Aug 182010
Hey, Gergley!
Mockcarr and I are about to form our umpteenth band together, in which we’re planning to focus on simple 60s beat music. One of the finalists for the set list is “Come On,” by Australian combo The Atlantics. I’m sure you’d be appalled that men of such exquisite taste would dare attempt to recreate something that veers so closely to the “garage” flavor. But that just begs the question: why exactly is it bad form for old geezers to play music like this? And a corollary question is: what forms of rock are okay — or decidedly not okay — for geezers to play in public?
I really want to know!
Your pal,
HVB
Well, as a garage-head, I have to say there’s nothing wrong with anybody losing themselves in the delightful world of the original punk rock….but…WHAT the FUCK is up with that guy’s hair? Comb-over? Plastic helmet? That alone makes this all wrong.
The hair is awesome! It really is almost like the Devo hair helmets.
I think it’s ok for you geezers to play this kind of music, but go all the way — white shoes, suede jackets, and over the top toupees.
I think a lot of geezer bands tend towards the Blues Brothers or the Stevie Ray Vaughn repertoire. That’s getting really tiresome.
What I think would be funny is if geezers got a band together to play whiny contemporary indie pop.
I have no problem with any old fart playing pop. Playing pop music is always a great time. But for the sake of the public, play it in private, nowhere near an audience. Nobody in their right mind wants to see a bunch of balding overweight ex-scenesters play anything that comes near the dartboard of pop. And if one does want to see it, know that he or she is in greater need of help than the players. For the sane spectator, it may be amusing for a song or two, but that’s it. Should the old farts responsible for a musical get together find themselves with a surprisingly large crowd, they should remind themselves continually that the gathered are absolutely and positively not there to hear the music. They are there to reminisce with folks they haven’t seen in quite some time. Should the players keep this in mind, mental stability will remain.
Again, no sane human being or genuine lover of pop wants to see it performed by a bunch of weathered slugs, even if the musicians muster up a brew with a surprisingly incredible sound. Great pop is about great music and interesting young looks, and ugly and/or strange looks can be interesting as long as they’re young ugly or young strange looks. Those who refuse to acknowledge that point should seek counseling.
From where I stand, the only pleasantly presentable forms of music presented by old farts are the obvious: classical, jazz both instrumental and vocal, and folk of the Peter, Paul, and Mary type, i.e. stuff that old farts listened to when it was initially released.
Go ahead and form your band, have a good time, but don’t fuck up an old fart get together by playing at 11 for 3 hours or so, making it utterly impossible for memorable reminsicing between old friends and lovers.
Hope all that helps,
E. Pluribus
As I quickly see at least one other has mentioned, there’s nothing wrong with covering this more-than-decent garage rock song, but DON’T cover anyone’s bald pate with that dead squirrel!
Let me see what others have written, and I’ll fill in what may need to be said. I have a good idea that others have already done the heavy lifting!
OK, a whole set of this stuff can be pulled off IF you’ve got a really charismatic lead singer and at least one other nut in the band. A couple of songs like this will work fine in a geezer band mixed in with something more original or personal, provided that more original and personal music doesn’t suck. (Knowing you guys I don’t think it would.)
E. Pluribus, who hasn’t stepped on stage for a good 15 years, if I’m not miskaken, makes some great, hard-hitting points that should be taken into consideration if you need to keep your perspective straight, but don’t let that bring you down. If a person’s gotta play music in public, then a person’s gotta play music in public. If he wants to catch up with old friends at the next RTH gathering, that’s excellent, but if you need to get on stage and do something you love, by all means go for it.
One more thing: this post is a funny convergence of thoughts I was having while taking a walk tonight. Townsman douqep, if he’s who I think he is, is someone I just spent some great times with. I was telling this cat about hrrundivbakshi, his studio, and his likely connection to someone who might be able to fix a cool, old guitar he picked up. My recent housemate in New Mexico, on the other hand, was telling me about some club in DC that he thought we should go down and play. Tonight I was thinking I needed to introduce these guys AND see if I could begin looking into the club that was recommended. Who knows, maybe this would be a good time for HVB, mockcarr, and our other DC-area friends to catch up on old times. You’d be invited to make the trip with us, E. Pluribus.
being a geezer myself and having recently forming a geezer cover band, i am semi qualified to comment on the cutting remarks of the contentious E Pluribus, who seems hell bent on insulting, consciously or not, anyone in his vicinity.
every 4th of July may family attends the Narberth, PA fireworks display, and every year there is a geezer cover band doing half assed versions of classic rock songs. i absolutely love it. it’s all in good fun, no one is really taking it seriously, and sometimes they really sound good. a similar type of band situation happens down on E Pluribus’ beloved eastern shore of Maryland at a bar called the Waterfront. the old geezer cover band actually gets other old geezer people up and dancing.
that said, i personally would prefer not to play in public. the band thing at this point is an alternative to joining a bowling league or masonic lodge – just a night out one or 2 nights a month. unfortunately, the only way to keep band members on their toes is to light a fire under under their ass by playing in public. fear of embarrassment is a great motivator.
i think the real problem is when classic rock bands from the 60’s reunite and go on tour – Styx, Foreigner, and yes the beloved Rolling Stones. It’s really more of a circus act than music.
i think E Pluribus needs to strap on that old guitar and start putting his money where his mouth is. i would pay decent money and possibly even catch a plane flight to witness that.
