New band opportunity

Post by **Genebaby** » Sat Dec 25, 2010 3:32 pm

Got a call from my drummer the other day. A guy from a friends band that broke up is starting a new one and is lloking to replace the drummer and a guitarist. The guy running it is an ace bass player with a great singer and another guy on guitar and they like to rock, which suits me fine.

A bit of background, I have been the band leader for years and the last five years we have been doing the chick singer thing but have struggled to replace our first good, reliable singer. This past year was wasted on a girl who we had to let go in the end so we are back at square one. Also, for these gigs I bought a Line6 PODXT Live to access sounds and effects needed for the range of songs we do.

My previous band was more straight rock and I just used my Marshall and a wah pedal, something I woild do again with this band.

The bass guys old band broke up when some of them joined my old male singer in forming a country band!! He was asked to join and declined, as he likes to rock and won't compromise his music, which is cool with me.

We are going to jam in the new year and I hope it works out as I am keen to just be a regular band member and leave the hard work to someone else and this sounds like a great chance to rock out. I miss playing live, it would be great to get back out there.

wolfgang161272 · Post by **wolfgang161272** » Sat Dec 25, 2010 9:44 pm

That are good news for the beginning of the new year. I hope you have the right people on your side and you will playing some good live gigs!2
My band broke up for about 10 years now and I'm not playing live since these days. That's sad but I don't find cool guys playing the same stuff I want to play ...

Post by **Genebaby** » Sat Dec 25, 2010 9:57 pm

It's funny but the guys doing the country thing are my old singer from years ago and some guys from the old band my drummer used to be in. He's been with me for about five years now.

Hearing the songs they want to play and the bass players refusal to be in the country band has me excited to jam with them for sure.

Wolfie, Canberra is pretty small, surely there are some people with similar musical interests as you?

Do you ever put any ads out or look out for bands wanting new members?

wolfgang161272 · Post by **wolfgang161272** » Sat Dec 25, 2010 10:06 pm

Yes I do but not with much intensitiy. I'm helping out in bands if they need a rythem guitar player or a person on the piano. I'm playing piano since I'm three years old. So it's verry easy helping out.
But I want to play a style like Metallica or Slipknot. Or 80's hair metal

But finding the right people is not so easy because I haven't the time for music like these peolpe needs or want.
But if it's time I will find them! Playing live is the thing I wanna do - like you Genebaby

Post by **Genebaby** » Sat Dec 25, 2010 10:20 pm

Finding the time is the hardest thing for me these days so being in a band is good as it means I "have" to play and practice.

Otherwise I might not pick up the guitar for a while as it's easier not to.

Being schooled on piano like you are would be great for your musical abilities. I am the typical rock guitarist who can't read music etc. I just get by on tabs and what friends and I can work out. The internet has made it much easier. 10 years ago there was a great site called Kiss tabs which helped a LOT for my Kiss covers band back then.

Seek and ye shall find Wolfie, it will happen when the time is right.

wolfgang161272 · Post by **wolfgang161272** » Sat Dec 25, 2010 10:42 pm

That's nice thanks

))

Post by **Genebaby** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 6:17 pm

We have finally had the get together and it went great, a I had hoped and figured. Now that Mikey is back on guitar we will be getting together to work out our parts on songs. In about a week it will be eight years since he switched to bass one night.

I'm looking forward to our next jams as we get gig ready, and then to our first gig. Can't wait.

metatron · Post by **metatron** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:12 pm

Genebaby wrote:We have finally had the get together and it went great, a I had hoped and figured. Now that Mikey is back on guitar we will be getting together to work out our parts on songs. In about a week it will be eight years since he switched to bass one night.

I'm looking forward to our next jams as we get gig ready, and then to our first gig. Can't wait.

The thing we all want to know,,,What do your groupies look like. Do they sux or do they blow or both

We need 2 know this stuff. Very important.

Post by **Genebaby** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:42 pm

It all depends on how much make-up you wear as to how far I will let you go Dannii.....

metatron · Post by **metatron** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 11:11 pm

Genebaby wrote:It all depends on how much make-up you wear as to how far I will let you go Dannii.....

I'll cake it on for you Vic

Post by **Genebaby** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 7:00 am

And the 80's are back!!!!

Post by **Genebaby** » Tue Feb 08, 2011 7:56 am

A slight glitch has emerged, my mate Mikey is no longer keen to be in a band at this time so he has opted out.

