Reunion Blues Backstage Banter » Reunion Blues http://www.reunionblues.com/blog The Reunion Blues Blog Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:22:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 The Beginning… http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/10/the-beginning-gabriel-gonzalez-no-doubt/ http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/10/the-beginning-gabriel-gonzalez-no-doubt/#comments Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:11:32 +0000 Tim http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/?p=3003 Editors Note: This is a guest post from “Gabriel The Gun”.

 

The year was 1985, the place was Loara High School behind the Orange Curtain in Anaheim California. It was a very exciting time for us outcasts of sunny Southern California. Punks, Mods, Skinheads (non-racist kind) and Rock-A-Billies roamed among tourists from far off elusive lands all to get a glimpse of the over-grown mouse on steroids over there at Disney Land … D-Land, as we liked to call it.

 

It was a melting pot of ideas and sounds that were cooking in Anaheim that year, and myself and a small group of like minded cats were about to start something new. A group of us “band geeks” that played in the marching band, who all happened to be into the Mod and Ska scene that hit the West Coast in the late 70ʼs and early 80ʼs decided to form a Ska band. The name of this early trendsetting Ska group was Applecore. Yeah I know, kinda lame. But after a number of performances at our school, other schools and a church, and after some personnel changes and additions … we voted on a name change, the winning name was No Doubt.

Thus a new era was to begin for us “band geeks” on that beautiful sunny So-Cal day. We started to play covers at every party we could, mainly in and around Orange County. From these parties, word got around concerning this new band of ours and the cute little blonde that fronted the band who would instigate the craziest mosh pits you would ever see. Yes, a Ska band playing music with the biggest mosh pits you could imagine, and creating cloud storms that could be seen from space! The parties started to get out of control, and no home could contain the crowds that would accompany the soon to be legendary band from Anaheim.

 

Next was Hollywood, and there was no stopping us at that point. Within no time, we owned Los Angeles. Every club and “hotspot” in LA wanted to have No Doubt on their stage, and we weren’t complaining. With our new found stardom, there came a desire to have killer gear and the right look, and letʼs face it … we needed to look cool, and walking around town with my ax in a traditional Trumpet case just wasn’t very cool looking.

 

I had started playing Trumpet in the 7th grade. By the time I started to attend high school, my wonderful mother had bought me a Bach Trumpet, which is the brand I still play, and am endorsed by today. I needed to transport that ax in style! I knew a Reunion Blues rep, who happened to have a brand new RB leather gig bag with him. He pulled that thing out of the box, the smell of freshly dyed leather and a look of class … man, I was sold! Needless to say, not only did that RB bag make me look good, but it was also a pivotal moment in my professional career as a Trumpet player … it was the first time, that I had felt as if I had finally made it! My first “gig bag”, are you kidding … I walked around like I owned the joint!

 

That was 25 years ago, I still have that same gig bag. The new leather smell is no longer present, but that bag is sexy as ever. Weathered with age and sublime … if that gig bag could talk, the stories would be worthy of an Oscar winning film. Trumpets come and go, but that same RB gig bag has been with me for years, and I have never had a problem with it … BUILT TO LAST BABY!

 

So the rest is history, concerning the band I co-founded. I am very proud of them, and the sound that I helped develop. Both will be around for a long time … and so will that Reunion Blues gig bag I bought 25 years ago. My oldest son plays the Trumpet, and he will soon have that gig bag that has protected my weapon of choice for so many years. I wonder … what stories of his, will that bag tell … if it could talk …

]]> http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/10/the-beginning-gabriel-gonzalez-no-doubt/feed/ 4 Justin Meldal-Johnson & Reunion Blues Gig Bags Unite http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/10/justin-meldal-johnson-reunion-blues-gig-bags-unite/ http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/10/justin-meldal-johnson-reunion-blues-gig-bags-unite/#comments Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:16:42 +0000 Tim http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/?p=2980 If you’ve heard any popular rock/pop music for the past decade then you’ve probably heard Justin Meldal-Johnson. This session bassist, producer and songwriter has worked with Beck, Garbage, The Mars Volta, Courtney Love, Ladytron, The Foo Fighters and Nine Inch Nails. Today marks the release of “Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming” from the French band M83 which he co-wrote and produced.

