Thunderbird Club

[BklynKen]

we are looking for a drummer for a new project and found some schmoe who (sent a couple of clips) plays well and sings…..everything was peachy (song list etc.) until the first flag, which came when we were trying to setup the audition and he goes “I don’t wanna haul my kit around for an audition” which seemed odd, when I commented (phone) if he was willing to take a chance on a rickety kit from some paid rehearsal spot, he called the guitarist to tell him he couldn’t do it because he was a cancer survivor…….real question is; why not be up front about stuff and not waste people!’s time? is it the “courtship” period that excites certain people?…..finally, don’t forget we’re talking drummers here…..in a class by themselves…..years ago (almost 40) a very well known, seasoned player told me “would you trust a person that wants to beat on skins for the rest of their lives?”…

Drummers also have a tendency to blow up.

 

[MCF]

I mentioned last week that TSC's had a show on Sunday (last) night. I organized the night of 3 bands opening with two singer/songwriters performing 'in the round' (a traditional format for s/s's) and the second band which is Bond Girls' drummer Phil's other band 'the Road Runners', garage rock favoring classic R&R covers. (Elvis, Johnny Cash, The Monkee's) On Friday Phil contacted me that their guitarist was sick & they might have to pull out. Told him to keep me posted on his development.

On Saturday, (luckily) he said he was good to go. Ok. Mid-day Sunday Zach, our drummer informed me he couldn't perform. He has a record of health issues and he's also in finals for his law degree. (stress) We rehearsed on Thursday, only running our 45min set - but it was enough to trigger chronic fatigue syndrome, one of his health issues. Because drumming (physical excursion) triggers it - he disclosed that he would have to leave our band. He is meeting with his Dr on Tuesday so I told him to let me know what he advises before we jump to conclusions. But, I fear the diagnosis will be the same and we will all be sad to see him go as our drummer. He did so well for our last recording session earlier this year - I was really impressed with his playing which was the first time recording for him.

So back to the gig - at first I thought I'll just have to tell the club we can't play. But then I considered options; BG? - we're playing there in 3 weeks on a Saturday night, and after talking w/Cherie - we decided against it. So then I looked at songs that Paul & I know that Phil knows. (TSC's was a trio for a couple years and had a bunch of mostly instrumentals we did) I collected 11 songs and Paul & Phil agreed to play. We did the set and people seemed to like it ok. Mission:Accomplished ... I'm sure anyone playing in bands has similar stories -

I totally empathize with your drummer. I went to to what was then, in the early to mid eighties, one of the most rigorous (it has apparently changed) law schools in California. The Bar passage rate from there was on par with Stanford, Cal and UCLA (that has, unfortunately, changed too over the last twenty years or thereabouts). But 40% of first year class was gone by the end of the first year.

When asked for advice by those who think about going to law school, I tell them to treat it like a full time salaried job devoting 55 to 60 hours a week to it. Avoid distractions.

When I took off to go, I sold my bass gear (I kept my acoustic guitar) and knew it would be awhile until I got back into playing and gigging. It turned out to be a a much longer hiatus than planned. But that approach served me well. I graduated, passed the Bar exam on the first try and began working immediately.

It is a lot harder to do that today, given how expensive education has become and forcing years of debt on students. I was very fortunate.

I hope you can find someone soon Geo. The TSCs are special.

 

[JIO]

We have a show in Seattle this Friday, we're not going to make any money. When we leave town, we make money. I have no idea how/why it is so.

If it's anything like the smaller venues in SF, the ball is in their court and some present playing at their venue as 'a privilege'...

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Drummers also have a tendency to blow up.

yep….we once had a drummer throw a drum stick at a guitarist because he was yawning onstage (full house)…..the guitarist freaked out and wiggled a monitor loose from the ceiling that inevitably landed on top of the drummer’s brand new DW kit who jumped over the kit and got the the guitarist in a headlock all mid set………. needless to say, the establishment (was kind enough) paid us for the remaining 2 months of the contract (by law didn’t have to) and sent us on our merry way……can’t write this stuff….z

 

[GBassNorth]

…
I’d go as far as saying the ‘90’s still had somewhat of a scene hanging on. At least for the genres I was playing and into seeing.

I thought the 90’s belonged to Seattle.
Which brings up a thought - if the 70’s (mid and on) belonged to disco, and the 80’s belonged to big hair bands and glam, and the 90’s to Alt and grunge, what did the 00’s and teens and 20’s belong to? I can’t think of any real dominant defining genres for those periods.

 

[JIO]

we are looking for a drummer for a new project and found some schmoe who (sent a couple of clips) plays well and sings…..everything was peachy (song list etc.) until the first flag, which came when we were trying to setup the audition and he goes “I don’t wanna haul my kit around for an audition” which seemed odd, when I commented (phone) if he was willing to take a chance on a rickety kit from some paid rehearsal spot, he called the guitarist to tell him he couldn’t do it because he was a cancer survivor…….real question is; why not be up front about stuff and not waste people!’s time? is it the “courtship” period that excites certain people?…..finally, don’t forget we’re talking drummers here…..in a class by themselves…..years ago (almost 40) a very well known, seasoned player told me “would you trust a person that wants to beat on skins for the rest of their lives?”…

Spinal Tap

unless it’s a benefit for someone’s passing, accident or whatever, I don’t leave the house….

It's different being a hired gun than leading a band.