We have a band meeting scheduled tonight and we have more to discuss now. I can go on by myself, I'm used to that, but am also keen to find another good guy to play with in this band.

Either way I figure we can move forward as a four piece and then see what happens.

Post by **Genebaby** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:51 pm

The band meeting went well last night. We will continue as a four piece with me as the only guitarist but are also seeking out a second player if we can find someone with the right attitude and ability.

We've all been stuffed around so are looking for someone as committed as we all are now. A big problem with guys our age is we have more commitments these days. They know of a couple of suitable guys but it remains to be seen if they are keen to be in a band and to stick around for the long haul.

Post by **Genebaby** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 6:44 pm

The newest member of the band looks to have been found. He'll be our rhythm guy and we had a jam the other night till late going through the first batch of songs.

We are due to jam on Tuesday as a five piece again, should be cool hopefully. We all want to get out and gig.

metatron · Post by **metatron** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:10 am

Do u want to help you find band members. You can some ol' Pink Champagne or Jettablack members if you like...Oh just remembered, their either Dead, in Jail or in Mental Institutions...(the singer, I hear is a real fucken nut bad,,, keeps going on about this so called 'Mega Guitar' that this other nut bag is gonna build for him...cuckoo, cuckoo.

Fuck! I really need to go to the toilet!

Post by **Genebaby** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 7:58 am

It does seem like you timed that photo badly and that everyone would rather be in the john, doesn't it.

Thanks for the offer but I think we'll stick to our guys. Maybe give me the number of the Institution in case we need to replace someone down the track.

shramiac · Post by **shramiac** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:44 am

metatron wrote:Do u want to help you find band members. You can some ol' Pink Champagne or Jettablack members if you like...Oh just remembered, their either Dead, in Jail or in Mental Institutions...(the singer, I hear is a real fucken nut bad,,, keeps going on about this so called 'Mega Guitar' that this other nut bag is gonna build for him...cuckoo, cuckoo.

Far out!!!! My bass player & drummer moved to Brisbane with the "Tori Amos" chick but she joined a cult called Landmark (not to be confused with the Wesfarmers Landmark company)!! She was a bit of an air head but a nice person but apparently became VERY arrogant after joining this cult and started with the "everyone else is the reason I'm not feeling good" type crap so they both told her to jam it! I haven't spoken with my drummer since 2008. I grew up with him & his bro as 2 of my closest friends. But, after 30 years of putting up with their selfishness and weird ways I just couldn't give a crap about them!I still talk regularly with my old bass player and my singer still lives in Cairns but he only does "classic stage musicals" now.

Post by **Genebaby** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 8:28 am

A small update: The other guys have involved us in recording an EP (four sogns) of originals which they have been planning for a little while so we've been learning and rehearsing those.

This is all well and good but creates a big problem for me. The SOLOS!!! I'm not a shredder which is fine, but I'm also not very creative in making up memorable solos. I don't have 1/100th the talent of Vinnie. I wish I could fill an album with solos.

Reading the Eric Carr book it has Bob Kulick asking to extend solos when he did Paul's '89 solo tour, to which the answer was no, lol. I don't have that problem. I'm a "less is more" kind of guy and could do away with the solos altogether, like Nickelback, ha ha.

One of the songs was especially dreadful, everything in key just didn't sound good until I tried (like I told my wife) the MSG of guitar, the WAH!! Instant goodness, ha ha.

It's been quite a stress. I'm much better at playing solos already written than writing my own.

We were meant to start recording next week but I think it's bee pushed back a week as our drummer is really sick.

It also looks as we may be looking for another guitarist, this one isn't as capable as we first thought, so I may end up doing all the guitar in the studio.

shramiac · Post by **shramiac** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 9:45 am

AH! I see you are in the same boat as me! I suffer the same affliction when it comes to soloing!!

Post by **Genebaby** » Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:31 pm

I would say so dude. Writing solos is now the bane of my life. I wish I was like Vinnie. Well, a nice version of Vinnie, so I still had friends and stuff.

Post by **Genebaby** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 11:30 pm

And now I'm OFF THE HOOK!!!! Yeah!!!! I found us a new guitarist who has a good ear for playing stuff so the pressure is off, I can relax for now.

He met us last night, jammed with us tonight and we'll be recording starting Monday.

Last night my amp played up, the sound level dropped and when I had a look two of the power tubes were glowing way too much. Turned it off for a bit and it seemed ok, and it survived tonight's practice too but it seems ill so I dropped it off with my amp guy and a spare set of tubes. He's going to make sure it's ok for next week.