Reunion Blues is proud to have him as part of the family and even more proud that he uses our gig bags to protect his instruments.

Check out Justin Meldal-Johnsons artist page here.

 

]]> http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/10/justin-meldal-johnson-reunion-blues-gig-bags-unite/feed/ 0 Reunion Blues Signs Buddy Guy as Artist Endorser http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/10/reunion-blues-signs-buddy-guy-as-artist-endorser/ http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/10/reunion-blues-signs-buddy-guy-as-artist-endorser/#comments Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:18:36 +0000 Tim http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/?p=2908 Thats right folks. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and legendary blues guitarist, Buddy Guy, is now an official artist endorser of Reunion Blues bags and cases. This five time Grammy winner is one of the chief guitar influences to rock icons like Hendrix, Clapton, Beck and Vaughan. At the age of 72, he appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone as part of the magazine’s 100 Greatest Guitar Songs package. And now he proudly protects his guitars with Reunion Blues gig bags and cases.

Click here for Buddy Guy’s bio page with videos!

John Maher (Marketing Dir.) & Buddy Guy with his Reunion Blue Guitar Bag

]]> http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/10/reunion-blues-signs-buddy-guy-as-artist-endorser/feed/ 0 Songwriter’s Lament (Where is the Muse?) http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/10/songwriters-lament-where-is-the-muse/ http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/10/songwriters-lament-where-is-the-muse/#comments Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:59:22 +0000 Jay Lewallen http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/?p=2859 Where is the muse

To light the fuse

Something to use

To enjoy the views

Find the colors and hues

‘Cause if you have the clues

You cannot lose

Don’t forget to amuse

And bring on the woo hoo’s!

Without relying on booze

How do you find the muse?

]]> http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/10/songwriters-lament-where-is-the-muse/feed/ 0 Welcome Famous Blues Guitarist Ric Hall to the Family http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/10/welcome-famous-blues-guitarist-ric-hall-to-the-family/ http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/10/welcome-famous-blues-guitarist-ric-hall-to-the-family/#comments Mon, 03 Oct 2011 23:30:26 +0000 Tim http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/?p=2850 Join Reunion Blues in welcoming one of the best musician’s to come out of Chicago, Ric Hall, to our artist endorser family. He currently tours and performs all over the world with Buddy Guy and has performed in the past with BB King, Albert King, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Carlos Santana, Jeff Beck and many more.

As a constant traveling musician, Ric Hall relies on one gig bag to see him through and Reunion Blues fits that bill. Now we are proud to have him apart of the family. Check out Ric Hall’s Reunion Blues Artist Page Here!

]]> http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/10/welcome-famous-blues-guitarist-ric-hall-to-the-family/feed/ 0 Is This Video Game the Future of Learning to Play Guitar? http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/09/future-of-learning-to-play-video-game/ http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/09/future-of-learning-to-play-video-game/#comments Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:04:47 +0000 Tim http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/?p=2823 Today during lunch I did what most people doing during their lunch break, wander aimlessly around the internet. I happend to wander across a slideshow of the supposed hottest video games of the Fall. As I was looking for new games to put on my holiday shopping list I came upon a new game called Rocksmith.

At first glance I was like, “Oh great another Guitar Hero…” As I looked a little closer though, I saw the gamer was actually playing a real guitar. I had to know more!

Is this the future of learning to play an instrument? For people like me, a hobby guitar player at best, this is perfect. I get to play famous songs all the way through on a real instrument and it’ll increase my difficulty as I learn. Jackpot! However, as the way I am with most things, I have to play devils advocate. A concern of mine and something I hope the game will address in the future, is how is it going to teach creativity and imagination that make good guitar players great? We can all agree that running off the tracks a little can get the creative juices flowing but this game is teaching kids to stay completely on the tracks.

One thing is for certain, this game has a chance to be a game changer (no pun intended :) ) and regardless of what the answers are to my previous questions I am for anything that will put a real instrument in the hands of more kids.

