Thunderbird Club

[TBird1958]

Thunderbird Thursday, sorry no shoes.View attachment 3404883

This is a stunning '76, thank you for posting it here with us. I wanted to give it a separate post, I've added you to our club roster above. You're #758, please be welcome here, and feel free to share in the conversation, we veare around a bit because we're all long time inmates here, but we welcome newcomers.

 

[Gaolee]

I wasn't going to respond, but thought about what goes through my mind during a performance. As it's my band, I'm generally assessing the overall sound as we're playing - how's the mix?, how's our tempo?, are the vocals loud enough?, are we too loud? how's the feel? Frankly I barely am aware of the audience other than after the song has ended - I ask "how's the levels?" because many times I can't tell from my vantage-point and sometimes there's no sound-person. (or there is one who isn't helping the situation) If my eye wanders to the others on stage, it's usually to make eye contact for a cue or to connect with them in our joint efforts. We're adults and we're bandmates unified in our goal to provide entertainment playing music.

This brings up an interesting series of thoughts. What goes on in your mind is both the same and different from what I think about. One of the reasons I am wireless is the ability to wander around during soundcheck. It's not unusual for me to be responsible for the sound, since I'm the fool who owns a PA. I do a lot of jumping around on stage, even with the upright, when it's appropriate. With some bands, that would be distracting, so I don't do it. Given a choice, I'll dance around because it is part of playing and keeping time. For me anyway. There's a lot of on-stage communication that goes on, most of it serious, but some of it very playful. In one band, the singer and I have a standing joke that zings back and forth sometimes. It doesn't distract from playing, but it keeps us from being stiff. She has some stage fright, even after performing for decades, and that kind of thing helps with it. I also scan the audience. Making connections with people in the audience is fun. So is having energy bounce back and forth between the stage and audience makes it all worthwhile.

So, lots of things go on in my mind. There's also the OH, CRAP! I forgot the next song - we have only played it six million times and now I forgot! ... moment. Muscle memory kicks in often enough that it's usually not a problem, but the occasional train wreck makes for a lot of *** looks around the stage.

 

[Gaolee]

@GBassNorth, there's a real difference between the old setup -- where every session required starting again from scratch, with the repeated refrain of 'what's this, I've never heard this before' -- and the new ensemble, where we've made palpable progress in two or three sessions with the new guitarist. Tonight is the first full session with all band members. Everyone is pretty excited.

For good reason, so it seems. it's great that it's finally getting some momentum.

 

[ToddOfThunder]

Can't like this. But, maybe there's a hit country song in it somewhere. Add beer, a pickup truck, and an ill-defined girl and you are there!

I said "I came , I saw, I forg.....Oh, look, a Gecko!

Exactly, kinda like Dori from Finding Nemo if you ever watched that. Some people just think I’m random but I really forget stuff. Think of ten second Tom from the movie 50 First Dates if you have seen that too. Lol! Oh and insert AHEM! Had to edit this because I accidentally quoted @Gaolee!

 

[Gaolee]

I know that name but no one in their right mind reads that stuff. Why would you torture yourself like that? Are you trying to atone for some unforgivable sin?

Yes.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I knew someone would weigh in with fair food.
You haven’t lived until you’ve had deep fried Snickers bars.

or bologna sandwiches..

 

[Gaolee]

Truth:
View attachment 3405176

I don't know where I put my glasses. Riding the motorcycle to work this morning was all soft-focus.

 

[Gaolee]

Finally these sadistic bastards are letting me go home in a couple hours

YAY!

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

I make Jambalaya a few times a year, mostly driven by some special meat I've acquired. For the most part there isn't any hard and fast rule about how to make it, it's more about improvising with whatever meat might be in season. My favorite is probably Alligator and shrimp but I've made it with duck, goose, chicken, pork, deer, bison, elk, rattle snake and even Italian sausage - you name it, it works.

An important note for purists is the distinction between Creole and Cajun, with Creole being tomato based and red vs Cajun being stock based and brown. I do Creole and sometimes serve it in a sourdough bread bowl with jalapeño pepper jack cheese sprinkled on top. That and an inexpensive room temperature Merlot make for a great meal.

Here's a recipe that's a bit better than most I've seen on line and fairly close to how I make it....
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Crocodile tail or Kangaroo would be interesting meat substitutes.

BTW - if you like Jambalaya you'll probably also love Gumbo, the perfect warm me up dish on a cold night, serves the same purpose as shepards pie in our household.

I prefer Étouffée to Jambalaya or Gumbo..

 

[ToddOfThunder]

The poll is almost:
What kind of Fender do you gig with or do you use a Musicman?

Exactly! Everyone should know that Birds are the best for rock!

 

[GonePlaid]

This brings up an interesting series of thoughts. What goes on in your mind is both the same and different from what I think about. One of the reasons I am wireless is the ability to wander around during soundcheck. It's nonusual for me to be responsible for the sound, since I'm the fool who owns a PA. I do a lot of jumping around on stage, even with the upright, when it's appropriate. With some bands, that would be distracting, so I don't do it. Given a choice, I'll dance around because it is part of playing and keeping time. For me anyway. There's a lot of on-stage communication that goes on, most of it serious, but some of it very playful. In one band, the singer and I have a standing joke that zings back and forth sometimes. It doesn't distract from playing, but it keeps us from being stiff. She has some stage fright, even after performing for decades, and that kind of thing helps with it. I also scan the audience. Making connections with people in the audience is fun. So is having energy bounce back and forth between the stage and audience makes it all worthwhile.

