Rock & Pop Announcing...Jim Thomas on stage

[Pete Thomas]

I don't get to see my son very often as he know resides in Richmond VA. I knew he is in a band with his mates, but I also know him as a lovely quiet young man. Like me he is a bit shy at times and has never sent us any of his music. This (soundcheck) was sent by one of his friends' mum.

 

[MikeMorrell]

Great to hear & see it this!

On stage (as the 'front man!), Jim seems far from being a quiet and sometimes shy person. But he's in good company: it seems that Freddie Mercury was completely different on-stage and off-stage too. On stage being 'the showman' and off-stage being much quieter and at times shy.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Great to hear & see it this!

On stage (as the 'front man!), Jim seems far from being a quiet and sometimes shy person. But he's in good company: it seems that Freddie Mercury was completely different on-stage and off-stage too. On stage being 'the showman' and off-stage being much quieter and at times shy.

Yes totally get it. Same with me really. It was just a shock with Jim. A very pleasant shock.

My sister in law said sounds like he’s trying hard to sing out of tune but not succeeding. I like that.

 

[mizmar]

On stage being 'the showman' and off-stage being much quieter and at times shy.

I know nothing about performing music, but in academia it's not that unusual for someone, quite reserved day to day, to give quite an extrovert "performance" on the lecture hall or conference podium. People often have the ability to switch modes of the situation requires.

 

[MikeMorrell]

Yes totally get it. Same with me really. It was just a shock with Jim. A very pleasant shock.

My sister in law said sounds like he’s trying hard to sing out of tune but not succeeding. I like that.

Haha, the 'not succeeding to sing out of tune' quote is wonderful!

Your first comment got me thinking. I wonder about the extent to which band musicians learn to develop and sustain a 'performance act' which is out of character to their 'off-stage' personalities. And the extent to which live music performances truly 'inspire and energize' musicians to perform out of their (off-stage) 'comfort zones'.

Regarding the 1st factor, I recently watched an interview with Alice Cooper on BBC Breakfast in which he said that his public persona and all his performances were all just an 'act'. Which was very far removed from his true personality and beliefs.

FWIW, I've noticed the 2nd factor too. I'm a quiet, introverted person who hates crowds, social receptions, etc. I feel much more comfortable (occasionally) blending in with small groups of 2-5 people. Even in 'Big Band' performances, individual players' performances are fairly anonymous. Except for occasional brief solos.

But since joining a Pop/Rock band 2 years ago (aged 70!), something changed. I started to really enjoy rehearsing and playing as 'the sax player'. Now, with a fellow trumpet player it's even more fun. The 'beat' just keeps me moving around - even when I'm not playing. And somehow the 'horn section' bits inspire en energize me to reflect these in body/head movements, etc. This is not acting or rehearsed. It's just a purely spontaneous (physical) response to 'the music'.

So, for me, rehearsing and performing music that I love listening to (when I'm not playing) and love contributing to does truly 'energize' me!

Mike

 

[turf3]

Yes, performance is performance.

I certainly tend toward the "chewing on the scenery" end of things when performing. (In context, of course.) Such is definitely not my non-performing personality.

 

[Joe from New Orleans]

Haha, the 'not succeeding to sing out of tune' quote is wonderful!

Your first comment got me thinking. I wonder about the extent to which band musicians learn to develop and sustain a 'performance act' which is out of character to their 'off-stage' personalities. And the extent to which live music performances truly 'inspire and energize' musicians to perform out of their (off-stage) 'comfort zones'.

Regarding the 1st factor, I recently watched an interview with Alice Cooper on BBC Breakfast in which he said that his public persona and all his performances were all just an 'act'. Which was very far removed from his true personality and beliefs.

FWIW, I've noticed the 2nd factor too. I'm a quiet, introverted person who hates crowds, social receptions, etc. I feel much more comfortable (occasionally) blending in with small groups of 2-5 people. Even in 'Big Band' performances, individual players' performances are fairly anonymous. Except for occasional brief solos.

But since joining a Pop/Rock band 2 years ago (aged 70!), something changed. I started to really enjoy rehearsing and playing as 'the sax player'. Now, with a fellow trumpet player it's even more fun. The 'beat' just keeps me moving around - even when I'm not playing. And somehow the 'horn section' bits inspire en energize me to reflect these in body/head movements, etc. This is not acting or rehearsed. It's just a purely spontaneous (physical) response to 'the music'.

So, for me, rehearsing and performing music that I love listening to (when I'm not playing) and love contributing to does truly 'energize' me!

Mike

That's 'cause you got soul!