I'm buzzing!

[bassmonkey]

I had band practice last night and I'm still on a high.

We auditioned a new drummer, who turned out to be fantastic, we locked in straight away and his time keeping was impeccable. We did songs he had never heard before, just played him a few verses on the iPod and that was it, he could play them straight off. He was really impressed with us as a unit too. Said that he had been to a few auditions but the bands were just not up to scratch, and it was good to be playing with decent players. I'm really excited about this.

Some background. The band formed in June and we've still to gig! The problem as I see it was the old drummer. He really wasn't up to scratch, and it was holding us back. He was a nice guy though, so I certainly wasn't going to upset the applecart by pointing this out. We're not a professional outfit and I figure not worth upsetting people over. I thought things would finally come together though. When he said he was quitting last month due to work/family/other band committments I was actually quite relieved.

I still can't believe last night, first practice with the new guy and we sounded better than at any time in the previous 6 months. We will be booking a gig for end of Feb just to give us a little pressure to get things together. I may have my Bongos by then too.

The other thing is that all the practice I have been putting in at home lately is paying off. I cannot believe how well I was playing last night. I got some great tones out of that 30th. I was really loving it.

Sorry for the rambling post. I just wanted to share with people I know will understand how I'm feeling.

 

[Psycho Ward]

This is what makes music great, when it finally clicks there is an energy released that you can feel!

I wish you and your band great success!

 

[screaminhugger]

I recently read Joe Jackson's book, " a cure for gravity", in it, he describes the moment when you connect with the each other and the audience in such a way that you actually feel as though you could fly...."a cure for gravity". The drummer in my new band and I "click" too. It is a great Feeling. my story is similar, except that I was the one auditioning. There is nothing better than playing with a good drummer. The other guys just don't get it, but the relationship between a bass player and a drummer has to be good, or the whole band will not click. Congrats man, may you "fly" and get many gigs. Enjoy.

james

 

[bassmonkey]

. The other guys just don't get it, but the relationship between a bass player and a drummer has to be good, or the whole band will not click.

james

Isn't that the truth. After the audition we were in the pub discussing whether to take on the new guy or not. I mentioned my reservations about the former drummer(in a diplomatic way) to my band mates. None of them got what I was saying, they just thought I was being mean about the old drummer.

 

[PocketGroove82]

playing with a great drummer is just playing.


...not trying to be deep, but it's true

 

[PocketGroove82]

...and man it feels great

 

[screaminhugger]

I have found that a perfectly fine drummer for all intent and purpose can be my worst nightmare if we don't get along musically. I play in two bands right now, and the drummer in my "other" band and I are always fighting for "control" of the tempo and such. I have played with guy off and on for almost 10 years and we just can't seem to get it together. He is a good drummer, but we just can't seem to make it work. This guy in my new band I have played with only since August and WOW, it's like I can read his mind or something. I know what he is going to do before he does it. My only compaint about him is he uses my Ampet cabinet as an end table for his ashtray and drinks. I finally convinced him to use a bar nap as a coaster at our last gig.

james

 

[Bill]

Congratulations! That's great news. My current band is less than a year old, but I've been playing with the drummer for probably 15 years or so. We can pretty much predict what the other is going to do at a certain point in a song, even if it's a song we've never played before. It's awesome when the bass player & drummer can click like that!

 

[brooklynfall]

I had the same experience a couple years ago. We auditioned a drummer, the second guy we looked at, and I was just grinning the entire time. He knew all the songs down pat, and he and I just locked up from the beginning. It's really true about the relationship between a good drummer and a good bassist - makes my day better!

PS - He now plays with all three of my projects, and it's gotten to the point where I know what he'll play even before he does! Mostly.

 

[AnthonyD]

I know EXACTLY what you mean - congrats and much success!

I lost my perfect drummer / best friend in my early twenties. Have never found that magic again.

These days it's me and my Alesis...