Our showcases at local clubs have paid off. The Blue Turtle and the Royal Hotel -- with only one showcase at each club, have booked Tung N' Groove into their clubs this summer and fall. We are very excited to be an official local act, and we are looking forward to entertaining crowds young and old.
The next task at hand is to learn another 30 songs before August -- perhaps sooner, if we can pick up some more gig dates in the summer at other bars and pubs around town. We will be examining the feasibility of playing the Redcliff Hylton, the Mainliner Pub, and the Silver Buckle. this year.
Acquiring a PA system for the band will also occupy our summer.
This is near-perfect timing, as the Savoy Blues Band is just wrapping up a few dates in the next few weeks, before going on our annual summer hiatus. MA and I are going to be gigging lots in the coming months.
Amidst all this excitement, I have one other nagging project. To create a website to promote Tung N' Groove. Looks like I will have to manage yet another webpage.
Showing posts with label Jam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jam. Show all posts
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Friday, March 16, 2007
Second Test Drive on St. Patty's Day
The new band, now tentatively named (and spelled) Tung N' Groove, have been working diligently away since our first near-disastrous appearance at the Blue Turtle several weeks back. We have accumulated at least 8 more songs to our repertoire, which means we have more than a full sets' worth of material. To put it another way, we have more than one-third the necessary material we will need to play a live show.
At this point, we felt it would be advantageous to test-drive the second batch of songs, in a new environment, and in front of a different clientele. About 2 weeks back we set the date of the next performance, which happens to be tomorrow.
St. Patrick's Day. The third-worst day of the year to be at the bar (First and second-place goes to New Years' and Halloween, respectively).
Tung N' Groove will be at the Royal Hotel for the Saturday Jam, commencing at 3:00pm. Stop by, drink some (disgustingly green) beer, and enjoy some local talent.
At this point, we felt it would be advantageous to test-drive the second batch of songs, in a new environment, and in front of a different clientele. About 2 weeks back we set the date of the next performance, which happens to be tomorrow.
St. Patrick's Day. The third-worst day of the year to be at the bar (First and second-place goes to New Years' and Halloween, respectively).
Tung N' Groove will be at the Royal Hotel for the Saturday Jam, commencing at 3:00pm. Stop by, drink some (disgustingly green) beer, and enjoy some local talent.
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Weekend Jams, The Return of "Serious Damage", and Passive Personality Traits
It seems as of late, the only time I "go out on the town" is to catch a local band playing in one of the watering holes. This was a particularity full weekend of live music, as I went to see two bands on two separate occasions.
Saturday afternoon was spent at my favorite stomping ground, where there is an open jam every week. I go to the jam whenever I have the time and the energy. The great thing about the jam is once you play three songs, you get free alcohol (yes, free booze!) and your name gets entered in a draw for $100 cash prize at the end of the jam. The problem with the Saturday jam, is by 6:00, I am usually so drunk that I am at home and in bed by 8:00. What a way to spend a Saturday night.
This week a few friends of mine were the hosting band, and I haven't had the opportunity to visit with them in some time. They were kind enough to ask me to join them on-stage for a few numbers. I got to play that old 60's tune "Spooky" with them, which is one of my favorites to play with them, as I can let loose and play some intricate stuff. By the end of my short set, I was hungry and wanted to get out of the bar. I rarely stay to see the end of the jam.
The Saturday jams are touch-and-go. There have been days were the jams were really cooking; a lot of musicians showed up, there was good music happening, and good comradery. Days like this are getting fewer and far between. Fewer jammers are attending the Saturday jam, and likely for a large number of reasons. The biggest reason is obvious, there is a "clique" of sorts among the musicians at this bar. If you can prove yourself musically, and you kiss some ass, then you might gain access to the clique. The funny thing is with this clique, the musicians generally aren't working players. Their only gig is this Saturday jam. They have such big egos, that they figure that they are the better than the other musicians that go to this bar, yet they aren't great musicians in the first place. But if you want to get up and play, you'd better be prepared to do some ass-kissing.
