My band Le Strange played our area's biggest nightclub last night. My wife got us the gig after pitching a few venues a few weeks ago. We're fairly new without a lot of numbers to back us up so they took a chance letting us play.
We have a simple formula: We play songs that we like no matter how big, dumb, cheesy or inappropriate they are. Had you been there, you would have witnessed the indignity of a fifty year old man shouting out Cheap Trick's Surrender ("Mommy's alright Daddy's alright. They just seem a little weird.") with the abandon of an eighteen year old. Pathetic? Maybe. But it's a lot of fun. Since rock = rebellion I'm gonna just go ahead if you don't mind.
A lot of the players I knew in my 20's and 40's no longer gig. Why would they? It'd be crazy. A few switched to Martin acoustics and , monthly bluegrass jam session. Again, a sound decision.
I'm a dinosaur, but when I slide into the right jeans, smear on some eyeliner, and flick my amp off STAND BY, I can still feel the Godzilla. I love having a mic, something to say and a solid body in my hands. Being emotionally arrested keeps me young, even if only mentally.
We had a decent turnout and a great response. It was a friendly room. Hard to beat seeing happy people. Fans of this kind of rock are usually on your side. They want you to do well. As if they are willing it to happen. That's how I've felt watching people play before. "Come on bro! Dig in!"
I haven't spoken to the booking agent since but I'm pretty sure we met his expectations. If so, it should lead to higher profile shows.
Things are going well. In large part due to the fact I'm married to the right person. My wife's a rock chick. For a time I'd turned my back on bands and played exclusively solo acoustic instrumental music. It paid better than playing in a band. My spouse thought it was boring. She likes flamboyance and excess. She sent me "guitarist wanted" ads from Craigslist till something stuck.
Due to her efforts, I'm back onstage dishing out the ham and cheese, snarling through anthems like American Woman. There's nothing like having someone behind you who believes in your abilities even when (especially then) you forgot what they were. She's my Sharon Osbourne.
Gear notes for fret heads: I used a 100% stock 2007 Les Paul Standard Tobacco Sunburst set up by guitar tech to the stars, Chris Boland. Signal path: VHT Valvulator>Crybaby wah> ToneBone Trimode> Ernie Ball volume pedal> Line 6 Delay Modeler>Boss chorus>clean channel of a Peavy Classic 50 4/10 set just below the break up threshold. Mic'd as always with the cheap mic the majority of my guitar heroes used on the recordings of legend; The Shure SM57! An 80's model American Standard Telecaster went untouched as a reserve guitar.
Fashion notes for thread heads. "Zombie" shirt by Shrine, Joe's Jeans.John Fluevog shoes.
Mind alteration notes for hammerheads. Stage prep consisted of a pint of Sierra Nevada Pale ale and a shot of Hornitos 100% agave tequila.
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 21
As a sort of new frethead (I'm a classical music chick), I was very interested in your gear. My nephew had an Ernie Ball, which he sold, and he plays a Les Paul, but his favorite is a Warwick (he's a bass player, forgot to add) made of some rare African wood -- it's a beauty. He plays his electric for gigs, and the Warwick for jazz shows. He has a few acoustics, a mandolin, and also plays upright bass. His band is called In Technicolor, and even though he's only 17, they get some great gigs around Charlottesville, and are playing some up here in the D.C. area this summer. We'd all love your band! But the weirdest thing i saw when we went to see one of his "battle of the band" shows was the girls SCREAMING for him! Yikes. That was scary. Have fun, most of all, because isn't that what it's about? Cheers!
Andrea, I'm so bad on the business end I'd get nowhere without someone practical. I've learned to keep an intelligent female within sight at all times. I'm surprised she doesn't pin a note to my chest when I leave the house.
Your nephew's "music appreciators" oughta grow him up in a hurry. ;)
There was video running. I haven't seen it yet. If it turns out flattering I'll post it. On the other hand, if it's a disgraceful embarrasment, the camera guy probably put it on Youtube already.
I do like to point to Keith Richards. That guy has been dead for twelve years and he still straps it on.
meg it was over in a flash. We did 45 - 50 minutes. As far as far as my mate goes, ya can't go wrong with someone who loves you to do what you love.
I hope the video turned out great so that you can grace us with the showing of it.
'You looked awesome in your attire and your hair was kicking, just like Robert Plants...
Hooray for you, and Rock on Mrs. Bret!!! (You didn't give her a name you know?!)
God, I hope not...
I heard from the venue today. They want us back.
Me and Robert. I call him Bob. ;)