2006-05-26 Coming Up!

Peter's first jam - needed a pick-up truck to bring his gear! Huge box, and it was worth it! I could hear my vocals clearly at the start, but by the end I had trouble...

Steve played around with his muff, which gave us all a giggle, but he turned it off in the end...ooer!

Am I Close, Closedown and Weapon were amazing, even though Peter was just getting to grips with the songs. DLYN sounded so much better with a bass guitar! The best we've played, but still needs work.

Set tonight was:

• Closedown
• Weapon
• Am I Close
• Warm
• DLYN
• Advice
• Come To Me
• Burn
• Inner Moment
• Winter's Here

Teigan came in for Am I Close and Warm, and thought it sounded wicked, Warm being her favourite. Asked when she's going to join us, and she said in a few weeks. That will be the final piece, I think...

Also, bought a Boss GT-8 for $725, and will sell my Zoom, and other pedals to make up for it, and perhaps my acoustic guitar...

Very excited!

2006-05-22 Roll Call

Well, Peter came over on Friday night after seeing our ad in the Xpress. We listened to all the songs, and he seemed keen. He hasn’t played live, but has played bass. He took a CD and song sheets home, and I sent him a mail suggesting if he had any doubts, he let us know. On Sunday night, he finally replied after listening, and he is very excited! So am I! So will the band be! Now we can get on our way!

His pick of songs:

1 Don't lose your nerve

2 Am i close

3 Advice

4 Closedown

5 Not Holding Back

What a relief - some guy rang me on Friday, far too serious, and far too anal for my liking - I felt like he was interviewing me, saying that he must take every little aspect into consideration - he had 20 years experience, and went to an audition last week, and basically told the band that they were not good enough for him...hmmmm, perhaps not. Anyway, compared to Peter, he was completely out of his depth, personality wise...

Anyway, here we go...

2006-05-11 See A Little Light!

Man, has this been a funny week. I posted 2 adds this week for a bass player, one in XPress, and one on my company! XPress is out today, but one guy replied to my company e-mail, and check this out!

The ad was as follows:

"Does anyone play bass guitar (or know anyone who plays bass), or is learning the bass and wants to play on stage? We are a new original band, and are in need of someone who is keen to play live music, with a view to recording. A lot of the songs written are bass driven, so there will be plenty to do.

Influences Radiohead, early REM, Suede, Stone Roses. Don't have to be expert, just someone with imagination.

We have an EP for you to listen to, and if you don't like it, no problem. If you do, wicked! No time wasters please.

Age 20-35.

Don't be scared, get in touch!

Steve"

Here is his reply:
"I am interested but have never played. I'm not scared either. :-)

Would like to hear your music. Does someone have a bass I could start practising with?

What sort of commitment are you expecting ie. week nights, weekends etc?

I'm a little out of your age group but don't let that fool you."

Not only has this guy never heard of Radiohead, Suede or the Stone Roses, he is not even in the age range. He hasn't got a bass guitar nor has any experience. But heck, in subsequent e-mails, he is prepared to buy a cheap bass from a classifieds, and he's not scared! He must be serious! He says he played classical guitar years ago, and perhaps that counts for something, but honestly...

It is hilarious! I cannot take this guy seriously, as he must be winding me up!

Anyway, had our best jam session ever last night - we were all pretty focused, and I introduced a couple of new songs. The set list last night:

• Closedown - the best we've played
  
• Am I Close - the best we've played
• Warm - good
  
• Burn - needs work, as I keep getting the instrumental wrong
  
• Weapon - good
  
• Come To Me - almost there, sounding good!
  
• Advice - I need to learn the words
  
• Inner Moment - needs work
  
• Don't Lose Your Nerve - needs a lot of work
  
• Seen To Be Worn (New) - this turned out really well!
• Winter's Here (Kyle's suggestion) - again, turned out really well, but need jigging around
  

Other songs I introduced:

• Corner Me - this will be introduced later, as it is a bit complicated
  

We didn't get to play:

• Stars
• Behind The Rise
• Midnight Cries

Again, Steve's really getting to grips with the songs, and Kyle is going a little crazy with his new drum kit, which is wicked!

Agreed, one more home session, and then a studio.

There is a light...but no bass player in sight...

2006-05-08 He Bangs The Drums!

Kyle's new drums! They sounded fantastic, and will sound even better when he knows the songs back to front! He went a bit crazy, which was excellent, adding fills here and there. Nice one! All we need now is a bass player!

Well, I struggled through the session with a huge headache, and Steve was knackered, but we still managed to get some quality out of the songs. Inner Moment seems to be a hit, as well as stars. We're still having trouble with Burn, and Don't Lose Your Nerve, but that will come. Weapon, Am I Close, and Closedown, as always, were excellent.

I think Come To Me could be one of our best...we'll see...

We're getting closer...