I have refused to play this game for the better part of six years. It has gained me some respect with a few of the players at this particular club, while others snub their nose at me. Quite often, they will be pleasant with me when they are presented in a situation where they cannot avoid me, otherwise they would ignore me. If having a positive attitude is conducive to networking with other musicians, then I refuse to play this ego-game with these so-called musicians. I called their bluff a long time ago, and they know that I know their secret: they really aren't as good as they think they are.
Many of these jammers are the type that will watch and listen to the bands, and will scope out who they think is the best player in the club. They will then approach said player, befriend them, buy them drinks, and start kissing his or her ass. They will eventually go insofar as to suggest starting a "side-project" band with this player. The whole idea is that these parasites will surround themselves with the most talented players that they possibly can. This way, it makes them (the novice) look and sound a lot better than they are. The truth is, a terrible player , even surrounded by the best musicians still sounds like a terrible player.
These ass-kissing antics should not affect me. I know what these losers are doing when they start talking to me and buying me drinks. I should just roll with it and play these people for all they are worth. Unfortunately, I am disgusted and annoyed by this behavior. When I subject myself to this behavior, I find it mentally taxing. I don't like getting smoke blown up my tailpipe.
When I meet with other musicians in this town, I avoid kissing anyone's ass. I will often discuss topics totally unrelated to music. I must admit, the subject of music is difficult to avoid when talking with other musicians. You sometimes have to be very careful about what you say, you see, talking music with other musicians is often a lot like discussing religion and politics. We know discussing the latter two topics is a good way of quickly making enemies.
On Friday night, I went to see DS, another friend of mine who was playing in another club in town. This gentleman was one of the members of the Grease band, and I hadn't seen him since early December. He and I discussed the possibility of putting a band together and making some money playing a few clubs. I hadn't heard anything about this new band as of late, so I figured I should make the effort to re-establish old ties, and put the bug back in his ear.
After watching "The Lizard Brothers" for about thirty minutes, two other musicians AB and TH walked in the club and joined me at my table. AB was also a member of the Grease band, as well as the third prospective member of this new band. He also bailed me out last December, playing a gig with me on short notice. We had a few drinks, and talked about a few things (well, as much as you can discuss over an 80-decibel PA).
When the band took a break, the conversation went from light to serious. DS joined us at the table, and the three of us began discussing the possibility of making this prospective band a reality. Both DS and AB sounded enthusiastic about the idea. The problem is, that the three of us have very busy schedules, which is going to make it difficult for us to get together for rehearsals.
After a few sets, I decided to leave the club. Before doing so, I told DS and AB that I would be in touch with them to schedule rehearsal times. Both AB and I agreed that we could have enough material that we could start gigging by summer.
That evening, while lying in bed, I came to the realization that if I want to make this band a reality, I am going to have to do most of the legwork. I have just spent the last two months waiting for the phone to ring. If I continue to wait, I might be waiting forever before that call arrives.
I consider myself a passive person. I usually wait for people to call me for gigs, I wait until I am asked to join someone on-stage at the Saturday jam, and I wait for someone to offer me a better job. I will have to become a more aggressive person if I want to make any progress in my career and musical endeavors. Otherwise, a better life might just pass me by.
I will have to make a change in my life before I am old and cranky.
Saturday afternoon was spent at my favorite stomping ground, where there is an open jam every week. I go to the jam whenever I have the time and the energy. The great thing about the jam is once you play three songs, you get free alcohol (yes, free booze!) and your name gets entered in a draw for $100 cash prize at the end of the jam. The problem with the Saturday jam, is by 6:00, I am usually so drunk that I am at home and in bed by 8:00. What a way to spend a Saturday night.
This week a few friends of mine were the hosting band, and I haven't had the opportunity to visit with them in some time. They were kind enough to ask me to join them on-stage for a few numbers. I got to play that old 60's tune "Spooky" with them, which is one of my favorites to play with them, as I can let loose and play some intricate stuff. By the end of my short set, I was hungry and wanted to get out of the bar. I rarely stay to see the end of the jam.
