Woohoo! I'm a Gigging Bass Player

[Superman]

Been noodling around for the last few months, jamming with bands, practicing in my basement. Used to play bass in bands.......about a thousand years ago. Thirty years, actually.

Anyhoo, a band called Revolver is silly enough to want ME to gig this coming Saturday, and beyond. They've had a similar experience with bass players as Spinal Tap had with drummers. So.....now I just have to learn forty songs in two days.

As long as I'm confessing to whoever is bored enough to read this post.......Monday was my 54th birthday, and on that day I stood atop Mount St. Helens.

Let's see.....mountain climbing, riding an old Honda CB750, playing bass in a band........I'm 54 going on 19. And I feel pretty good about it. No, these things don't really make me feel 19, but they make me feel like a vibrant 54.

Now all I need is a cute coed.

[livi]

Good spirited post! Makes me feel young too.

Happy 54th (19th) birthday!

I have also, at 45, started to search for my younger roots. Started to play the guitar and piano more often and just generally trying to enjoy myself more. Its hard to break the habit of adult life though. There are a lot of "I should, I ought to" to try and ignore.

I expect a youtube clip of Super-bass in a near future.

[Superman]

If you are rethinking your priorities and leaning toward the things that really matter to you at 45 years of age, you are ahead of schedule. That's a good thing. There are enough robots out there already, mindlessly doing what they've always done.

[rouxroux]

Congratulations and welcome to the club! Been holding down the low end here for almost 40 years non-stop!

[azasadny]

Congratulations!! I play the drums at our church and that's the closest I get to "gigging" but I love it and I understand the feeling! I'm glad things are working out for you!!

[targa911S]

Here we go......way down low...break a leg buddy.

[Jeff Higgins]

Awesome, Supe. Say "hello" to Steve for me.

[jhynesrockmtn]

Happy birthday and congrats. I've been making up for a very average adult life for the last few years. Race car driving, motorcycles, cycling, yoga and lots of, making up for being married to a frigid woman for 20 years have helped turn mid/late 40's in to a pretty fun time of life. Coeds not necessary. Women in their 40's have lots of energy to spare :-)

[GH85Carrera]

You are never too old for a happy adolescence!

[Seahawk]

Very cool, Supe.

Looks like they are going to have to update their myspace page

[jwasbury]

Congrats...

I too have returned to gigging bass after a hiatus (though not 30 years). Have a good time. Once a bassman, always a bassman.

[scottmandue]

Congrats on the honorarium of your successful gestation!

I played bass in the church band for ten years... then this marriage thing happened (it's a good thing... at 52 it was time I started to grow up a little)

I'm also at 54... looking for a blues band... but hard to find a kick back band in Lost Angeles... everyone is looking "for a record deal".

And need to find a way to get more exercise.

Sup, do you ever get to Portland? I would love to meet for coffee or beer sometime when I up.

[Superman]

Yes Paul, the website needs work. This band was quite active, then had troubles, and is about to morph into white-hot parking lot filling band. Lots of band management stuff needs doing, and that will happen. Thanks for looking.

Yup jwasbury, once a bassman always a bassman. It's as much a personality type as it is a skill. You either think that way or you don't. I barely notice that songs have lyrics. I'm listening to something else.

Scott, I get to Portland rarely but it does happen. And I know you guys have good beer down there. I'll let you know......

[nostatic]

set list?

less is more. Play the one (unless it's reggae).

Knock 'em dead. Remember that you are the guy that can get women to dance only using 2 fingers.

[Rikao4]

now don't go organizing anything...
enjoy yourself..

Rika

[Superman]

As requested.......setlist:

1. Brass in pocket
2. Stuck in the middle
3. Listen to the music
4. Walk away
5. Heartache tonight
6. La Bamba
7. Drive my car
8. What I like about you
9. When will I be loved
10. It hurt so bad
11. Hurt so good
12. Can’t get enough
13. Life in the fast lane
14. China grove
15. No matter what
16. Two tickets to paradise
17. Hold on loosely
18. Long train running
19. Rock n roll fantasy
20. Fooled around and fell
21. What I am
22. Badge
23. It's only love
24. Stop dragging my heart
25. Heartless
26. Day of the eagle
27. Funk #49
28. Crossroads
29. Ramble on
30. You're no good
31. How many more times
34. Let it ride
35. Back in the USSR
36. You wreck me
37. I can't stand it
38. Living, loving maid
39. Thank you


