Ask how they are traveling and where they are sleeping? Ask if rooms and meals are accounted for and If rooms are part of the deal how many to a room. Road work can lead to all kinds of opportunities.
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Potential to sub on a NorCal tour (long, as usual)
- Thread starter lildrgn
- Start date
For sure, rehearsals would be part of the deal. I gotta learn 15+ originals. And I have a good track record of getting along with bandmates.
Wife def has my back, she just gave me the green light!
For sure! San Fran show would be 7/1 in Mission District, venue TBA.
As mentioned earlier, we are also empty nesters as of January, but for the timeframe of this tour, both kids will be home from college, albeit working, and my wife will be on her summer break (she's a teacher), but will also be working for summer school. Dog will be by himself for most of the day, which may be weird for him, since he's had me or someone by his side since we got him in May 2019.
That's a good point. If what BL says is accurate, aside from incidentals and an occasional meal, my debit card should go pretty unused. That said, when I am filing for unemployment, I might have to report the tour as a "job" since I'd be getting paid.
See, this is why TB is the best. I'd bring my usual # of socks +1. I think I'd need to bring my usual number, plus 3-5 more pairs. Go sock heavy!
Ok, I think I was wrong; they have done Spain recently. Looks like in June, they will be heading to France, UK, Germany and Hungary. The band is called Acid Tongue, and they are great.
Yeah, that's how I'm looking at it. Would I like to make big $$? You bet! But I'm going for the experiences and the connections. As mentioned earlier, to be thought of for this is pretty cool in the first place. It's total DIY and homebrewed, but it's more juice than I have otherwise and hoping it can open more doors.
As far as I know, the other 3 bandmates are in their 30s and I'd hope fairly responsible. However, we all know how that can go. I reached out to my drummer friend last night and when she toured with the aforementioned Acid Tongue, her perspective was that it was cool to be the older member (she's 50-ish) amongst the younger members (in their late 20s and early 30s), offering perspectives that were new to them. When she put it that way, it clicked with me because that's how my work has been the past 10 years: I've been the old dude with a bunch of younger co-workers, and I've loved it.
Been working for the past 10 years, took a contract job last year due to an $ offer I couldn't refuse, contract ended, currently job hunting and on unemployment.
Awesome!! I am down to meet TBers for sure! I don't know why the BL has chosen the destinations he's chosen other than I think he's played them before. Here in Seattle, they aren't playing the biggest venues, but they seem to be percolating and growing to better things.
Yeah, the gear thing is cool, though I might bring one of my basses and use the J as a backup.
Love it.
1. as mentioned, rehearsals are a must. I will know the guys before jumping in a van with them, for sure.
2. Trying to find out more. BL mentioned some crashing at homes of other bands, or something. Don't know about motels/hotels or the like. But like you said, the venues are spaced in such a way that it seems like it wouldn't be a full day of driving, more like several hours.
3. He's got a Fender Bassman he'd bring for me.
Yeah, it's $60/gig OR 20%, whichever pays more. So, it could be decent if there's a great turnout. But with lodging/transportation/food handled for the most part, it turns out to be more (minus my time). I look at it this way, I played 2 gigs this past weekend, 2 different bands, time spent at both in total, about 12-14 hours. I'll get about $150 ($10-12.50/hr) between the 2 gigs. But, as mentioned above, none of this is about making the big bux.
Love it, and you bet, will write.
Whew, thanks for participating. Off to confirm with the BL!
I played the clubs of SF for almost 20 years, starting in the mid 80's. Was a great time. I'm not as up on the venues now, would be curious which one it is--is it the Make Out Room? I've known the owner forever.
As for being on unemployment, assuming you're getting paid in cash for this, man, I wouldn't report it!
I'd want to make sure "lodging" means a halfway decent hotel and not sleeping on the floor at a random buddy's house next to some empty pizza boxes.
Ok, I have told the band that I will do it. He has me working on 8 tunes for now and we are going to hook up Sunday to go over them. I'll keep the thread updated. Thanks for everyone's thoughts and input!
Great topic! Happy to know you're a Go. Enjoy and Good luck.
Quick update. I'm feeling like someone who had a great first date but is hesitant to reach out the next day for fear of looking thirsty. However, it's less being thirsty and more just wanting information.
After verbally agreeing to this gig and getting verbal confirmation back, I figured some dialog would be starting, but it's been radio silence. Granted, the BL does have a day gig and I don't so maybe that's playing into things. But I'd think he'd be sending info over, more than just the 8 songs he wants to do.
Then again, it's me overthinking things, I think.
I have gotten familiar with 5 of the 8 songs so far. A couple are fairly easy and a couple are tricky, in that I had to use Moises.ai to slow down the isolated bass track, so I could pick out the notes and get them under my fingers. Once I did that, the songs started making sense and the parts were imprinting themselves.
