Diving back in with both feet...
Something I thought I'd never do again...the live music scene.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/muc/1369504138.html
But I can't seem to escape the allure of being on stage, playing songs I wrote, that I poured my soul into, and feeling the synergy with the crowd. It's addictive.
Secured a rehearsal space last night. Hooking up with another guitarist and a drummer on Thursday eve. Probably end up with at least a 5 piece, maybe even a 6 piece group, but gotta start somewhere.
The ball is rolling. Wish me luck.
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/muc/1369504138.html
But I can't seem to escape the allure of being on stage, playing songs I wrote, that I poured my soul into, and feeling the synergy with the crowd. It's addictive.
Secured a rehearsal space last night. Hooking up with another guitarist and a drummer on Thursday eve. Probably end up with at least a 5 piece, maybe even a 6 piece group, but gotta start somewhere.
The ball is rolling. Wish me luck.
Comments
peace-Rev
Good luck, man - I know it's sometimes difficult to find a group that you fit right into, in all ways, but your niche seems to be fairly popular.
Scored a gig with a group similar in style to Evanescence, Within Temptation, Lacuna Coil, etc. They decided to reform in a heavier direction after filming/releasing their video for \"Here Waiting\".
They brought me in as the first step in the new direction and have given me final decision making power on any drummer and bass player we audition. We've been auditioning for both spots for the past couple of weeks and have some really nice prospects lined up. We still have a few more lined up for this & next week, but I should have it narrowed down to the players we need by the end of next week, with any luck.
Sadly to pull off the sound I've changed live rigs. I started with the GNX3K into a PA, and while I'm still using a modeling setup I've switched over to a Line6 HD147 head through two Marshall 1960 JCM900 Lead cabs. The GNX3k is now the mainstay of my portable/practice setup, but the Line6/Marshall setup will be my live rig for performances.
The HD147 has some good basic effects (chorus, flange, delay, reverb, etc), but for the stuff I want to do I'll throw in a TC Electronic GMajor2, an Alesis DEQ830 for complete control over EQ, and a BBE482i for tweaking contour. All of those are tucked away nicely in a custom shock mount case from Kangaroo Cases here in Dallas. The case accommodates my Line6 head in a compartment below the 6U rack where my effects reside. No pictures yet since it's a pretty new setup, but hopefully I'll have some in a week or two.
Seems that \"rack is back\" these days, which was always my preference anyway. Single Line6 FBV longboard controller and a simple 50 foot CAT5 network cable to control it all. No more bulky cables running from back of my wireless, out to front of stage into my pedals/GNX, then back to amp, and so on. It's really a clean setup, and easy to move around thanks to the Kangaroo case.
Anyway, that's the longer version of the shorter version, in my typical form and fashion.
Goal is to be the local act that national acts look for when passing through. Venues like House of Blues or the smaller arenas / larger theaters are what we're aiming for out of the gates.
We'll set the bar high to begin with, shoot for \"pie in the sky\" and work down from there if needed. Yes, very ambitious goals, but there are some behind the scenes national contacts in the pocket that may be able to make it happen.
Aim big to make it big. Who knows? Might get lucky this time.
If not, hey...at least I've been productive in writing, recording, and hopefully playing original music in some top shelf venues.
Gotta at least run it up the flag pole to see who salutes. /grin
I recently read an article about an 'original' band in one of the guitar magazines I get. The band actually had two identities, one for their 'original' work and another idenity for their cover band. The cover band kept the money flowing and filled the calendar while they tried to build up name recognition with their 'original' work under the other name. To me, that made a certain amount of sense if your area is not too interested in supporting 'original' music, but your bandmates need to get out and make money playing covers.
I'm in a cover band, and currently we have no original material in our set lists. I wish we had the talent to make some good songs. But right now, I'm just more interested in getting better at playing music, and doing covers of great tunes has taught me a lot. There have only been a few bands/artists around here that attempt original work, but most have a hard time financially because the bars here prefer a cover band with popular tunes over an original artist that may or may not go over well with their patrons. The artists with original work are often forced to play open mic nights for free. But, then again, no 'original' band around here could cover 4 hours of originals for the night.
Best of luck. Take care.