I have a pal that I met down at the swimming pool morning sessions a few years ago. I can't see him so much these days as he lives some way off. I knew that he straps a guitar on and plays the odd pub gig but nothing else really. He's very modest and self depreciating, but we were chatting when I dropped by earlier in the year and he just happened to drop into the conversation the fact that he played at Wembley! I was amazed, but apparently his band were support for Simple Minds in the 80s. Sadly it all faded out, but at least he had a good shot at it.
Anyone get anywhere with the 'originals' band thing?
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The band I'm in now are signed to management and have over 32,000 monthly spotify listeners. I don't see myself as having made it but its a good place to be in right now and I'm enjoying it. We still have loads of work to do and I'm going to try as hard as I can for the next 5-10 years. Its very hard to make it in originals bands as we all know but the most important part is I enjoy it and its going quite well.
I gotta say that as much as I miss playing music that amount I don’t mind at all that I’m not involved in “the business”
Supportact said: [my style is] probably more an accumulation of limitations and bad habits than a 'style'.
She's teaching the singer in my Kate Bush tribute at Bimm
In the eighties my originals band was turned down by all the record labels we sent tapes too, probably quite rightly in all honesty. I'm actually back in an originals band now but the only adjective is to gig festivals and sell the odd album online independently
Supportact said: [my style is] probably more an accumulation of limitations and bad habits than a 'style'.
Have played a couple of festivals though.. they were fun.
Now i'm just looking to play!
We were nothing like The Vapors and more like a rocky Eurythmics.
Industry showcases were done over the years and interest was there, particularly from EMI and producer Vic Coppersmith, but they were all looking for The Vapors and that sound again and it didn't happen.
The band split, Dave Fenton became an MU Lawyer and I went back to working in the music industry. However, he's been back on the road this year with the original Vapors minus the drummer. They sound good!
I wouldn't wish the music industry on anyone.
So no, not really.
I really wanted to be a professional musician in my 20s and there were a few close calls. Some of the musicians I worked with went on to play with famous acts. I eventually accepted that my day job offered the best future for me.
https://www.facebook.com/benswanwickguitar
* a blue burst double cut Les Paul IIRC.
Have written music for 1 feature film.
That's about it. Pretty much don't play seriously any more, too busy with other stuff. tbh don't miss it, I prefer jamming with friends more.
I don't think we'll "make it" as such, but if we can become a staple festival circuit band that will be good. It would take a hell of a lucky break to be able to pay my mortgage off it!! But I am proud of what we've achieved playing instrumental music that came out of our brains. Long may it continue.