In addition to the isolated bass, I have the songs on Spotify (why do I have to hit Shift-Arrow to go back/forwards 10 seconds? Why can't it simply be left/right arrows like everything else??) and I'm bouncing back and forth playing along. The recordings are super lo-fi (to me) and have very little audible bass; Moise.ai sorts the bass in an isolated bass track as "other" and not "bass." So, listening in Spotify is challenging, but bouncing back and forth, taking notes in OneNote, is working.
The iso bass sounds like a J, picked with flats. Not my favorite sound, but it works. I may string up one of my basses with flats in case he's particular about that.
Here's a snip of one song. A tab whiz I am not. Nor do I have software to make notes. I suppose a notebook might be easier. Anyway, here's my notes:
I've purposely held off on naming the band, in case something gets wonky, but I'll put it out there once we start moving forward.
After verbally agreeing to this gig and getting verbal confirmation back, I figured some dialog would be starting, but it's been radio silence. Granted, the BL does have a day gig and I don't so maybe that's playing into things. But I'd think he'd be sending info over, more than just the 8 songs he wants to do.
Then again, it's me overthinking things, I think.
I have gotten familiar with 5 of the 8 songs so far. A couple are fairly easy and a couple are tricky, in that I had to use Moises.ai to slow down the isolated bass track, so I could pick out the notes and get them under my fingers. Once I did that, the songs started making sense and the parts were imprinting themselves.
In addition to the isolated bass, I have the songs on Spotify (why do I have to hit Shift-Arrow to go back/forwards 10 seconds? Why can't it simply be left/right arrows like everything else??) and I'm bouncing back and forth playing along. The recordings are super lo-fi (to me) and have very little audible bass; Moise.ai sorts the bass in an isolated bass track as "other" and not "bass." So, listening in Spotify is challenging, but bouncing back and forth, taking notes in OneNote, is working.
The iso bass sounds like a J, picked with flats. Not my favorite sound, but it works. I may string up one of my basses with flats in case he's particular about that.
Here's a snip of one song. A tab whiz I am not. Nor do I have software to make notes. I suppose a notebook might be easier. Anyway, here's my notes:
I've purposely held off on naming the band, in case something gets wonky, but I'll put it out there once we start moving forward.
I'd want the money, venues and hotels sorted.
So you need to know which dates arent covered and when its envisaged you'll be crashing in someones house.
Meal times are crucial as if you have to fund 3 meals a day, you'll burn your gig bucks.
Plus, do you have a gig every day...because otherwise thats more money.
You might eat better at the crash houses..?
Its roughing it a bit unless you are early 20's when nobody cares but its an experience if you've not done this before.
Definitely do not pay to play. imv.
The reason you havent heard much from BL is because he is busy filling in all the holes in the days.
As long as you expect and accept this is a budget seat of the pants tour, anything more is a bonus.
So you need to know which dates arent covered and when its envisaged you'll be crashing in someones house.
Meal times are crucial as if you have to fund 3 meals a day, you'll burn your gig bucks.
Plus, do you have a gig every day...because otherwise thats more money.
You might eat better at the crash houses..?
Its roughing it a bit unless you are early 20's when nobody cares but its an experience if you've not done this before.
Definitely do not pay to play. imv.
The reason you havent heard much from BL is because he is busy filling in all the holes in the days.
As long as you expect and accept this is a budget seat of the pants tour, anything more is a bonus.
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Hello friends. I went and saw the band last night, they had a gig. I got to meet the BL, the drummer, and sub bassist (who hooked me up) who I will be subbing for.
BL confirmed some of the stuff he had already told me and said that a 5th member on keys, percussion and vox may also be joining us. Initial feeling is that the BL and drummer seemed like cool dudes. Hard to talk during another band's set, so I watched a power trio (bassist playing a Gibson Grabber) and waited until the BL's band set up.
They played as a 5 piece, with bass, drums, lead guitar/vox, rhythm guitar, and keys/percussion/backing vox. Where the studio recordings are fairly dry and antiseptic, the live show was quite different. They were very tight and true to the parts on record (though I don't think the actual recorded players were in the band last night), but the performance was a lot more lively and energetic.
I think a lot had to do with the drummer. Before the set, I mentioned to the BL that I usually play/listen to music that's a little heavier than what his band does. He responded that the drummer came from a more rock background as well. When I watched him perform, that appeared to be a good description. He drove with appropriate authority and tact and was frickin' rock solid throughout. I kept thinking how fun it was going to be to play with him.
