paul396935

ABOUT

Hi, my name is Paul and I am someone who loves music and where possible would like to earn a living out of something that I love.
I have been playing music for over 30 years now, which started like most aspiring young musicians, starting a band and writing music, hoping one day to be like our idols. That ship sailed a long time ago, lol, although I still enjoy writing and recording and playing original music but with a view of it being for my own pleasure and likewise for my friends. I know there is no imminent record contract looming, do they even do those anymore?
Anyhow over the years I have shifted from that being my focus to playing/performing in covers/tribute and function bands and continue to do this. I still currently play in Your New Favourite Band (function band) and Capri (80's covers/tribute band). However both bands have low level gigging commitment (YNFB, no more than 2 gigs per month) and Capri (No more than 1 gig per month) due to work commitments. Although I currently work full time myself, I would really like to play more music and earn some money doing something I love and drop to part time, so this gives me scope to look for other work musically, whether that be another working band who are not put off by my other commitments or if any dep opportunities come up.

So that is effectively my current situation and this is me from a musical perspective.
Guitar: I have played guitar since the age of 13 and this is my main instrument. I would say that I can play to a high standard and can play most things both rhythm and lead unless you are getting to virtuoso level. I can't sweep pick or play as fast as Yngwie Malmsteen but can manage 90-95% of things thrown at me.
I am predominantly a rock/indie player but also play funk and pop and acoustic (folk/singer songwriter), I can play most generic fingerpicking styles but not the more complex styles or classical or flamenco. I haven't really played Jazz but I am fairly confident of being able to learn this style for a song or two, if it was required in a set.

Vocals:
I started taking singing more seriously in my early 20's and have developed from there. It is definitely a confidence thing and to this day I see myself as a guitar player first and rarely consider the diverse range of songs I have managed to cover over the years vocally and continue to cover. I am also able to do backing vocals effectively and pick up harmonies pretty quickly.
I would say I am predominantly a rock/indie style singer but have sung pop e,g Wham, Black Eyed Peas, Walk the Moon, Tears for Fears, One Republic, Toto, Jamiroquai etc and have sung singer songwriter/folk e.g Stephen Fretwell, George Ezra, Passenger.
Currently I share main vocal duties in Your New Favourite Band and do backing vocals in Capri 80's band. I have also been writing some of my own material which is on my soundcloud page.

Drums:
I started playing drums in 2003 and have only played them in an original Alternative Rock Band (King Sandbox). I have played gigs and would say that I can play to a decent standard. I have use of an electric kit which I have been rehearsing on, to keep me up to speed (King Sandbox not doing much at the moment) and play through a mix of styles and music types.
I would not be comfortable with anything really technical (jazz based, double kick, fusion styles) but am competent with most material which is covered by bands.

Bass:
I can play bass and although mainly play guitar through choice, I have dep'd for a few bands on bass, including my own, when our bass player was injured, and I am a competent bass player. I take pride in having good feel and not doing what a lot of guitar players who play bass do and try to play guitar on bass, it just doesn't work. I have never had a consistent role on bass and I would like to do this with the right band at some point.
I prefer to play with fingers but can play with a pick as well and I can do some standard slap bass techniques, although I am hoping to develop this further.

Screen name:: paul396935
Member since:: Apr 07 2021; Active over 1 month ago
Level of commitment:: Very Committed
Years playing music:: 30
Gigs played:: Over 100
Tend to practice:: 2-3 times per week
Available to gig:: 2-3 nights a week

Influences

Jesus! too many to list. Here is a very basic watered down list.

Classic Rock: Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, The Kinks, AC/DC, Guns N Roses, Van Halen

Rock: Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, Poison, Rival Sons, Warrant, Tesla, Black Crowes, Skid Row, Foo Fighters.

Metal: Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, Machinehead, Pantera, Lamb of God, Chevelle, Tool, Killswitch Engage,

Grunge: Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Mother Love Bone, Screaming Trees, Veruca Salt.

Indie Rock/pop/Alternative: Jimmy Eatworld, Taking Back Sunday, Counting Crows, Del Amitri, Train, Black Peaks, Shihad, The Naked and Famous, The Killers, Stereophonics, Hundred Reasons, Quicksand, Rival Schools, Fireside..

Pop: Taylor Swift, Tears for Fears, Black Eyed Peas, Beyonce, Duran Duran, Jess Glynn, David Beddingfield, Justin Timberlake, One Republic, Coldplay.

Funk and Soul: The Meters, Parliament, Joss Stone, Scary Pockets, Corey Wong, Vulfpeck, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, Jamiroqai, Stevie Wonder.

Punk: The Sex Pistols, Blink 182, The Ramones, Alkaline Trio, Sum 41, The Offspring, Naked Raygun, New Found Glory.

Folk/Singer songwriter: Stephen Fretwell, Heather Nova, Joan Osborne, Aimee Mann, Passenger, Lisa Loeb, Crowded House.