Yay Undertoad and the band!!!

Know how to tell if the drum stage is level?

The drummer drools out of both sides of their mouth.

Eggsalad!

nice

So I guess I stopped updating here, or anywhere for that matter...

We lost our gal vocalist, so I sing now; we decided I should be the lead on "Black Water", and so I do it, as well as singing low harmony on about 15 other songs.

This is a lot of fun, although I believe my voice is pretty much unremarkable. I'm on key, but there isn't a lot of personality to it. It's vanilla. That's very good for harmonies, where it blends nicely.

The reason I started singing is Claritin (Loratadine), daily. I've spent my whole life with inflamed sinuses, but for the last few years, my nose is wide open, full time. Now that I'm not fighting my own skull, I know I can sing freely at any time, and it makes me want to do it.

That, and driving around listening to Belle and Sebastian. Their main dude Stuart Murdoch writes amazing melodies.

One of my musical buddies says the hardest thing he's done musically is play bass while singing lead.

Without a doubt. First time through some of these songs, I'm like, I don't even know where I am!

And I'll tell you what. I thought I appreciated what McCartney did. He's at a whole 'nother level to me, now. "Day Tripper". "Drive My Car". These are really difficult bass parts to play, AND hard songs to sing and harmonize on. Both at the same time? Genius.

Got to pay your dues if you wanna sing the blues
And you know it don't come easy. :headshake

Bass and Vocals seem like the most un-complimentary parts of a composition, following completely different phrasing. Anyone who can do both parts with any competency is really impressive to me.



I've got a few projects going this summer.

1) A "hospital band" of ER nurses, a PACU nurse, and a Pharmacy Manager. Branching out from our normal "end of summer music party & potluck" to do a big outdoor Health Fair at the Astoria Regatta & Land Parade. As an example of the vocal talent, will be doing "You Go Down Smooth" and "Suite Judy Blue Eyes." Guitar showcases, "Sultans of Swing," "Black Magic Woman," "Comfortably Numb." A lot of bluegrass/blues featuring vocal harmonies. "Crazy little Thing Called Love." "Runaway" --the Bonnie Raitt version.

2) A Surf Rock gig with local heavy hitters, "Telstar," "Pipeline," "Walk Don't Run" and such. "Sleepwalk." Also "Green Onions" and "Secret Agent Man." Will be doing a Limbo contest. Between two surf rock sets, a set of Fats Domino. We'll be wearing period-style outfits.

Sounds like a great show.

I've heard it said that the only thing that improves with age is your voice. My dad always had kind of an off nasaley voice, kind of restrained... but in the last 4 or 5 years, he's been doing the singing with his group. And he's gotten pretty good. Clay died, so he was the only one with balls enough to fill the void. Clay looked like an old miner 49er. Like Blue from old school. He sang out his whole life.

Dad said the hardest part of it was admitting to himself that he could, indeed, sing. To trust his lungs.

That's why vodka helps.

Good stuff guys!

A lot of times alcohol is damned liar, too!:lol2:

Now I got Ringo and Booker T in m'head.:bitching:

For some reason, I can always believe in myself on stage. No booze needed, I am always ready to perform. It's off stage that I get wicked imposter syndrome.