I was also encouraged by my friend on bass. He was solid, and he didn't play exactly what the record had. On one recorded song, there's a repeating riff that starts at the E on the 7th fret of the A string, jumps an octave and goes all over. He played that an octave lower, starting on the open E. I wouldn't necessarily do that for the whole song, but I liked that the BL didn't ask him to do exactly what the record did.
Anyway, schedules being what they are, I likely won't meet with the band in a musical sense until the second week of June, and then we'll woodshed from there. In the meantime, stay tuned for updates as they happen.
BL confirmed some of the stuff he had already told me and said that a 5th member on keys, percussion and vox may also be joining us. Initial feeling is that the BL and drummer seemed like cool dudes. Hard to talk during another band's set, so I watched a power trio (bassist playing a Gibson Grabber) and waited until the BL's band set up.
They played as a 5 piece, with bass, drums, lead guitar/vox, rhythm guitar, and keys/percussion/backing vox. Where the studio recordings are fairly dry and antiseptic, the live show was quite different. They were very tight and true to the parts on record (though I don't think the actual recorded players were in the band last night), but the performance was a lot more lively and energetic.
I think a lot had to do with the drummer. Before the set, I mentioned to the BL that I usually play/listen to music that's a little heavier than what his band does. He responded that the drummer came from a more rock background as well. When I watched him perform, that appeared to be a good description. He drove with appropriate authority and tact and was frickin' rock solid throughout. I kept thinking how fun it was going to be to play with him.
I was also encouraged by my friend on bass. He was solid, and he didn't play exactly what the record had. On one recorded song, there's a repeating riff that starts at the E on the 7th fret of the A string, jumps an octave and goes all over. He played that an octave lower, starting on the open E. I wouldn't necessarily do that for the whole song, but I liked that the BL didn't ask him to do exactly what the record did.
Anyway, schedules being what they are, I likely won't meet with the band in a musical sense until the second week of June, and then we'll woodshed from there. In the meantime, stay tuned for updates as they happen.
Here are the dates and the band. We still have yet to play together, but hoping to get in the same room on Sunday. I have about 10 songs out of 16 down enough that I could make it through a set. I don't know the venues, except the first one on 6/28, north Portland, a place called the Lollipop Shoppe.
Ok, wouldn't you know it, the BL just posted venues with the above screen grab:
I think the usual bassist will be playing the Seattle shows, so my last show would likely be 7/11. Anyone familiar with any of these venues?
I think the usual bassist will be playing the Seattle shows, so my last show would likely be 7/11. Anyone familiar with any of these venues?
Finally met with the Forest Ray guys Sunday night. Peter on guitar/flute/harmonica/vocals, Simon on rhythm guitar, and Miles on drums. I've been practicing the tunes a bunch at home and felt pretty good about them, but ended up bringing my notes just in case.
The trip to Northgate took almost 45 minutes. A fender bender on the shoulder on I-5N added about 15 minutes to the drive, which was quite lame. I got there and went in the Silence-of-the-Lambs type basement (re: like a labyrinth) and got plugged in. Peter had a Bassman 100 going out of 2 15" speakers and the sound was thick.
We started with Pass Me By, which to me, is the easiest tune. One riff throughout, with a couple differences in the chorus. I stayed pretty true to the record, but added some embellishments as one does. I didn't get any stink eyes or anything, and listening back to our recording, it was passable. Not bad at all.
In going through the songs on my own, I sensed/deduced/learned that many of Peter's songs are Intro > Verse > Chorus > Intro 2 > Verse 2 > Chorus 2 > Bridge > Intro 3 > Verse 3 > Chorus 3, or some variant of that. He also has long sections, often twice as long as I might expect, but I'm catching on.
I asked him about playing style and he seemed pretty chill about what I was doing. I think as long as I'm listening to him and serving the song, I'll be good. That said, I stayed pretty basic overall. I was a little annoyed with myself because I was relying on my notes more than I would have liked, but I'm glad I had them with me.
As it stands now with Forest Ray, there were no red flags. I think someone was a little "chemically altered" when I was there, but it didn't affect me or the music so I'm not worried about it. I did see the big silver/grey van we'll be in; looked like a large 4 row Ford of some sort.
The guys all seemed pretty cool. Miles is going to be great fun to play with; he did a good job taking cues from Peter and leading me. We had a couple of song endings that I knew nothing about, but was able to follow the guys and do what they were doing, so that was cool. Simon was really solid on rhythm guitar, and apparently he knows all the bass parts, so when I got lost, he'd plunk the notes until I figured it out.
Looking forward to building on this one practice and memorizing the tunes. So far so good, we'll see how practice 2 on Thursday goes.
The trip to Northgate took almost 45 minutes. A fender bender on the shoulder on I-5N added about 15 minutes to the drive, which was quite lame. I got there and went in the Silence-of-the-Lambs type basement (re: like a labyrinth) and got plugged in. Peter had a Bassman 100 going out of 2 15" speakers and the sound was thick.
