The Pups' sabbatical is over. Time to get back to “work.” But we are in this to have fun. Is working to have fun an oxymoron?Actually, while the Lava Pups took time off, my day job and other responsibilities were unusually demanding. Sometimes, real life gets in the way of fun. As the pendulum swings between reality and fantasy, we all hope to find a balance point. Generally, the swings into the fantasy zone always seem short. So, we have to find a way to put fun into the real life zone.
During a brief respite from my day job and other real world responsibilities, the energy that fun generates rushed in. Time unexpectedly was available for planning, drawing, arranging, and daydreaming.
Of course, available time and fun-generated energy can be a dangerous combination. In tandem, they may drive us to set lofty goals, overestimate what we can do, unduly expand our to-do lists, develop an overly ambitious agenda, and just plain lose sight of reality. As you grow older, you know that the reality of work, family, pets, and other commitments is a telephone call, email, or fax away. Despite knowing these risks and proclivities, I wanted to get back to the Lava Pups and the rock ‘n roll fantasy -- escape -- that a band provides.
Can we expand to two sets? That could be a goal for February 26th. We will be in an experiment-friendly environment because people will have no economic commitment to listen to us. Plus, most folks in the Capitol Bowl really will not care much about four guys playing instrumental rock. Bowling balls will be rolling. Pins will be flying and crashing together. Folks will be talking “bowling talk” (whatever that is). The Lava Pups might be just some more background noise in the cacophony of a bowling alley.
Worth a try. Divide up what we have practiced and played already into two columns. Uh . . . too short time-wise for two conventional or “real” sets. What to do? Add songs! Let’s work on 5 “new” songs. And, while we are adding, let’s venture outside our comfort zone with something far removed from the usual Lava Pups schtick. Split up the 5 new songs -- that is, new to us songs. Wow, we have two sets.
Oh, yeah, we will have to learn the five songs. Wait a minute! Can I do that? After all, I am the weak link in this band. And keep in mind that, for all of us, the Lava Pups is an outside activity. We should keep to small bites. Is 5 a small bite?
Irrespective of the answer to that, lofty ambition trumped reality or caution. The newly created set lists were attached to an email, and the “send” icon clicked. That put the fate of expanding our repertoire into the hands of all of us.
Don responded, “Do you have any particular recordings in mind so that I can start practicing?” Particular recordings? Maybe but not really. Versions -- really, dumbed down arrangements -- of certain “standards” kick around in my brain. My hope is to get them to my fingers and committed to memory.
Don’s response reminded me that lofty ambition without a good plan may be nothing but a dream or a recipe for failure. Maybe I jumped the gun. Maybe a little more thought . . . . But I was not going to give in to paralysis by analysis.
After hearing my “not really” answer, Don did not say, “Damn, you are crazy” or anything like that. Instead, he and I went over the songs one-by-one. The amount of work ahead then was evident.
“That sounds sketchy.” “Are we sure about those chords?” “Is that the correct first note?” “What will we use as an introduction?” “That needs a better transition.”
We made some of the songs sound musically okay after a few tries. Others left us looking at each other and shrugging our shoulders. We knew where this was headed. When in doubt, turn to the professional. We agreed that Paul probably could pull our bacon out of the fire.
Having a naturally-talented professional musician available sure helps.
This getting back to the business of having fun will require some work. Is work antithetical to fun? But playing the same songs over and over without change or growth would suck all fun from being a band. So working to have fun is not as oxymoronic as it may sound.