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the way things are...... [message #1223] Mon, 07 January 2002 13:57   RoyC Messages: 97 Registered: April 2000 Location: East Central Illinois Member I hope all are enjoying a Happy New Year. It's a time of optimism (ya gotta be an optimist if you're a farmer), and a time of change, as well. Some of you are aware of the band that I've been a part of for 6 years. This is the band that I have allowed to be (almost) the most important thing in my (musical) life. When the band was formed, I came on board at it's inception as the bassist. A position I was proud to hold, and a job that I grabbed hold of and made it MINE. After 2 years, the lead guitar player's attitude and ego led to his dismissal, and we forged ahead as a 3-piece (new name as well). Now, for those that have not been part of a 3-piece band, let me tell ya, that forces you to get tight, individually, and as a band. About a year later, the original drummer left and we picked up a new drummer. Along with that change, I switched over to lead guitar and a new bassist was brought in, along with an entirely new set-list. And a new name ( Wayside Sister ). I have been in musical heaven since then. Not a lot of commercial success, but a whole lot of musical and creative satisfaction. We played some originals, and we played a lot of popular covers from artists such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Doors, Skynyrd, Allman Bros., etc and also some newer stuff, such as Staind, Nirvana, Fuel, Nickelback, Three Doors Down, etc. And despite all the different incarnations of the band, our fan base stayed with us (small but loyal). After our Labor Day '01 gig, the singer/ ryhthm player was suffering from burn-out, and he departed, leaving us as a 3-piece. He and I had been band-mates for a long time (he was the last original member, besides me), and I knew his departure would leave a tremendous void. So, we chose a new name, and fixed up a fairly new setlist, and started off again. Since the old "Wayside Sister" was committed to do the New Years Eve thing, the singer/frontman that recently left came back for that, and surprisingly, it went very well. But since then, I had a talk with the drummer, and he's undergoing some serious stuff in his life right now, and says he can't give us his best anymore, and wants out. So, not only is Wayside Sister gone, but the 3-piece version is over as well. But, I think we are all going to remain friends, and I suppose we could re-assemble at some point in the future, but I recognize this as a time of significant change. I'm actually kind of excited to be looking forward to playing with new people, making different music in undoubtably a different atmosphere. I wouldn't want anyone to feel sorry for me, as I've enjoyed making music with some talented people as a bassist, and later as a lead guitar player. And since New Years Eve, I've sat in with a different bunch of guys as the lead player, just having fun and playing classic rock. And I suppose that this is just the tip of the iceberg as to whom I could be playing with. I'm kinda excited about that. But I guess for the time being, I'm not gonna just jump into the first band that comes along. I suppose anybody that's been in a rock band already knows the pitfalls of being in one. The potential for stress and volatility between the members. The musical high points and real or imagined expectations. The comraderie (if you're lucky). And also the longevity (or lack thereof). I've been very fortunate the last 6 years with this band being a big part of my life. But bands have a birth, a life, and a disbanding. That's just the way things are..... Report message to a moderator

Re: the way things are...... [message #1224 is a reply to message #1223] Mon, 07 January 2002 14:58 Anonymous hey Roy...I hear ya on the life of a band..and I bet everyone of us can not only relate...but have similar stories.. I don't have time to type mine at the moment...but wanted to drop in and see what was happenin on the board. I've been fortunate in the my long time bandmate and best friend is my wife Deb...she and I have been making music as Taylor'd Arrangements now for about 17 years. We've gone through other players and even raised our son up..had to grow our own drummer..and ran against midi as well since the late 80s..but through it all...no matter what the venue...we've been able to enjoy working together. We've been in the process of moving so our life is getting cleaned out and packed in boxes..came across an old 8x10 of a band I played bass in for many years... "Instant Credit"...chick drummer...the works...that band sounds like what youve gone through...but it was all good times and I'm glad to have been a part of it. haven't done much this past year on the weekend warrior deal as I've been holding down the music director slot at my church...but after months of church music...and church musicians...I'm looking forward to playing in the bar again!! Report message to a moderator

Re: the way things are...... [message #1225 is a reply to message #1224] Mon, 07 January 2002 17:20 Anonymous Hey Roy! One thing I learned about bands long ago.....as soon as you start one....it's on the way to an end! Big help..right? A few years ago I was able to start a blues band with a very talented friend and we pushed things really hard. We had a decent following....band sounded very good and things looked to the future. Then the personal problems of one member forced to band to break up. At the suggestions of fans and friends we got back together and played a couple of festivals.....and we were even better than before. But, we just could not keep everyone moving in the same direction. The main force in that band was a singer/songwriter that we all depended upon as the strength of the band. That is all gone now and I am with another band that has musicians of varied levels of ability that is doing well. However, there has been a pleasant suprise in the venture for me. I have been forced to look within.....and I have found some things about myself that were not able to surface in the other band because the positions were already established. I am now in a place were my limited creativity has room to grow and to use a "sixty-ism" I am finding myself. While I miss the sounds and fellowship of the other band I am happier in my playing than I have ever been! That is happy IN playing and not happy WITH my playing! My point is.....give things a chance...go for the ride.....and see where it leads. I could be a better place! I have heard you play and I have had the fortune to jam with you a couple of times.....and my only wish is that we lived closer! ET says "play loud" and I add "play proud" to it! BC! Report message to a moderator

