Rock is about finding out who you are. You don’t necessarily have to play your instrument very well. You can just barely get by and you can be in a rock band.
-Gene Simmons
At the age of 11, I remember lip syncing in front of a mirror, tennis racket strung low, flailing away like a banshee. The only thing that’s changed is my racket is heavier and has fewer strings.
-Kenneth Goorabian
One night as I was recalling all the bands I’ve played in, my imagination soared to the hundreds. The reality is I’ve played in about 20. Some of these groups lasted years, and some merely days. Musicians are very strange, fickle creatures with fragile egos and usually convinced they’re right about everything pertaining to music. I like to think I’m a bit different. I’m not right about everything, just most things.
I’ve been a bass player --short lived-- not my thing. Did a stint as a drummer --my father and three brothers are drummers-- too much gear to hump and too noisy. My favorite place? As the guitarist. This was my first choice, but every kid on my block played guitar, so if I wanted to get out of my room, I had to fill the empty spot. It wasn’t too bad, except when a cute girl found out I was in a band and asked what instrument I played. My mumbled answer was something like, “I’m a lead guitarist, but I’m sitting in on bass.” Now, I have nothing against being a bassist, but come on, what’s cooler than a lead guitarist? Okay, the singer gets all the accolades and chicks, but the lead guitar player is a close, if not invisible second. Make that third if there’s a drum solo.
Being in musical groups through the decades has taught me many lessons. Like, there’s no such thing as an A-sharp. Why this matters no one seems to know, but there’s definitely a B-flat. I think. Being self-taught, I can’t read music, so I just go along with it. Another lesson is singers don’t have to tear down gear at the end of the gig. They say they’re doing PR, but really, they’re just too busy hitting on cute chicks. Thirdly, you’ve got to get lots of blackmail info on family and friends. This way, they’ll sit through a gig, cuz no venue owner likes an empty club. Last and most important, playing in a band is the GREATEST THING EVER.
Whether it’s the Houston Astrodome (ah, the memories), or the beer-soaked dive bar with the broken A/C and a doorman who smoked so much weed he forgot to tell the band onstage their set had ended ten minutes earlier, it’s all good. Although, in that instance, we packed up our gear and left because the gig was a freebie, it was hot standing outside on the sidewalk, and we still had a smidgen of self-respect. Oh, and he wanted us to cut half our set. NEVER.
For all future rocker wannabes, please go study the film, “This Is Spinal Tap.” This will be your life story. Well, except for the famous part. Take lots of video and photos on your journey. You will likely not remember half of it.
Rock on.
-Gene Simmons
At the age of 11, I remember lip syncing in front of a mirror, tennis racket strung low, flailing away like a banshee. The only thing that’s changed is my racket is heavier and has fewer strings.
-Kenneth Goorabian
One night as I was recalling all the bands I’ve played in, my imagination soared to the hundreds. The reality is I’ve played in about 20. Some of these groups lasted years, and some merely days. Musicians are very strange, fickle creatures with fragile egos and usually convinced they’re right about everything pertaining to music. I like to think I’m a bit different. I’m not right about everything, just most things.
I’ve been a bass player --short lived-- not my thing. Did a stint as a drummer --my father and three brothers are drummers-- too much gear to hump and too noisy. My favorite place? As the guitarist. This was my first choice, but every kid on my block played guitar, so if I wanted to get out of my room, I had to fill the empty spot. It wasn’t too bad, except when a cute girl found out I was in a band and asked what instrument I played. My mumbled answer was something like, “I’m a lead guitarist, but I’m sitting in on bass.” Now, I have nothing against being a bassist, but come on, what’s cooler than a lead guitarist? Okay, the singer gets all the accolades and chicks, but the lead guitar player is a close, if not invisible second. Make that third if there’s a drum solo.
Being in musical groups through the decades has taught me many lessons. Like, there’s no such thing as an A-sharp. Why this matters no one seems to know, but there’s definitely a B-flat. I think. Being self-taught, I can’t read music, so I just go along with it. Another lesson is singers don’t have to tear down gear at the end of the gig. They say they’re doing PR, but really, they’re just too busy hitting on cute chicks. Thirdly, you’ve got to get lots of blackmail info on family and friends. This way, they’ll sit through a gig, cuz no venue owner likes an empty club. Last and most important, playing in a band is the GREATEST THING EVER.
Whether it’s the Houston Astrodome (ah, the memories), or the beer-soaked dive bar with the broken A/C and a doorman who smoked so much weed he forgot to tell the band onstage their set had ended ten minutes earlier, it’s all good. Although, in that instance, we packed up our gear and left because the gig was a freebie, it was hot standing outside on the sidewalk, and we still had a smidgen of self-respect. Oh, and he wanted us to cut half our set. NEVER.
For all future rocker wannabes, please go study the film, “This Is Spinal Tap.” This will be your life story. Well, except for the famous part. Take lots of video and photos on your journey. You will likely not remember half of it.
Rock on.
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