So, lots of things go on in my mind. There's also the OH, CRAP! I forgot the next song - we have only played it six million times and now I forgot! ... moment. Muscle memory kicks in often enough that it's usually not a problem, but the occasional train wreck makes for a lot of *** looks around the stage.

Because we play 'to the audience', we only plan the first 3 songs and watch for audience reaction to gauge what to play next. These are non concert/show gigs and we gots to be flexible. They may want dinner music to start-which is OK with us. Open up the Great American Songbook. No BFD.
We're paid to keep the 50+ y/o patrons happy, whatever that entails(we don't wear tails). My biggest problems are remembering lyrics to my leads and what key some of our less frequently played songs is in. We have at least 250 songs we can do(well)plus stuff that we can wing.
Lately we've been using 2 Bose L1's for PA[or my JBL EON One]-more than enough for the places we play and, because of their 180* dispersion, no monitors are needed-less to schlep and we hear what the audience hears.
Beyond that, I'm watching the dancers-hoping they don't fall into us(no stages)or taking requests. I do the announcing so ppl come to me-including while I'm singing.

 

[JIO]

This brings up an interesting series of thoughts. What goes on in your mind is both the same and different from what I think about. One of the reasons I am wireless is the ability to wander around during soundcheck. It's not unusual for me to be responsible for the sound, since I'm the fool who owns a PA. I do a lot of jumping around on stage, even with the upright, when it's appropriate. With some bands, that would be distracting, so I don't do it. Given a choice, I'll dance around because it is part of playing and keeping time. For me anyway. There's a lot of on-stage communication that goes on, most of it serious, but some of it very playful. In one band, the singer and I have a standing joke that zings back and forth sometimes. It doesn't distract from playing, but it keeps us from being stiff. She has some stage fright, even after performing for decades, and that kind of thing helps with it. I also scan the audience. Making connections with people in the audience is fun. So is having energy bounce back and forth between the stage and audience makes it all worthwhile.

So, lots of things go on in my mind. There's also the OH, CRAP! I forgot the next song - we have only played it six million times and now I forgot! ... moment. Muscle memory kicks in often enough that it's usually not a problem, but the occasional train wreck makes for a lot of *** looks around the stage.

all of the above - I need to work on making eye contact with the audience even if generally... and smile more.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

playing at an all girl school (Santa Catalina in Monterey) tonight.....think I'll wear these!....

 

[TBird1958]

playing at an all girl school (Santa Catalina in Monterey) tonight.....think I'll wear these!....

View attachment 3405300

I don't see heels, how could your calfs and thighs possibly look sexy?

 

[Gaolee]

all of the above - I need to work on making eye contact with the audience even if generally... and smile more.

Bass face!

 

[Gaolee]

playing at an all girl school (Santa Catalina in Monterey) tonight.....think I'll wear these!....

View attachment 3405300

Dude! 'Bird!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

This brings up an interesting series of thoughts. What goes on in your mind is both the same and different from what I think about. One of the reasons I am wireless is the ability to wander around during soundcheck. It's not unusual for me to be responsible for the sound, since I'm the fool who owns a PA. I do a lot of jumping around on stage, even with the upright, when it's appropriate. With some bands, that would be distracting, so I don't do it. Given a choice, I'll dance around because it is part of playing and keeping time. For me anyway. There's a lot of on-stage communication that goes on, most of it serious, but some of it very playful. In one band, the singer and I have a standing joke that zings back and forth sometimes. It doesn't distract from playing, but it keeps us from being stiff. She has some stage fright, even after performing for decades, and that kind of thing helps with it. I also scan the audience. Making connections with people in the audience is fun. So is having energy bounce back and forth between the stage and audience makes it all worthwhile.

So, lots of things go on in my mind. There's also the OH, CRAP! I forgot the next song - we have only played it six million times and now I forgot! ... moment. Muscle memory kicks in often enough that it's usually not a problem, but the occasional train wreck makes for a lot of *** looks around the stage.

This. So much this. Music is movement for me.

There's always at least one person on stage I'm communicating with, whether it's just enjoying being locked in, wondering what the heck we're doing, or messing with each other.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Yeah, the guy was pretty enthusiastic about it. Especially the 45mins to cook bit. TBH it looked nice when it came out but I struggled with the idea of it. You’d have to cook the stuffing desperately.

we inject the marinade (olive oil, garlic, oregano, fresh parsley, lemon juice blended) with a syringe...that takes about an hour, then we brine it overnight...pull it out early morning, let it dry and into the fryer it goes....I like peanut oil (Fondue) cause it has a high smoke point but it's expensive....canola works too....

 

[GBassNorth]

I prefer Étouffée to Jambalaya or Gumbo..

That's good too, but I save that meal for the rare occasion when I have a boatload of live mudbugs (crayfish, crawdads) available. Lot of work to do it right and the mudbugs MUST be cooked outside unless you plan on fumigating your house after dinner.

Truth be told, I have yet to find a Cajun/Creole recipe I don't like. Even something simple like blackened fish is high on my must eat list.

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

That's good too, but I save that meal for the rare occasion when I have a boatload of live mudbugs (crayfish, crawdads) available. Lot of work to do it right and the mudbugs MUST be cooked outside unless you plan on fumigating your house after dinner.

Truth be told, I have yet to find a Cajun/Creole recipe I don't like. Even something simple like blackened fish is high on my must eat list.

yeah, blackened fish (I fry it in bacon fat) is one of my weaknesses....
Étouffée can be made with land critters as well....rabbit is common in France....