]]> http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/09/future-of-learning-to-play-video-game/feed/ 1 Winner! – Reunion Blues/Fender® GearUp Spread-the-Word Sweeps http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/09/reunion-blues-fender-gearup-spread-the-word-sweeps/ http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/09/reunion-blues-fender-gearup-spread-the-word-sweeps/#comments Tue, 20 Sep 2011 20:25:11 +0000 Tim http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/?p=2817 The time has finally come ladies and gentleman. The crazy ride that was the Reunion Blues/Fender® GearUp Spread-the-Word Sweeps is officially over and we present to you the winner:

The winner will receive the following:

RB Continental Guitar Case
Reunion Blues Merino Wool Guitar Strap
Fender® ’65 Deluxe Twin Rever Amplifier
Fender® Custom Shop Stratocaster®

Thanks to everyone who participated and stay tuned to us because we’ve got more coming your way.

]]> http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/09/reunion-blues-fender-gearup-spread-the-word-sweeps/feed/ 0 Ricky Skaggs Talks About “Country Hits: Bluegrass Style” http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/09/ricky-skaggs-talks-about-country-hits-bluegrass-style/ http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/09/ricky-skaggs-talks-about-country-hits-bluegrass-style/#comments Wed, 14 Sep 2011 22:35:06 +0000 Tim http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/?p=2790 Ricky recently did an interview with the Nashville Country Club explaining his reasons for the release and has a message for young musicians out there. For someone who’s been in the business almost his whole life I would consider any advice he gives to be golden. Be sure to check out is artist page on the Reunion Blues website.

His album is available from Skaggs Family Records

]]> http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/09/ricky-skaggs-talks-about-country-hits-bluegrass-style/feed/ 0 Are you “Cool to Hang”? http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/08/bass-musician-cool-to-hang/ http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/08/bass-musician-cool-to-hang/#comments Thu, 18 Aug 2011 19:02:38 +0000 Brian http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/?p=2695 Being a bass musician leaves me with a lot of options meaning I have the freedom to pick my musical projects unlike those pesky guitarists :) I had an epiphany at a small open mic gig regarding a statement my old mentor said to me, “You may have to choose between the most shredding cat in town and the cat that’s good enough. If you find yourself in this situation make sure you grab the cat that you can throw back a brew with. The cat that’s cool to hang.”

Pictured: Cat that's cool to hang

I’ve had the opportunity to involve myself in a few different musical ventures in my short time playing and always thought about that nifty saying, “Cool to Hang”. But it never really hit home with me until my current group I have been playing with for the past few weeks. I realized our chemistry is outstanding. We can laugh and poke fun at each other without worrying about someone taking offense. We have fun while practicing but don’t lose sight of our goals and are always making progress.

Back to the open mic gig; while playing I was wedged behind the vocals and guitars, between amps and next to the drums (like I said, I’m a bass player :) ) I was getting super bad sound and I only had myself and the drums to play from (standard small gig woes I guess). So, I found myself standing there (with a cajon nearby that I had to make sure I didn’t turn into a Steve Harris-esque foot stand and believe me I oh so wanted to) trying to remain upright and not look too uncomfortable. Then my drummer throws in a tasty little fill that I hadn’t heard before. With a quizzical look I glance over and the dude is grinning at me and winks! I chuckle and almost trip over a tambourine as I realize that he knows I can’t hear anyone else and was playfully trying to throw me.

That’s when it hit me. No other band I’d ever played with has been like this one. Everyone truly is ‘cool to hang’. It all makes sense. We’re not trying to live the dream. We all have day jobs. We all consider ourselves lucky to be playing out when we can and we enjoy our therapy practice sessions. It’s a release from the rigors of the grind, a way to take a step out from the stress of everyday life and breath some fresh air.

I’m sure everyone’s situation is different and if you’re living the dream or trying to then maybe you want that jerky amazing guitar player so you get noticed a little more. For me, I’ll take “Cool to Hang” any day of the week.

]]> http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/08/bass-musician-cool-to-hang/feed/ 0 RB Artist Frank Catalano Stars in Sax in the City http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/08/frank-catalano-saxophone-musician/ http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/2011/08/frank-catalano-saxophone-musician/#comments Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:33:43 +0000 John Maher http://www.reunionblues.com/blog/?p=2674 Reunion Blues Artist Frank Catalano is a monster saxophone musician, collector, historian and all-around good guy so we wanted to share this very cool New York Times article with you. Click HERE to see it and check out that photo. He looks to be in sax heaven.

Visit Frank Catalano’s RB Artist page to see him in action.



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