As we often do not long before a gig, The Negotiators rocked up as a band at the Gaslight Tavern last night for the regular Thursday Jam. We were first band of jammers onto stage after the 'house band', Overdrive, had played an opening set. I think there were around forty people there, and a vox pop conducted by Keith of Overdrive revealed only one person there who hadn't been there before. In other words, it was an old and loyal crew who we played to. The numbers had maybe touched 50 by the time we started, and we didn't frighten any away.
Played six songs, including one classic, two originals and three 'modern' songs. It was the first time we played two of the songs at the Gaslight, first time ever to have played one of them publicly. Response seemed good, despite what we as a band knew to be the faults of what we did. Cameraderie grows within the new outfit.
It's nice to play on other people's gear (like you do at a jam) because it's not yours to worry about. It's better to play on your own gear 'cause it's set up to produce your own sound and you are comfortable with it. So it was (as always when playing on someone else's rig without any soundcheck) a hit and miss affair in terms of mix, levels, clarity, awareness. Despite this, sounds like we came over well from front of stage.
I enjoyed getting down close to my amp and foldback and chopping some valved sounds into a fairly simple piece to provide its 'rythmic' background (freeing up the drums somewhat - which Chris enjoyed). The piece I did this with was simple to start with, harmonically I simplified it even further for my own part. There's a lesson in there somewhere.
Second last song was a cover of Living End's 'Prisoner of Society', which we enjoy playing (nothing wrong with adding a bit of punk to a set list generally dominated by classics). I looked up at one stage to see some thin chick in a Ramones Tshirt cutting loose on the dancefloor. Looked again and recognised her as Deb, someone who we've been trying to get along to see us for years. Maybe the fact she has been right into the bandscene for decades made her sceptical of a couple of friend's making up a band, maybe she's always busy, but this was the first time I've seen her at a gig. She was having a ball. Was great.
Apparently she'd been playing the pokies, and rushed out when some band had started playing one of her favorite songs. She'd got right into it, looked up, and recognised as friends several of the band members. Double whammy surprise. Nice story.
Terry was there in the audience, will be there on Saturday night when we play for real. His band is going along fine at moment with a few shows lined up. I think Terry likes the fact that he only has to rock up with his axe and amp, equipment dramas are someone else's problem. Sounds like he's got some radio contolled lights, which will reduce the electrical cabling.
Biggest surprise of the evening was seeing Loretta and her husband Peter there. I think it's great that they came out, and enjoyed themselves in one of Adelaides coolest little music hangouts (about 3/4 of the audience play or sing and get up on stage at some point of their Gaslight days), despite the fact that many people are a bit put off at first acquaintance with this basically working class pub.
That's enough rambling for the present, except to say that we've got a few dates lined up over the next few months, beyond playing this Saturday at the Gaslight...
Aug 12 Rosewater Football Club
Aug 20 Cumberland Hotel
Aug 25 Squatter's Arms Hotel
Oct 1 Cumberland Hotel
Dec 31 Cumberland Hotel
I expect there'll be more dates set as we go. I will, of course, post up posters, reviews and odd observations as we go. Hope to see you sometime!
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