Alembic Guitars Club
Connecting => Community => Gigs => Topic started by: edwardofhuncote on February 25, 2024, 04:21:51 AM
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Really not sure how many gigs I will play this year, since I'm not really committed to any band, currently... but there may be a few things that come up worth mentioning. I have agreed to fill-in with Harwell-Grice Band as needed. I have kind of an emeritus status with the Wayfaring Whistlepigs, so I am asked to join in with them sometimes. Solid State is a traditional bluegrass group with some guys I played in shortly after high school. (late 80's, early 90's) They are talking about making a comeback, so we'll see how that goes.
I have been woodshedding my guitar hands all Winter, and happy to report some progress. Mostly spending time with my collection of acoustics, but I still plug up an electric and play loud now and then too. I just seem to communicate better with the acoustics. It all goes faster now that I can feel all my fingers again, and not have to hit the mental pause button every 6-8 weeks and wait for another one of those godawful steroid injections to work... or not.
On the other hand [sic] the day job is a literal sprint-to-the-finish. I am training two very new guys right now, basically on my way out, and putting the daily stream of conscious thought into a useful training language for them is leaving very little brainpower for playing music in the evening. I try to play a little every day though. I'm planning on taking a lot of paid leave this Summer. Going to a few music festivals. Like I used to in Summer. And get my shop ready to be up and running imminently after the return of WQ-413 to the motor pool, handing over a worn out ring of keys to the Treatment Plant, and some raggedy old uniforms. It's shocking how fast the days are going by now.
First time onstage this year, the Luv Buzzards played a Wild Game Dinner at the local Moose Lodge, last night. We got booked for it because someone thought the band name was perfect for the event. It's amazing how that silly thing I thought of one night long ago has worked out. Who in the world books a band called the Luv Buzzards for a wedding reception?! You'd be surprised... we've played them for political royalty, as it were. They thought it was hilarious. We have never advertised beyond business cards, the thing just builds on itself. There are guys (and sometimes girls) in the band now, who weren't yet born when Ted and me started taking side gigs, so I guess technically we're into a second generation. Trivia; originally, I played guitar and Ted played mandolin. Here we were last night in Salem, Virginia.
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Digging that Guild meets Alembic short scale.
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Somewhat returning to my roots, as if I ever grew very far from them...
I went to an early Saturday morning jam in Lynch Station, Virginia with my buddy (and Luv Buzzards bandmate) Ted. This little general store has been a landmark and staple to the community for over 140 years now. They host a pancake breakfast with music in house, the second Saturday each month. https://cartersstoreva.com/ (https://cartersstoreva.com/)
Today's challenge was a mandolin jam... everyone who could play one, bring it. So Ted and me brought our old Gibson A-models. This old gentleman here had a mandolin I knew... a Stelling S-5, not only that but a very early one built my my friend and mentor Ward Elliott. There aren't but a small handful of these in the world. Mr. Montgomery got this one brand-new, as-in; Geoff Stelling put it in his hands 30 years ago. He had never met Ward, but wanted to, so I got them connected.
Other than the brief 8-string interlude, I just beat rhythm on my J-35 for a couple-three hours, sang harmony parts on a few tunes with Ted. And loved every moment. I think we're gonna' hit a buncha' fiddler's conventions and festivals this Summer... see if we still got any game.
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Looks like fun, Greg! :)
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Some pictures from a long-forgotten photo shoot, for the band I played in waaaaay back in the day. This wasn't long after we got to Nashville and started shopping a management deal. It was very early-Sping, 1996. I'm 26, going on 27 years old here, and livin' the dream.
I remember the shoot well... but had never seen any of the pics we didn't use. (I wasn't involved or even slightly interested in those decisions...) The only one I ever saw was the one chosen for our glossy promotional picture. I still have a few of these.
It's very seldom I see these folks anymore, just the occasional catch-up. For a band with a +20-year run, I don't think any of them play out anymore. We had some times though... good and bad.
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Those are awesome. I came across some of our old 'promo' photos. We had a friend who's Dad had a warehouse of random props. Think we took more pictures on the roof and outside than inside. Interesting times to reflect back to 'when we was young'.
Here's one that was going to be our album cover of a never released disc...
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Awesome. The only instrument in the picture is an Alembic!
I had this thought the other night after posting... the very first Alembic I ever held in my hands and played was just a block or so from where these pictures were made, right off Broadway & Printer's Alley in Nashville. It was a Distillate 5-string. Either walnut or maybe bocate. Possibly cocobolo. Dark wood and those three purpleheart stripes. It was the most beautiful bass I'd ever seen.
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I don't bother posting on what few gigs I play anymore. It just happens that it was 7 years ago today that I drove to the local UPS terminal to pick up my new, long-awaited Custom fretless from Alembic. So it only seemed right that the Chain Bass should be along for this evening's job.
Nothing big or special. The little Town of Troutville, Virginia celebrates it's connection to the Appalachian Trail. They had us provide music for dinner this evening. We played, they fed us, and we all got a t-shirt from the event.
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Saw your promo shot. Here’s a photo shoot from 1999 with my Celtic Rock outfit Rook. My Essence & Classico
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New River Bound at Galax, Virginia... the 88th Annual Old Fiddlers Convention. We finished 7th in the Old Time Band competition... no Alembic content here.
Our little-sister band the Whistlepigs did not qualify for the leader board, but nevertheless, played brilliantly. And totally out-classed us in the dress-up-nice department.
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I was asked to guest on upright bass with the Wayfaring Whistlepigs for a contra dance this holiday weekend. For many years, I've had this standing gig as the Camp Host Band at a campground not far from here... we play a concert for the campers, and host nightly jams, and in return they let us camp there every Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, a great way to begin and close out a musical Summer.
