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Power trios
- Thread starter JimmyM
- Start date
The cover band I was in could be called one. For 3 years we ran with drums, guitar, bass, and a singer. LOTS of space to fill in(chords, extra
playing to cover guitar parts, etc.).
Then we added a keyboard/guitarist.
Love them and being in one will keep you on your toes.
playing to cover guitar parts, etc.).
Then we added a keyboard/guitarist.
Love them and being in one will keep you on your toes.
JMJ, here's a hypothetical for you - Let's say I just hit the lotto and have backed the Brinks truck up to your house. I've given you big time budget and complete control. I need a power trio. Who are you going after?
How incredibly nice of you to share your wealth, thank you!
Gawd, I dunno. I'd have to ruminate on that. I think I'd like to meet some new people to create with, frankly. I don't have to hook up with superstars, just people with genuine talent, vision, and a surprising lack of cynicism. How about I start there?
Best,
JMJ
I really dig Deerhoof with the added guitarist (as a quartet). Just saw them last month, spectacular. Their quirkiness is off-putting to some, but refreshing for me.
just realized the other week that 3 of my all time favorite bands Rush, Police, Primus all are trios with singing bassists. duh.
just realized the other week that 3 of my all time favorite bands Rush, Police, Primus all are trios with singing bassists. duh.
don't know about guitar, but a power trio with you on bass and jeff friedl on drums would kill. he is so up your alley as a drummer, or at least he seems to be from what i've seen out of him. he's been subbing for josh in devo and just did a tour of australia with that brazilian band css. loves to play trashy but is tight and has a ton of chops.How incredibly nice of you to share your wealth, thank you!
Gawd, I dunno. I'd have to ruminate on that. I think I'd like to meet some new people to create with, frankly. I don't have to hook up with superstars, just people with genuine talent, vision, and a surprising lack of cynicism. How about I start there?
Best,
JMJ
thx for all the suggestions, folks. got a lot of listening to do later today!
I play in a (power) trio and it is by far my favorite no frills set up. Though at this time we're unable to perform all the synth parts or guitar overdubs in our live show, I prefer keeping it stripped down and raw, and saving the studio for limitless explorations.
In one. Best way to play, Period.
No where to hide. Dynamics-Dynamics-Dynamics.
Lead Player has 1 pedal, (Ibanez TS 808) and the bassist (I know him well) has none. Strait music.
No where to hide. Dynamics-Dynamics-Dynamics.
Lead Player has 1 pedal, (Ibanez TS 808) and the bassist (I know him well) has none. Strait music.
Gotta add my love for the trio format as well. My best band experience so far lasted 3 years and it was in college. We were a four-piece for the first 9 months, but the lead guitarist (who also handled about half the lead vocals) graduated and left town for a real job. The rest of us 'shedded hard that summer, writing new songs and stripping down the arrangements for others. The remaining guitarist was a very limited soloist (though a fine songwriter), which left me a lot of space to roam in. It was a challenge and an absolute blast for two years.
I wish I had some new trios to recommend. Mike Watt is far from new, of course, but he did just release a new trio album last week (Hyphenated-Man) in which he's backed by guitar and drums--his previous project was an organ trio.
Three of my very favorite bands were trios--Husker Du, the Minutemen and the Meat Puppets. The holy trinity of trios, so to speak, all on SST.
I wish I had some new trios to recommend. Mike Watt is far from new, of course, but he did just release a new trio album last week (Hyphenated-Man) in which he's backed by guitar and drums--his previous project was an organ trio.
Three of my very favorite bands were trios--Husker Du, the Minutemen and the Meat Puppets. The holy trinity of trios, so to speak, all on SST.
Oh man: Minutemen, Huskers, Meat Puppets. I COULD NOT AGREE MORE!!! Those were the ONES of my day.
I must say, being in a power trio is the most satisfying band experience that I have ever been in.
Recently I was in a very short lived power trio. The singer/guitarist was an older guy (40's with a family). He has taught guitar since he was 16 or so and is a great talent. He ended up having to quit the band because he had SO many things going on. However, playing with just a single guitarist and drummer opened up a ton of space for me to fill. I found that I could look at the cover songs we were doing and play several different things than just the root notes that were usually played. Before we broke up the drummer wanted to get a second guitarist because we had a "thin" sound. He wanted his brother to join the band, but didn't want to say that.
The power trio is great because it works and it's simple.
Also, the less members you have, the more your share of the gig is!
Recently I was in a very short lived power trio. The singer/guitarist was an older guy (40's with a family). He has taught guitar since he was 16 or so and is a great talent. He ended up having to quit the band because he had SO many things going on. However, playing with just a single guitarist and drummer opened up a ton of space for me to fill. I found that I could look at the cover songs we were doing and play several different things than just the root notes that were usually played. Before we broke up the drummer wanted to get a second guitarist because we had a "thin" sound. He wanted his brother to join the band, but didn't want to say that.
The power trio is great because it works and it's simple.
Also, the less members you have, the more your share of the gig is!
King's X as a trio are great. Reunion gigs of Cream were enlightening. Very challenging playing in a trio. So much space. Either one is busy (Jack Bruce or Tim Bogert?) or more like James Dewar with Trower who was distracted by singing perhaps.
Link Removed
i played in a "power trio in high school. It was a lot of fun. The songs on that myspace aren't the best we did better stuff but i can't figure out how to post the files. Also really don't like my sound on any of that anymore, not what i would go for now. We never really did much except write and record stuff on our own. Anyway it was fun. I love power trios so i figured i'd post the link for anyone interested in giving the old high school band a listen.
i played in a "power trio in high school. It was a lot of fun. The songs on that myspace aren't the best we did better stuff but i can't figure out how to post the files. Also really don't like my sound on any of that anymore, not what i would go for now. We never really did much except write and record stuff on our own. Anyway it was fun. I love power trios so i figured i'd post the link for anyone interested in giving the old high school band a listen.
Heres my Power Trio. Live at River City Studios - Four Finger Five on Vimeo Music Starts @ 3 mins if you dont wanna watch the interview. Would love some feedback from some of you guys, especially you JMJ if you get a chance? Hope im not asking too much. Just trying to perfect things.
Not sure if my band could be called a 'power trio' because all we do is straight ahead, fist pumping rock with a hair of punk in it, but I do love playing in a three piece. More room for everyone, yet more musical accountability that stops people from jerking off all the time.
