Band Updates & Issues

[Mudpup]

Folded my band of 15 years up last December for a variety of reasons - here's a few....

 

The death of my Dad meant that i couldn't put the backroom time in whilst i sorted his house and estate out, nobody offered to step in and do the bookings or promo work whilst i spent 3 months of weekends finalising everything.

The singer/guitarist was inacapable of learning any new songs on his own and coming to rehearsals with them semi prepared, that was driving me nuts. You know when you've all agreed to learn a song, everyone does their homework and then someone shows up at a rehearsal and asks what key its in or what version is it?

Playing the same 40 odd songs at the same 12 venues for years (and no hope of improvement mainly because of the above) was getting a bit boring even though they weere the best local venues and the band was very good.

Finding any free family time at weekends was hard as we were doing 50 odd gigs a year and I was conscious of getting older and wanting to travel around a bit with my wife before we couldn't manage to any more.

I was the peacemaker in the band that stopped the drummer killing the lead guitarist because he was totally incapable of turning up at the correct time to unload the gear from the van. The singer travelled with the guitarist so he was always late as well. Me and the drummer frequently unloaded the whole van before the other 2 herberts showed up.

 

Along with the grieving process it was getting me down.

 

So i packed up in December 2024 with the intention of taking at least 6 months off and just noodling at home. Maybe learn to play a 5 string.

But have a total break from the band thing.

 

Sold my gig cabs. Put my gigging amps up for sale. Bought a 5 string. Bought a boutique amp and cab for at home. Learnt to play a few guilty pleasure songs on the 5er just for fun.

Started getting a bit itchy around April. Maybe if i found something that was just about 10 or 15 gigs a year.....

Auditioned for a band that looked mildly interesting. Couldn't play with the drummer, he was very average and i was used to something a bit more solid. Got the gig but turned it down. Realised i didn't like the boutique amp/cab for live work so sold them and bought an LfSys Monaco. Love it.

Answered an ad in May from a local drummer putting a one off band together for a festival gig locally in June doing some Americana/new country stuff. Did 2 rehearsals and then the gig. Really enjoyed playing (my new 5 string) again. Gig went well and got invited back to headline next year.

 

Started to feel like gigging again as a result.

 

Answered an ad in October for a local rock covers band just starting out but with 10 gigs booked for 2026 at the best venues locally. Auditioned. Got the gig. Drummer left the following week (was it something i said?). Grabbed the drummer from my old band to help. Now we have 5 people all learning everything at home, doing their homework and just turning up and nailing the songs. No issues. Bliss. Had 3 rehearsals. Learned 28 songs in a month ready for 1st gig on Jan 3rd. Looking forward to it. (Figured out that trying to play songs that you already know on a 4 string on a 5 string is difficult. But learning completely new songs on my 5er is a whole lot easier) 

 

Went to my first ever jam night last month. That was fun. Did 2 songs with the singer and guitarists from the new band and then 2 songs with the old bands guitarist. Nice to be on a stage again.

 

Just been offered a gig with someone i depped with at a festival with a few years back. Always fancied doing that one again so we're going to see how it goes. Laid back sort of soul and 80's classics with a gritty rocky touch. John Mayer meets Chaka Khan/James Brown. Maybe 10 gigs a year tops. Need a drummer though.

 

I'm enjoying playing again and feel like i have my mojo back. I've learned about 60 new songs of various styles but all ones i like, figured out a 5 string and made some new friends. Oh and also been travelling around a bit with the missus and son 🙂 The balance is good.

 

Edited 7 hours ago by Mudpup