Local Cover/house Bands

[sunvalleylaw]

Have you noticed a new explosion of local cover bands? There has been here. A lot of Dad types (much like myself) are getting out there at the local pubs and playing just regular ol' rock n' roll. Nothing fancy, just what I consider to be our modern folk music, basically classic rock oriented stuff, with whatever schtick the particular band throws in.

http://www.myspace.com/upacreekband
"The Up a Creek Band rose from the ashes of In Search of Redheaded Fiddler in late 2007 and are filling a much needed void for Bellevue-based country, rock, blues, folk, and hillbilly music for the masses."

These guys played a local brewpub where we often have dinner tonight. "Trace of You" on their tracklist sounded most like what I heard tonight, though there were a lot more cover songs at the show. One of the guitarists had a really nice tobacco burst Gibson hollow body with a trapeze style tailpiece, (maybe an ES-135?) and had some good tone through his Fender amph. The place was filled pretty much with their families, kids and friends. I had heard there are a lot of construction guys out of work forming bands because they have a lot of time on their hands. I was guessing these guys were some. But good on them for getting out there. They sounded just fine and were having fun, and added to dinner.

Are you guys seeing more of these local bands forming up out there?

 

[aeolian]

Are you guys seeing more of these local bands forming up out there?

I haven't noticed more bands forming, here's anecdotal evidence. I play in a hobby band, and our lineup have been stable now for about 8 months. This last Sunday we decided to play an open mic. Usually the place runs half-hour slots for each band or performer. This night they did not have enough people signed up that they actually had a regular band fill in to take up the time. We played our 6 songs in our half an hour, and when we asked if we can play one more, they said OK and we did.

Our bass player is the person who really pushes to play for an audience, although he is actually the least experienced musician. In order for us to perform he held a BBQ at his house back in June and we played for about 2 hours and did 20 songs. I think that encouraged him and that's how we ended up doing the open mic.

The neighborhood where the drummer lives is holding a neighborhood day event this Sunday and we volunteered to provide music. We are planning a set list of 25 songs.

I guess maybe I contradicted myself, since we are trying to get out there. I don't think anyone's wanting to pay us to play though.

 

[hubberjub]

There are a ton of cover bands in my area but they are all "modern rock". I wish there was a decent classic rock band. We do have two pretty outstanding funk cover bands in the area. I don't think either of them have a website though.

 

[Lev]

So SVL, did it inspire you to maybe get out there yourself? I really think that Hagstrom should see an audience sometime :AOK:

 

[sunvalleylaw]

So SVL, did it inspire you to maybe get out there yourself? I really think that Hagstrom should see an audience sometime :AOK:

As part of a not too long range plan, or at least desire, as a true plan requires some planning, yes! :AOK: The Hagstrom would love to be out, and the Strat would love to join it! The electric guitarist in the band I saw last night had some good tones and some nice lines and rhythms. But I bet with a bit of wood shedding, I could hang with him just fine, and he and his group were out. I would likely stick more to open mics and the like and not try to make any money at it. I would hate to ruin it by worrying about money.

This summer, we have been doing a remodel to bring my mother-in-law in to live with us, and I have been putting extra time into my law practice to deal with the economic times and how they affect a mountain resort town. So I have not pursued playing out this summer as I have the last two. But some opportunities appear to be out there, and I am going to make a few calls and see what I can get going in terms of playing regularly with some folks. The remodel is winding up and things should get back to more like normal. There was an ad that looked interesting with a drummer who wants musicians to play jazz, jazz oriented blues, some R&B and whatever. Since I have been interested in jazzy sounding chords, that sounds interesting, and the drummer often seems to be the hardest person to find. I am going to make that call today. The ad is several days old, and there are many guitarists around, so the guitarist spot may be taken, but we'll see. If that call doesn't work out, it may lead to some other opportunities, and there are a few other paths I can try and follow.

 

[Trailer Park Casanova]

Good take.

Cocktail lounges are folding left and right around So Cali. Rents and costs of doing biz are running them out.

Chuys Agoura Hills folded over it's $18.000 monthly rent.
That's a lot of Yeager Bombs they have to move each month to make their nut.

Also, a bar needs a hard to get "live music venue permit" in LA and Ventura counties issued through the City Council/PD. So throw yet another roadblock in the way.

But Season Ticket, a bar where the HUGE porno industry hangs out went through the bureaucratic process, got the permit, and started "Jam Night" every Thursday.

Wednesdays are Shocase nite, very well organized by the girl that runs the deli counter at the Albertsons just down the street.
She'll book your band if they are halfway decent.

A good mix of Dads and the younger set.
Chris Montez hangs/hung? out here for a long spell (some talk he was moving to Europe), and a few other vintage musicians us dads can pick with.

A few weeks back I sat with Donovan's drummer (Donovan's brother in law BTW) and a few other musicians of note.
Ya never know who comes in to play.

One bartender likes to jump on the bar, douse his crotch with 151 and light it during the music.
So one of the musicians of note wrote a tune "When Jimmy Lights his Balls on fire".
It's not screamin' up the billboard charts BTW.

Thurs nite anyone can drop by and plug into the jam night.
Your audience will be some pro athletes, some pro porno like Summer Milestone,, Big Dick Dave,, Heather Papsmear, hell I dunno their names,,
but some serious real actors hang out there too and plug-in with you for jam nite as well.

We love the cover bands that play on the weekends and showcase night.
Banned at the Beach, mostly dads that play Surf music very well,, Flashback an outstanding cover band,, an old Jasper Rick Tucker plays country.
I still haven't got him to play my rip-off tune: "All My Ex's Drive a Lexus".

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