Looking Back – Part 1

Last weekend was one of the most intense I’ve had for I while. It started with a 200 mile drive from Derby To Abersoch.

When I walked into the venue I had a bad feeling about the gig (expected the room we were to play in to be a lot bigger). Then I met the guys from the band I was to play with – Street Level – and felt a bit better about it 🙂 .

It turns out that they were expecting a bigger place as well. However being a Yacht Club it was split into many levels looking out over the cliff. We knew we’d just have to deal with it and see what happened (but it turned out okay – so don’t worry :P.)

We had a support band on before us called "Bleed The Skyline". Now I consider myself a young musician but when I was chatting to the band after and I felt myself saying "when I was your age" it felt weird. The guys were all about 17 and covered songs from Green Day, Blink 182 and I think they did some of The Who’s stuff (I was changing at that point) and a few of their own original material.

I have to say how good they were. I think most musicians who gig around the country would agree at how tiring it gets having to listen to crap Rock Bands. There are so many about. Unbalanced, tone def and what they lack in talent they make up in volume. Bleed The Skyline were a great band. Balanced, tight and musical. They put on an ace show and I hope they keep it going.

Well then came our turn.

I always measure gigs on how much fun I have and I had a blast on this one. From my side I was a little low in my monitor and once it kicked off I was relying on the vibrations I could feel resonatin from the trumpet. (That’s something useful to learn from though – always be nice and loud in your monitor mix). That of course left me working a little harder thatn I think I needed but the band, audience (and my supporters; Bleed The Skyline) said how great we all sounded. In fact the audience who chatted with me at the end couldn’t believe I was a dep.

It’s pretty interesting how other people perceive your gig performance. Either way I had an ace night and the audience really enjoyed us.

My only regret is not being able to chill out with the bands at the end but as we finished packing down at 1 and I needed to set off at 5am to drive to Telford (for a gig that started at 8am) I needed sleep.

… continued tomorrow.