Perusing the website shows that we need to make some modifications. We do not have a good collection of photos of the new lineup. And, in the photos, we look like we are spread out all over the place.
Then to add to the confusion and clutter, both Robert and Sue use music stands. Despite his talents as an improviser, Robert is a “mechanic” of sorts. He wants to know what the tempo, beat, and rhythms are. Sue is similar. She too wants to know tempo and beat. They both find comfort in the mathematic precision of music.
Given their dedication to exactitude, I now am reconciled that they will use music stands for some time. That being the case, I proposed that we decorate the stands. Becky’s response is that that will call attention to them. My reply is we need a schtick. When I suggested “band stands” like the big bands use, she very tactfully told me that I had my head in my socks (or somewhere else). As a compromise, tacky tiki masks might be a nice addition.
Not only are we photo-deficient, we have no videos of the new lineup. Actually, no videos exist since our debut gig. An excuse always seemed to be available. No place to put a camera. Too unsteady. Too windy. Too noisy. Too lazy. Too . . . .
All of this made shooting a video at practice seem like a good idea. We could post it to promote the Aoha Radio show, to beef up the website, and really to demonstrate to the world that we play fun music.
Plus, in the confines of the Doghouse, a video would be easy. All that we had to do was charge up the video camera, check the lighting, tighten up our formation to get the band in a single frame, run a sound check, and play some rock ‘n roll. After all, the gig -- that is, the moment of truth -- was nearly upon us.
The otherwise handy excuses were not available.
Oh, yeah, we needed to pick a song. The criteria were fairly simple. It would be one that we enjoy playing. We also did not want to give too much of our show away. Finally, we did not need to do a song that already was on video.
Given those criteria, “Squad Car” was the lucky choice. Every time we play it, we get closer to a punk or garage sensibility. Add a hand cranked siren, and we were on our way.
Multitasking in the extreme. Look at the camera. Well, not really. Be animated. Well, not really. Find a guitar face which does not remind the audience of passing a kidney stone. Well, not really. Look at each other. Well, sorta. Remember the song. Play the song. Avoid any obvious mistakes. Then upload to YouTube, which has been "processing" the video for four hours.
Check it out . . . . after it loads. How did we do?
Then to add to the confusion and clutter, both Robert and Sue use music stands. Despite his talents as an improviser, Robert is a “mechanic” of sorts. He wants to know what the tempo, beat, and rhythms are. Sue is similar. She too wants to know tempo and beat. They both find comfort in the mathematic precision of music.
Given their dedication to exactitude, I now am reconciled that they will use music stands for some time. That being the case, I proposed that we decorate the stands. Becky’s response is that that will call attention to them. My reply is we need a schtick. When I suggested “band stands” like the big bands use, she very tactfully told me that I had my head in my socks (or somewhere else). As a compromise, tacky tiki masks might be a nice addition.
Not only are we photo-deficient, we have no videos of the new lineup. Actually, no videos exist since our debut gig. An excuse always seemed to be available. No place to put a camera. Too unsteady. Too windy. Too noisy. Too lazy. Too . . . .
All of this made shooting a video at practice seem like a good idea. We could post it to promote the Aoha Radio show, to beef up the website, and really to demonstrate to the world that we play fun music.
Plus, in the confines of the Doghouse, a video would be easy. All that we had to do was charge up the video camera, check the lighting, tighten up our formation to get the band in a single frame, run a sound check, and play some rock ‘n roll. After all, the gig -- that is, the moment of truth -- was nearly upon us.
The otherwise handy excuses were not available.
Oh, yeah, we needed to pick a song. The criteria were fairly simple. It would be one that we enjoy playing. We also did not want to give too much of our show away. Finally, we did not need to do a song that already was on video.
Given those criteria, “Squad Car” was the lucky choice. Every time we play it, we get closer to a punk or garage sensibility. Add a hand cranked siren, and we were on our way.
Multitasking in the extreme. Look at the camera. Well, not really. Be animated. Well, not really. Find a guitar face which does not remind the audience of passing a kidney stone. Well, not really. Look at each other. Well, sorta. Remember the song. Play the song. Avoid any obvious mistakes. Then upload to YouTube, which has been "processing" the video for four hours.
Check it out . . . . after it loads. How did we do?