40. Game of love

41. lights

42. Open invitation


Possibilities

I Like to Rock

Slow Ride

Jail Break

Boys Are back in Town

Fire

Even Flow

Give me Shelter

No Excuses

The One I Love

Counting blue cars - Dishwalla


We're going to be talking more about song selection. I see too many "pet" songs here, favorites from when we got high and listened to records, and not enough irresistible dance tunes. I like giving an audience a real physical workout. Medleys. Then an occasional "pet" song, to facilitate the ordering of fresh cocktails.

I'm just realizing I don't have suitable hat. I'm not really a hat guy, but I'll drop by the local thrift store. I prolly need some new pajama pants and Hawaiian shirt.

[Superman]

Originally Posted by nostatic

less is more. Play the one (unless it's reggae).

I think you are suggesting that I make sure to stay at home, or at least be sure to touch the base pads as I round the bases. I completely agree. But I also have to play the 'signature' rifs that are unique and necessary to the song. As time goes on, I will be redeveloping my chops, and am glad to have this opportunity to get that time-in-grade.

Originally Posted by nostatic

Knock 'em dead. Remember that you are the guy that can get women to dance only using 2 fingers.

May I quote you?

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Superman

As requested.......setlist:

1. Brass in pocket
2. Stuck in the middle
3. Listen to the music
4. Walk away
5. Heartache tonight
6. La Bamba
7. Drive my car
8. What I like about you
9. When will I be loved
10. It hurt so bad
11. Hurt so good
12. Can’t get enough
13. Life in the fast lane
14. China grove
15. No matter what
16. Two tickets to paradise
17. Hold on loosely
18. Long train running
19. Rock n roll fantasy
20. Fooled around and fell
21. What I am
22. Badge
23. It's only love
24. Stop dragging my heart
25. Heartless
26. Day of the eagle
27. Funk #49
28. Crossroads
29. Ramble on
30. You're no good
31. How many more times
34. Let it ride
35. Back in the USSR
36. You wreck me
37. I can't stand it
38. Living, loving maid
39. Thank you


40. Game of love

41. lights

42. Open invitation


Possibilities

I Like to Rock

Slow Ride

Jail Break

Boys Are back in Town

Fire

Even Flow

Give me Shelter

No Excuses

The One I Love

Counting blue cars - Dishwalla


We're going to be talking more about song selection. I see too many "pet" songs here, favorites from when we got high and listened to records, and not enough irresistible dance tunes. I like giving an audience a real physical workout. Medleys. Then an occasional "pet" song, to facilitate the ordering of fresh cocktails.

I'm just realizing I don't have suitable hat. I'm not really a hat guy, but I'll drop by the local thrift store. I prolly need some new pajama pants and Hawaiian shirt.

Is the gig a "dance" gig or is it people sitting in a bar listening to tunes and drinking? Out of the songs above, a lot of them are "danceable" (though with the right groove, most anything can work).

Instead of Boys Are Back In Town, do Cowboy Song. You're welcome.

[Superman]

LOL! I had exactly the same thought when I saw the two Thin Lizzy songs. Heck, it'd be fun to do Don't Believe and Word, or Old Flame. But you're right....Cowboy Song rocks. Thin Lizzy's drummer is on a very short list with guys like Neal Peart. Fantastic drummer.

And for that matter, it'd be fun to do some of that old REO Speedwagon stuff. But again, I envision a HIGHLY effective setlist. For example, I Saw Her Standing There. Kinda tough bass line, but that song would empty the tables.

This night club is very much blue collar. Not a cocktail lounge. This place is medium-sized, and still reeks of cigarette smoke even though smoking was outlawed in Wa St several years ago.

And I just think you're perhaps being a bit charitable. Sure, there are some decent dance songs. But who's gonna dance to Brass In Pocket? For example.

Yeah you're right, with the right groove any song can be danceable. But this band's bass player sucks.

[Superman]

And, in my humble opinion, grown men shouldn't be doing Funk #49 and especially Walk Away. We should have moved past that by now.