Monday was the debut of The Insatiable Stallion Brothers Band. A 9 piece Band formerly known as Lou's Blues Review. Lou's Blues has been around for about 21 years or so playing old soul and R&B music in the Atlanta area.
The original members include Lou Vandora (Guitar, Vocals), Michael Milsap (Keyboard, Vocals), LaRue Riccio (Drums), Wally Tirado (Tenor Saxophone). The new members are: Steve Molitor (Alto & Bari Saxophone), Doug Murrey (Trombone), Ray Tanner (Trumpet), Bill Khaler (Alto & Tenor Saxophone), and myself on Bass.
So anyhoo, et's talk about the show at Nemoe's. When I got there I was a little concerned. We were in a room in the back that I wasn't sure anyone would even find. The room looked like it was gonna be loud as hell....and it was. the bad part is that being the last one there, I kind of got the scraps as far as set up space. I had to stuff my amp behind the drummer and it was a bit loud for him but I had to be able to hear it and get to it. But that is just part of the business and part of being a bass player.
So after set up I et a cocktail and hang out. JB, my boss from my day job shows up and we sat around and talk and play the gambling video games for a little bit. Eventually Steve the Marketing guy as well as my buddy Jeff show up as well. we enjoy the current round. Pretty soon it is time get it cranked up.
As we begin, Angela from work as well as Angela aka Dimples walk in at the same time and apparently they have met each other and Dimples is sitting with my work crowd. Nothing wrong with that but it is that weird 2 worlds colliding type of thing.
The crowd loved it right from the beginning. Even with the loud echoey room there was no denying the sound of the horns. Those guys are bad ass. Actually the whole band is bad ass. I am humbled everytime I play with these guys. I feel like a kid in school or something. I am pretty much in awe of all the guys in this band.
After a song or two, Joey and Tim walked in.. Followed by Skelly, Bert, Brandi and her little ones. Followed by JP and Big A, and eventually UndieTakerand Phil from work.
On the 3rd song, I think it was one of the Zuzu Bollin blues shuffles, Lou's looks at me and says, "I'm gonna have you walk one." Now usually that wouldn't be a big deal, but on this song on this night I was playing my new Electric Upright Bass. But I think I pulled it off pretty good. The crowd seemed to enjoy it.
Toward the ed of the set Sean and Ashlee walked in. I think they saw the last couple of songs of the 1st set.
On break, it was cool...... I got to introduce everyone to my friends. During the break, Krista got there and at that point my guest list was complete.
After the break, we started of the set with another round of Pass The Peas. I'm not sure that I like starting each set off with the same song. I think I would rather find a song similar to Pass The Peas and at least do a different short jam type song at the beginning of each set.
The set was great, probably needs some tweaking from my point of view because I am switching to the EUB almost every other song. I think that set has too many of the blues shuffles too close together. There are two in the first and 3rd sets, that one has like 5.
The fun part of the set was in one of the last songs...Hey Little Girl. IN the middle, Wally and the horns went out to the dance floor and played
. I went out there with them with my EUB. Even LaRue got a cymbal and walked out there. The peeps really seemed to dig that part. Check out the pick that K took of us during that part.
After the gig everyone seemed to really enjoy the show.
In all, I think the Insatiable Stallions will be a fun side project that will allow me to play music that I really love. It's also a nice outlet to play my Electric Upright Bass.
Stay Tuned for the next show...April 13th @ The Onestar Ranch, not far from the Alpharetta Wing.
ojj
