Well, we’re just hours from our 10 p.m. debut of Betamaxx, our mashup of 80s pop and modern metal. Donna Jean’s Libations, 67th Avenue and Bell Road on Glendale! $3
Hung Dynasty follows.
Archive for the ‘Playing Live’ Category
First Gig with Another New Band
Friday, April 2nd, 2010Tags: Betamaxx, Donna Jean's Libations, Hung Dynasty
Posted in About the Band, Playing Live | No Comments »
Luminatus First Gig a Solid Success
Monday, January 4th, 2010
Holly and me at the first-eve Luminatus gig. Photo by Teri!
So I got through my first gig with Luminatus unscathed - mentally and physically. We played some Nightwish covers, along with one from The Gathering. I had a few spots where I just got caught in the groove and wound up being a touch slow in the chord changes. Everyone stayed together, even when there were the inevitable little rough spots.
Plow through - that’s always the main thing. Keep the train on the tracks and just get through the rough patch. When it doubt, lock onto the drummer. That’s really who’s in charge of every rock band.
It was actually the first-ever live show for Nicolas, the bassist. There’s nothing quite like that. I think that deserves a post of its own.
But I’m lazy from Hung Dynasty practice, and from putting together the outlines for a lesson in soloing using the pentatonic scale. More on what it’s like to play your first gig later!
Tags: female-fronted metal, first gig, Luminatus, Nicolas the Bassist, Nightwish, The Gathering
Posted in Playing Live, female-fronted metal | 1 Comment »
Tribute to the Gods Recap
Monday, December 14th, 2009We had kind of an unusual show Friday night - it was a night of all cover tunes as part of the Tribute to the Gods II show. Well, we snuck two originals into the mix.
It was also our first time playing that venue (Goathead Saloon in Mesa). It was a really good sound system, which is always a plus. Pretty nicely kept up, and a very friendly staff. We really liked playing there - Lara, the promoter, also did a nice job. Good bands, good venue and the trains ran on time. That’s always good!
As for the covers … well, we kind of had to rush to get enough covers ready for a full set that would all fit together. That made for some less-than-precise execution on our part. Sometimes, that’s kind of unavoidable when you’re low on rehearsal time and you need to fill space. On the other hand, we barged our way through the early hiccups and finished very solid. And I think we were pretty entertaining. One thing Hung Dynasty has in spades is a very solid chemistry and a shared enjoyment for the music we play. I am convinced that shows onstage.
And here’s a special salute to the guys from AZ/DZ, Arizona’s AC/DC tribute band: They were all sorts of fun. See ‘em when you get a chance!
Tags: AZ/DZ, Goathead Saloon, Hung Dynasty, Lara Gladstone, Tribute to the Gods
Posted in About the Band, Playing Live | No Comments »
A Musical Pet Peeve
Friday, December 4th, 2009I have this really funny musical pet peeve. When I’m at a gig and I see other guitarists who don’t trim the ends of their strings, it drive me crazy. There’s something about a frazzle of metallic spaghetti whipping around a guitar’s headstock that screams “I AM A BUSH-LEAGUE AMATEUR” to me.
I’m not one of those guys who breaks into tears if his guitar gets dirty. I’ve pumped enough of my own sweat over my guitars to double the size of the Dead Sea. I’ve had unruly music fans knock mic stands into my guitars. That’s all okay. But there’s nothing worse than seeing careless maintenance.
That’s because if you’re sloppy in your maintenance, you’re probably sloppy about your playing. And it probably means that you don’t really love the instrument. I absolutely love playing the guitar, and getting to do it in front of audiences. They deserve better than indifference if they’re paying a cover, or even just wandering in for free to spend some time watching me play.
So, do the right thing: When you change your strings, clip the unneeded lengths. You might think you might look punk, but really, you just look like a punk. See the difference?
Tags: changing guitar strings
Posted in Gear, Playing Live | 1 Comment »
We’re Paying Tribute to the Gods!
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009Next weekend, Hung Dynasty is going to be up to something unusual - we’re pitching in to hail the hairy heros we grew up with at the Tribute to the Gods II show. We’ve put together a full set of covers from our musical influences - Judas Prist, Metallica, Black Sabbath and the like.
I’m really looking forward to hearing the other bands, too - especially Anthem,the Rush tribute band. I’m pretty certain they have a practice space in our building, because I often hear a really solid bunch of Rush covers in the hallways. AZ/DZ, the AC/DC tribute, should also be a lot of fun. It’ll also be cool to hear what Axe Attack sounds like.
