Cook; From The Bar Band Perspective Of What NOT To Do...

Hey Everyone!

I really liked Ben and Bruce's articles and wanted to chime in a little from the novice level, meaning someone that has played for a really long time, but never got out of the bar scene.

This is my personal perspective only. Now it's no big secret that I don't have a recording contract, multiple albums, or playing in a touring band. The internet doesn't allow for BS-ing these days. I'm getting started a late stage and it's simply because I want to. Some of what I'm about to say deals with Bruce's "magentism" philosophy in his article and my own mistakes "growing up" in the "trials of fire" in rock. If a lot of what I'm about to write is not addressed early on in your music career, Ben's article will never apply.

My first comment would be this; you should know your instrument before even trying to get into a band. I've spent countless years wanting to be in a band so bad, that I would jump at any chance to be in one. Whether they could play or not. If I felt like a friendship was there, I would put the time in only to be disappointed after a few months. So know your instrument, including vocalists. Yes singers, your throat is a musical instrument so treat it as such. If you're starting out, at least memorize the fret board's root notes. When learning covers it will save you TONS of time and get you out rocking a little faster. Sliding up and down the neck to find the note during a practice will be a quick ticket out of any knowledgeable band. So do some studying. It will pay off in a few months.

My second comment would be to pick like minded players similar to you in life first, and THEN musical tastes. That means similar music interests, discuss what your actual goals are before the first practice even starts. Does the band want to do just covers? Do they want originals only? Instrumental? Is there family involved? What personalities as a musician do you like to play with? If the whole band isn't on the same page starting out, then you've just spun your wheels again. The worst part is that you won't find out until it's decision time. So just don't be afraid to talk to each other up front. If one or two members aren't on the same page, can that line up, and keep looking. If they're mature players, they should understand and probably be content not to waste each other's time. That part I've been through and it's actually quite refreshing to deal with honesty and make a friend.

So, let's say you got your line up, the songs are picked, and your ready to go. Now, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!!! I've been in a couple of situations where we didn't practice enough, got out there because we were excited to play live. Yes...we were eaten alive. Trust me on this one; NO ONE likes to be booed or have a bad show. When one band member gets pissed, trust me the show goes down hill pretty fast after that. Watch out for friends that fill the band's ego too. That little red dude with horns on your shoulder can cause a quick head rush and bad decisions.

Now don't get me wrong on the above part. Get out there when you think it's time. Do a back yard party or two with friends and work the bugs out before going to the local venue. There's always bugs in the first few shows, so expect them. Pedals will short, amps can fry, and drum sticks break without replacements. Don't get frustrated, angry, and throw crap. Muscle through it and be a man. Odds are you'll pull it together somewhere in one of the sets. A crowd will be MUCH more receptive to a band that is trying to give a good entertaining show than a band that is seriously intent on perfection. The point is this, eventually you have to get out there and play. So don't wait until everything is perfect. It could be a very long wait.

I was given three valuable lessons over the last 10-15 years of playing bars and 20+ years of trying to rock.

1. This is from my guitar player's father Tom Kemp (RIP), "...people don't want to go hear a musician at a bar. They want to be entertained."

2. This one came from a sound man at an Earth Day Festival and it's one of my favorites, "...SHUT UP AND PLAY!" I LOVE THAT ONE!!...don't know his name but he was a smart dude.

3. This one comes from my interview with Jon Mulvey, "... whatever works man."

I'm going to close with this and it's a lesson that I'm very recently learning. If you do get to a point where you've made a few industry connections, don't over do it. During my RS360 growth, for lack of a better term, I've made mistakes in my haste to "be connected," and came across as over zealous on more than one occasion. Yes, I know that's shocking to a select few, but I have. LOL!!

So here's my advice if the connections start to happen.

