MAStudent

apparently none of us five in my band had the same idea of what it meant

Necromancer

Thats funny MA only because it takes me back to the times Ive felt the same way before when working with other band members.
What type of music does your band perform? Covers or original music.
I guess sometimes you have to dig down deep in the pocket in order to gain results with a band, and pay the bills while keeping the wife happy also.

MAStudent

We play more covers that originals.

We were learning Lets Straighten it Out by Etta James off Matriarch of the Blues. Great song.

Anyway, kind of slow, solid bass/drum groove with tasty guitars and gritty vocals. Perfect song to describe a band being "deep in the pocket" with if they are on....and thats exactly how the discussion began

Necromancer

I am so happy for you MA, I know what it means to have a band going with dedicated members.
It seems to help keep everyday life in a better perspective when a person is doing something with their music.
I wish you the best of wishes my good friend, and if I can be of help in any way, fell free to just ask.
Sincerely, VB.

MAStudent

Thanks man. I just started a business, and have had serious thought about "should I really be playing music right now?" While driving to a 3 hour away gig, "wasting time", I decided YES! it keeps me happy and sane.

I may be hitting you up on your offer of help ("Damn, why'd I offer that?") haha.

I love funk/soul bass/drum grooves. I am not that historically versed, though, so thats why I'm here. I appreciate all help/advice anyone feels like they want to give me. Trully.

Necromancer

What type of covers do you guys perform MA?
I mean, Ive seen bands that struggle with the style & genre they think they should do in order to please the crowd, not to suggest that you do MA.
I was just asking, conversation.
From my experience whatever that is worth, do whatever genre & style that is your personal and other band members favorite style.
There are just so many different styles to choose from in just funk alone..lol.
I just wouldnt have any ideal where to start by suggesting anything.
I my self, am trying to get the guitar parts down with Your Love Is Strong by The Rolling Stones 1994, not only is Keith Richards guitar important but no more than getting Ron Woods part close to perfect also.
Its not a hard song to cover musically, but the basic simplicity is what I admire about it most.
This song is about as funky as you would want with Charlie Watts on drums and Darryl Jones driving the Bass guitar.
Jaggers vocals are easy to cover as far as the lead vocals are concerned.
Well..later MA, just thought I would discuss a little music, (Have a good one).

MAStudent

Oh yah, thanks man.

We all like funk. The guitar player likes rock more, but we are working way more thas his rock band, so...

Singer- is our calling card. She is 22 and can belt out any old Whitney houston, Aretha Franklin, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Su[remes that you would want. She does tend toward ballads like many singers, and loves Rock because her dad plays it. But she is perfectly suited for the party funk we play.

Bass- Very technical musician. I am glad he has learned all the James Jamerson and Bootsy Collins, etc over and over enough to feel like he has technically covered it, so now he's not afraid to go out on a limb with me sometimes when its time to have fun.

Me- (Drums) My background is rock, Reggae, Jam, hip hop, so funk fits the bill nicely. Howver, I differ in my philosophy. Everyione else likes "Look at me" and "Lets Party" music. I like that too, but I also like some edifying, build -me-up music, so I tend more toward the hippy/ jam funk like Karl Denson. I want to be able to trust us to just play what the crowd needs to hear, and makes songs FOR what the crowd is going through right then.

Guitar player- Likes to rock, and would prefer to, but is a good musician, and even though he plays it with a stiff wrist, does great on Tell Me Something Good/ Cold Sweat-James Brown, Soul Power-James brown/Maceo Parker, Brick House. When its time for his solo, I hit the bell of the ride and rock out with him. He's more "I Just Want to Celebrate"-Rare Earth than "We Want the Funk" but he's grown on us.

Sax/back up/alt vocal- He likes neo soul mostly. DeAngelo, Gnarles Barkley, Erykah Bado for singing. Sax wise he has a jazz background. He's great on improvising, but has had a challenge getting the little rhythm riffs in where they go. He is not always right on time or pitch, but the crowd loves him. They don't know that, and we always save the day for him.

Altogether we play mosltly party funk, with a little rock/neo-soul/classic soul/pop thrown in.

We open for Lydia Pense and Cold Blood this Saturday at Mateel Summer Arts and Music Festival in Benbow. We will be knocking "I just want to Make Love to You" out of the park before her, then its up to her to top it!!!


Its actually spelled Blue Rhythm Revue
Mateel Community Center - The Summer Arts and Music Festival