 

[MCF]

Gotta love Neil!

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I totally empathize with your drummer. I went to to what was then, in the early to mid eighties, one of the most rigorous (it has apparently changed) law schools in California. The Bar passage rate from there was on par with Stanford, Cal and UCLA (that has, unfortunately, changed too over the last twenty years or thereabouts). But 40% of first year class was gone by the end of the first year.

When asked for advice by those who think about going to law school, I tell them to treat it like a full time salaried job devoting 55 to 60 hours a week to it. Avoid distractions.

When I took off to go, I sold my bass gear (I kept my acoustic guitar) and knew it would be awhile until I got back into playing and gigging. It turned out to be a a much longer hiatus than planned. But that approach served me well. I graduated, passed the Bar exam on the first try and began working immediately.

It is a lot harder to do that today, given how expensive education has become and forcing years of debt on students. I was very fortunate.

I hope you cand find someone soon Geo. The TSCs are special.

Rosa’s sister got her law degree from Stanford….highly respected…

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Spinal Tap



It's different being a hired gun than leading a band.

yes, and I much more prefer it….I want to play bass…

 

[JIO]

Sorry to hear, I know you have spoken highly of him as a good drummer and band mate. If you end up on the hunt for a new drummer, let me know.




I’d go as far as saying the ‘90’s still had somewhat of a scene hanging on. At least for the genres I was playing and into seeing.

I'll know more after Zach's Dr visit - but thanks, I'll let you know.

 

[MCF]

I thought the 90’s belonged to Seattle.
Which brings up a thought - if the 70’s (mid and on) belonged to disco, and the 80’s belonged to big hair bands and glam, and the 90’s to Alt and grunge, what did the 00’s and teens and 20’s belong to? I can’t think of any real dominant defining genres for those periods.

Indie for those who liked music. A piece of crap for those who didn’t.

 

[MCF]

I'll know more after Zach's Dr visit - but thanks, I'll let you know.

One of the great benefits of our group. We look out for each other. Networking. This Club still amazes me every day.

 

[JIO]

yes, and I much more prefer it….I want to play bass…

Me too, but leading a band is something I always wanted to do and I love my bandmates Paul and Kirstin. They are both wanting to continue if Zach is out so we'll hope to find a compatible drummer.

 

[GonePlaid]

The white VP did waltzes, foxtrot, disco, pop, rock and even the latest Finnish Eurovision smash (the one the ended up 2nd but was clearly a winner in most peoples eyes) last Saturday. I might be wrong but I think it has a little bit of more "honk" (in a good way) when both pickups on than the currently broken tobaccoburst.

No photos but it's a green bass Monday anyway so here's one:
View attachment 5105785

And as everyone knows I like to post my songs and even demos so why break that tradition. An old one I padded up with voice loops so I basically sing on it even 'though it's more reverb than dry signal.
An excerpt of (yet another) work in progress:

 

[BklynKen]

yep….we once had a drummer throw a drum stick at a guitarist because he was yawning onstage (full house)…..the guitarist freaked out and wiggled a monitor loose from the ceiling that inevitably landed on top of the drummer’s brand new DW kit who jumped over the kit and got the the guitarist in a headlock all mid set………. needless to say, the establishment (was kind enough) paid us for the remaining 2 months of the contract (by law didn’t have to) and sent us on our merry way……can’t write this stuff….z

I was thinking more the Spinal Tap way of blowing up, but that's pretty crazy.

 

[GonePlaid]

We have a show in Seattle this Friday, we're not going to make any money. When we leave town, we make money. I have no idea how/why it is so.

It's 'cos yer the "local band". When our group worked at a hotel on Miami Beach, we were better and more versatile than outta town bands that would be booked in one of the other rooms. But they got more $$-and rooms-'cos they were from N.Y.(or wherever). A lotta venue managers seem to think that all the 'good' bands come from somewhere else.

 

[GonePlaid]

unless it’s a benefit for someone’s passing, accident or whatever, I don’t leave the house….

I'll leave the house, my gear won't. Those occasional 'jam band' things I used to do(B/L moved out west somewhere), I only hadda take a bass. Amp was-usually-provided.

 

[GonePlaid]

If it's anything like the smaller venues in SF, the ball is in their court and some present playing at their venue as 'a privilege'...

"I got yer 'privilege' RIGHT HERE!"

 

[GBassNorth]

Indie for those who liked music. A piece of crap for those who didn’t.

You might be right, but I always kinda thought Indie was more or less a meandering genre that started around the early 80’s with multiple peaks and valleys since then. I think R.E.M. was Indie. Probably Smashing Pumpkins and Radio Head as well. All were pretty popular 30+ years ago and I guess still are. But it just doesn’t have the same defining moment feel of disco, punk, grunge…

 

[MCF]

yep….we once had a drummer throw a drum stick at a guitarist because he was yawning onstage (full house)…..the guitarist freaked out and wiggled a monitor loose from the ceiling that inevitably landed on top of the drummer’s brand new DW kit who jumped over the kit and got the the guitarist in a headlock all mid set………. needless to say, the establishment (was kind enough) paid us for the remaining 2 months of the contract (by law didn’t have to) and sent us on our merry way……can’t write this stuff….z

You need to write a book. You are, after all, the most intersecting man in the world (at least among those who I know personally…). I’ll be your editor. Let’s do it when I retire. The early years, playing Europe, returning home, Rosa, and now.