We’ve never done an all-cover set before, so this will be pretty unusual for us. But fun. I will miss our usual tunes, though. We wrote that stuff for a reason - ’cause we love it!
Anyway, the show’s at Goathead Saloon, 1423 S. Country Club in Mesa, on Dec. 11. $10! We’re on third. The doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10!
Tags: Anthem Rush Tribute, Axe Attack, AZ/DZ, Goathead Saloon, Hung Dynasty, Tribute Bands, Tribute to the Gods II
Posted in About the Band, Playing Live | No Comments »
A New Band Member for Hung Dynasty
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009There’s something I alluded to in that earlier video post - but let me spell it out for you now:
Hung Dynasty has a new bassist. And it is none other than Chris Burns, who is a longtime fan, fill-in bassist and general mensch. I am certain he is the final piece of our Hung Dynasty puzzle. He is bursting with songwriting ideas, and has a wheelbarrow full of rock enthusiasm. His rig also sounds amazing, which is a huge plus.
I’m hoping we can help revive Chris’ own band, Dorks in Space, for a few gigs, too. His wife was in the band with him, and it would be a shame to leave her out of the fun.
Chris has already brought us a tune that is 90 percent there. We just need to put our heads together to tighten the bolts. It’s very classic metal, and shows he’s been listening to a lot of Judas Priest lately - though the lyrics remind me more of Rage for Order-era Queensryche. Which is a damn fine thing, in my opinion.
Anyway, be sure to welcome Chris the next time you see Hung Dynasty!
Tags: Hung Dynasty, new bassist
Posted in About the Band, Playing Live | 2 Comments »
Saturday night, see the shape of things to come.
Thursday, November 12th, 2009Tags: final member, free show, Hung Dynasty, Mesa, Smokey's bar and grill
Posted in About the Band, Playing Live | No Comments »
One Thing to Remember if You’re Joining a Band
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009I know I make being in a band sound like a lot of fun. There’s a lot of banter, a lot of great incidents, some fun songs to play.
But there’s something important you need to know if you’re thinking of starting a band or joining one: You need to make sure your goals align with those of your bandmates. If you’re committed to playing your instrument to the best of your abilities, make sure your bandmates are the same. If you are trying to be Joe Satriani, don’t get in a band with cats who want to be The Ramones.
Likewise, if you’re content to be sloppy but fun, you’d better not hook up with a drummer who worships at Neil Peart’s altar.
And here’s something else: If you try it, and you just never feel right in the situation or it stops being fun, there’s no shame in saying “Guys, this is the wrong band for me.” If you’re not having fun, your bandmates won’t either. So don’t prolong it, and don’t do yourself a disservice by doing something you’re not loving.
Tags: advice for bands, join the right band
Posted in Playing Live, creativity | No Comments »
Boston - A Real Music Town
Saturday, October 10th, 2009Having recently spent three days near Fenway Park, I’ve discovered that Boston seems to be a real music town. The Berklee College of Music obviously provides a wealth of well-trained musicians out there, and its roster of grads speaks for itself. That makes for a thriving local music scene.
According to my buddy Kit Holliday, a local singer, the venues by-and-large treat the local acts well. There also seems to be a genuine appreciation for music there. If you live in or visit Boston, you should be so lucky as to hear Kit sing live. I’ve only heard recordings, but I would’ve loved to see her live. Maybe next time!
And unlike Phoenix, there is a thriving music retail scene. It ain’t just Guitar Center.
Last note for now: The Guitar Lessons for Art series will soon resume!
Tags: Berklee, Boston, Kit Holliday, local music
Posted in Music I Like, Playing Live, creativity | No Comments »
Leather, Turkish Prisons, Hung Dynasty Thongs
Saturday, October 3rd, 2009So before last night’s gig, Todd says -from out of nowhere-
“Hey, have you ever worked with leather?”
That took me a little by surprise.
“What are you going to ask me next?” I replied. “If I’ve ever been in a Turkish prison?”
Aside from that, it was a pretty good gig. Donna Jean’s and its crowd was at its best. We showed them the rock ‘n’ roll love, and they showed it right back. And the staff of Donna Jean’s thinks we should make Hung Dynasty thongs and g-strings. How ’bout them apples?
Tags: Donna Jean's Libations, funny things Todd says, Hung Dynasty Thongs, Leather, Turkish Prisons
Posted in Playing Live | No Comments »