Post by **Genebaby** » Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:08 am

Ok, Monday night we got the drums set up and sounding good and last night we tracked two songs. Drummer was running out of puff after 4 hours, after a long day at work.

I brought my PodXT Live along and it's proving to be a great sound for clean and distortion so looks like my Marshall won't be needed.

It seems like we will be making a video clip as well, which is quite crazy, but cool.

Post by **Genebaby** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 8:06 am

Last night we finished the drum and bass tracks. Tonight I will be doing my guitars, which shouldn't be too hard, should be finished tonight. The XTL will be used, along with my friends acoustic, which I'm not sure if it will go direct, through the Pod or just have a mic in front of it. We shall see.

Post by **Genebaby** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 10:40 pm

Ok, change of plans at the studio. Tonight we concentrated on finishing the song which will be the video, so the concepts and ideas can be worked on by the people who are doing it.

I completed my parts, Rob put some lead work over it, which is awesome, then we miked up the acoustic and I did some work with that to finish off.

The other guys left me to do the acoustic stuff and I left the singer to do his parts. He might still be going now.

The song does sound pretty damn cool right now, in raw form, I'm actually excited to hear it finished.

One thing that's come of this, I want to finally get a decent acoustic. The one I'm using I borrowed from a friend, it's a Seagull and he has this and a twelve string. I was going to buy one years ago but never did and the other day I was looking at Taylors online in the US and forgot about Seagulls. They are handmade in Canada and are incredible value.

Looking at the website I think I'm going to get this one as I don't like big, deep acoustics.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=581752

The one I have now I got in 94 and it looks cool as it's a cherry sunburst Epiphone but all the lower priced ones back then had laminate tops and now the action is crap. I am pretty sure it's the one Ace played on Unplugged as it's the closest thing to his Les Pauls from the 70's and is comfortable to play.

I found them here in Australia for $1295 which I thought was good and a case is about $175 extra and then checked MF and they are $875 delivered and I'm inquiring about the case on top. I think I will have to do this.

shramiac · Post by **shramiac** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 11:20 pm

Cool! Not to be the Ibanez salesman or anything but the slightly funny looking Ibi acoustic/electric with the deep cutaway sounds amazing. It killed the $2000 Takamaine next to it and only the Matons could compare! It was only around $800 a year ago, so may be even cheaper now! Failing that, get a Babicz(spelt wrong I know), they're outstanding! They're the ones with the strings anchored to individual points out near the edge of the soundboard like a wagon wheel. Even my chunky fingers felt at home on one of those! And you can adjust the neck angle! They're basically an electric neck with an acoustic body joined to it!

Post by **Genebaby** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 7:00 am

Thanks man, I will check them out. MF got back to me that they don't stock the Seagull cases, so I'm finding out if they'll order them in, but I'm guessing not as they probably would have already suggested it to me.

Post by **Genebaby** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 7:15 am

Can you find that Ibanez you were talking about on this page?

http://www.ibanezguitarcentre.com.au/Pr ... ustic.aspx

Checked out the Babicz, can't get them direct from USA so not sure on pricing here and not much model choice. I'm sure it's great but I would like one a bit thinner than the average.

shramiac · Post by **shramiac** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 9:28 am

http://www.ibanezguitarcentre.com.au/Ib ... T-343.aspx

They sound great! I played one a Allans Music in Brissy (and I can't play acoustic for sh*t) and look at the price now! $600!! They are great! As for electronics I wouldn't know as I only played it acoustically. I bet Pro Audio would have one on the racks you could have a strum(m)

on!

birnie · Post by **birnie** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 4:10 pm

I have an acoustic and like to fiddle every now and then, but one thing that annoys me is the 3rd sting is always wound! grrrr.
Can you get Acoustic strings with the 3rd non-wound so bends are possible?
Or would you just replace that one with an electric string?
People have suggested that to me before but i though it might sound out of place and never tried...

Post by **Genebaby** » Fri Apr 01, 2011 4:30 pm

I string my current acoustic with a set that has an unwound G. I think they are called Earthwoods or something like that.

Thanks for the link Andrew, I'll check it out later.

birnie · Post by **birnie** » Sat Apr 02, 2011 5:36 pm

Thanks Gene-ious

I'll have a search

Post by **Genebaby** » Sun Apr 03, 2011 9:25 pm

Did you find them yet?

http://www.ernieball.com/products/categ ... ood-80-20-#

The Rock and Blues set comes with an unwound G, which I'm pretty sure is the same as a regular electric string.

