Thunderbird Club

[JIO]

We're a cover band-Bass, 2 guitars, drums. Very few of our renditions sound "just like" the originals, but they evoke memories for our 50+ y/o audiences. And we don't play "too[expletive]loud"-which is part of why we get rehired. We've worked almost every weekend, and this is the "off" season in FL.

That's it in a nutshell - whatever song one 'covers' is (at least) expressing a genre of music. Each era has its 'sound' and the songs that filled that era have a unique sonic-stamp. Sometimes reinterpretation can redefine that construct, and if it can be done successfully, that's the sign of a well written song. Well written songs are going to be around the longest because they can survive and thrive when reinterpreted.

 

[GonePlaid]

That's it in a nutshell - whatever song one 'covers' is (at least) expressing a genre of music. Each era has its 'sound' and the songs that filled that era have a unique sonic-stamp. Sometimes reinterpretation can redefine that construct, and if it can be done successfully, that's the sign of a well written song. Well written songs are going to be around the longest because they can survive and thrive when reinterpreted.

Yeah! Like "Hanky, Panky". Thankfully no one's ever requested that. Although we have had a request for that Billy Cyrus POS-accompanied by a $100 bill. What the hey, fake it!

 

[Chucky Stiletti]

Not likely, I was on sax for that gig.(Castaways in N. Miami Beach.)

That name brings such memories, we used to vacation there when kids and still living New England.....then played a few gigs there in the early 80’s.....Miami Beach was pretty much toast by then but apparently that place (Castaways) used to really go off when we used to do our family vacations in the late 60’s

 

[GonePlaid]

That name brings such memories, we used to vacation there when kids and still living New England.....then played a few gigs there in the early 80’s.....Miami Beach was pretty much toast by then but apparently that place (Castaways) used to really go off when we used to do our family vacations in the late 60’s

Yeah. It's a highway interchange now.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I play in a mostly 'cover' band, although I don't think of it like that. Any music played well fresh stands on its own. I don't expect or want my audience to pretend it's that song verbatim - I would like to invite them to revisit a song they have a certain memory of done in an immediate, inevitably different way. Delivery is everything in the moment.

Much more my speed. But some people really want things as note for note as possible. No idea why. For that, I’d as soon listen to the recording and save the ticket price.

 

[GonePlaid]

Much more my speed. But some people really want things as note for note as possible. No idea why. For that, I’d as soon listen to the recording and save the ticket price.

There's something kinda indefinable about seeing a favorite band(in my case, Chicago), play their songs live. And see/hear what variations they insert, though most of the crowd wants to hear/see the record.

 

[JIO]

Yeah! Like "Hanky, Panky". Thankfully no one's ever requested that. Although we have had a request for that Billy Cyrus POS-accompanied by a $100 bill. What the hey, fake it!

Achy Breaky Heart? ~ that would make me reconsider the value of $100! Once playing with The Eddie Taylor Blues Band when I lived in Chicago, we had a gig up north at a College auditorium. A very inebriated college guy wanted to "sit in" on bass for one song and flashed a $100 bill at Eddie. He very uncomfortably asked if this was something I'd be willing to do and after looking at this drunk dude I sadly (for Eddies sake) said I couldn't risk it. (playing my '64 T-bird) I wished I had a Fender at that moment cause no drunk could hurt a P-bass, but I felt bad that I couldn't let that sap hand Eddie 100 bucks while sucking for one (short) song.

 

[GonePlaid]

Achy Breaky Heart? ~ that would make me reconsider the value of $100! Once playing with The Eddie Taylor Blues Band when I lived in Chicago, we had a gig up north at a College auditorium. A very inebriated college guy wanted to "sit in" on bass for one song and flashed a $100 bill at Eddie. He very uncomfortably asked if this was something I'd be willing to do and after looking at this drunk dude I sadly (for Eddies sake) said I couldn't risk it. (playing my '64 T-bird) I wished I had a Fender at that moment cause no drunk could hurt a P-bass, but I felt bad that I couldn't let that sap hand Eddie 100 bucks while sucking for one (short) song.

Yeah, that's the song. I try to not remember it but WT7, we're playing for dancing. If they wanna hear it, we/I'll play it-then listen to Little Steven's Underground Garage going home-to cleanse my ears.