SLOW DOWN AND GIVE IT TIME TO GROW. These guys work in rock for a living and there is still an amount of professional courtesy that exists. Don't bombard with e-mails, twitter, and facebook. Social sights can be a fantastic marketing tool for bands with minimal budget, but don't forget to be human once in awhile too. Most rocker's are cool and they'll get back to you when they can. They might be at practice, on the road, in the studio, or enjoying some QT with the family, or getting some deserved rest. Any connection takes time to grow into something else, so be patient. Remember they are people too, and some with families. Keep it in mind that music is a business and yes, even at the bar level.

Later on and pack the house!!!

Cook

SURF NIGHTMARES: Joe Satriani and Steve Vai's July 10th Benefit Auc...

SURF NIGHTMARES: Joe Satriani and Steve Vai's July 10th Benefit Auc...: "Hey Everyone!!!!!! Check out the benefit e-bay auction and benefit show being put on by Joe Satriani and Steve Vai!! The line up is PHENO..."

Joe Satriani and Steve Vai's July 10th Benefit Auction for Cliff Cultreri

Hey Everyone!!!!!!

Check out the benefit e-bay auction and benefit show being put on by Joe Satriani and Steve Vai!! The line up is PHENOMENAL and goes to good cause!!IF YOU CAN"T MAKE IT TO THE SHOW...NO PROBLEMO!! They have that covered too! You can go to live.GuitarTV.com for details about purchasing tickets to watch the show LIVE ON-LINE!! I'M SO THERE!!

The first link below is the e-bay auction link for Joe's custom JS1000! The second link is to Joe's sight with details about the show. CHECK IT OUT and spread the word!! On-line tickets are $5.99!! All proceeds go to the fund for Cliff!

Cook

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280706099042#ht_8631wt_1141

http://www.satriani.com/benefitforcliff2/pr.shtml

HEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SORRY FOR BEING AWAY FOR SO LONG!!!!!

Man it's been a crazy year for me! I've met so many interesting people via Rock Source 360 it's just plain PHENOM!!! So...here's an update and hit me up on Facebook! 'Cook Sean' Always willing to chat for a few!!

Check out Lonero via their sights and their new album "JFL" is SWEET! They do what they call "GuitarCore."

Then check out Jon Mulvey, another instrumentalist who's currently on an Ibanez Clinic tour and wrapping it up in the US.

As usual, always a shout Joe Satirani now of 'Chickenfoot.' They're recording their next album and I anticipate it to be AWESOME!!!

And last but not least....'The Hollow Glow" featuring Ben Carroll of Ra. It's his new gig and it sounds SWEET!!

I'll get everyone's links up in the next few days! For now, check out my Reverb NAtion sight at www.reverbnation.com/rs360 for my tune 'Rising Sun.' I wrote it originally as something else, but I dedicated it to the Japan tsunami. It was just so tragic and affected me immensely. It's just what came out. Tune is free and anyone can download it, share it, or use it. Not trying to make money off that one. My soul still goes out to them.

More Soon!!

Shout out to Corky Carroll!!!!! Go to Mexico and CHECK OUT HIS SWEET CASA!!

Cook

Jaime Vendera Interview Part Two!

Hey Everyone!!

Well it's FINALLY Friday!! Here's the second half of Jaime's interview. When he get's back we'll try to get him on Rock Source Radio where I'll be hosting an new series on Rock Source 360 Celebrity Instructors.

Have a good night and be safe!!

and here is the second half!!........

6.) Do you write books as well? What kinds? How many?

"Yes I do:) I've written 8 so for mostly about singing, but I've also written books about a positive mindset, self-publishing and teaching."

7.) Do you develop lasting relationships with your students? 

"I try to make every student I work with feel special because they are special. Whether they do one lessons or fifty with me, my goal is that all my students feel good about themselves and know they can count on me."

8.) How hard has this road, honestly, been for you to get where you are?

"It's been a loooooonnnnngggggg haul. People think because I've written books and performed on TV shows around the world that I am rich and famous....I am neither. But I am doing what I love and that's what counts:)"

9.) Is there anything you would have done differently in order to get to where you are now?

"I would've refrained from drinking in my early years. Not that I drank alot, but I now see the damage it could've caused in many ways. It's great to have fun but if you want to succeed, you got to keep your eyes on the prize."

