One thing I love about being a musician is performing live. Whether it be atop a stage, amidst fog strewn graves, or among a many inebriated individuals at the local bar, each has it's special, memorable moments. One's that stick with me and drive me to keep playing whilst life continues to become more complicated and pressurized.
Now, I'm no singer/songwriter although I do write and sing songs. As where the former generally creates their own material independently, I prefer to work out songs within a group-type setting. (Note to self: It's called a band you pretentious dick!)
Moving on... So, when I perform live it is always with at least one other person, usually more. And when I get together with a drummer, guitarist/vocalist (and pianist, if I'm extremely lucky!) and shit just locks, it is a high that will last for days. I'm all smiles and excited and motivated as fuck. For the following week I'm just daydreaming about the future. Like when you meet someone new and talk on the phone all night and then afterwards you go to bed thinking of what the rest of your life could be like with that person. That is the feeling I get after playing a 45 minute set out in the woods on a cold Autumn night in Mt. Kisco, New York!
Then, as is life, I go back to my real job and all motivation and passion gets sucked out of me and I just want to go home and drink. Beers, that is.
I also love playing live when someone in the audience notices a predicament I may be in. I smoke. I drink. I play bass. I love doing all three simultaneously. Performing for a bunch of smoking, drinking attendees is hard to watch when your hands are full. We played a gig this past July on the island of Aero, Denmark, where smoking was "permitted" in bars. So I lit up a butt on stage and supplied an adequate backdrop in which the "stars" could shine. (No disrespect you two, you are true and shining stars, love you both!!!)
Anyway, I lit up a butt on stage (or rather slightly a bit off stage as the stage was really only meant for 1,) something I haven't been able to do for years in the bars back home. Apparently, someone was watching. Every time I would finish my L&M this gentleman from Germany would walk up with a lit cigarette and stuff it in my mouth. Hans introduced himself after the first set; Verbatim: "I like vatching you play, don't fuck my vife." She was the attractive blond standing next to him whose name I refused to remember for fear that this guy might actually kick my ass for even acknowledging her. He turned out to be a really cool dude who just enjoyed watching a good show. From my perspective, it was an on point off-the-cuff show. One of those shows where the "star" starts playing some random cover that wasn't discussed beforehand and assumes you'll be able to catch on and you just happen to nail it. Drunk. And Smoking... I love it!
Back home at the Kisco gig... I had set myself up with 2 steins full of Captain Lawrence to hold me through the set. Didn't last. While playing, a spectator (Jeremy) grabbed one of my mugs, disappeared, then reappeared with a full frothing blessing of alcoholic goodness. That kind of shit goes a long way to someone who's job is to supply you with musical accompaniment to your evening's goings-on. Or at least it does with me. I'm supposed to be there for your entertainment. When I'm given a beer or a smoke on stage in between songs on the fly from someone enjoying the show and just wanting to help me out...you make my fucking night!
These are only a few examples. The night I suffered a concussion from overzealous Burnbath fans dancing like rabid monkeys onto the stage is a story for a another day. Perhaps the next one. Man...that story is actually pretty fucked up, and it has nothing to with the concussion...
In conclusion, I love putting myself out there. Sometimes it might end with me getting punched in the face. At others, I'm the "star." Either or, as much as I hate being in public, being the off-center of attention ain't a bad place to be...
gII
No comments:
Post a Comment