So, my new power trio, The Illegal Exploits, recorded two covers for a demo CD and we've got them on the interwebs...

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Yours truly is singing lead on Fire, playing bass on all the songs, organ on the John Mayer cover, and backing vocals on CSF and Gravity.
And we're all 17.

Edit: We have a new song up!

Was listening to Dissection myself when this thread caught my eye, but I had to turn them down so I could listen to your songs.

First song did not ring a bell, guess I don´t know the band. I´m European so that might be the problem, or it´s too new for my taste.
But the second one, by the seminal Ted Nugent.... very well done guys, especially considering you´re just 17.

Compliments from the Netherlands,

Pascal.




Modified for spelling.....

The first song is by John Mayer...he's newer.

Thank you for the kind words!

I absolutely am blown away by the first song.   There's a depth of maturity to the music and vocals  that would suggest you guys have worked really hard.  Congrats - way to go - and all that other good stuff.  Sure does look like music will play a big part of your life.

Keep up the good work.  

Carol

Grandma_Sweet_Boy wrote on Dec 15^th, 2008 at 5:48pm:

Sure does look like music will play a big part of your life.

And ear plugs will be a big part of mine . . . . . ;)

I love listening to them, just not the volume!

You guy's are very talented. I enjoyed the two songs and hope to hear more from you. Maybe I will go into Music World or CD Plus some day soon and see your CD or DVD there for sale. I will buy one instantly! ;)

Rock-on!!! [smiley=cool2.gif] [smiley=jammin.gif]

Dang, Roy!  You guys sound great.  [smiley=jammin.gif]

I'm going to forward your link to John so he can give it a listen.

Ya make me proud, young man.

Oh yeah, be nice to Mom and turn down the volume....just a wee bit, k? ;)

Sounding VERY good.  You guys have talent!  Record more when you get the chance...I'd love to listen.

Great job!
You and your band are really impressive, not to mention talented.

As a former music teacher, and someone still very involved in the music world, I have a few questions;

Are any of your group formally trained musicians?
You mentioned a demo CD. Do you have additional material ready to go as a follow up?
How much time does your group invest in itself each week? (I know at 17 you have school, jobs, social lives, household responsibilites etc.)
Do you have any original music in the works? any budding writers among the group?
There was not quite enough organ variation for me to tell, but was the organ a Hammond B3? ( hard to tell listening thru crap computer speakers ...probably a digital keyboard, but i felt a hint of a Hammond 3 and Leslies)

Keep makin' music.
Thanks and keep posting links to your music.
Paul

Thanks for the link, Roy.
You all sound great....very impressive!!!

Jackie

Nice Job, Roy, I chip off the old block!

Diane

OH Roy....You guys are great.  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I am proud to know you.  Can I have you autograph?  

Very cool, Roy.  You all have talent--I'll be looking forward to hearing more out of you in coming years.  (Hey, I know that guy!)   8-)

Best wishes,

George

MITYRARE wrote on Dec 15^th, 2008 at 6:51pm:

Great job! You and your band are really impressive, not to mention talented. As a former music teacher, and someone still very involved in the music world, I have a few questions; Are any of your group formally trained musicians? You mentioned a demo CD. Do you have additional material ready to go as a follow up? How much time does your group invest in itself each week? (I know at 17 you have school, jobs, social lives, household responsibilites etc.) Do you have any original music in the works? any budding writers among the group? There was not quite enough organ variation for me to tell, but was the organ a Hammond B3? ( hard to tell listening thru crap computer speakers ...probably a digital keyboard, but i felt a hint of a Hammond 3 and Leslies) Keep makin' music. Thanks and keep posting links to your music. Paul

Formally trained? I learned by ear...as did our guitarist. Drummer has taken lessons for about 10 years.

We have about an album's worth to follow up, yes.

Per week, we invest maybe, 8 hours (4 hour practice every Thursday and Sunday.)

Original music, yes. We've been writing blues songs to beat the proverbial band.

On the organ, good catch. It's a sampled B3 played with midi (It's made by Native Instruments... it's called the B4 MkII) by myself. I think 16', 4', 2' and 1', with pedals at the end and Leslie simulation.

Hi again JuniorBrew,
Thanks for answering my questions.

