A great gigging weekend, but this old fart's exhausted.

Andy

Honorary Member
Pretty much says it all. Stoked at being back on the pro stage after all these years, but, at 50, it's so much harder than I remember it to be. The long hours, the travelling, the gear humping, ack! The alcohol fuelled social side's killing me too. That networking got us some great gigs for next year, so again, mixed feelings. We headlined the annual Harley Davidson rally this weekend. I'm soooo proud of this lineup getting to this level in such a short space of time, but, to be honest, I'm a bit concerned that I'm not up to the job. I need to find a way of managing my own enthusiasm.

Anyhow, here's some great pictures.
 

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... but, to be honest, I'm a bit concerned that I'm not up to the job...

DONT YOU DARE! I'll come all the way out to Herefordshire to whup ur butt if you even think of stopping.



...

PS_ great px!!! Heard SImon Phillips is opening for you guys..
 
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The stage and your kit look fantastic. I'm almost 60 and trying to learn Led Zepplin covers wondering if I'm crazy. As a professional pilot I always envied the guys who were doing what they loved. I just did it to earn a living. But when you love what you are doing then you've made it big. I truly am happy for you and you should be proud. Now if I could just have 10 more years of playing maybe I'll have a moment as good as yours (if I don't fall off of the seat and break a hip).
 
DONT YOU DARE! I'll come all the way out to Herefordshire to whup ur butt if you even think of stopping.



...

PS_ great px!!! Heard SImon Phillips is opening for you guys..
Hahaha, no danger of that Abe, but sometimes I bite off more than I can chew. Not the playing side of things, but all the logistical, travelling, humping, & socialising, I'd just come from a heavy work week, plus trying like crazy to get my bloody experimental kit ready for the studio this Friday. Then this weekend, back to back gigs + traveling, I'm physically & mentally exhausted, really! Ah well, after next weekend, the band's taking a 2 month gigging holiday to do some writing + summer family stuff. Guess I'll recharge then.

As for Mr. Phillips, yeah right Abe, like that's ever going to happen. That would be like Vinnie opening for Meg, lol!

Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts. Going to be posting a ton of KIS crap over the next few weeks. The new kit project pictures + recordings. New Amedia Dervish review & video. New band promo recordings & video. Phew! Now I know why I'm so knackered.
 
Andy, just a simple message of support for your musical endeavours. The gig looks great!
 
DONT YOU DARE! I'll come all the way out to Herefordshire to whup ur butt if you even think of stopping.

Yep, those shots tell me that it's time to release your inner rock star, Andy. How many people in the crowd this time? And you heard what da man said - I've not heard Abe threaten anyone before so you'd better be careful!

You might even be forced to actually practice for a change :)
 
Andy, it's so cool to watch your ascent.
You are a force to be reckoned with.
 
I know how you feel Andy.
I am happy that my band is playing gigs that don't keep me out all night this summer.
We have been playing at campgrounds and the like. We finish at 10 or 11. We even do some afternoon shows.
The Jazz band is playing easy gigs too.
I'm to old to be out until 3AM.
I am getting a lot of work done around the house because I am not tired.
I like this much better.

Glad to see that you guys are doing well.
 
As an even older fart, all I can say is:

AWESOME.
 
Don't worry about the schlepping part, Andy. If I ever make it out to your neck of the woods, I'll tech your kit for you.

You might have to live with only two cymbals though. Oh, and a single bass drum pedal. Well, maybe less toms too. Hell, I'll give you a guitar - just stand up there and sing ;)
 
Thanks for all your replies guys. Here's a little clip taken by my son on my stills camera from side stage. It was taken by accident, as the camera has some weird feature that records a small video clip either side of the still. Anyhow, this one's for you Larry, Andy murdering yet another classic part (Kansas), even more heinous Larry, it's inserted into "Addicted to love" by Robert Palmer, lol!
 

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That's really cool Andy. Never stop gigging! I played a gig yesterday myself, which was really fun. I can agree that the social/alcoholic side can be tiring, especially for the bassist who crashed out in the forest, so that me and his girlfriend had to look for him.
 
Hi
Understand...at 57 I'm working a full time job, working with 2 bands have 10 students and also do some fill in work. I do about 40 gigs a year. My secret is naps before gigs,no drinking no drugs and specific gear ready to go for each band! Back to back weekend gigs at hard! Good luck and have fun! Denis
 
Thanks again guys, what a day. Abe coming to beat the crap out of me, Bo teching my kit (& no doubt taking the opportunity to "help me out" by taking some stuff from my kit), Polly kindly adding to my workload by suggesting I actually start practicing (she's right, of curse, dammit!), & a wall of support from everyone else. Thank you!

There was never a thought of giving up playing (shivers), just a dawning of realisation that I'm taking on too much, & the old body just can't take what it used to (nor can it perform on the instrument anything like it used to). I need to pace myself better, & learn to spread the load out a little.
 
Andy, even just 10 minutes on the pad a day makes a difference!

Yes, playing after work is very tiring at this age. When I was young it wasn't even an issue. You just did it, had some fun afterwards, and rocked up to work with 4 hours' sleep. After an initial hazy 1/2 hour I'd be fine. Now the aftereffects last for days.

That's something I love about my band - we're better for daytime or over dinner/drinks - and some of the group are too busy to play many gigs. I also enjoy being freed from the tyranny of the dance floor, which was never really "me" (I've never been much keen on dancing).

There's still a part of me that feels jealous and would love to play the big gigs you play (never mind Bermuda's whopper gigs) but these days it's a very small part of me :)
 
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