Over the years, it's been handed down from band to band... and now the duty rests with the new generation. I had a ball playing with the kids this weekend. I've been playing with them all since they really were kids. (and now they have some of their own coming) Big ol' circle.
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I can't remember offhand when the last time was I had a weekend where both days were booked.
The Harwell-Grice Band asked me to sub-in on bass last night, for a campout/biker rally, at Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing in nearby Craig County. https://www.wilderness-adventure.com/ (https://www.wilderness-adventure.com/) Really nice place... the name describes it well. We played two long sets for the bikers on the Lodge Porch Stage. I played the old Series I for the first set, (see it there?) and my old Starfire bass for the close-out. Had a ball. I miss those guys.
I'm still loaded up for today's job, with New River Bound at the Sunflower Festival near Buchanan, Virginia. https://beaverdamsunflowers.com/ (https://beaverdamsunflowers.com/) Soundcheck is at 9:00, downbeat is 10. Hopefully someone will catch a few pictures of us.
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It's hard to describe what a couple thousand acres of sunflowers looks like... I should drive up the Parkway and get a picture from a vantage point of this place.
I've also said many times before but it bears repeating, New River Bound has always been such a natural fit that the band really never has rehearsals beyond a short conversation backstage. Jessica plans our sets to the letter, just based on how she feels that day... and it's on. Jimmy J often refers to being the band librarian - that's her. Instant recall on everything... keys, tempos, arrangements, all of it. And she keeps notes to back it up. So after a quick soundcheck we blasted through a couple hours and enjoyed every note. The band that followed us was a country-pop-cover band. Nice guys. Their bass player who also played a 5-string, had never seen an Alembic in person. I offered mine up for a test-drive but he wasn't into fretless basses.
It was a nice day to play. Its been a long time since I had to load up like this and load back in... these days I just back up to the porch! Next one is October 4th.
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Looks like fun! 😊
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That's an interesting looking space. I couldn't quite figure it out so I tried to find a different view. This appears to be it, with big sliding barn doors on each side.
(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRK2bQgBF3_1kEb5wkVmGlHd9cB0IfaVcc3dw&s)
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With just a few days left to show up in uniform, I've been taking on some upright bass gigs. Back to my roots, so-to-speak. But an interesting thing happened at the barbershop this past week... I was in there gettin' trimmed-up for a wedding job where I had to play 45 minutes of prelude music and parts of the ceremony, then the recessional, when the barber (been going to the same guy for nearly 40 years...) introduces me to this other cat in there who plays drums, builds me up like somethin'.
The guys he plays with over near me are lookin' for a bass player for a classic rock band, having a 70's and 80's pop radio lexicon would be helpful. They don't play out much, but when they do, it's corporate functions at nice places, the rest of the time it's jam in their studio at one of 'ems house. (also near me, about 2 mi.) Sounds like some good clean fun and an opportunity to play the Alembics through big rigs again... I'm about to be free in the evenings... I gave my number. We'll see.
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What a great predicament… retirement and a calendar filling with gigs.
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I'm supposed to get together with the group for a jam in a couple weeks. I don't know much of what's on their playlist... I do recognize several titles. I seem to recall having run "Waitin' For The Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago" with HGB some time back. And I can pick up Allman Bros. tunes pretty quick. But a lot of this is totally foreign territory. Depending on what their expectations are, this'll probably be a one way trip.
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I assume your ear is good, confident that you can learn these, you have skills!
Plus it's a jam, hold the groove and no worries.
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I had a good time at the jam/audition with Fireweed last night. I've got some work to do, but I can play with these guys just fine. They have a fantastic practice/rehearsal studio with PA built-in, a decent amp up there already so I didn't need to hump mine upstairs. Drummer is very easy to follow, had no trouble finding the center with him. Vocalist is really gifted, incredible range. Not sure what their goals are beyond a regular jam night, but clearly working stuff out is the plan. I think two 45-min sets would be possible by next year. The blues/rock selections were effortless. I struggled with more complicated tunes with specific arrangements but I made notes for next time.
*Oh yeah... the old Series bass - that was the right call. I could have played anything, but something just told me that was the one. 8)
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Gregory,
Did any band members comment on your Olympic? ;D
The song list reminds me of the ‘biker band’ stuff I used to play back in the day.
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Not a word... 8)
I'm guessing they have never seen one. They've all got some nice gear, and the practice studio (at drummer's residence) is super-nice, but I didn't want to geek-out on 'em my first night. I plugged my DS-5 in and set up where they had a spot for me... easy-peasy. I made a few notes. (my notes don't make sense to anyone else but me...)
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The Harwell-Grice Band asked me to sub-in with them again Friday night at Living Proof Brewing Co. in Rocky Mount. It'll be nice to reconnect with the guys again... always have a good time playing music with them.
Now, what bass to play... what bass...? Big decisions to make! ;D
*and the Fireweed guys want to jam again Sunday night. I need to practice beforehand.
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Appears that retirement is a good gig (or two) already! 😀
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Hope you have a great gig Greg.
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Had a good time playing music and reconnecting with Harwell-Grice Band last night. The guys had a full house and deck of hometown fans on-hand for the show at Living Proof Beer Co. https://livingproofbeerco.com/ (https://livingproofbeerco.com/) Raised some money for a good cause too: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1330542168300266&set=a.747612509926571 (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1330542168300266&set=a.747612509926571) (there's a short video clip of us if you scroll down... of course the bass player is hidden.) ::)
It felt great putting the old Persuader 5-string over my shoulder and heating up the signal with a vintage F-1X. I've missed this...
That's probably it for 2024. I've got a weekly guitar jam with a couple buddies, where we drink some good coffee and play a couple hours on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings, and the Fireweed fellas have at least one more jam night scheduled before Christmas. But it's been an okay year... played more than I thought. :)