The Saturday jams are touch-and-go. There have been days were the jams were really cooking; a lot of musicians showed up, there was good music happening, and good comradery. Days like this are getting fewer and far between. Fewer jammers are attending the Saturday jam, and likely for a large number of reasons. The biggest reason is obvious, there is a "clique" of sorts among the musicians at this bar. If you can prove yourself musically, and you kiss some ass, then you might gain access to the clique. The funny thing is with this clique, the musicians generally aren't working players. Their only gig is this Saturday jam. They have such big egos, that they figure that they are the better than the other musicians that go to this bar, yet they aren't great musicians in the first place. But if you want to get up and play, you'd better be prepared to do some ass-kissing.
I have refused to play this game for the better part of six years. It has gained me some respect with a few of the players at this particular club, while others snub their nose at me. Quite often, they will be pleasant with me when they are presented in a situation where they cannot avoid me, otherwise they would ignore me. If having a positive attitude is conducive to networking with other musicians, then I refuse to play this ego-game with these so-called musicians. I called their bluff a long time ago, and they know that I know their secret: they really aren't as good as they think they are.
Many of these jammers are the type that will watch and listen to the bands, and will scope out who they think is the best player in the club. They will then approach said player, befriend them, buy them drinks, and start kissing his or her ass. They will eventually go insofar as to suggest starting a "side-project" band with this player. The whole idea is that these parasites will surround themselves with the most talented players that they possibly can. This way, it makes them (the novice) look and sound a lot better than they are. The truth is, a terrible player , even surrounded by the best musicians still sounds like a terrible player.
These ass-kissing antics should not affect me. I know what these losers are doing when they start talking to me and buying me drinks. I should just roll with it and play these people for all they are worth. Unfortunately, I am disgusted and annoyed by this behavior. When I subject myself to this behavior, I find it mentally taxing. I don't like getting smoke blown up my tailpipe.
When I meet with other musicians in this town, I avoid kissing anyone's ass. I will often discuss topics totally unrelated to music. I must admit, the subject of music is difficult to avoid when talking with other musicians. You sometimes have to be very careful about what you say, you see, talking music with other musicians is often a lot like discussing religion and politics. We know discussing the latter two topics is a good way of quickly making enemies.
On Friday night, I went to see DS, another friend of mine who was playing in another club in town. This gentleman was one of the members of the Grease band, and I hadn't seen him since early December. He and I discussed the possibility of putting a band together and making some money playing a few clubs. I hadn't heard anything about this new band as of late, so I figured I should make the effort to re-establish old ties, and put the bug back in his ear.
After watching "The Lizard Brothers" for about thirty minutes, two other musicians AB and TH walked in the club and joined me at my table. AB was also a member of the Grease band, as well as the third prospective member of this new band. He also bailed me out last December, playing a gig with me on short notice. We had a few drinks, and talked about a few things (well, as much as you can discuss over an 80-decibel PA).
When the band took a break, the conversation went from light to serious. DS joined us at the table, and the three of us began discussing the possibility of making this prospective band a reality. Both DS and AB sounded enthusiastic about the idea. The problem is, that the three of us have very busy schedules, which is going to make it difficult for us to get together for rehearsals.
After a few sets, I decided to leave the club. Before doing so, I told DS and AB that I would be in touch with them to schedule rehearsal times. Both AB and I agreed that we could have enough material that we could start gigging by summer.
That evening, while lying in bed, I came to the realization that if I want to make this band a reality, I am going to have to do most of the legwork. I have just spent the last two months waiting for the phone to ring. If I continue to wait, I might be waiting forever before that call arrives.
I consider myself a passive person. I usually wait for people to call me for gigs, I wait until I am asked to join someone on-stage at the Saturday jam, and I wait for someone to offer me a better job. I will have to become a more aggressive person if I want to make any progress in my career and musical endeavors. Otherwise, a better life might just pass me by.
I will have to make a change in my life before I am old and cranky.
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