The Audition & A Different Democracy...

So the audition went better than I had hoped. First off we warmed up and played the tunes I had learned, they seemed really impressed at the effort I had put in to be a part of their band which was my aim. So that went down well. Next up I sat down while they played me some of their new material, and I've got to say some of it is incredible. Obviously the songs are still a little rough around the edges but there's definitely great potential there.

After practice I went along to watch them play a short gig, which was really cool to see. They got a really good reception from the people watching, I was so pumped seeing it. Wished I was up there, but hopefully I will be one day soon.

The next step now is that Scott is going to email me some rough recordings of the new stuff for me to work on, so that the next time we jam we can play through them together and maybe tweak them a bit. I feel pretty honoured that they want to hear my ideas for them even though I know it is sort of a test to see if I have what it takes to be in their band. I'm pretty sure that I do so I can't wait to get started.

In other news I acquired the new Guns N' Roses album today. Fifteen years in the making, but I have to say it is, in general, outstanding. I've listened to it 5 times in a row and it keeps getting better. Check it out.

Axl you are my hero again.

Set Phasers To Stun - It's rehearsal time

So my meet with the band last week went very well. They were really nice guys, and seemed to share my passion for music (sounds obvious given they have a successful band, but I get the impression a lot of bands coming out these days care more for the image and status their music provides them with rather than the music itself). The next stage of the audition process is going to happen on Thursday evening, and comes in the form of a three hour practice session with the full band.

I am unsure what it is going to be like: when I met Scott and Jamie last week they said they hoped to have a few guitarists there depending on how the other interviews went. I'm not sure whether I would actually prefer that or not, as while I would love it if there were no other candidates at present, three hours is a long time to be in the spotlight. Still, I have great confidence in my ability and if I don't get into the band in the end, it's not going to be down to a lack of musical skill. I'm just going to go in there and give my best.



This week I made a purchase; a Marshall JCM900 extension cabinet. I seriously cannot believe the difference a speaker change has made to my sound. The low end rumbles along, and the sparkly clean tone I can get out of it is beautiful. I am looking forward to playing live with this, and it will sound even better once I purchase a Marshall head to power it rather than my Behringer 2x12.

Right now I have to go and make myself some food before I go to work. I am hoping that in 12 to 18 months I will be able to call music my full time job and I will never have to waste away in a part time job I hate again... That is my ultimate goal; to make music not only my passion but my livelihood. And I'm getting there, one baby step at a time.

A New Transmission

So today I get to meet the guys from Seneka.

To say I'm pretty nervous would be an understatement, as this is a band with management & representation who are well established on the Scottish music scene and whose music I really love. Tonight I'm meeting them for a couple of drinks and to discuss me potentially joining the band. Having never done anything like this before I'm unsure what to expect, but this could be a really big break for me.

I took quite a lot of time deciding what I should wear as image is very important for a band with ambitions of radio and television coverage. Hopefully I've got my look right. I've recorded myself playing over three of my favourite tracks of theirs and I think they sound really good - I will be taking them each a copy to have a listen to. I think this will help me make the right impression and show that I am really keen to help them progress as a band, whilst also showcasing my playing ability.

I've got about two hours now before I have to leave the house and I'm pretty much shitting it. I'm fairly confident this will go well but if I wasn't nervous there would be something wrong with me. This meeting tonight could take me a giant step closer to my dream of making a living from playing music, and I really don't want to screw it up as you don't get many opportunities like this one.

Wish me luck, I will update this tomorrow with how it went.

First Post - My Rock 'N Roll Resume

Ok so I've started my first ever real blog... weird. A little bit about me to kick off I think...

I began playing the electric guitar in December 2001, on my 15th birthday. I immediately fell in love with playing music and writing my own soon followed. The first band I was in were called Forged and although we only ever played one gig, it was definitely an experience which stayed with me and a feeling I will never forget. After many years of practice but no gigging due to a complete lack of a singer, Forged disbanded in 2005 as the members all went their separate ways to follow careers in such far flung places as Bristol and Japan.

After this I was a bit disheartened with music and knuckled down to a few years of hard work for a well known British retail company. During this time I met some amazing people and got to experience some brilliant things which I would never have done otherwise. This spring I went through a really bad experience with a member of the opposite sex who will remain unnamed, and I found some comfort in my guitar playing again. This inspired me to pick up music again and to pursue it as a career, and after a few months of hedonism and debauchery in Magalluf I was ready to start travelling the long road towards my dream of being a pro musician.

This blog will detail every step of my journey, the good, the bad and the most definitely ugly side of trying to get a job within the music industry. I would literally sleep with a rhinoceros to fulfil my dream of playing in a signed band, horns and all.

It's going to be an interesting ride, strap in.