Thunderbird Club

[Engle]

we were discussing Honky Tonk Women (Stones) the other day at practice...that recording speeds up quite a bit by the end...

I played Street Life in a band a couple of years ago. We were playing from charts and then I thought I'd check out the bass lines in the original. This is probably the biggest difference in tempo that I've heard in a studio recording:

 

[Engle]

Just got to load in at Knuckleheads in KC. Actually a great club at night, but on weekend days it’s just an ocean of Harley apparel and bands playing Mustang Sally and Rocky Mountain Way. So many folks hit 50 or so, then only want to hear the same music over and over for the rest of their lives. Then some of the same people lament the lack of live music. There’s actually tons of great original music out there. Just often a serious lack of support for anything original or new. And there’s tons of great, original music out there. Too bad so many assume if it ain’t their music from their era it can’t be any good

Lock your doors and close your minds... Some people just never change the station.
I just turned down an offer to play in trio will probably gig a fair bit. I looked at the rep list which included Mustang Sally, Old time rock&roll, etc and I just couldn't do it.
I'm lucky my cover band has the musical horsepower to pull off tunes that are a little harder to play - so they aren't overplayed.

 

[Count Bassie]

Think our drummer needs a sedative.

A few weeks ago, when we were still looking for a guitarist, she was keen to get out and do open mics with bass, drums and vox, and the other two of us had to hose the idea down.

We are seeing three singers this coming week, all of whom seem keen and two of whom have a great deal of performing experience. They have all been asked to prepare three of the initial six songs we are working on as our first 30 minute set.

Last night our drummer started going on about going out and playing guitar, bass, drums open mics with no vocals. She doesn't seem to get that this is a bad idea. She thinks it will take a singer a month to get up to speed and we are wasting time. I think it will take a singer one good rehearsal to get our six songs down (they're not complicated) and we should take our time. Better to give a good initial impression, than a half-arsed one.

I don't know. She sounds perfectly normal/fine to me.

 

[Engle]

Don't really think open mics at obscure suburban pubs will do much of anything for us, except annoy people with louder than expected noise. Our guitarist has volunteered to sing if necessary but I want her to concentrate on making noise.

Drummer thinks our French candidate won't really want to be in the band because she's French and has a good music CV, therefore can pick and choose. We have a Spanish guitarist, a 'NZ R&R hall of fame' bass player ... why would she be any different? I understand her frustration ... she just needs to chill for a few days and see how the auditions go.

It's pretty hard to tell if someone will be a fit until you meet them, but if the French candidate wasn't into your music, why would she even come out?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Just got to load in at Knuckleheads in KC. Actually a great club at night, but on weekend days it’s just an ocean of Harley apparel and bands playing Mustang Sally and Rocky Mountain Way. So many folks hit 50 or so, then only want to hear the same music over and over for the rest of their lives. Then some of the same people lament the lack of live music. There’s actually tons of great original music out there. Just often a serious lack of support for anything original or new. And there’s tons of great, original music out there. Too bad so many assume if it ain’t their music from their era it can’t be any good

THIS THIS THIS!!!

I get so tired of the same old, "They call this crap music? There's no real music today." And I hear it from people as young as 30. And I always remind these people that it's the same BS their parents said about their music. There's good music now just like there was then. But just like then, you have to be open minded, and you might have to look for it. But it's definitely there.

 

[fasterpussycat]

It's pretty hard to tell if someone will be a fit until you meet them, but if the French candidate wasn't into your music, why would she even come out?

And her stuff from one of her old bands I have seen online is sort of in the same style - bit more metal but metal requires chops.

 

[MCF]

Just placed my order for a Lull T5, oly white, pearloid pick-guard, Birdseye maple fret-board. I should get it this week. View attachment 3392366

Oh my! Congrats.

 

[Engle]

And her stuff from one of her old bands I have seen online is sort of in the same style - bit more metal but metal requires chops.

Sounds like she knows what she is getting into. Drummer excited! Drummer chillax!

 

[Thumper]

I will gladly take #813! Of course I will advise you if it doesn't work out, but I've been to Mike's facility, so I expect the best!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Non-bird content alert...
Someone busted the fast-lock handle on my Meinl djembe stand. I have the part number, but nowhere to order it. I've contacted Meinl, but wondered if anyone could recommend a parts place here in the states likely to have it. So far no luck locally or searching online.