Metal can be played effectively by geezers.
They were indeed great times out West, Mr. Mod, despite the meteor trickle…let us DCers know when you are coming down.
I listened to that clip on a laptop, but is that where Deep Purple stole Space Truckin’ from?
Hey Buddy,
Just for the record, you’ve been an absolute pain in my scrawny Mick Jagger like hiny for the last 30 years or so, but once again, I’ve gotta give credit where credit is due. You made a bunch of great points. I’ll make you a deal, get up here on RTH more often, and I’ll try to do the same.
And if you do play out, let me know where or when. There are exceptions to all me knuckleheaded rules. As I stated previously, you’ve driven me out of my gourd on numerous occasions, but it it still very, very enjoyable watching you twang your rust covered heavy gauge strung Strat. Folks, the SOB hasn’t changed those strings in 30 years, a true sign of real manhood. As an aside, you should know that the Moderator is still playing with extra light strings and pick as well. You and I both know that this is not good.
The truth of the matter is that I still love playing music. I did it two weeks ago. Let me tell ya something: file Rory under “Ripley’s Believe it Or Not.” You know what I’m talking about. Playing with him was an absolute blast.
That said, I’m not backing down about the points I made regarding age.
I’d love to start playing more often in something a little more structured, but the work required dialoging with that one band asshole who refuses to turn down, refuses to stop overplaying, or refuses to learn a certain song unless the band covers a number by The Replacements. . . .God bless all of you who still have the energy to deal with all that. I definitely don’t have it in me anymore.
Whatever. It’s always good to hear from ya.
Sincerely,
E. Pluribus
I never want to see geezers play classic rock again. I’m sick of it. I like how they throw in a Nirvana song now and then to act like they’re not as old as they are, but it always seems like they think grunge was a direct descendant of The Cars. I think playing a bunch of old Nuggets type songs would be perfect. It’s not as much about look as it is about fun, and any geezer should know what fun is by now.
I hope I’m not alone in being amazed and encouraged to see the Mod’s new Off-Mesa Support actually materialize and put his vaunted, oft-touted, cowardly Off-List Supporters to shame.
EPG, that’s hitting below the belt: I’ve never been a light strings guy – I use a heavy gauge, and I use medium picks. For the record, I’ve also never worn a gray leather jacket or played a silver 1987 Strat.
There’s more Off-Mesa Support where that came from, alexmagic, but like I said, it’s my True Grit friends from southwest Colorado who will really shake this place to its foundation.
Mod, be sure to take Plurbie off the mailing list. Wouldn’t want him to miss an important episode of Chelsea Lately at 11:00.
For anyone who just wants to get some playing in, I’ve been checking local musicians-wanted listings, and there are always plenty of openings in ‘praise bands.’ I suspect there are no age restrictions. Someone should go underground and report back to the group.
EPG – just for the record, i usually break 2 or 3 strings per rehearsal as i thrash them violently with a super heavy guage pick so the rush is not an issue anymore. and my 72 strat is now my backup guitar as i purchased a brand new strat from guitar center. we are playing a benefit for cancer research in Sept so I will let you know. you may be able to see me play a note for note solo of both “Black Friday” by Steely Dan and “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd.
i still remember you doing an amazing solo on a little song called “Sperm Bank” on your Due Sonic at the Khyber and the guitar player from the Rolling Hayseeds calling you a “rock god” or something like that.
i cannot promise to post more at RTH as i am completely ignorant about rock history, etc.
buddywhelan wrote:
That’s never stopped many of our finest contributors!
Yeah, I’ve got nothing to say, but I’ll be damned if I can’t keep rephrasing it!
That Atlantics song is on the Nuggets II box, set as you doubtless know 2000 Man. Maybe if that’s the direction this takes, we’ll be called The Lumps.
geezers can get together and play ANYTHING by The Animals and have it come across just fine.
mockcarr, I remember when that Nuggets II box came out. I ordered it without knowing what was on it, and the guy at the store said they were looking at it an wondering who 2/3 of the bands on it were. I told them I didn’t know, either, but I liked the first one so much, and so few of the songs seemed from things like Storm in the Garage (on Akarma – one of the coolest things ever if you ask me) and some of my other VA comps. I remember them saying 65 bucks was a lot to go on just faith, but it’s awesome.
That Atlantics song really sounds like Space Truckin’ on my laptop speakers. It’s much different on my sort of real stereo.
Okay, I know that’s John Lenin playing rhythm, but why is Andy Kauffman playing lead? He never uses his fingerses…
I once fell headfirst into a mudhole over in the prairie across the tracks and that’s what my hair looked like too. At least that’s what I’m told.
I’d like to hear these guys rock out on Mony Mony.
I meant ‘rhythm farfisa’.