"I learned by ear...as did our guitarist." - it is wonderful to have a good ear - i was never satisfied or confident enough in mine. (but give me a score and i'll play it.)

"We've been writing blues songs to beat the proverbial band." - your trio sound is well suited to that style - post some when you have the chance

"On the organ, good catch" - organ is my specialty - mostly large 4 manual cathedral-style pipe organs now...church special events...organ recitals/concerts...but back in my youth i did a lot of Hammond B3 stuff with rock and pop groups...thinking of buying one again...nostagia...they are still commanding as much $ as a new car...hard to justify when compared to digital.

Keep playing and having fun with it JuniorBrew....I am off to the piano now....i still try and play between one and two hours per day...the same as i have done for the last 39 years.(I miss the odd day)

In music!
Paul

Thanks for all the kind words, everyone.

We're recording tomorrow night, vocals for the 3rd song, and full structure for the 4th song...

The 3rd is Cold Shot by Stevie Ray Vaughan, and the 4th is my vocal debut on the album, Give Me One Reason by Tracy Chapman.

Congrats!  Keep up the good work!

Good luck,
Langa

JuniorBrew wrote on Dec 16^th, 2008 at 12:23am:

Thanks for all the kind words, everyone. We're recording tomorrow night, vocals for the 3rd song, and full structure for the 4th song... The 3rd is Cold Shot by Stevie Ray Vaughan, and the 4th is my vocal debut on the album, Give Me One Reason by Tracy Chapman.

Oh!  Oh!!  You're going to put these up also so we can here them too, right???

:)mel

Band sounded tight. Vocals were actually real good considering you guys are 17. Not sure about the bass player though. ;)

You guys have fun with this. There is obviously talent in this group. I enjoyed it.

VERY GOOD!!!!  [smiley=jammin.gif] [smiley=sayyes.gif] [smiley=thumb.gif]

Nice job!  Thank you for sharing your talent with us!  

I really enjoyed both songs.  I especially liked the John Mayer song.

Jeannie

New song up!

I'm still not singing on record yet...

We couldn't get the feel right on the next one.

Cool Roy!  Stevie Ray Vaughn is one of my favorite singers & guitar players.  The tempo is faster on your version of Cold Shot, but it still sounds really good.  Only wish I could hear it live instead because the bass doesn't come through over the net.  I think it's my speakers? :(

Anyway, are you guys going to try Tracy Chapman again?  I would think it'd be a hard song to tackle.  Are there any others of hers that you could try instead?

:)mel

Very nice Roy! I am particularly impressed with Gravity. John Mayer writes a good tune. Keep up the work, the hard work shows.

Melissa wrote on Dec 17^th, 2008 at 6:54am:

Cool Roy!  Stevie Ray Vaughn is one of my favorite singers & guitar players.  The tempo is faster on your version of Cold Shot, but it still sounds really good.  Only wish I could hear it live instead because the bass doesn't come through over the net.  I think it's my speakers? :( Anyway, are you guys going to try Tracy Chapman again?  I would think it'd be a hard song to tackle.  Are there any others of hers that you could try instead? :)mel

Yeah, the tempo's about 6 to 8 beats per minute too fast.  :(

But yeah, we'll be trying Tracy Chapman again...my guitar player is leaving Friday for Hawaii to visit his relatives, and he won't be back until after New Year's.

Drummer and I have time to get the feel before then.

Great job Jr. Brew!

Bump.

Hey Roy, are you guys going to enter Summerfest?  

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I WISH we could get into Summerfest.

roy my headphones are broke so i'll have to take jimi's word for it. your an intelligent kid from two intelligent parents. any success you have on your ventures is well deserved. glad you still check in from time time ;)
give dad a big hug and a kiss from me ;D

Bump. We added a new song!

See first post for more info and link.

Hey Roy,

Excellent tune and really, really well done.  So proud of you and the band.  Keep up the good work and be sure to continue to share the tunes.  Love 'em.

Say hi to Mom and Dad for me, k?

bump

Wow.   :o  Good work!

Best,

George

Impressive!

Only wish I could hear the backround singers a little bit more tho ;)

The Illegal Exploits (JrBrew's dirty little blues trio) debuted tonight in a coffeehouse near our home.  Thought you'd like to see a few photos from a proud mom.