10.) Where has that led you to now and how many students do you currently have? Do you do workshops as well?

"I have anywhere from 20-30 students on a regular basis floating in and out, including many famous singers. I try to keep my teaching to a minimum because of all my other activities from writing books to conducting vocal workshops....So yes i do workshops:) In fact, we are soon leaving for Bahrain and then Australia to conduct our first workshop tour."

11.) What exactly is this "Rock Source 360," that we're beginning to hear so much about? 

"Its an online training facility for musicians. You can study guitar, bass, drums, vocals, keyboards and other various instruments right online through a webcam. Some of our teachers include famous musicians. It's a way for a student to connect with a great teacher regardless of where they live on the planet."

12.) How was it that you became involved with this type of organization?

"It evolved out of a few friends brainstorming and grew from there."

13.) Last question, where does Jaime Vendera see himself five years from now?

"Living in Belize with his own reality show;)"

Jaime Vender Interview Part Two: This Friday!

The second half of Jaime's interview will be posted THIS FRIDAY NIGHT!

Also, Jaime will be in Baharain September 24-26 via Raise Your Voice!! We'll try to talk to him when he gets back on Rock Source Radio. Just click the title post link to go to the sight, then click the video for the details!

Stay tuned and see you Friday night!!

Cook

Jaime Vendera Interview!! As PROMISED!

Hey everyone!!,
As promised, an interview with Jaime Vendera the HUMAN GLASS SHATTERER!!

I have PERSONALLY witnessed this act while taping him!! Trust me, from what I know AND seen, it's taken him dedication to his craft and art form to create a technique that quite literally goes beyond physics! Seriously, think about that!

Also, as part of my transition to Rock Source 360 and Rock Source Radio, we'll be moving the interview segments to the Rock Source 360 "The Buzz" blog forum. I'll definitely announce upcoming dates here, but don't worry!! We're working out the details to post on "Surf Nightmares" as well! All things in time :-)

So without further delay, Part One of The Jaime Vendera Interview...

1.) Who is "Jaime Vendera," the guy who shatters glass and how did this come about?

"I am just a humble guy who is very passionate about singing. I started a website called The Voice Connection, to connect with other singers and interview great rock singers. One of the singers I interviewed was glass shattering metal singer Jim Gilette. Jim actually taught me to shatter glass and got me the MythBusters gig."


2.) How old were you when the realization came about your passion for music and what did you do as a youngster to pursue it? 

"I seriously was one of those three year olds who performed on the dining room table for all the fam to see. I've always loved singing. And eventually after high school I moved to LA to study voice and continued there on studying everything about voice that I possibly could."


3.) Once you knew there was a fire inside of you, did you pursue formalized training/education and at what age? 

"Well, I sang as much as I could, in school choirs and then started playing in a gigging band at 16 years old. I would literally play Wednesday-Saturday at some venues. There were times I'd play, go home, sleep four hours, get up, go to school, go home, rinse, lather, repeat..."

4.) Where did you receive your formal training and describe what it was like? Is this influencing your current direction?

"I studied at The Musician's Institute in Hollywood California, but I actually feel I learned more from pro singers like Jim Gilette. I would study, apply what I learned to singing and continue to refine it all."


5.) Most musicians attempt the "standard" route to success. They get their instrument, learn it, find some players, and just go for it. Your path to success seems to have taken a different direction. When did you decide that teaching was the best route for you? 

"I never really thought about being a teacher until 1996 when a friend asked me if I could teach him to sing high because he wanted to sing songs by Dream Theater. I had a couple of ideas that helped him and I kept on teaching from that point forward. Ironically, now James Labrie from Dream Theater has studied voice with me:)"



That's it for now and we'll see you in a couple of weeks!!


Be Safe!!!


Cook ;-)~

DON"T FORGET: Tonight On-Line Interview with Jaime Vendera!!

Don't forget tonight at 9:00pm EST, I'll be posting the first of a two part interview series With Jaime Vendera, The Glass Shatterer of Rock Source 360.

Just a reminder and see you at 9:00pm EST.


Cook