The Robalicious Groove

Gig Talk
So normally the day of the gig is usually CRAZY. The average person has no clue what kind of chaos we go thru as a band to show up on time and play the gig. Life throws monkey wrenches our way and it is enough to get you totally frustrated.................but our love for music always prevails! The show must go on! If it was easy, we would probably lose interest and start other hobbies. Playing in this band is a blessing and let’s not lose focus on that. I’ll give you an example.
We played a show at Milligan college this past weekend. So at the last minute, we touch base with all of the band members trying to figure out where to meet, who hasn’t eaten yet, packing all of the gear, and let’s not forget getting gas. Davis drives from here to Kingdom Come, but fills her up for our journey. We are behind schedule with the Friday traffic, but our Milligan college contact says she understands and hope to see you soon. So we finally get there, get unloaded, set up our gear, eat, and head to our executive changing quarters ( men’s bathroom) for our stage apparel. You would love to be a fly on the wall as you are a normal guy, going to the bathroom, and you walk in to 4 guys changing into pimp suits. We always get the funny look. So as I unzip my suit bag, I notice that I have the essentials.........coat, tie, shirt, undershirt, shoes, black socks, and what the freak.................I have NO pants!
Now usually this isn’t a huge deal, but the guy in the band who forgets his stage attire gets the #1 spot of getting made fun of............oh for about a month. I take pride in being a seasoned DWB band member who comes prepared to a gig. Now I am the poster boy for Tacky Day USA. I have some casual gray pants that might work.............if you have grandma’s vision. But the show must go on! So I made the outfit the best I could and looked like the love child of Tommy Hilfiger meets Amy Whinehouse on a rough weekend. We shall see if I learn anything in future gigs.

Musician Tips
I recently played with several good musicians between the Fundamental Elements and my friend Bucco at his wedding with his band the Big Deuce. Both of these bands have great musicians and fantastic bass players. So we pulled them up there to jam with us....2 basses going at the same time. The FE bass player Mark is a cool guy that make you want to smack yo mamma during his bass solo. Emily, my now wife, leans over to me and says, " Can you do that?" I say.........Ahhhhh no. She then leans back over and says, "You should learn how to do that". I totally agree with her. But that’s Mark. Note to self...............ask Mark how to wow the crowd.
My friend Bucco is a funky ,funky dude. He attacks the bass like Flea from the Chili Peppers. He plays some way cool stuff. Now on these separate gigs, I had a choice to come out like a gunslinger and challenge these guys to a bass duel (which might bore people) or I could try hold the booty shakin’ grove ,keep the entire club dancing and let our friends shine. I chose the latter. It would have been fun to battle, but I wanted to be tasteful. I know my strength is finding a pocket or groove and setting up a camper That way you can be the cake and everyone else is the icing. Have you ever eaten too much icing by itself? I just try to be that cold glass of milk you are thirsty for. So I sat in my groove, let them add what they do and it just jammed. You have to a have a constant if everyone else is playing their best licks at the same time. On each of those gigs I had both of these bass players come up to me and complimented me on playing with them. It wasn’t anything extra special that I did, but I paid attention to what THEY were doing and tried to compliment them. I just listened. If you are more interested in what you neighbor is playing, you will be a better player.
Until next time.......
Peace and Chicken Grease,
Robalicious