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They are all 17 years old and played songs from BB King, Steve Earle, Johnny Cash, Tracy Chapman and more.  Played for about an hour to a nice sized, enthusiastic crowd.  And made $79 in tips!

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as well you should be Pat and Bill.

I can almost feel the pride, all the way to Calif.   [smiley=heart.gif]

Looking and sounding real good Roy........

:'( He looks so grown up. :'(

BB King won't be around much longer.   Anyone who still listens to him as well as plays him, is o.k. in my book.   ;)  Long live Lucille!!!!!!!


  edit to add link:

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Linda_Howell wrote on Jan 24^th, 2009 at 11:50pm:

BB King won't be around much longer.   Anyone who still listens to him as well as plays him, is o.k. in my book.   ;)  Long live Lucille!!!!!!!

I already love ya Linder...and that there above, well, damn, it just woke up my heart...been gettin slammed lately and needed something...THANK YOU DEAR!

About 1974, I first heard "The Thrill is Gone". It was one of those few epiphanies in life when I realized there was something greater than myself...that song struck my soul... goose bump time.   Was at Skagit Valley College and almost knocked people over haulin butt to the library to find more of this BB King guy. Praise God, they had MORE!
What I found is a treasured memory...it was "BB King-Live at the Cook County Jail". Blue cover (how appropriate) and all, if there is a better album out there, I've yet to find it. Have seen him live at least 6 times, lately he sits in a chair, no matter, he's magic.

Riley King changed my life...he didn't say it, but he IS the epitomy(sp?) of the old bluesman saying: 'the blues aint about bein down, the blues is about bein down and gettin back up again". I use that in the battle with the beast...sometimes it's all I got.

For those who don't know, and it shouldn't be so, per BB, "Lucille" was named after a woman who was the center of a fight between a couple of knotheads in a jukejoint. The room was lighted (and warmed?) by a burning barrel of kerosene in the middle of the floor. They got to fighting and knocked that barrel over, the place went up in flames and BB ran back in to save his guitar. He says he named it Lucille to remind him never to do something so dumb again.

It has been an anguish to me that the younger generation does not appreciate the blues and classic rock...that is, until my 19 year old nephew quoted me chapter and verse and lyrics while riding with me back to school. I had a classic rock radio station on (my car, my station doncha know). He knew the artists, he knew the lyrics, he told me how much he and his friends liked "this" music". Another epiphany...I guess what goes around comes around...or something like that.

Jr Brew...I have the highest regard for your Mom and Pop, and I could not be more delighted with your path...makin music can change lives and I wish you the best in your pursuits...your playlist says it all...

Best,

Jon

Linda_Howell wrote on Jan 24^th, 2009 at 11:50pm:

BB King won't be around much longer.

Please don't say things like that darling.  I know, and have played, with BB on a few occasions, and he's healthy as a horse.  I know you meant no harm, but still...  Who's to say how much time any of us have.  

Awesome Roy, can't wait till I can hear you guys play myself!!

:)

jon019 wrote on Jan 25^th, 2009 at 3:07am:

It has been an anguish to me that the younger generation does not appreciate the blues and classic rock...that is, until my 19 year old nephew quoted me chapter and verse and lyrics while riding with me back to school.

Jon, it seems to me that this generation doesn't like much of what they hear that's new, (gotta admit, neither do I) so they've gone back to what they call "roots rock" to find the core.

No complaints from me!

pat - you and Bill must be so very proud of your young man - and rightly so.  

Way to go Roy - maybe one day we'll all be able to say "we knew you when.................".

Carol

Mighty fine vocals on "fire", dude!

But this I really love!!!!  ;)

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Gotta have the damn cross bones!!!!!....LOL ;D

Jimi wrote on Jan 24^th, 2009 at 11:31pm:

:'( He looks so grown up. :'(

That he does Jimi, that he does! :-[

Very impressive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

Pat,  you all must be so proud.  I am too   :)
One day we'll be saying "I knew that kid way back when...." :)

We had better get his autograph now! ;)
So much talent. 8-) [smiley=jammin.gif]

Great job Roy!




Paul