Will you help me out with some constructive criticism?

[BlackCat]

This is not something I would do at HC but I feel can get some helpful pointers here.

First of all I had some technical issues with the camera and wind noise so the recording is not good.

I know the guitar playing needs work and I am working on it but I'd like to improve the presentation of the band as a whole.

Short of stop playing or go back to the woodshed for ten years what can we do to improve this band?




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_xpI5DkctE

[mosiddiqi]

Will check it from home later!

[BlackCat]

These were the technical issues:
I put a windscreen on the camera mic but I still got a lot of distortion from wind noise. Our little PA was also drastically underpowered for the outside gig.

[Mark Wein]

Watching now. First thing I noticed is that your bass player is communicating that he is bored with his body language.

With this kind of music you all need to dress the part more. You and the drummer seem to be pretty into it which is cool.

[Mark Wein]

On a big stage you need to move around a bit more, even if it's just walking to one side of it during a solo or when you don't have to sing. It's hard in this situation though since there is no one to play to in front of the stage but you still have to push personality off the front of the band to get it to the audience.

[BlackCat]

On a big stage you need to move around a bit more, even if it's just walking to one side of it during a solo or when you don't have to sing. It's hard in this situation though since there is no one to play to in front of the stage but you still have to push personality off the front of the band to get it to the audience.

I've been thinking along those lately and working on that in particular.

I guess I have more work to do.

I've also broached the subject with the bass player but I haven't been able to get through to him that it's important.

[Mark Wein]

I've been thinking along those lately and working on that in particular.

I guess I have more work to do.

I've also broached the subject with the bass player but I haven't been able to get through to him that it's important.

even though he has to sing and play a large instrument there are still ways for him to look like he's into it without being silly.

the reality is that the second you step on a stage in front of people you aren't musicians anymore but entertainers. the music is important but there is a lot more to it to really get the audience going. Think about your favorite shows and performers and what they do.

[Mark Wein]

Here is our bass instructor Mike Turturro with his band the 44's playing at a VFW hall:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtIm5_gdyaE

Even with the boat anchor Mike looks like a show....

[Mark Wein]

One more:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQHxtrw8Rgw

[BlackCat]

One more:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQHxtrw8Rgw


Those are great. I'm showing them to our bass player.

[mosiddiqi]

Just got round to watching these and I'd echo Mark's comments on your bass player..just doesn't look interested or engaged with the music. :idk:

[Mark Wein]

Those are great. I'm showing them to our bass player.

:thu:

[Prages]

Yeah, I think Mark's spot on.

You guys sound really good and the music itself has plenty of energy, but the presentation lacks it.

I'm guilty of that myself.

But yeah, if you could get the bass player more animated and everybody dress the part a bit more (without overdoing it and looking cheesy), I think it'd be a lot more entertaining.

Not that I have room to talk. I'm not all that animated on stage either.

[Chad]

I don't know if I have ever seen a more stiff bass player. I don't know if I could be that still and play, tap your foot, bob your head, do something. I hate playing stages that big, because like Mark said, you have to move around more. I think you did a good job, the only thing I see you doing that I try to avoid, is looking at the guitar too much. I know the more I played live and with others, the less I looked at my guitar or bass while I play.

[mnewb1]

even though he has to sing and play a large instrument there are still ways for him to look like he's into it without being silly.

the reality is that the second you step on a stage in front of people you aren't musicians anymore but entertainers. the music is important but there is a lot more to it to really get the audience going. Think about your favorite shows and performers and what they do.

Those are excellent words of wisdom!

[BlackCat]

I don't know if I have ever seen a more stiff bass player. I don't know if I could be that still and play, tap your foot, bob your head, do something. I hate playing stages that big, because like Mark said, you have to move around more. I think you did a good job, the only thing I see you doing that I try to avoid, is looking at the guitar too much. I know the more I played live and with others, the less I looked at my guitar or bass while I play.

I've been trying not to look at the guitar too much but it's something I end up doing unconsciously. If I had a clip from last year you would have seen my eyes riveted to the fretboard. I've actually loosened up substantially recently and been moving a lot more.

I'm going to have to give some thought to dressing the part more.

[BlackCat]

Since a couple of you have mentioned dressing the part maybe you can expand on that a bit.

My idea was to do a straight up rockabilly act and play and dress like we were on the stage of the Louisiana Hayride. But given that it's a collaboration and the other guys don't share my obsession with 50s music we've had to compromise somewhat.

Can you give me some suggestions for improving our stage costumes? When I say costumes I realize we're currently wearing street cloths.

[wahcat]

Mark's spot on. The bass player looks like he is about to be hung at the end of the song and does not care whats happening. Group coordinated movements can really get a crowd to listen to the band and join in the spirit of the set.

