Jul 06 2009
So I’m in a Band - Now What?
After a few weeks of jamming around, it looks like we’ve got the core of a band. There’s me on bass, a guy who plays keys and guitar, another guitarist and a drummer whose wife might be our singer. So far we’ve been doing a bunch of Pink Floyd and King Crimson covers like Echoes, Red, Astronomy Domine, Interstellar Overdrive, One More Red Nightmare and we’re struggling to get Larks Tongue in Aspic pt 2 down. So what now? Besides getting our shit tight through lots and lots of practice, we need a name. Before I even started putting this band together I’ve been thinking about band names. The one I really liked was Strange Botwin, a reference to the first few episodes of Weeds. I’m not so sure about that now. I also don’t want to have the name be a reference to the bands we cover since that is more for single band tributes. The other thing is getting gigs. I’m not sure how much of a market there is for a cover band that plays nothing but old prog and psychedelic rock from the 70’s. There’s a great coffee house near me that has live shows where I’m sure we could book our debut performance. I also work right next to a place where Johnny Cash recorded a classic live album and I’m sure the inmates of San Quentin would enjoy any performance people are willing to give them. Tonight we play at our drummer’s warehouse in Oakland. It’s not as convenient for me as our space around the corner from my house, but it beats having to load a full drumset in and out every week which also cuts into our playing time.
I hope you’re young, or my comment misses the point entirely…
Your post reminded me of all the time I wasted working overtime and building a business in my younger years when I should have been doing things like what you are doing. I almost wept yesterday when I read about Orianthi Panagaris… She is living my dream!
I hope you have great success or at least a hell of a good time trying.
I’m going to be 37 in a few weeks, but your comment still hits the mark. I’m working and parenting and struggling to survive in this economy, but it got to the point where not playing music was not an option for me anymore. It brings a happiness to me that I just cannot get anywhere else.
Great idea you have to do freebie gigs for those that can appreciate it…