The Song Fight Bulletin Board

The more practice time, the better, right?

I'm available to play keyboard for anyone who needs it. I also play just about everything else, so if you happen to need a random extra instrument, feel free to ask me. In Spokane, I played keys for fluffy, Naked Philosophy, and Roymond. I also played mandolin for Kasper and (for some odd reason) lead guitar on one of Roymond's songs. In San Francisco, I played keys and harmonica for Naked Philosophy (repeat customer! I must be doin' something right!) and keys for Frankie Big Face.

On the flip side of that coin...

I'd like to have a full four-piece band this year for my whole set. I'll play piano for myself, but I'd also like a guitarist, a bassist, and a drummer for five songs (possibly six - I haven't timed myself yet and don't know how much time I'll have anyway). If any of the volunteers would be willing to sing harmonies, that would be nice, too. Also, one song may also require a second guitarist. Anyone up for helping out?

Similarly: I am willing to play drums, bass, or keys for people, and maybe guitar if it's easy enough. [EDIT] I'm also willing to bring my electric violin, if anyone needs it. Be warned that I pretty much completely suck at it though.

And I am still working out my arrangements this year but I am pretty sure I'll want people to play bass, drums, and SIDstation. Yes, Fred is coming out of retirement.

Now that I know for sure that I'm coming (I bought my plane tickets yesterday), I'll throw my hat into this ring, as well. I'm willing to play guitar or bass on anyone's set (I can play the mandolin, too, but I'm a lot weaker on it). Fair warning - I'm not a great improvisational musician, but if you get me your set list a few weeks before the gig, I will show up ready to play.

For my set, I plan on playing the punk version of some songs - short, fast, and loud. That means I need a drummer and a bass player...maybe a second guitarist for a few songs? Auditions will be held on...no, just kidding. I wouldn't turn down the chance to play with any one of you.

inevitableguy wrote:Now that I know for sure that I'm coming (I bought my plane tickets yesterday), I'll throw my hat into this ring, as well. I'm willing to play guitar or bass on anyone's set (I can play the mandolin, too, but I'm a lot weaker on it). Fair warning - I'm not a great improvisational musician, but if you get me your set list a few weeks before the gig, I will show up ready to play.

For my set, I plan on playing the punk version of some songs - short, fast, and loud. That means I need a drummer and a bass player...maybe a second guitarist for a few songs? Auditions will be held on...no, just kidding. I wouldn't turn down the chance to play with any one of you.

I will need an electric guitarist for at least two songs, and I'd love for it to be you. I've got my tabs already ready to send out.

I'm not much of a drummer, but I'd be willing to play bass for you if no one else comes through. It's not my primary instrument, but I play bass on all my own recordings, so you can hear I'm not bad at it.

Bump.

I've got my two guitarists, but I still need a drummer and a bassist, as well as two backup/harmony vocalists (who, obviously, might also be the instrumentalists in question as well).

My setlist is complete with tabs and mp3s, ready to send to whomever volunteers, so you can begin practicing immediately (or procrastinate until the last second, as tends to happen with these things anyway). I'm preparing six songs, but may cut it down to five if time becomes an issue.

The usual bottleneck is drummers. We've got fluffy for sure (see above), and (based on the other thread) it looks like we'll have Ken, too. Anyone else?

I will be there and am decent at drums. I however cannot read music, so if you have complicated arrangements I won't be able to help... If you are looking for someone to keep a beat, I would be happy to help out.

Big question: Who is bringing drums? or should I be hunting down drums? should we start a buy Niv a drum set fund? Because Spaceonwhite lacks drums. Sidewalk has drums.

Are there any places that rent them out?

Also, Target and Wal Mart both sell really cheap drum kits now (like $150ish), although I think they're kid-sized.

BTW, are we going to have someplace to rehearse?

That's a fair question in which I have no answer to. It's funny because the 3 SF shows I've been a part of have all been different about this. SF Wayne had people sneaking into a storage room before the show starts to have some semblance of rehearsal. SF NY v1 had some people rent out the apartment above the place to rehearse before the show. SF NY v2, other than XTRG coming to my old house in NJ, I don't recall hearing about any prior rehearsals. But those were all SF Presents shows and this is an SF Live (aka the big show) so I don't know if there is some kind of rehearsal precedent?

Usually at the big shows, the various locals will provide their home as a de-facto jam or practice space. My home was quite chaotic in 2010. It was wonderful.

I think in Spokane we had some time at the venue where we could rehearse...? But I'm not sure I remember that correctly. In Boston we had rehearsal time at a professional music rehearsal facility. In Santa Cruz I think rehearsals happened at Jack Shite's house. I don't know what happened in Atlanta or Tampa.

Lunkhead wrote:I think in Spokane we had some time at the venue where we could rehearse...?

Yeah, there was lots of time for us to run through all our sets at the venue in Spokane. That was probably a special case, though.

Yeah, the venue was set up in a way that it made sense for that to happen, since the main business was open but the actual room was closed off except for concerts.

Niveous wrote:SF NY v2, other than XTRG coming to my old house in NJ, I don't recall hearing about any prior rehearsals.

J$ and I rented a room at Ripley-Grier studios for our rehearsal... they had a piano and we could make noise. got the impression that they were mostly for theater productions, but it was fine.
-bill

Lunkhead wrote:In Santa Cruz I think rehearsals happened at Jack Shite's house. I don't know what happened in Atlanta or Tampa.

ah yes, good times and good memories. most people I've ever packed in my house at one time.

In Tampa, we practiced at Hoblit's house.

This place seems pretty cost effective. $55/2 hrs.

Found on craigslist.

Gotta discuss the drum issue.

Most places are quite expensive for rentals and we are also coming to the issue of having this drumset at night and having to pay overnight fees and having no real place to store it. So, the drum thing is still up in the air. Not suggesting that we don't have one. We just need to figure out how to get our hands on one. I need ideas, folks.

fluffy wrote:Also, Target and Wal Mart both sell really cheap drum kits now (like $150ish), although I think they're kid-sized.

Yes, they are kid sized. I have no idea what that entails but it is cheaper than a rental. But I'm no drummer, I have no clue what the SF drummers need.

I think I actually prefer playing on kid-sized sets, myself, but I'm not a real drummer.

As long as it is actually drums, with heads and such, and not just a cheap toy I don't see any problem with child size... Unless someone desperately needs a 18 piece set... Then their effed anyways. Have you checked craigslist? I'm sure the one for NYC is way crazier, and hard to navigate than the local one here, but you can usually find a beater for under a hundred bucks.

I'm more than happy to provide some guitar and back up vox for anyone who would like.

On the flip-side, I've been toying with the idea of going for a full-band set. Hrm... gotta ruminate that one. Upside: righteous sound; downside: logistics.

And on a related note, I'm very happy to chip in a bit to buy us a cheap-o kid's drum set. Just say the word. (& a little email to njm148 at yahoo would be cool.)

Niveous wrote: I need ideas, folks.

ok, first thing you do is set up a dedicated paypal account to pay for the drums. then you need to create a funny, heartfelt plea/fundraising campaign to the online community for spare change or a bit more to help pay for the drums at SFLNYC. It's alot easier to collect a few bucks from hundreds than hundreds from a few. Add this info to the webpage/SFLNYC homepage once Spud builds it. Also add it to the news on the SF homepage. Set a deadline ( a few weeks before the show) and then somebody (Niveous I assume) buys a cheap used drumkit off of craigslist NYC with whatever is raised.

After the show, Niveous can sell the kit and any $ made gets funneled back to the organizers for any out of pocket costs they incurred.

I mean, even I'd give you guys a buck or 2.