 

[JIO]

Yeah, that's the song. I try to not remember it but WT7, we're playing for dancing. If they wanna hear it, we/I'll play it-then listen to Little Steven's Underground Garage going home-to cleanse my ears.

Like that - an insider reference! I assume you weren't referencing World Trade Tower 7.... (oops, sorry to go off topic) THUNDERBIRD!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

There's something kinda indefinable about seeing a favorite band(in my case, Chicago), play their songs live. And see/hear what variations they insert, though most of the crowd wants to hear/see the record.

Agreed. Almost all my favorite versions of my favorite songs are live versions. Some bands are better in the studio, but most of my faves have even more energy and creativity on stage, no matter how much they brought it in the studio.

The best version of Badge I heard was a simulcast Clapton concert in Atlanta (76, I think). No recording I've heard came close, and there are some really good versions out there. That was not his peak time, but on that song, that night, Eric was on top of Mt Everest.

 

[GonePlaid]

Like that - an insider reference! I assume you weren't referencing World Trade Tower 7.... (oops, sorry to go off topic) THUNDERBIRD!

Nope.

 

[JIO]

Agreed. Almost all my favorite versions of my favorite songs are live versions. Some bands are better in the studio, but most of my faves have even more energy and creativity on stage, no matter how much they brought it in the studio.

The best version of Badge I heard was a simulcast Clapton concert in Atlanta (76, I think). No recording I've heard came close, and there are some really good versions out there. That was not his peak time, but on that song, that night, Eric was on top of Mt Everest.

You just described what makes music vital - it evolves!

 

[JIO]

Speaking of THUNDERBIRDS (at 9:29) and Acoustic amps!

 

[GonePlaid]

Speaking of THUNDERBIRDS (at 9:29)

R&R scat singing-cool! It's late here. I'll listen to more later. Time to become horizontal and non-functional.

 

[JIO]

R&R scat singing-cool! It's late here. I'll listen to more later. Time to become horizontal and non-functional.

The sleep world is the real world - waking reality is just functionally mandatory.

 

[GBassNorth]

@MCF or @Gaolee
Any info you can share on String types and clearance between strings and top of neck pup of your 2015 birds would be very appreciated. I'm zeroing in on the chorus issue but would love to hear from some that aren't experiencing the issue. Thx in advance!

 

[dukeorock]

I tried boomers (regular ones) on my midtown. I hated them. But, as always, play them till they are done - you never know, they might grow on you or might break in nicely. Nope, hated them the whole time. But I really like every round core DR string I have tried. I really have to try some hex core DR strings.

When my white bird arrived, it had some sort of flats that I suspect may have been 77s but they were old and played out so they went quickly went away in favour of NYXLs.

All things considered, probably 77s next on the bird. I still have Steve Harris and his back up band on my mind - they really put on a great show.

I once tried the Steve Harris Rotos, but the intonation was crazy bad. Maybe I got a bum set but I never rolled the dice again.
Cobalts are still my favorite flats on a T Bird, but they wear out faster than say LaBella Deep Talkin’ Flats. Then again, I play a lot of live gigs and it’s been a very humid summer. So far this month I’ve played like 24 gigs...busy month!

I used to have a P Bass that I strung with 50-115 Boomers for many years and swore the heavy gauge were the only Boomers that sounded good. Tried em on my 35” scale Drake and they sucked. Too dark on that bass, which is pretty dark as it is. On T Birds, I still love Cobalts for flats or BassBurners for rounds.

Thanks to the mods for being patient!

 

[Gaolee]

Ive been lurking, just can't keep up with you guys. funny to see the place get shut down.

None of us can keep up with us.

 

[Gaolee]

I applaud you creative inclusion of a shoe.

The coated DRs are an acquired taste. @GBassNorth suggested I try black beauties on the bird and they had a great sound. But you have to get over the grippy texture (which abates with time).

I have come close to deciding that Black Beauties or other coated DRs are my string of choice. I still like Cobalt Flats though. Decisions! I just flat do not like the way Burners sound on the PinkBird.

 

[Gaolee]

@MCF or @Gaolee
Any info you can share on String types and clearance between strings and top of neck pup of your 2015 birds would be very appreciated. I'm zeroing in on the chorus issue but would love to hear from some that aren't experiencing the issue. Thx in advance!

I am out of town - later this week.