MUSICIAN by Night, Times are a Changing . . .

No More “Remains Nameless” . . .

It has been a while since my last blog entry;  Unfortunately, I’ve been rather preoccupied in a whirlwind of emotions since the breakup of our Classic Rock Band, “Remains Nameless”. We disbanded a couple of months ago and everyone had, as I was led to believe, gone their own way.  However, to my astonishment, our bass player, guitarist and lead vocalist had alternative plans. 

Eric Shultz on Drums

       

---

 

They apparently sought to remove of our drummer (Eric Shultz) who is one awesome drummer who can play just about any style music and play it well.  Secondly, they also needed to dispense with me because Ronnie (the other guitarist) just didn’t like me or wasn’t comfortable playing with a second guitarist in the band.  He just seemed to be all about himself and how fast and loud he could play.  However, I will not take anything away from his abilities, he’s a very good rock guitarist, I give him all the props.  He just seems to have trouble playing with a second guitarist.  Nothing I played was played well enough for him.  My licks were never played as well as he could play them.  Even the bass player, (Eric K.) told me that Ronnie was difficult to work with for those very reasons. 














 

So, now that “Remains Nameless” is all over with, I’m now working on my own solo act that I am confident will allow me to go ‘LIVE’ sometime in the Spring of 2015.  Until then, I hope to continue playing along with Chris Hauska from time to time whenever he’s in town (Frederick, Baltimore, Annapolis, etc.).  I’ll continue to keep you all up to speed with any of my musical events thru my FACEBOOK page, MUSICIAN by Night.  Until then, “KEEP THE BLUES ALIVE” . . .

Musician by Night . . .

Gotta’ LOVE that Ole’ Classic Rock . . .

This past Memorial Day Weekend turned out to be a real ass-kickin’ time for our opening gig as “Remains Nameless” (at least until we finally pick a name for our band) LOL.  On Saturday evening, May 24th, we had the opportunity to break free from the basement walls that bound us while rehearsing for the past several weeks.  

At first it was a bit intimidating since it had been many years since I had been on stage but once we got to playing that good ole’ time rock n’ roll music, it all came together naturally.  They all made me feel right at home once we got into the swing of things, then after a while, I began to fill in, a chord at a time until I felt comfortable enough to play right along with each song.

          

MUSICIAN by Night rocks the stage playing his 2004 Gibson Les Paul Standard with a set of Seymour Duncan 11102-89 SH-18 Whole Lotta Humbucker Pickups

 

Our lead singer, Ken Smith  definitely reminds me of “The BOSS” (Bruce Springsteen) as he takes control of the stage with a microphone in one hand and a blues harmonica in his other.  While filling in with sweet blues harmonica licks when not whaling away with his vocals, he is also jamming along with his classic  acoustic rhythm guitar by “Martin”.  Oh yes !!  What a great front man for our band.  Couldn’t have asked for anyone better.  Great voice, great harmonica player and guitarist; WOW !!!

---

     

Erik Kaniecki on bass guitar

Eric Schultz, our drummer and Erik Kaniecki our bass player are the heart-beat of our music and that night, they were incredible.  They were in unison from the beginning of our first song, all thru the night. Erik happens to be a good friend of mine who I actually met in the construction business where we’ve completed some projects together.  Erik is the most unassuming bass guitarist you’ll ever meet.  He gives Stanley Clarke a run for his money on that bass as he runs his fingers up and down the neck both slapping and popping those strings to create some of the hottest bass lines I’ve ever heard or better yet, played along with.  I suggest you keep your eyes open and your ears to the ground and very soon you’ll be hearing the slapping & thumping sounds of Erik Kaniecki on that bass on a regular basis in the Frederick / Baltimore / Annapolis bar scene.

      

Eric Schultz on Drums / MUSICIAN by Night on rhythm/lead guitar with Ken Smith, our lead vocalist.

---

    

Ronnie Barrett on lead guitar and vocals . . .

 

Ronnie Barrett on lead guitar, WOW ! what more can I say !!!  He came out of the box like a raging stallion; one of the finest guitarists I’ve ever had the pleasure to gig with.  Boy, all that we need now is a catchy name for our band and we’ll be off and running . . .

 

Help us name our band by sending in suggestions of your own and we’ll recognize you at our next performance if we choose the name you submitted.  Thank You !!

---

Until next time, remember to help “SUPPORT LIVE MUSIC” . . .

Chris Hauska debuting his single on iTunes called . . . ‘Hey Maaya (Just Say Yes)’

---

MUSICIAN by Night

GOD Save “The Blues”

      

---

Exciting News in “MY WORLD of MUSIC” . . .

 

This Memorial Day Weekend will be one to remember for me for sure.  After nearly 30 years since last playing live with a band other than a few Polka Bands that I played with in the 80’s doing weddings to make extra money for the overall family income, I am very excited to tell you that I am now playing in a Classic / Southern Rock Band that will be kicking off our first gig together on Saturday evening in Frederick, Maryland.

It is a Memorial Day / Picnic-Party that is being sponsored by one of the local  Frederick neighborhoods.  This event will allow us to get a better handle on our sound levels when playing outdoors and just see how we feel playing together ‘LIVE’ outside of the basement environment where we practice each week.

       

I consider myself extremely lucky to be playing with the likes of the musicians in our band.  They are as follows;

1. Ronnie Barrett on Lead Guitar and Vocals (Lead & Back-Up).  Ronnie is a infamous shredder by the definition itself.  He lets his fingers do the walkin’ and the talkin’ as they say !!  You just have to hear him play.

2. Ken Smith on Acoustic (Martin) rhythm guitar, Harmonica & Lead Vocalist.  Ken is Da’ Man !!  His stage presence is like lightning and his voice is right on key.  He plays a mean Harmonica and makes his Martin sing whenever he strums that thing.

3. Erik Kaniecki is our infamous Bass Player that also sings Back-Up.  He is a Rocker from the 80’s and makes his axe sound however we need it to sound from song to song.  Very versatile !!  He has a surprise for us coming up soon, he purchased a 5-string Bass by ESP that is currently being set-up with his signature GHS strings.  That bass will add another dimension to his playing for sure.

4. Eric Schultz is on drums (percussion) and lays out one hell of a rock-steady beat for Erik and the rest of us to follow.  Eric is not a fancy drummer, doing tricks, spinning his sticks, etc.  Eric believes in being and staying on beat and keep the rest of us there with him.  He also is our resident sound engineer who sets-up and is responsible for our sound system.  He really knows what he’s doing with that equipment; I’ll give that !!

5. Bob Janicki is playing Rhythm & Lead Guitar and Back-Up Vocals. I’ve been going under the name “MUSICIAN by Night” for the past 3-4 years now, doing nothing but recordings in my home studio and lots and lots of practicing with hopes of joining a band like this some day and that day has come !! 

 

        

 

We’ll be making a final decision on the name for our band in tonight's rehearsal so I will make that announcement in my next post.  If all goes well, we hope to be ready to start booking gigs in June.  Keep your eyes and ears open and you’ll soon hear all about us.

---