A while back a buddy forwarded me a list he'd received when expressed interest in auditioning for a psychobilly band. That list explicitly outlined the equipment and guitars you could and could not have. He declined because it seemed like so much BS to him. I agreed but after thinking about it thought it made a little sense IF it's a tribute band and the equipment is part of the whole "as close to the real thing as you can get".
Ever happened to anyone here? Thoughts?
Tribute bands are one thing. Posers exist in all genres of music. I saw one of those local sorts of rockabilly bands. A guy I know was playing guitar for them shortly. Although there was a promise of great money in Europe, where he was told "anything American" sells like crazy, it turned out to be a bust. The leader of the band wasn't all that good to be calling the shots. Bands that go to that level of control are either THAT good, or are really just prolonging their failure, and passing the blame on to "nobody gets it".
I only go along with that if the band is cross dressing.
We already have one Fräulein Rommel, Jim, please!
Frankly, I think it is a load of crap. If you are a musician you should be able to project your music on any working instrument and that means being able to play country on a Flying V and heavy metal on a Telecaster. If you have issues with either, take up tennis as a pasttime.
Unless you're 16 years old. Then (and only then) are you allowed to falsely believe that you need certain brand equipment to "make it".
It is crap, but you can't always explain that to someone who has a certain vision of what his band ought to look like.
I went to a jam a few years ago, and a young kid showed up with a Peavey Wolfgang and a 5150 half-stack. Since it was a blues jam, all the geezers started smirking and grumbling in the corners. The kid got up and did a dead-on Duane Allman slide guitar, with perfect dynamics and all the little subtleties that Allman always put into songs. That pretty much shut everyone up, right quick.
From an audition I went to...
... And I quote...
"You can play a darn-sight better than some of the pro's we've had down, including some guy that used to be in Jethro Tull, but you just ain't got the leather trousers..."
Pretty-boy rock band from '82 - a spin-off from a spin-off of a well known Brit act - they reformed recently and I can chuckle looking at them now... ;D
Quote from: eb2 on December 13, 2010, 08:24:20 AM
I only go along with that if the band is cross dressing.
;D
Quote from: uwe on December 13, 2010, 09:15:46 AM
We already have one Fräulein Rommel, Jim, please!
Yes Herr Moderator, the world only needs one of me ;)
There are always bands that are more hung up on image than getting the right musicians for what they want to do.
My band isn't a commercial endeavor, but we choose members for personality first...because we want to enjoy playing together.
It's the same crap that is the rationale behind boy bands and other pre-fab "stars," only it's more pathetic because it's usually required by a bunch of semi to no-talent wannabe's.
You think Ringo had to agree to get the haircut and dress like the rest of the Beatles when he joined?
yeah that happened to me. i went to an audition for a band that wanted to be the next ny dolls. i looked like i belonged in the allman bros. so that was that. they shoulda' told me.
Maybe that's why my band is called Vintage Winds (for "Old Farts"). We sure do look the part.
I used to think that it was only metal bands that did this kind of stuff. The more I'm around, the more I see how even blues and country bands play the same game.
Craigslist ads for "up and coming" country acts around here often specify an age limit (usually under 28), look ('pretty'), and gear.
Quote from: gweimer on December 13, 2010, 11:19:27 AM
I went to a jam a few years ago, and a young kid showed up with a Peavey Wolfgang and a 5150 half-stack. Since it was a blues jam, all the geezers started smirking and grumbling in the corners. The kid got up and did a dead-on Duane Allman slide guitar, with perfect dynamics and all the little subtleties that Allman always put into songs. That pretty much shut everyone up, right quick.
Coool! Wish I'd seen that
There was an ad looking for a bass player around here where they were looking for someone to play the bass/amp combo they had and nothing else, they liked the sound and that was that. They were trying for the British invasion sound the combo was a Fender Jazz and a Ampeg B-15.
Quote from: Muzikman7 on December 13, 2010, 08:47:53 PM
There was an ad looking for a bass player around here where they were looking for someone to play the bass/amp combo they had and nothing else, they liked the sound and that was that. They were trying for the British invasion sound the combo was a Fender Jazz and a Ampeg B-15.
LOL! Nice. You'd think they'd have done a LITTLE research. Vox amps would probably have made more sense.
Quote from: dadagoboi on December 13, 2010, 03:03:12 PM
You think Ringo had to agree to get the haircut and dress like the rest of the Beatles when he joined?
