I Can Now Die A Happy Man.

[László]

I know you guys are sick of my posting about my kids. It's pretty sick that I do this all the time, and I'm really sorry. It even worries me that I'm like this, all braggy about them.

But I'm about to do it again.

My son fronts a band called Partybaby. They have a couple of singles out that I've linked on threads on the Forum, and they're getting regular airplay on Beats 1, from Zane Lowe, who is a pretty damn cool DJ. So there's that. The band's been getting good reviews. I've posted all this stuff, with pictures.

But it was from afar. I never saw them perform live.

Tonight, the band opened for The Academy Is in Detroit, They had a great crowd, the place was packed for both bands, And I gotta say, both bands put on a HECK of a show. Both bands got a huge response from the audience. Well, I'd expect that of TAI, they've sold a crapload of records, and they've been hitting stages for 10 years, But Partybaby is a new band. And I really wasn't sure what to expect.

My son had us come to the venue early so we could hang out with the band, and meet the other band, have some food, and hear the sound check. As soon as I heard the sound checks, I knew I was in for a treat. Partybaby killed. They were tight, they were prepared, and it was clear it'd be a really good show. Same with TAI. What a great band TAI is live.

Here's what I didn't expect: the opening act usually gets a smattering of applause, or gets ignored. Especially in Detroit, which is notorious for not even showing up for the opener. For some reason, though, the place was packed to start.

But Jamie's band had the house rocking. And I mean, rocking! They turned it up about 100 notches from sound check, and put on a show I'll never forget. By the middle of the first song, people were literally jumping up and down, and even the guys in the back who started with their arms folded were clearly bopping to the music in a big way.

They got huge applause after each song and after their set. I was blown away - and I'm not just talking my son here. The rest of the band is pro-level, session grade players all the way, and they can all sing backup amazingly well. Jamie got off the stage and into the audience, and was really working that audience. It was fun to watch. I had no idea he was that much of a showman.

Then The Academy Is did their set - and what a great band! Tight, fantastic dynamics, amazing vocals...fantastic guitar work. I loved their set.

For their finale, they had Jamie sing harmony with Bill, the lead singer of TAI. It was just too cool.

So it was a great show, the capper to a really fun day, and I don't think it's going to ever get more fun than this.

So I'm glad I had the heart surgery so I could experience this, but...honestly...I could die happy right now. Not that I'm in any hurry to do that...

Oh yeah, technical stuff: Both Jamie and Noah, the other guitar player, used Mesa Lone Stars miked up behind the drum riser. And they sounded terrific. Jamie used a Klon I got him to boost the amp, and Noah used a Rockett clone of the Klon. Their tone killed. I mean really, really great. Perfect for the kind of tone they got on their record with some vintage amps cranked to the max. Unfortunately, neither of them plays a PRS right now; Jamie's an SG player, and Noah's a Fender man, but I'm WORKING on them both!

 

[ozboy]

Mesa LoneStar is a great amp, but as heavy as all heck with its two reverbs I have pe an old LS combo in the music room and it gets quite a bit of use. Still prefer the MK V myself

 

[toothace]

That's awesome Les!! And as a fellow braggart parent, you can never brag TOO muchroud:

 

[CVS]

Les,

As you already know, there is no better feeling than when one of your kids accomplishes something of meaning.

Congrats & enjoy

 

[Deleted member 5962]

Not tired of hearing it at all, Les. Appreciate the updates.

 

[vchizzle]

:rock::rock:

 

[László]

Mesa LoneStar is a great amp, but as heavy as all heck with its two reverbs I have pe an old LS combo in the music room and it gets quite a bit of use. Still prefer the MK V myself

I have a Lone Star in the studio, too; I know ALL about the weight thing! It's a beast. Sounds great though!

Also had a Mk V - but for my work, it was pretty much overkill, so I prefer the Lone Star. I never used the Mk V's third channel, it was kind of superfluous for me.