[BlackCat]

Mark's spot on. The bass player looks like he is about to be hung at the end of the song and does not care whats happening. Group coordinated movements can really get a crowd to listen to the band and join in the spirit of the set.

Hmm. Coordinated movements is something I hadn't considered. I think we should be able to work something out given some thought.

By the way the bass player is a Latin Percussionist. He's a very rhythmically oriented guy but he's pretty new at playing bass and even newer at stand-up bass. I just think he's concentrating on his playing and not thinking about his body language at all. He's also a very low key guy and not given to being overly demonstrative. Rocking out does not come naturally to him.

[Mark Wein]

Hmm. Coordinated movements is something I hadn't considered. I think we should be able to work something out given some thought.

By the way the bass player is a Latin Percussionist. He's a very rhythmically oriented guy but he's pretty new at playing bass and even newer at stand-up bass. I just think he's concentrating on his playing and not thinking about his body language at all. He's also a very low key guy and not given to being overly demonstrative. Rocking out does not come naturally to him.

I'm not big on the coordinated movements. Too show biz and not rock and roll enough.

As far as clothes go, I think you could do a more 50's thing without it looking like Happy Days....Tom is really good about that stuff. More what people would have actually worn in the 50's and less of what people wear for Halloween costumes. There is a difference.

[Peeker]

see, I'd go totally over the top cheese with the look, but that's me.


own the stage, and make sure the stage knows it.
knock some sense in the bassist, tell him to liven the fudge up.
yeah, pretty much what Mark said...

[k4df4l]

Since a couple of you have mentioned dressing the part maybe you can expand on that a bit.

My idea was to do a straight up rockabilly act and play and dress like we were on the stage of the Louisiana Hayride. But given that it's a collaboration and the other guys don't share my obsession with 50s music we've had to compromise somewhat.

Can you give me some suggestions for improving our stage costumes? When I say costumes I realize we're currently wearing street cloths.

What is everyone's vision of what this band actually is? From your comments, it sounds like you're all on a different page and I think that kinda shows in the video.

If you have a chance, check out these guys. They been working that scene for a long time and put on a good performance:
http://www.razorbacksmusic.com/schedule.htm

[BlackCat]

What is everyone's vision of what this band actually is? From your comments, it sounds like you're all on a different page and I think that kinda shows in the video.

If you have a chance, check out these guys. They been working that scene for a long time and put on a good performance:
http://www.razorbacksmusic.com/schedule.htm

The drummer is more of a classic rock guy. The bass player loves all kinds of Latin/Spanish music. He was a conga drummer before we converted him to a bassist. As far as the band we've more or less compromised on roots / Americana. I think we're all okay with that. At least we don't argue about song selection.

As far as the presentation and performance we haven't put much thought into it and I think that's what shows.

Funny you should mention the Razorbacks. When I rented a car last week the guy at the agency was telling me his nephew is in that band. I've been meaning to check them out.

[BlackCat]

We haven't gotten together since that gig but I've emailed the drummer and talked to the bassist. The drummer is fully on board with working on our performance. The bassist says that he's on board but you can tell he's really uncomfortable even thinking about it. I don't know if this is going to turn out to be an issue. I hope it's not.

We have a rehearsal on Wednesday then we're playing an outside set at a car show next Sunday. I'm going to make sure we spend some time addressing our performance at rehearsal. I don't think we're going to be able to make any drastic change in one rehearsal but I hope that we can start going in the right direction.

[BlackCat]

I'd really like to see the bassist start addressing his instrument more aggressively. One thing I've noticed from watching these clips is that there's a level of physicality that the bassists have that our guy is not even approaching. I think it manifests as a lack of dynamics in his sound.

[Peeker]

he's got to learn that the bass is his mortal enemy, and as such, it must be beaten mercilessly.

well, that's my take on it, and it's worked for me for the last 20 years or so.;)

[k4df4l]

Funny you should mention the Razorbacks. When I rented a car last week the guy at the agency was telling me his nephew is in that band. I've been meaning to check them out.

I haven't seen them for a couple years but they hit all the right marks; good musicians, dynamic performance & they have a look that fits the music.

[BlackCat]

see, I'd go totally over the top cheese with the look, but that's me.


...


How far over the top?

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii254/NYCBluesTrio/HCEG/mynewsuit--1--.jpg

[Peeker]

more than that...;)

[Mark Wein]

How far over the top?

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii254/NYCBluesTrio/HCEG/mynewsuit--1--.jpg

Perfect :D

[paulskirocks]

Just show the bass player this thread, and we will help him to see the light...