We started with Pass Me By, which to me, is the easiest tune. One riff throughout, with a couple differences in the chorus. I stayed pretty true to the record, but added some embellishments as one does. I didn't get any stink eyes or anything, and listening back to our recording, it was passable. Not bad at all.
In going through the songs on my own, I sensed/deduced/learned that many of Peter's songs are Intro > Verse > Chorus > Intro 2 > Verse 2 > Chorus 2 > Bridge > Intro 3 > Verse 3 > Chorus 3, or some variant of that. He also has long sections, often twice as long as I might expect, but I'm catching on.
I asked him about playing style and he seemed pretty chill about what I was doing. I think as long as I'm listening to him and serving the song, I'll be good. That said, I stayed pretty basic overall. I was a little annoyed with myself because I was relying on my notes more than I would have liked, but I'm glad I had them with me.
As it stands now with Forest Ray, there were no red flags. I think someone was a little "chemically altered" when I was there, but it didn't affect me or the music so I'm not worried about it. I did see the big silver/grey van we'll be in; looked like a large 4 row Ford of some sort.
The guys all seemed pretty cool. Miles is going to be great fun to play with; he did a good job taking cues from Peter and leading me. We had a couple of song endings that I knew nothing about, but was able to follow the guys and do what they were doing, so that was cool. Simon was really solid on rhythm guitar, and apparently he knows all the bass parts, so when I got lost, he'd plunk the notes until I figured it out.
Looking forward to building on this one practice and memorizing the tunes. So far so good, we'll see how practice 2 on Thursday goes.
Third rehearsal in the books and if the tour started today, I'd feel comfortable. I think I've learned 18-19 songs now and know the arrangements to be close enough. Muscle memory is developing and less thinking and simply playing is starting. We have one more rehearsal set for Tuesday and then hitting the road on Wednesday for the Lollipop Shoppe in Portland that night.
No red flags or anything. The guys are cool and I learned that at 51, I am the oldest in the band by 18 years. Maybe I'll dispense some wisdom.
BTW, this is what I've been playing through at practice. Sounds as thick as it looks.
No red flags or anything. The guys are cool and I learned that at 51, I am the oldest in the band by 18 years. Maybe I'll dispense some wisdom.
BTW, this is what I've been playing through at practice. Sounds as thick as it looks.
Starting the mental packing list, picked up a few things from the store yesterday. In addition to my bass/DI/music stuff, thinking of bringing a backpack (carry on style) and a suitcase for the big stuff. BL has a Ford Econoline van that should have plenty of room for at least 3 amps (guitar/guitar/bass), a drum set, 4 dudes and their luggage.
In a FB post, someone suggested the old motorcyclist's trick of packing old underwear/sox and ditching them on the road to lighten load and to not have to carry dirty unmentionables. I sort of like that idea, but hated the idea of purchasing new stuff due to ditching old (but still functional) stuff. Do I have old underwear and sox? Yes, but I am also thrifty (cheap) and don't want to waste what I have.
I digress.
I am a little concerned about the logistics of The Stuff and Gear. Meaning, while we are in the van/on the road, we are good. What about when we park to eat? Do we get it to go and eat in the van? Does one of us stay back in the van to safeguard the stuff? How about when we are performing? Though our gear will be in the venue with us, do we leave our suitcases in the van? Or do we offload everything into the venue, space permitting? At night, while sleeping, if it's not in the van, I plan on taking my stuff inside; what about the amps and drums, etc?
Anyway, planning on posting updates from the road when I can (which should be the day after each gig; travel gonna be wack). Hoping to have decent places to lay my head at night and some cool stories and pix to share.
In a FB post, someone suggested the old motorcyclist's trick of packing old underwear/sox and ditching them on the road to lighten load and to not have to carry dirty unmentionables. I sort of like that idea, but hated the idea of purchasing new stuff due to ditching old (but still functional) stuff. Do I have old underwear and sox? Yes, but I am also thrifty (cheap) and don't want to waste what I have.
I digress.
I am a little concerned about the logistics of The Stuff and Gear. Meaning, while we are in the van/on the road, we are good. What about when we park to eat? Do we get it to go and eat in the van? Does one of us stay back in the van to safeguard the stuff? How about when we are performing? Though our gear will be in the venue with us, do we leave our suitcases in the van? Or do we offload everything into the venue, space permitting? At night, while sleeping, if it's not in the van, I plan on taking my stuff inside; what about the amps and drums, etc?
Anyway, planning on posting updates from the road when I can (which should be the day after each gig; travel gonna be wack). Hoping to have decent places to lay my head at night and some cool stories and pix to share.
