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I got my cherry popped Friday night.
It was a bit awkward at first, but once I picked up on the rhythm, it really started to feel good. :)
All Leavin' Brothers pix byt Lezlee McFadden
Ladies and gentlemen! By special arrangement, for one night only, here at the fabulous Lulu's on Week's Bay, we've got a very special treat for every man and woman, girl and boy:
The Leavin' Brothers!
Featuring Evans Davis!
Featuring Charles Davis!
And by very special arrangement, Trey (That White Guy) Andrews on bass guitar.
See! Chaz Davis and The Amazing GutBucket Bass!
See! Evans and Trey grin like fools at Charles' mad antics!
Hear! The Leavin' Brothers joined by a new (as in, REALLY new, as in never, ever, ever, done this before new) bassplayer, with an entire four or five hours worth of valuable practiced time under his belt!
He's a serious man, yo, with a serious... more or less... groove goin' on.
Hear! Trey play songs he's heard at least once or twice he thinks!
Hear! Evans Davis coach Trey through song after song with incredible, and often amusing, results!
"Hey guys, I'll sit this one out, since it's a song you wrote and I've never heard it!"
"No man, we need ya! It's in E! Go!"
"Could someone send up another shot of bourbon? Please?"
My part in it aside, these guys are really good. Charles plays mandolin, sings, and plays guitar. Evans sings, plays guitar and harp, and they both write. Most of the songs we did were Leavin' Brothers originals, and some covers with a distinct Leavin' Bros. flavor to them.
We did John Prine songs, y'all.... that made me a happy boy. They do a cool version of "Paradise" (which they call "Mulenberg" since they change it up and add some very cool harmonies), which was really about the only song I felt really good about playing bass on. They have a song called "Summer Nights" that's a lot of fun to play, and that one went pretty well. Also did Chuck Berry's "Mabelline"... whee!
It was a fun gig. The crowd was in a good mood, and seemed sympathetic to an inexperienced bass player. In the two days before the show that I had to get ready, I gave Charles and Evans plenty of chance to say "Uh, man, look... we want you to play with us, but you're really not there yet..." and they didn't, so I got up an played, and had a good time.
Our sound guy, Louis, was especially cool. Set us up quick, made us sound good, got my bass rig set up and sounding good when I joined the guys in the few minutes between sets, got me doing exactly what he needed with no hassle and no sense of "Ok, asshole, it's obvious you've never done this before, can we please just speed it up a little?" He got up and played a little bit between our second and third set. Sounded good, played a Martin acoustic with a Dean Markley soundhole pickup, which I want to try in my Alvarez. Good guy, I'd work with him anytime.
Thanks and shout-outs to Charles and Evans - much fun, y'all.
Every once in a while this weekend I've thought about the fact that I got up in front of people and played - and got paid! - and that I at least TRIED to do this.
Then I grin a lot. :)