For episode 100, drummer Kenny Aronoff joins to make this the episode with your three favorite working musicians! Kenny’s settles right in and talks about how he manages his crazy schedule, honors commitments, deals with setbacks, and never dwells too much on the past because he is always looking forward to the next thing. Full of more energy than Dave and Paul combined (and that’s saying something!), Kenny shares a lot of his life philosophies, too, which all focus on one thing: self-discipline and hard work. After the interview, we’re almost certain you’re going to want to read Kenny’s book, “Sex, Drums, Rock ‘n’ Roll!: The Hardest Hitting Man in Show Business.” Check it out!

We know you’ll enjoy listening almost as much as we had doing the show. Here’s to another 100!

Chapters/Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 GigGab 100 – January 30, 2017
• 00:01:57 Interview with Kenny Aronoff
• 00:02:28 A sample of Kenny’s crazy schedule
• 00:04:41 Making a film with Steve Bellamy
• 00:05:54 Managing your schedule
• 00:10:14 …and honoring commitments
• 00:15:11 Are you a band guy or lone wolf? Both!
• 00:16:16 Mellencamp Takes a Break… What’s Next?
• 00:19:48 What is your purpose?
• 00:24:00 Sound matters!
• 00:25:11 Save the gig: “Am I still the drummer in your band?”
• 00:26:30 How to play that “Jack & Diane” drum solo
• 00:31:56 What’s the NEXT great song I can play on?
• 00:35:00 Do people want to play and hear the next great song?
• 00:38:30 Do you think anyone’s going to give a shit about a Kanye West Song in 20 years?
• 00:40:51 The long game… takes money
• 00:41:56 There are no shortcuts
• 00:45:14 The pyramids! Why not?
• 00:46:19 There are no participation trophies!
• 00:48:28 Hard work is transportation through life, fueled by passion
• 00:49:25 Be a nice guy and a team player
• 00:50:30 Having Ringo air drumming his parts TO YOU
• 00:52:57 Connections to Bruce and Neil

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:05 — 26.1MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Email | RSS | More

Wrapping up the first 99 episodes, Paul and Dave dive straight into politics (but not in the way that you’d think!), then take a left turn into tribute band territory (but not in the way that you’d think!), and then discuss how your band should approach cover tunes (but not in the way that you’d think!) and finally discuss the Born To Run-Starship Trooper-Reggae Extravaganza (you weren’t already thinking of this!). Check it out and then stick with your two favorite Weekend Warriors as they start into the triple digits next week!

Chapters/Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 GigGab 99 – January 23, 2017
• 00:01:07 Music is a good gift to share
• 00:02:43 Do politics belong in music?
• 00:10:56 R.E.M.’s “Perfect Square”
  • “Rock and Roll is the most frivolous and important thing you can be doing.”
• 00:14:08 Dave’s “Classic Prog” Band/Revue Idea
  • Interview with Pieter Hounslow
• 00:27:56 Is There an Audience for Your Labor of Love
• 00:30:20 How true do you need to be?
• 00:37:00 Emotion Matters
• 00:40:48 The Born To Run-Starship Trooper-Reggae Extravaganza!
• 00:43:34 Gig Gab OUT… and into the hundreds!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 44:40 — 20.9MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Email | RSS | More

Dave’s back from a musical “destination vacation” so he and Paul discuss the merits of doing that for any band, including some that have ties to GigGab directly. Then, after Paul’s requisite Bruce Springsteen mention, your two weekend warriors share their favorite albums… and that includes another Springsteen mention! Listen to hear what inspires your music geeks here, then let us know your favorites over on Facebook, too. Download, enjoy, and always be performing, folks!

Chapters/Timestamps:

• 00:00:00 GigGab 98 – January 18, 2017
• 00:00:47 Dave’s seen some shows
  • 00:02:11 Delay in hearing space live
  • 00:10:28 Going for it and making mistakes – Vinnie Colaiuta
  • 00:05:16 Rock Cruises
• 00:15:00 “Born to Run,” the Bruce Springsteen Autobiography
  • 00:16:37 On being a non-professional singer
• 00:23:58 Your Two Working Musicians’ Desert Island Disc Picks
  • 00:24:04 Weather Report: “8:30”
  • 00:25:57 Bruce Springsteen: “Born to Run”
  • 00:27:24 Rush: “Exit… Stage Left”
  • 00:29:50 “Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers” (first album)
  • 00:32:40 Sting: “Bring On The Night”
  • 00:34:16 Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes: “Better Days”
  • 00:35:58 Phish: “A Live One”
  • 00:37:55 Peter Frampton: “Frampton Comes Alive”
  • 00:40:07 Miles Davis: “A Tribute to Jack Johnson”
  • 00:42:37 Ryan Adams: “Ashes and Fire”
• 00:44:58 GG 98 Outtro

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 45:24 — 21.2MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Email | RSS | More

It’s the new year and that’s always a good time to take stock of where you are and focus on where you’re going. That’s true for you as a musician and for your band, as well. What’s the premise of your band? What do you, as a musician, want to focus on going forward? Paul and Dave, your two favorite Weekend Warriors, help you paint yourself a clear picture of what that looks like for 2017 and beyond!

Chapters/Timestamps/Stuff Mentioned:

• 00:00:00 GigGab 97 – January 9, 2017
• 00:01:28 Hired Guns
• 00:05:00 Who’s the target market for the gig?
• 00:06:29 NYE Gigs
• 00:07:00 Your Band’s Executive Summary / Success List
• 00:11:03 The Premise of a Working Band
  • Prepare for rehearsal
  • Dress for gigs
• 00:11:57 Painting a clear picture
• 00:16:28 Democracy isn’t always democratic
• 00:22:45 …but we need to do something!
• 00:28:00 Take stock, refine, and polish
• 00:32:00 Next week: Your (and Our) Desert Island Discs

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:38 — 15.8MB) | Embed

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Email | RSS | More