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The Spoonman

When I was living in Seattle, my band mates and I decided to go out one night and see the Spoonman perform at the Showbox.  You know, the guy made famous by the Soundgarden tune.  I have no idea what possessed me to go along with this.  I hated that guy.  I mean here I was workin my butt off tryin to play all the clubs and get a record deal and some bum (he was a street musician) gets big playin the freakin spoons!  But I went along anyway.

The Showbox was one of the premier clubs in Seattle at the time and the place was packed!  There was one or two opening acts and then the Spoonman came out.  Everybody went nuts for this guy and then the place got deathly quiet.  You see, beatin two spoons together doesn’t really make a lot of noise, so you have to be quiet to hear it.  I wouldn’t say that I heckled the Spoonman, but I also didn’t really go along with the whole being quiet thing.  One girl in particular took offense to my behavior and actually moved to the other side of the room.  I was in one of those moods that night so I followed her over there and continued to talk… at an elevated volume.  She was not amused.

Finally the bum finished beating the spoons together and it was time to get the hell out of there.  On the way out, somehow I ended up right behind my new “friend”.  So I tapped her on the shoulder and asked her, in the most friendly voice, “Did you enjoy the show?”  She turned around so excited to tell someone how great it was only to see my smiling face.  I’ve never seen a person go from such excitement to such disappointment so quickly.

Thankfully the Spoonman has gone away now, probably back to the alley, but at least he gave me a great memory and a good story to tell.  Got any good concert stories to share?  Leave me a comment!  I’d love to hear em!

Brian

Guys I’ve Rocked With, The Series Pt. 5

After my first band went our separate ways, it was time to start a new chapter in my rock life.  I needed someone to help make that happen.  Someone that could rock.  Someone that had the same passion and desire that I had.  Then…in walked Chuck Yeager.

NO, NOT THE TEST PILOT! SHEESH!

Chuck and I had always known each other, but never in a rock kind of way.  Chuck was the perfect fit for me.  I mean he was exactly like me!  We both wanted the same thing, to be a rock star.  And we were both willing to do whatever it took to make that happen (including wearing clothing that was wayyyyyyy to tight and unappealing).

Chuck was (and still is) a guitar player.  And a damn fine one.  Throughout our years together; I was always asking him to do stuff that was insanely hard to do.  For example, play and sing Skid Row tunes, or the great idea of trying to be a power trio.  The thing is though, every time I came up with some wacky idea…he pulled it off.  I had full confidence in Chuck and never once doubted his abilities.

Chuck and I rocked a lot of years together and put together several different lineups, all of which could blow the roof off a place at any time.  Our love for music created a lasting friendship that has seen many a-packed night club, countless empty beer cans, and yeah…even us be a part of each others wedding.  Here’s to ya bro!  Keep rockin!

Brian

My First Mosh Pit

The first time I was ever in a mosh pit was also the last time I was ever in a mosh pit.

It was 1989 and I was at a small club in St. Louis Missouri (Mississippi Nights) to see Testament with special guest Savatage.  Well no one but me was there to see Savatage and that was obvious by the front row seat that I had.  And by front row I mean, standing and actually leaning on the stage!  Savatage put on a great set and I even managed to snag a pick from the guitar player. Then there was about a half hour or so break till Testament took the stage.  I was determined to keep my spot!  I didn’t even go get a drink or go to the bathroom!  The crowd started to grow as it got closer for Testament to take the stage and I overheard some long-haired dudes talking about going “over the wall”.  I had no idea what this meant but I wasn’t about ready to wimp out.

When Testament came out there was a mass of people that started pushing, shoving, kicking, punching and it took all of about 10 seconds for me to get bounced to the back of the room.  I thought about trying to make my way back to “my spot”, but decided that I could see the show just fine from where I was.  All in all in worked out in my favor because after the show Testament’s drummer came out and sat down at a table with me; I was able to get his autograph (along with the rest of the band) and we talked about wearing ear plugs for about 20 mins. I have not been in a pit since then and honestly have no desire to be, my seat will do just fine to enjoy the rock!

Any good concert stories that you have?  I’d  love to hear ’em!  Be sure to leave a comment and share ’em with me.

Brian

A Few Of My Favorite Things

Somebody once told me that in the music business you have to spend money to make money.  I always remembered that saying when it came to buying gear.  Of course when I first started playing; I would pretty much take anything that anyone gave me, but as I became a better musician I wanted better gear.

I remember the first piece of cool gear that I got.  For Christmas one year my parents bought me a Nady wireless system.  I really thought that I hit the big time.  I remember walking down the street on Christmas morning, in the snow, with my bass, while my brother and sister yelled out the window at me telling me that they could still hear my amp.  I was definitely ready for the arena show.

