I have a new band! Steve Burch who many of you know on guitar and vocals, a guy named Duane Andrews also on guitar and vocals, Kenny Meagher on drums and vocals, and myself on bass and vocals. At this point we're playing about half-originals and half-covers - there's definitely a Dead aspect but we're not limiting ourselves to that. Duane actually played in a band in New England back about 25 years ago called Flat Stanley whose name I would see around when I was in a band called Jiggle the Handle. Anyway, he knows a lot of music that the rest of us aren't so familiar with.


Anyway, I'm posting to promote our second ever gig! This Saturday, September 8 from 12 Noon-2:00 pm in Jack London Square in Oakland, CA as part of their "Second Saturday" event. We aren't the main event, there will also be vendors, etc. I plan on playing my Stanley Clarke Signature Squared 5-string, with the AlFeMbic as a backup.

I think i saw this on Facebook. Have a great gig!

I like the name! 

So I have a question that I could write in the general section and I know it's been brought up in other threads, but - I've been planning on taking my Stanley Clarke 5-string, but I occasionally have second thoughts. Never played in this space, never been here to this event. I think it is a generally safe environment, family friendly, outdoors. But should I reconsider taking the Alembic? I've been planning on my AlFeMbic - the white Fender Japan with Activators - but would prefer an actual Alembic. What do y'all think?

Should be the same as any gig in a public place, keep an eye on your instruments and they should be fine. I haven't been to this particular event but they used to have music at Jack London Square during the Farmer's Market, at least until they moved the Farmer's Market down the block from the main square. The bands used to set up in the middle of the square. If they put you guys in the same place there will be enough space around your performance area and equipment to make it easy to keep an eye on things. Lots of families at Jack London on weekends, should be a safe environment. Jen and I are planning to come down, see you tomorrow!

Thanks for the advice Stephen! As you know (since you were there - thanks for coming!) I did take my Stanley Clarke bass to the gig. It was a lot of fun! I guess my little GK MB-112 II worked pretty well - we only had vocals (and violin) going through the PA, so the GK was on its own - I only had it on 5 (actually knob set at noon, there aren't any numbers on the controls) but I think I had my compressor running a little hot too. Speaking of hot, it was very hot in the sun! The weather was perfect actually, it wasn't a "hot" day, may upper 70s, but standing in the sun for 2 1/2 hours my arms are sunburnt.







I'm singing I Me Mine in the last pic - I think that might be my new signature song.

Looking good. Sounds like a successful gig. Congrats.

I hope that all went well ! I would have attended however I was playing with Dead Guise at the Castro Valley Fall Festival  .

Hey Harry, we had a great day hanging out at Jack London Square listening to you play. Band sounded good but I would like to hear you guys through a decent PA, vocals and violin suffered the most but if everything was going through a better PA the definition and space for each instrument would benefit. I took a walk down past all the vendors and despite being far away from, and off-axis from, the stage area I could hear your bass from far away. All-in-all for only your second gig together it sounded like you guys have already made a lot of progress toward having a "band sound". "2,000 Light Years From Home" was an interesting cover choice and you guys came up with a unique twist on it.

Quote from: sonicus on September 10, 2018, 08:36:35 AM
I hope that all went well ! I would have attended however I was playing with Dead Guise at the Castro Valley Fall Festival  .

Thanks Wolf! You played a lot this weekend!

Quote from: StephenR on September 10, 2018, 12:44:43 PM
Hey Harry, we had a great day hanging out at Jack London Square listening to you play. Band sounded good but I would like to hear you guys through a decent PA, vocals and violin suffered the most but if everything was going through a better PA the definition and space for each instrument would benefit. I took a walk down past all the vendors and despite being far away from, and off-axis from, the stage area I could hear your bass from far away. All-in-all for only your second gig together it sounded like you guys have already made a lot of progress toward having a "band sound". "2,000 Light Years From Home" was an interesting cover choice and you guys came up with a unique twist on it.

I would love to hear us through a good PA! Thanks for the feedback on my amp - I'm often tempted to pick up the powered extension cab, but so far haven't had the need - though it would be nice to stack them and be able to hear the highs a little better.

I definitely enjoy playing with these guys, it's an interesting combo, I feel like we each bring something to the table.

Forgot to post about this here - we played in Hayward this afternoon at "Uncle Rico's Spark in the Park" in support of Hayward High School's music programs. It was a fun event, got to see some budding musicians and performs - we got one of them to play with us - he was really good, especially for never having played with us before on a song he had never heard before.

Wow, lots of room, and cool that you added a sax!

Quote from: rv_bass on October 01, 2018, 06:53:37 PM
Wow, lots of room, and cool that you added a sax!

It was actually a fundraiser for Hayward High School music programs, so between the bands their orchestra, jazz band and marching band performed. The kid on sax played with the jazz band so Duane (one of the guitarists) asked him if he'd like to jam with us and he was up for it!

The big stage was cool, but the PA wasn't up for it - no guitars or bass in either the mains or monitors, so I had my amp cranked. I think I finally experienced the GK growl! Down side was that I couldn't hear the guitarists that well. Playing loud isn't easy! I'd prefer to have my amp volume lower and have the PA do the work... But it was still a fun gig!

Got another Jack London Square gig in Oakland!



This time hoping to set up a tent so we don't get roasted! I'm psyched because Patrick, my drummer from my other band Stanley Lighthead, is coming up from LA. Now I just need to decide which bass/es to use...

Casting a vote for the Alembicized fretless M-85... on at least a tune or two. 


Sounds like a fun time Hieronymus, have a good gig!