No they hired him
because of the haircut and the way he dressed. Not for his drumming... :mrgreen:
I think you have to adjust your gear to a band a bit. It's strange to see a fast Ibanez in a country band. But I guess people who want to start a Britpopband already have a Vox and a semi Epiphone...
Well I guess I'll be the voice of dissent. I play in a Rockabilly band and while we're not 100% authentic in the image we portray (we've got 2 bald guys in the band so pompadours all around are out ..... LOL!), I wouldn't get onstage with a Fodera 6-string and try to lay down an upright line. I also wouldn't want the guitarist to be shredding on a BC Rich (although that COULD be fun!) and I wouldn't want a front-man looking like George Clinton.
The point is, if you're doing a tribute act (like Mark's Stones band) or a tip of the hat to a certain style that had/has certain iconic imagery attached to it, I don't see the harm in asking the musicians to "play the part" as long as it's within reason.
Very well put luve2fli!
Quote from: Basvarken on December 14, 2010, 04:14:10 AM
No they hired him because of the haircut and the way he dressed. Not for his drumming... :mrgreen:
I thought they hired Ringo because 1) he was a better drummer than Pete Best even though he was working as a session drummer when he was not playing for Rory Storm and 2) Stewart liked him better because of reason 1. The contract to hire him was signed before Pete even knew about it with Ringo replacing Pete. Pete sued, Rory commited suicide, thier name changed from the Silver Beatles (they dropped the "Silver") and Ringo stayed as the drummer.
And Astrid (Stu's girlfriend) was responsible for the haircut designs. Stu being the bass player (since the days of the Quarrymen) that Paul replaced when Stu could not continue because of the brain tumor he eventually died of. Stu was immortalized with his likeness on the cover of the Sgt Pepper album.
Please correct me if I am wrong. ;D ;D
Quote from: luve2fli on December 14, 2010, 07:32:24 AM
Well I guess I'll be the voice of dissent. I play in a Rockabilly band and while we're not 100% authentic in the image we portray (we've got 2 bald guys in the band so pompadours all around are out ..... LOL!), I wouldn't get onstage with a Fodera 6-string and try to lay down an upright line. I also wouldn't want the guitarist to be shredding on a BC Rich (although that COULD be fun!) and I wouldn't want a front-man looking like George Clinton.
The point is, if you're doing a tribute act (like Mark's Stones band) or a tip of the hat to a certain style that had/has certain iconic imagery attached to it, I don't see the harm in asking the musicians to "play the part" as long as it's within reason.
I don't think you're actually the voice of dissent at all. People that play certain styles of music tend to lean towards certain groups of instruments (except maybe John5, who plays a Tele in Marilyn Manson). You probably wouldn't find someone doing Rockabilly on a BC Rich, but there's enough leeway for a Gretsch Country Gentleman or a Tele. When it gets down to using
THIS guitar and
THIS amp, etc., you start crossing the line.
I suppose anything from a motorcycle jacket to a Levi's jacket to a western shirt to a country plaid thing would work for clothes. To be told that I
HAVE to wear a red plaid shirt, made by [whoever], then it starts getting annoying, or this is becoming a lounge act of some sort.
well stated Gary
Quote from: gweimer on December 14, 2010, 08:11:00 AM
I don't think you're actually the voice of dissent at all. People that play certain styles of music tend to lean towards certain groups of instruments (except maybe John5, who plays a Tele in Marilyn Manson). You probably wouldn't find someone doing Rockabilly on a BC Rich, but there's enough leeway for a Gretsch Country Gentleman or a Tele. When it gets down to using THIS guitar and THIS amp, etc., you start crossing the line.
I suppose anything from a motorcycle jacket to a Levi's jacket to a western shirt to a country plaid thing would work for clothes. To be told that I HAVE to wear a red plaid shirt, made by [whoever], then it starts getting annoying, or this is becoming a lounge act of some sort.
I think that's on target. There are SOME things that just don't fit; ferinstance, you wouldn't show up for a country gig with a Gene Simmons Axe bass.
(http://www.guitarstorehouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/kiss-gene-simmons-axe-guitar1.jpg)
But when someone gets as specific as discussed in the OP, it's ridiculous.
^
I hope Gene remembered his cup!
I haven't really spoken of it a lot because it's band business but as some of you know we have a new drummer. Why? Jenny who got replaced, in truth wasn't holding up her part in the band -a multitude of problems beset her, notably poor health in regards to her arm with tendon problems and a really crappy personal life, that combined with not expending much effort outside of rehearsal got her sacked (diplomatically, and with no drama) from the band.