When it came time to upgrade my bass I was pretty sure that $500 or so would get me something nice that would last me a while.  Well I didn’t have $500, so I asked my grandpa for a loan.  He gave me a blank check and told me to go get something nice (something nice, haha, God love him).  I ended up spending a little more than $500 (about $1700 actually, it listed for $2400 though, what a steal!) and came home with an American made Spector NS 2.  The salesman/owner of the guitar shop took me into his office when I bought it and showed me pictures of Sting, Eddie Van Halen, Kip Winger and a few others; all who were playing the same guitar as me!  He really made me feel cool! (of course he just sold a $1700 guitar to0!)  By the way, I still have that guitar and it still rocks.

The only problem with having a totally rockin guitar is that you have to have a big amp to go with it.  I worked all summer and saved up my money and went back to the same guitar store and told them that I need an amp.  Of  course they were happy to help me and gave me another killer deal on an Ampeg SVT 140TC stack!  I figured Ampeg because every famous musician I knew that had a Spector bass also had an Ampeg amp.  I was definitely concert ready now!

And oh by the way, I still have that amp too.

Brian

New Rock For Your Ears

I’m always lookin’ for somethin’ new to listen to and every now and then a band comes along that I’ve never heard of.  That’s the case with this band that I’ve been listening to the last couple days, Neon Trees.

Neon Trees “arrived” earlier this year with their debut album “Habits” on Mercury records.  The group had it’s earliest beginnings in southern California and then later in Utah.  Catchy hooks, vocal harmonies and big guitars are what you can expect from this pop-rock, dance-punk band.

Check out their new single and video “1983”, and then do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of “Habits”.  Rock On!

Kings of Leon new release

Hey everybody, check out one of Brian’s rock favs King of Leon and their new release Come Around Sundown!

A Few Of My Favorite Places

It’s hard to believe how much a city can change in 10 years, but from the time that I lived in Seattle (’93-’99) till now; it’s a completely different city…especially the club scene.

Gone are most of the “original” clubs that hosted such acts as Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Mudhoney (long before they were popular).  Some buildings lay vacant while others have been turned in to something entirely different, like a quilt shop.

I was fortunate enough to have been able to play on the same stage as most of the original grunge bands that put Seattle on the music map.  A couple of my personal favs were the Off Ramp Cafe, and the Crocodile Cafe.  You may notice the word Cafe in there, see, the cool thing about these rock clubs is that they also had some killer food! (and usually till 3am).

The Croc (as we called it) was great for it’s sound quality and really just a fun place to be even if you weren’t there to see a band.  My bandmates and I often just went there to hang out and be a part of the scene.  One local music writer called it “the living room of the Seattle music scene”.

The Off Ramp was a classic Seattle club.  It’s been described as, “a little dirty, a little nasty, and a whole lotta fun”.  A total hole-in-the-wall club that saw the birth (and death) of many Seattle bands.

Both these places will always have special memories for me.  As I reflect on the time I spent there, I can still smell the food, taste the drink, and my ears still ring from the rockin sounds that came from all the great bands that played there.

Brian

Sick Puppies new vid

Hey guys, check out the new video and single from Sick Puppies.  Totally rockin tune from a rockin band!

Guys I’ve Rocked With, The Series Pt 4

There is always a special bond between a bass player and a drummer.  Something that syncs them together that can’t be explained.  One guy always knows what the other is going to do.  I’ve always shared this phenomenon with the best drummer I’ve ever rocked with, my brother in rock, and my best friend…Chris Villasenor.

Chris and I have known each other our whole lives and music has been one thing that we’ve always shared.  Villa has always been instrumental in pushing me to become better, challenging myself to be the best that I can be…and then do it better.  He is also an outstanding drummer in his own right.

When we first started out things weren’t easy for either of us.  Villa was a lefty trying to play a right handed set of drums (which he has since mastered) and I was a guitarist trying to become a bassist.  We spent many hours together jamming in his basement, watching MTV (back when they played videos), and just hanging out.  Perhaps that is what made us such a good rhythm section.

I can remember countless trips to Springfield, IL to the record store with Villa to grab the newest releases from our favorite bands.  When Metallica released …And Justice For All, we were there the first day; the Crue’s Dr. Feelgood, Extreme’s Pornograffitti, and so on and so on.  Not to mention all the concerts we rocked at together.  Villa was there when I moved to Seattle and helped get me goin’.  Although we never played in a band together while I lived there, he always supported me, encouraged me, and believed in me.

Chris still lives in the Seattle area with his family and is still rockin’.  Do yourself a favor and check out his band The Copper Kings!  Totally rockin’ band you can check out on itunes or live if you’re in the Seattle area.  Keep rockin’ Villa and know that you’ll always have a fan back home.

Brian