here if they got in to gear trouble, or even just wanted to test anything that I have.
A couple of months back there a was a post about upright instructors for Knoxville area. I have had no luck identifying any in Bristol, Johnson Cy, or Kingsport.
I just need basics such as hand positioning, ergonomics, developing solid practice habits, etc. Leaning towards pizz and slap versus arco but basics are basics Heck, I'll grind arco exercises if it will help me get somewhere!
If anyone has any leads, be it formal teacher or even a vet who can teach me foundational stuff, please run me down!
Thanks in advance.
I just need basics such as hand positioning, ergonomics, developing solid practice habits, etc. Leaning towards pizz and slap versus arco but basics are basics Heck, I'll grind arco exercises if it will help me get somewhere!
If anyone has any leads, be it formal teacher or even a vet who can teach me foundational stuff, please run me down!
Thanks in advance.
Yes but he lives in the land o' banjo aka Knoxville while I live in the booming metropolis of Kingsport. My oxen can't travel to Knoxville every weekend. That's a lot of hay per mile.
Kingsport (my hometown too) is loaded with musical talent. The city was a planned city built by Eastman/Kodak and most of the original inhabitants were brought in to work there - chemical engineers and the like - so the standard of living and general education level is waaay above the typical small city. As a result, the arts are advanced as well. There's always been a strong jazz core there and because it is in the hills of East Tn. there's bluegrass as well. So you're covered on both types of music in which uprights are most often used.
There's gotta be a teacher there somewhere.
Kingsport (my hometown too) is loaded with musical talent. The city was a planned city built by Eastman/Kodak and most of the original inhabitants were brought in to work there - chemical engineers and the like - so the standard of living and general education level is waaay above the typical small city. As a result, the arts are advanced as well. There's always been a strong jazz core there and because it is in the hills of East Tn. there's bluegrass as well. So you're covered on both types of music in which uprights are most often used.
I sure hope so, but it is a strange place in terms of uprights. I have watched for a good deal on an American ply for months. Not a thing that wasn't ridiculously overpriced.
You would think living this close to the birthplace of country music we would have Kays, King M's, American Standards, and Epi's stacked up in closets like cord wood.
Mark Robertson took pity on me and lent me his beloved x-wife, aka 51 Kay. Amazing tone !
Now I just need to learn to play this thing !
