Bass Guitarist Wanted in Lynesack And Softley
John_Williams
Lynesack And Softley, County Durham
46-55 yr old Male
Standard:Professional
My Genres:
Hard Rock
Rock
Pop
Soft Rock
Heavy metal
I play:
Lead Guitar
Lead Vocals
I'm looking for people who play:
Bass Guitar
Drums
Backing Vocals
Keyboards
About me: Lead guitarist/vocalist looking to join or help form a quality covers band.
I’ve been gigging for years at a semi-professional level, playing pubs, weddings and festivals in everything from three-piece rock bands to larger line-ups with female vocalists and five-piece bands. I’m happy playing lead or rhythm guitar (although I do like there to be opportunities to stretch my legs now and again!) and can also contribute lead and backing vocals.
Musically I’m rooted in rock, with influences including Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Extreme, Queen, Satriani, Andy Timmons, Mr Big, Those Damn Crows, King King, Shinedown, Skin and Metallica etc. I use an amp modeller, so getting a consistent sound through a PA is simple and reliable.
More than anything, I’m looking for musicians who enjoy creating something a little different. My philosophy has always been simple: play for the audience, not ourselves. The best gigs I’ve ever played have been the ones where the dancefloor stayed packed all night and the venue wanted “just one more”... and then another.... and then another.... lol
I love the idea of a covers band where every song is a dancer and every song is instantly recognisable, but without relying on the same songs every other band plays. Everyone plays Summer of ‘69, but hardly anyone plays Somebody. Why not Breakthru or A Kind of Magic instead of the obvious Queen choices? Why not Runaway instead of Living on a Prayer? There are loads of fantastic songs that audiences know but rarely hear live. I’d even love to tackle songs people normally avoid because they rely on keyboards or brass. Imagine Van Halen playing ABBA and other 80s pop classics. Big guitars, clever arrangements and songs people weren’t expecting to hear.
One of the biggest compliments my previous three-piece band ever received came from someone in the audience who was convinced we were playing to backing tracks. We weren’t. We just spent a lot of time thinking about arrangements. Rather than everyone staying in their own lane, we treated every song like a production. I’d often weave piano, keyboard or string hooks into my rhythm playing, or cover iconic synth parts on guitar where it worked. When I stepped out for a solo, the bass would open up into bigger chordal parts rather than simply staying on single notes, before dropping back to driving root notes when the song needed more punch. The drummer approached songs in exactly the same way, filling the space where needed and dropping back with the bass. Every part had a purpose. The result was a three-piece that sounded far bigger than the number of people on stage.
That’s the sort of band I’d love to be part of again. A band where everyone thinks about serving the song rather than just playing their own instrument.
I’m easy-going, reliable and completely ego-free, but I do believe everyone should put the work in. I spend plenty of time practising at home, so I’d expect everyone else to know their parts before rehearsal. Rehearsals should be about making a decent racket together, refining arrangements and having a laugh, not teaching people songs from scratch.
I’m based near Barnard Castle and happy to travel around an hour for the right project. Initially I’m happy to get together, enjoy playing and see where it leads. Whether that’s a quality pub/function band, a bluesy/rock four-piece in the style of King King, or something bigger with keys and brass, I’m open-minded if the chemistry is right.
If you’re the sort of musician who enjoys making songs sound bigger, fresher and more exciting than people expect, I’d love to hear from you.
I’ve been gigging for years at a semi-professional level, playing pubs, weddings and festivals in everything from three-piece rock bands to larger line-ups with female vocalists and five-piece bands. I’m happy playing lead or rhythm guitar (although I do like there to be opportunities to stretch my legs now and again!) and can also contribute lead and backing vocals.
Musically I’m rooted in rock, with influences including Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Extreme, Queen, Satriani, Andy Timmons, Mr Big, Those Damn Crows, King King, Shinedown, Skin and Metallica etc. I use an amp modeller, so getting a consistent sound through a PA is simple and reliable.
More than anything, I’m looking for musicians who enjoy creating something a little different. My philosophy has always been simple: play for the audience, not ourselves. The best gigs I’ve ever played have been the ones where the dancefloor stayed packed all night and the venue wanted “just one more”... and then another.... and then another.... lol
I love the idea of a covers band where every song is a dancer and every song is instantly recognisable, but without relying on the same songs every other band plays. Everyone plays Summer of ‘69, but hardly anyone plays Somebody. Why not Breakthru or A Kind of Magic instead of the obvious Queen choices? Why not Runaway instead of Living on a Prayer? There are loads of fantastic songs that audiences know but rarely hear live. I’d even love to tackle songs people normally avoid because they rely on keyboards or brass. Imagine Van Halen playing ABBA and other 80s pop classics. Big guitars, clever arrangements and songs people weren’t expecting to hear.
One of the biggest compliments my previous three-piece band ever received came from someone in the audience who was convinced we were playing to backing tracks. We weren’t. We just spent a lot of time thinking about arrangements. Rather than everyone staying in their own lane, we treated every song like a production. I’d often weave piano, keyboard or string hooks into my rhythm playing, or cover iconic synth parts on guitar where it worked. When I stepped out for a solo, the bass would open up into bigger chordal parts rather than simply staying on single notes, before dropping back to driving root notes when the song needed more punch. The drummer approached songs in exactly the same way, filling the space where needed and dropping back with the bass. Every part had a purpose. The result was a three-piece that sounded far bigger than the number of people on stage.
That’s the sort of band I’d love to be part of again. A band where everyone thinks about serving the song rather than just playing their own instrument.
I’m easy-going, reliable and completely ego-free, but I do believe everyone should put the work in. I spend plenty of time practising at home, so I’d expect everyone else to know their parts before rehearsal. Rehearsals should be about making a decent racket together, refining arrangements and having a laugh, not teaching people songs from scratch.
I’m based near Barnard Castle and happy to travel around an hour for the right project. Initially I’m happy to get together, enjoy playing and see where it leads. Whether that’s a quality pub/function band, a bluesy/rock four-piece in the style of King King, or something bigger with keys and brass, I’m open-minded if the chemistry is right.
If you’re the sort of musician who enjoys making songs sound bigger, fresher and more exciting than people expect, I’d love to hear from you.