Last night was a bit of an experiment. Ive been thinking for a long time that in the UK, in the music scene even the YOUNG blues-based guitar bands are playing to a predominately older audience from 40-70 years-old. When these musos turn 40 themselves, most of their audiences are gone be in old-age homes or dead. Whats the future look like? So I got to thinking about the roots of all modern music pretty well laying in the blues, its all in the way you interpret it and present it. In my new show, Im trying to give it a contemporary slant (effects with octave dividers, loops and all that shit) whilst still remaining true to the BLUES form and not turn it into a rock show which has gotten a bit old, for me anyway. How many power-trios have there been since 1968? There are only so many regurgitated attempts of Voodoo Chile and Going Down that I can stand to listen to. In fact if it aint Hendrix or Freddie, forget it. Music is communication. The conversation has been made already. Why keep saying the same old thing, time after time? I went to Leicester yesterday, to get a couple of guitars repaired. I felt inspired to get on Facebook and see what was happening in town last night as I had a rare night off. I got on someones wall and was recommended to like a bunch of venues, which I did as all the venues need as much support as they can get just to keep running. I sent them all an introductory message and one of them (Kev at The Shed) phoned me and asked me as I was in town if Id like to replace one of the young bands that had pulled out of his heavy rock/grunge night he was having last night. Now, The Musician is my hang and my gig of choice but I was up for an adventure so I did it. When I got there, the place was full of 16-30 year olds and they were the politest, open-minded people Id met in a long time. As I was setting up they were so interested in my guitars and music even before I went on and I cant count the compliments I got from fellow YOUNG musicians and crowd alike after my set. The bands after me were loud, energetic and talented, even if not what Id normally listen to. Even the sound guy was FANTASTIC. Not ONE negative comment and he helped me set up/rip down. Good all-round geezer. I need to take him on the road! It was a real eye-opener for me and it really stressed the fact that we need to take this music to new audiences, as well as the die-hard rockers who got to the familiar venues. I hope some of my new friends will support my next gig at The Musician! I guess the lesson here is: ALWAYS be up for something different, keep your antennae erect and be open-minded. Getting stuck in a rut is the worst thing you can do. If youre a music fan, 100 miles to a gig aint a long way to go. I drive 260 miles to London and back on a night off to a gig if its worth it! A big thanks to Chris McMinn for returning my boots that I left at The Musician last week (Yes, I left something ELSE at a gig - Stimpy, you eediot!) He also came to the show, hung around after and helped me load out! That was so cool as it was his night off! Also thanks to Vinci Anne and her fella Luke for driving down from Nottingham. Onward and upward. Come on local Birmingham promotors. I can fit into your indie, punk, grunge, hard-core, screamo metal gigs as well as your folk, blues and rock nights. Music is limitless and has no boundaries.
Posted on: Sat, 07 Jun 2014 11:02:08 +0000
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