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Ernie Ball Music Man Custom Design Experience

Finally, a chance to play on a real stage

adouglas

adouglas

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Aug 12, 2005
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On the tail end of the bell curve in Connecticut
Yesterday we played at a battle of the bands competition.

Nice venue of about 500 seats, but the blasted house PA kept crapping out and messing up the vocals. Thank goodness we didn't run our instruments through it. In hindsight we should have just used our own gear for the vocals too. Oh, well.

We had a blast anyway. And we got great pictures, which alone was worth the price of admission. Plus a little bit of video.

Playing on a real stage is a blast.

Pics here if you're interested (legit because there's Bongo content):

BattleOfAges090426 pictures by adouglas2001 - Photobucket
 
T-bone

T-bone

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Apr 12, 2005
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All I have to say is Cool Shoes! That, and your singer is waaay better looking than you. :D

tbone
 
adouglas

adouglas

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MingusBASS said:
You say that to all of us, but it doesn't make it any less true. :p
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You said it, friend.

The rest of the band really had to talk me into "dressing sharp" because that's part of our deal. No jeans or T-shirts in this band. The loosest we ever get is bowling shirts.

My reaction was "What's the point? Have you SEEN the turkey leg photo? I didn't get that 'Member who should hide behind his bass more often' Knucklehead award at the Desert Bash fer nuthin! Besides, with Liza up front who the heck is gonna be looking at me anyway?"

:D

PS: The tattoo is beautiful, done by a master of traditional Japanese art. And her husband is the keyboard/guitar player (and a really sweet guy). No chance of cheesecake, guys. Sorry.
 
Russel

Russel

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Props on the big gig, man. :)

As for looking good, that really isn't the bassist's job.


The hi-hat and snare are my best friends.
 
AnthonyD

AnthonyD

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Mar 23, 2005
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Funny - and I can relate.

I'd been very excited to finally "play on stage" after a few years of casual gigging without even so much as a riser. Earlier this year we played a dinner/dance club with a proper stage and lighting - very cool.

We're heading back in May and will likely rotate through there regularly, so I will get my "stage fix" more often.

Cool pics and I dig the looking sharp... ;)
 
adouglas

adouglas

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On the tail end of the bell curve in Connecticut
TNT said:
Well, did you win??!! LOL,LOL,LOL:)
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Nope. Didn't bother me particularly, because it was largely a popularity contest. The pics we got were worth the effort.

This was a benefit for a local arts center, and all the bands had to sell tickets.

Of the 30 we sold, we had some no-shows and most of the rest bailed out after we played because it was a beautiful day. At the end, when they asked the audience to cheer for their favorite band, we had about a dozen supporters left.

The band that won sold 70 tickets and had a LOT more people in the audience.

The band that won? The Soggy Basement Boys, playing roots music.
 
Bloodfist

Bloodfist

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Apr 10, 2008
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Charleston SC
Congrats on the playing on a real stage man!!! Battle of the bands is a good way to get a quick show and get some exposure to more people. Unfortunately, there usually not judged fairly, and the prize is small. My band won the Charleston Battle of the Bands last year, so we weren't allowed to enter it this year, but we were called back as judges. A few pointers to you other than making sure your music is spot on... First, coordinate how you look on stage with what type of music your playing. It looks like you all have this down pat. I like how your leads shoes match his pick guard, as does your other guitarist, and you lol. Yours and the second guitarist outfit are extremely close, the hat you wore was a good idea, and not having your tie hanging out looks better than his. Have him turn his keyboard sideways next time, so that when he's playing guitar, people see him and the guitar, and it looks cooler. Loosen up, move around, and try to interact with the crowd, especially you. Just because your the bass player doesn't mean you have to stand in the back. Your the groove that they feel, get up front and make them feel that groove with you. That also goes for the rest of the band. Your singer and lead look like they were interacting with each other and the crowd pretty good. Stage presence is golden, regardless what type of music your playing, which by yalls look I'm guessing Blues/jazzy/rock with some soulful singing??? I can see yall doing Black Velvet by Alannah Myles.

All in all, it looks like you had a great time, and you played on good sized stage with a drum riser (most places don't have them). I only offer these pointers because I've been on the stage playing, and off the stage judging. I'm quite certain you have plenty of stages in your future, and if you ever in Charleston, I'll put you on a stage that will blow your mind.

Oh and one last thing
Of the 30 we sold, we had some no-shows and most of the rest bailed out after we played because it was a beautiful day. At the end, when they asked the audience to cheer for their favorite band, we had about a dozen supporters left.
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First lesson to learn in being in a band, friends are not fans. I don't think there is a single person on this forum who doesn't know what I'm talking about. Own the stage, and you'll win the crowd. The band that I voted for (and won) this years battle of the bands had a smaller "friend base" at the venue, but their stage presence won me over and a lot of the other people who came to watch the bands. Once again, congratulations on the show, and best of luck with the ones to come!!!
 
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