The title of this post asks the question – there’s no hidden meaning here. By “established artist/band you love” I’m not talking about your friend’s excellent band that you’ve shared a bill with or a cool “flavor of the month” band that you’ve had the honor of playing alongside, but an artist or band whose work you cut your teeth on, possibly years before you even banged out “Louie Louie” in a high school friend’s basement. The artist or band does not necessarily have to be one you idolized, but something along those lines. Any old famous band that you didn’t really care about much personally may not count. For instance, my band once shared a “spring fling” bill (and an elevator ride) with The Ramones. I like my share of Ramones music, but I never really cared about them or felt inspired by them. I have no interesting stories to tell other than the fact that I’d never previously nor since that elevator ride felt more like I was in the presence of stone-cold idiocy.
It should go without saying that your answer should inspire more than a simple “Yes” or “No” answer. How did it feel to rub elbows with a musical inspiration? Did you receive a nod of approval or, heaven forbid, a look of disdain? Did your musical inspiration invite you to drink from his/her/their bucket of fancy brews? You know what I’m saying.
Sounds corny, but opening for The Georgia Satellites back in 1994 was a VERY big deal to me.
They were a real local bar band that went from tuesday night cover gigs to MTV New Years Eve Ball(1988..I have it on videotape)and a tours with Tom Petty and ZZ Top and a #1 single (a novelty song ” Keep Your Hands To Yourself” – their other songs are much better)all in about a year. Saw them open for Skynyrd at Fulton County Stadium the day I graduated from high school in 1989.
After their big break (three top 40 Albums)they went back to being a regional band, but still a big influence for a high school kid in a bar band.
We told them at the gig we were HUGE fans, they said they were just a bunch of lucky drunks and shared a joint with us.
that’s all I got
I liked the Satellites. Aside from Dan Baird’s voice and some unfortunate 80’s production values, I thought they were pretty cool. They were never in danger of being confused with a top tier (or even second tier) band, but as a “bar band done good”, they were held their own. “Another Chance”, “Railroad Steel”, Battleship Chains” and some others whose names escape me were all solid efforts. Dan Baird solo, on the other hand, Yikes!
I saw them at Slims in SF one time and Dan and Rick Richards were playing Hiwatt amps, but something looked a little off about the amps. I got closed and saw that they had changed the logo so instead of “Hiwatt” it said “HiYa’ll. Excellent stuff…
After playing in bands for about 25 years or so, I’ve only recently gotten to play with some of my idols.
As I mentioned a few days ago, my band is opening for Richard Lloyd on Monday. That guy blows me away. If there is any justice in this world, he will check out our set, and then, as I come off stage, punch me right in the ball bag for calling my self a guitar player.
Also, there was the Magic Christian show a few months ago with Cyril Jordan, Eddie Munoz and Clem Burke.
I’d met Cyril at a Peter Case show in the late 80’s when I was living in SF. I told him that my band was playing Shake Some Action and he really seemed happy to hear it. He gave me his phone number and told me to let him know when we were playing out and he would join us onstage for SSA. The band broke up shortly thereafter (and besides that, we sucked big time) so I never called him.
About 20 years later, we opened for Magic Christian, and Cyril, and the other guys as well, were still really gracious and cool.
On the other hand, I played with Nixon’s Head a few times. Sheesh! The egos on those guys are unbelievable. Your not allowed to make eye contact with the guitar player, and the bass player reportedly demands a white leather sofa and fresh cut flowers backstage a la J Lo. What a bunch of jag offs….
cdm, Johnny Brenda’s just added us as the last-minute replacement on your bill with Richard Lloyd. If you’ve got a punch in the nutsack coming to you for your guitar playing, I hate to think what he’s got in store for me and my sausage fingers – not to mention our interview history! McMahon’s taking all solos. I may play behind a screen!
Nixon’s Head? Never heard of ’em. One copy of the Spinal Tap movie, now!
Mod, That’s awesome
We need to talk about a back line. I won’t have access to my work e-mail until Monday so e-mail me at first name.last name at yahoo
CDM – Glad to see a fellow Satellies fan here. In 1994 they were post-Dan Baird (so Rick Richards did most of the vocals – he sang Hippy Hippy Shake and Battleship Chains the two “other hits”, so they did lots of great cover songs and the 3-4 other “hits” with Rick Price singing “Keep Your Hands..” so that they could get paid (it was in the contract if they used they name they had to play all three charted singles)! Faces,Chuck Berry, Beatles, Jerry Lee Lewis,Lennons ” Cold Turkey”, Stones, The Band, Johnny Rivers, etc.
Dan’s voice is not for everyone. his last solo CD is fantastic though “Homemade Sin” with Warner Hodges from Jason & the Scorchers on guitar.
And by no means 2nd or 3rd tier, they were big locally in the south (not REM big, but Black Crowes big)
I was a big fan of the Dan Baird album that had “I Love You Period” on it. Thought it should have been a big hit, but alas…
“And by no means 2nd or 3rd tier, they were big locally in the south (not REM big, but Black Crowes big)”
Well, that is third tier.
I like the Black Crowes and all but their third tier too. Not particularly innovative or Great, just an honest, hard working band doing a respectable job bringing the Rock while standing on the shoulders of the 2nd and 1st tier bands.
I’m not trying to damn them with faint praise, I’m just trying to view them with a sense of perspective.
I got to enjoy 2 slobbering fanboy stage sharings this year:
1. Opened for the Vibrators. Knox was 65 years old, long gray hair and all, and he absolutely stomped my ass. More energy & skills than I could believe. They tour in a rented minivan, borrowing gear from their opening acts. Knox used my guitar rig. He travels with 2 guitars, a tuner, and a Rat pedal. If you get a chance to see them, do it.
2. We played with the Fluid at their reunion show here in Denver. They are an awesome live act, and terrific guys.
Someday, I hope to open a show for Nixon’s Head. It will take a lot of practice before we are worthy…