We are still getting prepared for our upcoming shows at Tremont and Jortsfest. Paul is getting his chops for our selected songs down, James got a pedalboard on which to keep his various pedals and footswitches, and Phil and I are getting used to our new wireless systems. We aim to make the coming shows as entertaining and exciting as possible. Tickets for the Tremont show are available now, and are $10 presale, $12 at the door. All five of us have tickets, so get in touch with any one of us to get yours before the show.
You all know this story. You go to a show, and a band gets up on stage. The drum kit is a trashy 3 or 4 piece set with cracked cymbals, the guitarists have banged up gear that doesn't look like it will create sound at all, much less a pleasing sound, the Bass player is wearing a cheap four string and playing with a pick (sorry, I am a little biased there), all the members are dressed as if they were randomly selected off the street, and when the singer opens his mouth to start singing, the sound of vomiting comes out. It is at this point that several members of the audience decide to sit this one out, and go outside to chat idly.
Here's another story: A band gets up on stage, and they automatically exude an aura that practically speaks the word "unified". They all help each other get into place, the drum kit, guitar gear, and bass gear looks well taken care of, and when they begin they begin to play, people start tapping their feet, headbanging, and having a good time.
I have had both experiences, as an audience member at several shows. It asks the question, what makes a band good or bad? What sets some bands above the rest?
First, a band needs to be well practiced. WELL practiced. If tempos are constantly changing unintentionally and the players are hitting wrong notes frequently, then the band will sound unprofessional.
Secondly, a band needs to be unified. Bands sound best when all the members are playing together, not when some members are either showboating or turning up really loud to make sure they are the ones heard. I had this issue in my youth band for about a year or so. People where only focusing on what they were playing and not to what the band sounded like as a whole.
Along with being unified, a band needs to have a similar look, whether that means black tshirts and jeans (pretty much how we do it) or an old school early 1900's look (I am of course referring to a favorite local band of mine, Case Federal and the Agents). If everyone is wearing different styles, then there's a look of chaos on the stage, and chaos is a band's worse enemy.
A very important thing for a band to have is something unique about their style, about the way they play their genre. I have nothing against death metal, but when such bands don't put something unique in their music, it sounds the same as all the other stuff. There must be something to keep the audience's intrigue. Once again, I'll us Case Federal and the Agents as an example. They used metal distortion and rhythms, but they had a saxophone playing the rhythms right along with the guitar! That may be a bit of an extreme example, but you get the idea. Do something different, and people will recognize you.
Band members should take care of their gear. I understand that some bands like to smash their instruments and stuff like that, but the amps and drums are the things providing the sound. If they're not taken care of, they won't behave the way they're supposed to.
Lastly, a band must be exciting to watch. The players should move around, interact with each other, and interact with the audience.
This concludes my rant. I hope you have enjoyed it, and that you agree.
Speaking of good bands, it is time for me to share with you what I have been listening to since my last post! I'd like to start with one of my personal favorite local bands. I didn't even know they had this song recorded until yesterday!
"Shadows" by Luna's Lament. This is one we like to headbang to whenever we see them play live. Props to you Kim, Morgan, Chandler, and Michael!
"Frequency" by Vanden Plas. Still listening to this band, and learning to love all of the songs from this particular album.
This song, "Raw Dog" by Dream Theater, has actually been out for a while. It was featured on the God of War III soundtrack. I've been going back and listening to it, as it is the most recently released song by Dream Theater.
Pagan's Mind released their new album!!!! This is "Eyes of Fire" from Heavenly Ecstasy. Phil, James, and I have already been enjoying this one immensely.
We hope everyone out there is doing well, and we hope to see you at Tremont in two and a half weeks!
Rock on \m/
Cole Millward
S.I.Q. bassist
I couldn't disagree with you more.. many of the greatest, and most original bands break all the rules that you are supporting. By the way, not everyone can afford top of the line gear, but people have to make the best of what they can. I agree that a band should be well practiced and original. But the rest of this is just b.s. Talking about about how a band should have a certain look, then the local band video that you posted looks like they are random people off the street... or was that intentional?
ReplyDeleteI've heard your band play, and I think that you have a great potential. Although at this time, you don't currently have that originality that you speak of. You basically sound like alternative music with a really talented lead guitarist. I don't mean that as an insult, but I think that you have a long way to go before you can look down on other musicians with the tone that you are using here, and hopefully by the time you get there, you won't....