At that point we as a band decided that we really wanted the best person we could find for the job and that dressing or being "T" wasn't going to be a factor. We knew Wayne before we started looking and contacted him for an audition, he showed up with 12 songs rehearsed and ready to play, everybody was very impressed with his tight playing and how faithfully he worked on learning the original songs. We've been very happy with our decision! We're in the process of expanding the setlist a lot, and really hope to get out and play a lot more in 2011 - A great drummer changes everything, he just dresses Rock n Roll and plays the drums - perfect!
the way ' country ' is going give it time.
Quote from: nofi on December 14, 2010, 09:18:47 AM
the way ' country ' is going give it time.
Perhaps someone will introduce the chainsaw bass?
My take is: If I have a country band and a guy with a Gene Simmons axe auditions and plays well and is nice, but its his only bass, I would not dream of turning him away. You can always ask him later to carve it into a dung fork!!! More likely however, if he likes the band, he'll come up with a "more appropriate" bass over time.
Yes, image IS important in this business we call Show.
Played in a country trio for a while where the leader didn't fancy my Steinberger,
citing it "wasn't quite country",
so I bought a cheap Ibanez
(strung it B-E-A-D as I recall).
He also didn't cotton to the name "Gonzo" either,
for the same reason,
so I went by the name Hank for the entire run of that band
wearing a feedstore cowboy hat and $20 Walmart boots.
...but I am an admitted Gig Slut
and as a trio, I was making pretty good money.
Hell, you call me whatever you like as long as that check clears.
;D
Quote from: GonzoBass on December 14, 2010, 11:06:47 AM
Yes, image IS important in this business we call Show.
Played in a country trio for a while where the leader didn't fancy my Steinberger,
citing it "wasn't quite country",
so I bought a cheap Ibanez
(strung it B-E-A-D as I recall).
He also didn't cotton to the name "Gonzo" either,
for the same reason,
so I went by the name Hank for the entire run of that band
wearing a feedstore cowboy hat and $20 Walmart boots.
...but I am an admitted Gig Slut
and as a trio, I was making pretty good money.
Hell, you call me whatever you like as long as that check clears.
;D
Actually supports my point. You didn't have the exact fit for the gig, but CHOSE to make it work. You understood the parameters, and adapted. It wasn't like you were given a shopping list. Ibanez in a country band? Heathen... 8)
And to think that the Steinberger was at least proudly made in America ...
Quote from: gweimer on December 14, 2010, 11:38:39 AM
Ibanez in a country band? Heathen... 8)
Heh...
I think all he really needed to see was a headstock and a Fender style body.
:-\
Quote from: GonzoBass on December 14, 2010, 12:02:08 PM
Heh...
I think all he really needed to see was a headstock and a Fender style body.
:-\
What he really needed was a Peavey T40 ;)
If I'm doing a hired gun gig and they pay me well I'll dress up any the band wants, if its a local bar gig situation and I'm making a $100 then I'm not particular. I do have a lot of stage clothes and don't usually wear bluejeans.
Funny, that's kind of how I ended up HERE! The singer/guitarist and lead player in my old band Ivory Wire were kind of guitar snobs. My Ric was OK, but my Guild Pilot was BANNED, even just as a backup. LOL! They were into Thunderbirds, but I didn't want to spend that kind of money so I started researching 90s Les Paul basses, which led me to the old Dude Pit. Picked up my '94 (which the band ended up paying for) and couldn't be happier. I even ended up ditching all my EMG stuff (except on my fretless) too. ;D So I guess you could say my story has a happy ending.
Quote from: gweimer on December 13, 2010, 09:01:03 PM
... You'd think they'd have done a LITTLE research. Vox amps would probably have made more sense.
Brit sound...? Hiwatt + Marshall + Peter Cook = JOB DONE ;D
Great name for a punk band: The Dung Forks.
Quote from: Pilgrim on December 15, 2010, 12:59:59 PM
Great name for a punk band: The Dung Forks.
Hahahaha! Secretly, I want to form a punk band called Beaten By Nuns.
Quote from: Denis on December 16, 2010, 08:12:00 AM
Hahahaha! Secretly, I want to form a punk band called Beaten By Nuns.
There would be a helluva lot of eligible members!
There was one band I was with for a few months in '79 that never got round to gigging - the guitarist wanted to call the outfit Rock Hard and the Dildo's...
Me and the vocalist just didn't hit it off...