For my own acoustic I have been flip flopping on this more than Johnny Howard (Australian political joke) and after thinking about the Seagull, then deciding on either the Steve Vai or Satriani Ibanez acoustics, then back to the Seagull.

After all that I am now looking at a Yamaha APX1200, most likely in translucent black. Just gotta find out what they are worth here, can't find many overseas except the UK and they are not cheap over there.

Post by **Genebaby** » Sun Apr 03, 2011 9:42 pm

Looks like the Acoustic Slinky series has an unwound G as well, in the Hybrid set.

http://www.ernieball.com/products/categ ... y-Phosphor#

I think these are newish as I'm pretty sure they weren't around when I last was shopping for acoustic strings. Which was quite a while ago.

shramiac · Post by **shramiac** » Sun Apr 03, 2011 9:53 pm

Genebaby wrote:Did you find them yet?

http://www.ernieball.com/products/categ ... ood-80-20-#

The Rock and Blues set comes with an unwound G, which I'm pretty sure is the same as a regular electric string.

For my own acoustic I have been flip flopping on this more than Johnny Howard (Australian political joke) and after thinking about the Seagull, then deciding on either the Steve Vai or Satriani Ibanez acoustics, then back to the Seagull.

After all that I am now looking at a Yamaha APX1200, most likely in translucent black. Just gotta find out what they are worth here, can't find many overseas except the UK and they are not cheap over there.

hey big spender!!!!

Post by **Genebaby** » Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:18 pm

I deserve this baby!!!!!

It's about time I got a decent acoustic, that I actually want to play. The APX1200 will also sound fantastic if I ever need to use it live and will also record very well.

birnie · Post by **birnie** » Sun Apr 03, 2011 10:52 pm

Thanks Vic,

Yeah, i founb those and ordered a set off ebay for $9 delivered !
Love ebay

No hurry so i'll wait a few weeks.

Good luck with the Acoustic search.
Always exciting getting a new axe.
As for me, i've only owned 4 in my life and still have 3 of em

..but i still have fun

Post by **Genebaby** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 8:13 am

Cool man. I recommend the new Production Model Charvels, they are great buying on Ebay.

I am excited to be getting a proper acoustic finally.

Post by **Genebaby** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 2:10 pm

Ok, the Yahama APX1200 has been ordered!! There is only two in the country, one in Natural and one in the See-thru Black I am getting. Comes with a case.

I am hopefull to have it this week now.

shramiac · Post by **shramiac** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 4:28 pm

Yamaha 1200! That's a big bike! You got a license for that???

Post by **Genebaby** » Mon Apr 04, 2011 4:57 pm

APX1200!! A few important letters in the front there!!!

birnie · Post by **birnie** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 1:41 am

Geezuz this thread gone of the rails

PS...how's your new ebay Charvel going?

Post by **Genebaby** » Tue Apr 05, 2011 7:56 am

The Yellow Flame Up is going fantastic, I love that guitar. Trouble is, they make you want more!!

In actual band news, I have found a girl at work to be in the video, we need a guy and a girl to play some parts.

With the schedule pretty tight we have to start filming soon.

Post by **Genebaby** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 4:04 pm

Update time. The four songs have been recorded so now we just have the video clip to shoot and the songs and video mixed/produced.

The video is due to be shot on May8, Mothers Day here in Australia. We have a pretty cool live venue to shoot in which has a pretty cool setup for the stage and lighting.

Got some guys coming to take photos and my brother to should be filming some "making of" footage too.

metatron · Post by **metatron** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 4:31 pm

Genebaby wrote:Update time. The four songs have been recorded so now we just have the video clip to shoot and the songs and video mixed/produced.

The video is due to be shot on May8, Mothers Day here in Australia. We have a pretty cool live venue to shoot in which has a pretty cool setup for the stage and lighting.

Got some guys coming to take photos and my brother to should be filming some "making of" footage too.

Excellent...Rock hard (Gene)baby all nite.

Post by **Genebaby** » Fri Apr 22, 2011 5:29 pm

If our drummer is ok we'll do a sort of paid rehearsal there on Monday night.

Just the phone call about it. The other guitarist was gonna jam with me on Monday so now we might get together Sunday too.