Meinl fast-lock set p/n stand-14 if anyone cares

 

[GBassNorth]

Think our drummer needs a sedative.

A few weeks ago, when we were still looking for a guitarist, she was keen to get out and do open mics with bass, drums and vox, and the other two of us had to hose the idea down.

We are seeing three singers this coming week, all of whom seem keen and two of whom have a great deal of performing experience. They have all been asked to prepare three of the initial six songs we are working on as our first 30 minute set.

Last night our drummer started going on about going out and playing guitar, bass, drums open mics with no vocals. She doesn't seem to get that this is a bad idea. She thinks it will take a singer a month to get up to speed and we are wasting time. I think it will take a singer one good rehearsal to get our six songs down (they're not complicated) and we should take our time. Better to give a good initial impression, than a half-arsed one.

Sounds like you've got an enthusiastic drummer on your hands, that's a good thing!

Be sure to remind her how much you love her drive and energy. Let her know you're counting on her keeping the energy level high in the band. Never let enthusiasm wain, just steer it in a productive direction.

You're spot on with the best foot forward plan but take it from a perfectionist, don't wait until you're highly polished before the big debut. Set a realistic launch date based on the key component in you're critical path - obtaining a good singer. In other words, let your drummer know that within 2 weeks (or whatever you feel is a reasonable time to learn the songs) of acquiring a singer you're hitting the stage, so keep those drums in tune and cue the promo plan.

Good luck, can't wait to hear some fresh music (getting tired of all the cover band stuff lately).

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Trying to put EB Cobalt flats on my Epi IV with the stock three-point. The E string silk goes way up onto the bridge saddle. It looked like a ball end on it *might* be enough, but the ball end won't fit over the %^& silk. What's the best way to deal with this? Thanks!

I guess I could stick a washer or three down there. Ugly.

 

[Dr_Feelgoood212]

Which post number can I go to, to see latest membership numbers? Y'all are VERY active

Start at page one...

 

[GBassNorth]

Non-bird content alert...
Someone busted the fast-lock handle on my Meinl djembe stand. I have the part number, but nowhere to order it. I've contacted Meinl, but wondered if anyone could recommend a parts place here in the states likely to have it. So far no luck locally or searching online.

Meinl fast-lock set p/n stand-14 if anyone cares

What about just buying a used stand you can scavenge parts off of...
Meinl Djembe Stand Drum Percussion Barely Used! | eBay

 

[dukeorock]

Trying to put EB Cobalt flats on my Epi IV with the stock three-point. The E string silk goes way up onto the bridge saddle. It looked like a ball end on it *might* be enough, but the ball end won't fit over the %^& silk. What's the best way to deal with this? Thanks!

I guess I could stick a washer or three down there. Ugly.

Not saying it’s the best way, but I’ve used a razor blade to shave off the silks in a pinch

 

[GBassNorth]

Trying to put EB Cobalt flats on my Epi IV with the stock three-point. The E string silk goes way up onto the bridge saddle. It looked like a ball end on it *might* be enough, but the ball end won't fit over the %^& silk. What's the best way to deal with this? Thanks!

I guess I could stick a washer or three down there. Ugly.

There's the "mod bar" that solves that problem....
GIBSON® EPIPHONE® BASS BRIDGE 3-POINT (MOD-BAR!) | eBay

Or you could install a hard tail if you don't mind drilling into your bass.

 

[Count Bassie]

Sounds like you've got an enthusiastic drummer on your hands, that's a good thing!

Be sure to remind her how much you love her drive and energy.

 

[Engle]

The dynamic duo:

Time for walkies!

 

[JJR58]

I’m actually impressed with this crew. As raw as it gets.

 

[PillO]

But tonight’s antics are bound to include loud and tasteless.

It is what Thunderbird Club does best!

I love my drummer - she's dogged, driven and takes no sh1t BUT, she's been building and hyping our social media profile since our first rehearsal, which may have been a little early. I don't want us to be yet another slightly shambolic indy band -- we need to be hard hitting and quite a bit terrifying ... set ourselves apart.

Don't dampen enthusiasm; it can be very hard to get back.

That's a very good question. And an understatement. 813 is probably the next 13 coming up. Just a guess, but I think we were into about the mid-700s. 1313 would be pretty great, too.

1313 Mockingbird Lane. Herman, Lily, Grandpa, Eddie, and poor homely Marilyn.