Recently after exiting a sweaty stage in a packed New Cross venue erupting with cheers, this bloke starts chatting to me. Well, not so much chatting. Lecturing. Telling me off. Why? Because I "move too much on stage"! You've gotta hear this.
To quote: "People want to see you play, not move about". "You're like a 12 year old kid with untreated attention deficit". "You have chops but moving about distracts from it." Man this guy was furious at me. He was actually offended. That I move on stage! Bearing in mind it's a rock venue and I was depping in a pop punk band.
Was I upset? Anything but, honey. I was OVER THE MOON!! Listen.
Like, seriously, to deeply anger someone just by being me, just by performing on stage, has thrilled me! It's an actual rite of passage I've craved. I'm not outrageous or crassly provocative; I was enough for this bloke as I am!
I was talking to friends yesterday about how some punk groups in the 70s and 80s went all out to shock and offend. They were on a mission to provoke, outrage, and disgust - and obviously did so, but amongst lots of mere rolling eyes.
But! How there's Queen. KISS. Bowie. U2. Collins. ABBA. Wham. Foo Fighters. Just making harmless music and putting on fun shows - no intention to upset anyone. Yet weirdly, they strike nerves FAR more intensely for just that than any shock tactic can achieve.
For instance Little Richard boldly sent people into a much more furious frenzy than "AxCx" could ever dream of. But crucially, the right people.
On one hand I do have feelings and a sensitive soul that's easily wounded. But this guy getting this angry over... performing on stage? In that case I don't want him to like me! 😅
And you know the funniest bit? On stage that night, I was holding back! HOLDING BACK! (I wrote that in a George Costanza voice, by the way.)
Oh yeah, the climax of the story. This bloke advises, "You need to check out this band called the Faces." To me. Tom Monks. I hate name-droppers but desired an exit to the Pelton so reluctantly unleashed the perfect trump card for this bloke - I toured with Kenney Jones. With a band who not only encouraged me to move a lot, but instructed me to utterly ramp it up!
He nervously started gushing, smiling, stuttering, and swiftly wrapped up the conversation just in time for the next 177. Oh, people.
Anyway the first full band session is on Thursday and I'm so excited. This may be gig ready soon? With my album to boot. I'll let ya know when, maybe bring a traditionalist and watch them turn red I'd love that x
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