bandproj.com Blog

     I cant stop thinking about this past weekend @ The Tin Fish!  Capricorns turned out in droves Saturday night. Kami, Julie, Jamie, Heather, Logan, Scott, Angie, and Barb all celebrated that night and what a turn out- the place was so near to capacity that we dare not print the actual number here for fear of alerting the authorities.

    Birthdays aside, we have reached a few milestones in our project:

• We are six months into the project now and showing no sign of slowing.  Each of us has grown in these past months.  Derek has transitioned very well into his first band setting.  Keith has met with a great deal of success altering his playing style to accommodate the group’s efforts.  Logan has adapted to playing acoustic bass almost exclusively.
• Keith made his back-up singing debut this weekend and did a fantastic job.  This is a major milestone for us in our attempts to bring a level of performance as full and uncompromised as possible to our stage, with just the three of us.
• We added a third Dave Matthews Band tune “Stay” to our repertoire along with a song from The Police “Everything Little Thing She Does is Magic.”  We will continue to add new and challenging material to our mix.  We have plans for a couple of Rush tunes as well as more from The Police and others.
• Keith is looking into enhancing our sound through the use of Roland digital drums.

    If this weekend was your first time seeing us, welcome aboard.  If you have been following since the beginning, we thank you for your continued support.

Band Project (til another name comes along)

Added Common Jones to our Links page.  Got out and saw these cats this weekend past at the Fish.  Mike (Drums) and I share some Remnants history and I have met Tom (Guitar/Vocals) before.  Was a pleasure to meet Denny (Guitar/Vocals) and John (Bass/Vocals).  These cats keep a busy schedule so if you have the means, I highly recommend checking them out www.commonjonesband.com
 
 
  “Kick-Ass classic rock from mechanics that know how to handle their tools.”  - The New England Journal of Rock! 

    Got a new band site under development behind the scenes - just need a name for the crown jewel on it.  A sneak peak is coming soon.
    There’s a Toys for Tots event on the 16th of December at the Sawmill in Grayling.  Tom Lapinta from Cherrybomb is the point of contact.  Great opportunity to showcase bands and all for a good cause!  Keiter and Derek, let me know what you think- Tom’s got a slot waiting for us around 3 pm, we need only say the word!   Anyone else interested can contact Tom through Cherry Bomb’s web site http://www.thecherrybombband.com
    We should probably squeeze some rehearsals in this weekend and next - to keep the ball rolling- can’t do unexpected things with the same ole same ole after all.

-Logan

Ok ok so its been a few months now and we’re still nameless…  In our defense, naming a band is not an easy to do.  I have heard so many stories about how bands got their names like the Led Zeppelin story.  Right we’re not Zeppelin, but we are who we are and our thinking is that what ever we pick, it should define us and be short and sweet.  Anyway… after over 90 suggestions we are going to narrow the playing field a bit.  To that end, we will choose 3 names each and continue narrowing from there.  My picks are: 

• Wrist to the Elbow - A Dave Matthews lyric that is as unusal as we are 
• ETU (Expect the Unexpected) - Short and sweet and defines us 
• U3 – Short and sweet

There were a lot of awesome names submitted and some that we looked at and were like, huh?  Thanks to all who submitted never the less!

-Logan

    When this project was in the talking stages of it’s development, people would comment on what a great combination this would be with the caliber of players involved (paraphrased yes, but accurate to the spirit of what was said).  What is a certainty is that it was a genuine compliment from general folk (non-musicians) and fellow musicians.

    Someone is always saying something like “if you took [insert name here] and put them with [insert band or performer name here] it would be awesome!”  The truth of the matter is that you cannot know until it happens.  I like what the three of us have been able to accomplish on cover tunes.

    Originals are another thing all together.  With covers we bring our interpretation of something already pre-defined to the table and work it till it meshes.  Originals represent the vast unknown for us and, if I may be so bold, could be one small step for us but one giant leap for music kind.  Or we could fail.  Going without trying is not an option.

    Where to begin where to begin… Thoughts anyone?

Welcome to BandProj. Comments on our project are welcomed! Ask us questions.  Tell where you’ve seen us.  We want to know what you think!

I have been talking to people after our first gig and the general consensus with regard to sound is that our is both refreshing and amazing. Refreshing in terms of volume and amazing in terms of clarity. There were things said early in the evening about Derek’s guitar volume needing to come up. That was easily corrected. I am a little concerned about the manner in which we daisy-chained the bass output from my system to Derek’s. This had the effect of amplifying both the kick drum and bass guitar. But I wonder if we lost some of Derek’s guitar in and vocal quality in the process- either by muddying his mix or causing him to have to sing harder to be heard.

     We had to get past a few hurdles but its official, we are a band! While this promises to be quite a bit different than anything else in our area- it also promises to be unlike anything the three of us have ever done. Acoustic, semi-electric, eclectic. Expect the unexpected!

     When I think of my dream project, an association with performers of high caliber is a must.  Challenge with regard to musicianship, chosen material, performance levels, and in defiance of convention are also high among my criteria.  I have always believed that true performers can win over an audience to what they are putting out so long as it was done from the heart.  These cats love their craft.

     In Keith, I have not but faith.  He has proven my faith every time he filled in before joining Remnants full time and long after.  Drumming is as natural as breathing to him.

     I am still very much in awe of Derek, just like Marty said I would be. His conviction to his craft has paid off like penance well spent. His willingness and ability to take risks empowers him as much as it sets him apart.

     I am honored to find myself smack dab in the middle of these talents.  And what better place than the Fish to start it all!

-Logan

     I’m excited at the prospect of playing with Keith and Derek today. I am still asked what my next project will be or when I am playing next, I have only been able to hint at possibilities until now. I don’t know that this will be the first actual step towards forming the nucleus of the next project, but am eager never-the-less. I have played with a great many performers over the years and can honestly say that Keith is among the absolute best drummers I have ever connected with.  After kicking with him and his brother Mark once a few years back, I had hoped to perform with him, but did not think it would happen. Five years later, he joined Remnants and it was on!

     Derek was this sort of urban legend on acoustic guitar. My good friend and brother from another mother, Marty, would tell me of him and how I should see this guy play. Finally got to see him at one of our open mic nights and woah! I was not prepared for this. I’ve seen him at Tin Fish Cafe & Pub several times and we’ve since performed at Murphy/Janisse parties.  Each time we play it gets better in a kind of natural evolution.

     Now the three of us today; I hope not to curse this before it begins, but I can barely contain my excitement.

 -Logan