My Band's (Desert Road) first gig in NYC
Disciple83
Posts: 384
Hey everyone,
I wasn't quite sure where to put this but I wanted to share with everyone my band's first live show. We are not quite dino music but maybe somewhere in the hard rock spectrum - though I can't help but add some dino flavor wherever the opportunity is appropriate.
Anyways, the link to the entire show (20 minute set) can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esFq7nrn64U&t=17s
If you have the time/curiosity/pity, check it out and let me know what you think! Any honest feedback would be helpful.
I also wanted to say thanks for all the info/suggestions by everyone on DRG. It has significantly contributed to my development as a guitarist. I'm still learning from you all.
I'm the lead the guitarist by the way (wearing a rolled up long-sleeve black shirt)
-Marvin
I wasn't quite sure where to put this but I wanted to share with everyone my band's first live show. We are not quite dino music but maybe somewhere in the hard rock spectrum - though I can't help but add some dino flavor wherever the opportunity is appropriate.
Anyways, the link to the entire show (20 minute set) can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esFq7nrn64U&t=17s
If you have the time/curiosity/pity, check it out and let me know what you think! Any honest feedback would be helpful.
I also wanted to say thanks for all the info/suggestions by everyone on DRG. It has significantly contributed to my development as a guitarist. I'm still learning from you all.
I'm the lead the guitarist by the way (wearing a rolled up long-sleeve black shirt)
-Marvin
Comments
BTW, love the aging-Dino-approved OTT/Bogner Cube rig.
I got the OTT/Bogner idea from around these parts!
Always glad to see some one's paying attention! Good man. Your back will thank you later.
My band served as the headliner performance for this open mic show. Basically, that meant we got a 20-25 minute set. Everybody else gets a 5 minute time slot.
The good news -- you're the best player in the band. You sound great. You guys were rehearsed, and tight. You played well as a band.
Less good, I guess, is that (IMO) you're also the most interesting player in the band -- BY FAR, and I'm not saying that because I know you or because you're the lead guitarist. I'm saying it because you're the most compelling player AND performer in the band.
I don't know if you guys were supposed to be playing sort of quiet or what -- I see the small rigs, and that's OK, but your drummer is adding virtually nothing beyond keeping time. Is he holding back because of the venue? Does he hit harder in other contexts?
The bassist, I can't tell much about. On the third track, he's playing busier and competently, but he's not adding much on the others (either).
The singer is OK, but not a real compelling lead singer/frontman. His vocals on all of these songs seem sort of melodically similar and limited. Are the songs his? Also, if he's gonna sing a song where he doesn't play guitar, he should put the guitar down.
Without you, (IMO) these guys don't have much going for them from what I see here. That said, if you're having fun, my advice would be to enjoy it. There's no harm in that! That said, in your shoes, I'd be keeping an eye out for something else/better -- even if you don't leave these guys (i.e. do both). But IMO, you can do better than these guys.
The songs are all mostly the frontman's. He usually comes up with the skeleton structure of the song (basic chord progression and lyrics) and the band altogether tries to make interesting music out of it. I've been working on trying to come up with songs, but I'm still working on it. I'm not a great songwriter unfortunately (either musically or lyrically) but it's something I'm currently working on, and hopefully will become better at.
Despite all that, I am enjoying the musical journey with these guys- perhaps because I haven't had much experience being in a band, particularly in a band that is serious about completing projects, getting out to perform, and at some point recording an album.
Thanks for the honest feedback Dave! I think some of your points can be addressed and worked on to some extent.
I can't imagine the drummer is even having FUN playing that way. Watch him in the video. ONLY HIS WRISTS MOVE. He makes Charlie Watts look like Keith Moon!
Honestly, Marvin, the way your band is comprised, (IMO) your template should be Riverdogs. Go check out their debut album on YouTube or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/2nb96eSfzRxjXSjprPoKlj
In Riverdogs, you have a great singer-songwriter playing acoustic, with a bad-ass lead guitarist Viv Campbell, adding the flash.
Your singer should work to try and expand his lead vocal melodies. He doesn't have tons of range, but maybe you can sit with him -- guitar in hand -- when he's writing his vocal melodies and push him a little harder. I'd also suggest staying safely within pop song form. Your singer and rhythm section doesn't have the chops to go too experimental or weird. Do like Riverdogs. Nice, simple, pop forms, and get the oomph from arrangement and dynamics. Check out my review of that Riverdogs album. It is FLAT OUT formulaic, and your band can STEAL that formula.
Overall I think it was really enjoyable and I am glad you are out and playing. I really miss being in a band and try to live vicariously through everyone that gives me the chance, haha!
I will give some pointers on what I noted as you wanted feedback, but keep in mind that this is things to improve upon, you did good and are on the right path
I will echo the sentiment that you are by far the best player in the band. As long as you're having fun though thats not really a problem. But as Dave said, keep your eyes peeled for something else if you feel like it. Always nice to have a few projects running. I feel I always upped my own game the most when I've played with guys much better than myself. It sort of forces you to work really hard to keep up and it pays off big time.
The songs are cool but maybe need some more work in order to be completely finished if that makes sense. I feel that they are still a bit from fully realized songs rather than "ideas we are working on". May be a bit of a personal thing but I think they lack some musical depth. Shaking some life into the rhtym section would definitely help big time. They keep time and are there but as far as sonic interest they add virtually nothing. They do leave a lot of space for you as a guitarist though. Try expanding on the riffs with adding some stuff a la Randy Rhoads. I think the singer sounds good but he also sort of plays a bit safe. Would definitely benefit from pushing himself out of his comfort zone.
I think you should definitely test the waters in some bars. It is always nice to first dip your toes in sort of a safe space but nothing really turns a band into shape like playing out a lot. One of those is giving as much as ten rehearsals, at least.
I think to sum up all that rambling - to take this to the next step just pushing yourself a little bit more. You're playing this stuff solid and (what at least seems to me) pretty comfortable so there definitely should be some room for expanding and raising the bar for everyone.