elmerthegreat

The Field in Bridgeport, CT did a few things that made me really enjoy playing. First, they provided food and beverage, which a number of places do, but it is always nice to get as a working musician.

Second, they had a dedicated stage area. It was a set of risers that rose about six inches from the ground, but that little half-foot makes a huge difference. There is something about a stage that draws people away from the television set and into the music scene. As a musician, it is nice to “rise to the occasion”, corny as it may sound, it makes a little mental difference.

Finally, due to Connecticut state laws, they had a definitive closing time. The stage was set up in the dining area after dinner hours and once the dining tables were cleared away. This ensured a hard start time (not, “Hey, start whenever…”) and a final call, closing the bar time. This meant the gig did not continue until the last person left, or until we ran out of songs. Once final call was made, the final song was played. I enjoy an all-night jam as much as the next guy, but I prefer it to be an exception instead of the rule.

On this particular gig, I was playing my part as first-alternate with Moonspank. On the few gigs I’ve done with them in the past, it was a one set affair. This time, I played a full two sets. It was really great.

Most groups I work with employ a guitarist/singer. While Dave does play a few songs on guitar, he is primarily a singer/frontman. It makes a huge difference in the way the audience is engaged. Aside from the freedom to walk into the crowd with a microphone, Dave is able to provide personal contact with audience members. Unencumbered by an instrument, he does not have to worry about navigating through a throng or accidentally bumping someone with his headstock. Though other singers I work with are able to overcome this inconvenience to a degree, there is a big difference when someone just has a microphone. On the few occasions when I have had to take the microphone without an instrument, I’ve felt naked. There is very little between me and the audience, making me feel all the more vulnerable.

The show went very well. Todd was able to run sound and provide lighting. Alex Violette played the soprano sax. John the Elder joined on guitar for a few tunes. Dino was on keys and guitar. The rest of the Spank boys, Greg, Dave, and Anthony, were excellent, as always.

Here are few pictures from the show:

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Over the course of any performing musician’s career, there will be gigs that do not go over as well as hoped. There can be a variety of reasons, personal performance, adverse conditions, and/or technical difficulties. Of all possible ways a gig can go bad, the absolute worst is when the crowd is simply not into what you are playing. Depending on the venue, this can manifest itself in a number of ways. If it is a concert hall, the crowd will fidget, check their watches, roll their eyes, look around the room at other attendees, or fall asleep. If it is a church, they will page through their hymnal or the Bible, let loose a whisper or two, and possibly excuse themselves to go to the bathroom. At a bar, they will simply ignore you, watch the television, and talk over whatever you are playing. Unlike the other two venues, at the bar, you will not even receive a polite clap at the end of each number. If anything you might get a sneer over in your direction, implying “Are you done yet?”

There could be a number of reasons that the bar gig goes wrong. Perhaps you are just not the right act for the venue. For example, if you’re a Pantera cover band at a disco bar, you might not go over very well. Maybe you suck. It’s even possible that the crowd just doesn’t want to hear any music (especially true during the football playoffs). Wednesday’s gig was one such gig. While there were a few people that enjoy what we were playing, by and far, the crowd was there to drink beer and talk with one another. They could have cared less that a rock band was playing. When the DJ in the room adjoining us started to play dance music, some people were happy, others were still more content drinking and talking.

This particular gig was for charity, so I cannot get too upset. Time was given for a good cause without desire for compensation. Nevertheless, I have to wonder why they wanted to book a live band. If the crowd does not particularly want to hear a live rock band, the presence of one is simply an annoyance. However, for the people that did enjoy what we were playing, I am grateful that they made their presence known by personally thanking us after the set. As long as there are an appreciative few from the audience, the gig is a success.

Anyway… here are some pictures from the gig:

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It was fun to play with the boys from Moonspank again. The last time was quite awhile back in Boston. This outdoor event was for the Westchester Oyster Festival. This will be the last outdoor gig for me until the thaw.

Here are some photos from the event:

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Sue’s Sunset House in Peekskill was an interesting joint to play. After the first set, we went outside to view fireworks for the Celebrate Peekskill Festival. Music and a display of explosives? Excellent!

The owner was good enough to provide us with food and beverage. A barbeque was set up in the back, in their outdoor patio area. Hot dog, burgers, potato salad, pulled pork, sausage and all the trimmings were available. The pulled pork was a big hit with John Packes. Mr. Ricky Blues himself really enjoyed the sausage and peppers.

It was very good, but very different to have Rick Donato back on the drums. Every musician has his own particular vibe, peccadilloes, and/or musical quirks. It can stem from the way he comes out a solo, how he plays under another person’s solo, where the fills fall, the type of improvisation taken, where it is taken, etc… Not having played an entire gig with Rick, it was like picking up a favorite book. I know where the story goes and approximately where the important elements fall, but the space in between seems old and new at the same time.

Here are some pictures from the show:

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Here are some photos from the benefit show we did at Mediterranean Taverna. The benefit was in memory of Rochelle Gambino. I am told that funds were being raised for a scholarship in her name and a bench at a local park.

You may notice that I have a plethora of basses. These were used on multiple songs within the set, so I had a great deal of fun switching between straps and instruments. Aside from my usually five-string fretted bass, I also have a fretless and a hollowbody. Each has a distinct sound which added for a different texture on certain songs.

That’s the funny thing about covering songs. You want to present an accurate recreation, but you don’t necessarily want a carbon copy. While you may use a fretless because so-and-so used a fretless, you don’t have to take it to the extreme of using the same model instrument and amplifier. Oh well…

Also included are some art shots. Fun, fun.

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