Re: the way things are...... [message #1226 is a reply to message #1225] Mon, 07 January 2002 19:53 KustomBlues Messages: 490 Registered: June 2001 Location: Michigan Senior Member Boy, have I been there, done that!!! I tell you what's REALLY hard! Being a "chick" in a 3 piece all "chick band" called Exit 69. The music was fantastic and the friendships were great, and we played our instruments as good or better than a lot of guys here in Michigan... Played everything from Hank Williams and Patsy Cline to Ozzy.... Anyway, try having 3 girls in the band, no guys, each suffering from PMS at different times..... ;-0 Now, that's something that's interesting! That band was hot, but the lead player got pregnant.... One of many of my stories that I have to tell. Someday I'll tell more. Deb Report message to a moderator

Re: the way things are...... [message #1227 is a reply to message #1226] Tue, 08 January 2002 14:00 Anonymous I gave it all up about 15 years ago, because there wasn't the time. The kids were young and the wife didn't quite get as aroused about the music as I did. Well now the boys are 17 and 21 and found an old Cascade B1 head in the basement under some STUFF and were blown away. Now they have their own rigs and I have the itch again. I bought a little 100 in Cascade of course and now I need a drummer, bassist, lead guitarist, vocalist, you get the picture. If I get all those guys together they won't need me!! Maybe I'll just tag along with the boys. Good luck everyone and have a great New Year. Conrad Report message to a moderator

Re: the way things are...... [message #1251 is a reply to message #1227] Mon, 21 January 2002 22:31 Anonymous I have to agree with you all on the fact that band members have different ideas of what being in a band is like. I have played with the same drummer for 34 years and now he decides he wants more time off. I solved that problem by joining two other bands, so now I have three different bands I work with, and I keep pretty busy. I like the fact that each band plays different styles of music, and it gives me the freedom to use different kustom amps, and I even use some of the larger cabinets for the low end of main pa. Gotta keep the T&R out front. Don Report message to a moderator

Re: the way things are...... [message #1255 is a reply to message #1227] Mon, 28 January 2002 19:57 KomboKing Messages: 44 Registered: June 2001 Location: Northern Kentucy Member yeah...I got back into it because the kids were interested in it (19 + 17)....I had a blue 200 bass amp that sounded soooo much better than the Crates and Peaveys...they weren't sure about the rolled and pleated at first....but now they KNOW it rules. Report message to a moderator

Re: the way things are...... [message #1256 is a reply to message #1255] Mon, 28 January 2002 21:03   RoyC Messages: 97 Registered: April 2000 Location: East Central Illinois Member Hey, that tuck n' roll stuff flat-out speaks for itself! A bunch of times, people would come up and ask about the Kustoms - and would marvel at how 30 year old equipment sounds so good and looks so sharp doin' it! A stage full of Kustoms (p.a. as well w/2 columns) with a few blackfaced Fenders creates a feast for the eyes - and has a 'retro' look as well. To be honest, I kinda miss not showing my stuff off (as they say: if ya got it.........). On Sunday afternoons since the demise of the band, I've been jamming with some guys at nearby Marshall, Ill.. The dude that hosts our 'jam' owns a small theatre located on the square right across from the courthouse. It's not a movie theatre, he and his wife sponsor community plays and stuff, and we set up right on the stage. The acoustics are terrific. Generally, whoever wants to watch/listen/play just walks in right off the street. We just play whatever we happen to think of, or we might honor a request. Pretty casual atmosphere. I usually set up my K150SC 2x12 and my Twin to the LP, a blue K100 1x15 to my PV bass guitar, and my keys to a 2x10 K150SC. A 2nd bass player plugs into the other side of the K100. Since he doesn't sing and play bass simultaneously, I usually get opportunities to pick up a bass for a song or two. But I still miss the weekly routine of loading up a song in my 'riff-machine' and slowly and methodically picking apart the mysterys within the leads. And the high horsepower euphoria of actually playin' with a bunch of guys on hard-drivin loud rock and roll, especially a well-practiced band goin' down a set-list. Maybe that's why my right ear rings a lot! :~ ) Report message to a moderator

Re: the way things are...... [message #1257 is a reply to message #1223] Tue, 29 January 2002 01:29 Anonymous Glad to hear you are playing again Roy! You sure get some sweet sounds out of the six string. I remember you playing Nick's Ibanez through JC's Gold rig......very nice! Hey! my left ear rings....but it has to be from riding a tractor and looking over my right shoulder....left ear behind the exhaust.....couldn't be the music. No way! BC! Report message to a moderator

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