However, my PRS amps are still my #1s. They do more for me than any other amps I've ever had. But there's always room for more amps, right?


And thanks for the kind words of understanding, guys!! It's weird being the parent merely yakking about the things my kids are doing, instead of being the person doing the stuff, you know?

It's a strange juxtaposition when your kids start accomplishing more than you can.

If anyone asked me to describe the show I really couldn't do it justice. It's one of those things you just have to hear and see live to understand. Even now, I am marveling at what a great show it was the next morning.

We just had breakfast with the band to say goodbye...so much fun! Cincinnati tonight, Chicago tomorrow...then Milwaukee, then San Francisco...it just goes on.

And oh yes, my wife and I DID buy the T-shirts and merch even though we could have gotten them free!

 

[alantig]

Never tiring, Les. Never tiring.

 

[Brad737]

Cool story! BTW, I don't call it bragging. I call it being a supportive parent. The world could use a lot more parents APPRECIATING their kids, instead of ignoring them, then giving participation trophies.

 

[László]

Cool story! BTW, I don't call it bragging. I call it being a supportive parent. The world could use a lot more parents APPRECIATING their kids, instead of ignoring them, then giving participation trophies.

Brad, you're right on about parenting - being supportive (in a thoughtful way) is so important!

I just sometimes worry about being obnoxious here.

i guess I'm excited about what Jamie's doing. I know how hard it is to have gotten as far as he's gotten, and how much work he's put in since college (and heck, he had a rigorous college schedule, too - only three people were admitted to the music program he got into at Michigan).

There was all the work on the 30 STM records, hell, just getting the interview was hard, let alone the gig. The two tours weren't easy, even at that level. I look at a guy like Jared Leto - here's a person who in addition to working very hard with his band, is a good enough actor to win an academy award, and he never, ever stops working, unless it's to get a few days of exercise, plus he is involved in some technology businesses. The dude is always working. And there's a lot of promotional work that has to be done to stay in the public eye as well! That's important to the industry. Because to the public and the record labels, too, it's always, "Next shiny object, please!"

Let's face it, the entertainment/music business isn't all sunglasses and bjs...the dues are remarkably difficult. During this tour, my son's band has played their butts off nearly every night, very few nights off. They wake up, drive 4-8 hours to a different city, set up, do a sound check, go into a green room to warm up their voices for the show and scarf some food, do a show, load out, grab some sleep in the early morning hours, wake up, drive to the next city, rinse and repeat.

And this tour wasn't an easy gig to get in the first place - several bands were trying to outdo each other for the privilege of beating themselves up like this!

So yeah, I'm proud of my kid, and not just the shows, or the talent, or the records...I'm proud of the way he's working. Also, his band takes their work seriously. They aren't partiers, despite the name Partybaby!

 

[CantankerousCarl]

Very cool story Les! I think my son is leaning mode toward drums, and my little girl DEFINITELY wants a mix in front of her. I am hoping family band before I'm 70...until then I shall live vicariously through you.

Btw my "now I can die happy" moment involves a large pie and Taylor Swift, but I think that's an entirely different forum...

 

[sergiodeblanc]

Bangin'!

 

[László]

Btw my "now I can die happy" moment involves a large pie and Taylor Swift, but I think that's an entirely different forum...

At my age, I'd only be able to have a tiny taste of the pie, say "Nice to meet you" to Taylor Swift, and then go home. LOL

So...TONIGHT the band is playing House of Blues in Chicago, and my daughters are going to see them. That's fun! I was planning to drive to Chicago, but then I realized...only a few months post heart surgery to drive alone to Chicago (my wife has a work project) might not be a real good idea, since it's 5 hours each way.

So discretion being the better part of valor, I'm going to miss a hell of a good show there. I'm kinda sad about that, but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do....

 

[László]

Just texted live from Chicago's House of Blues - Jamie's rockin' his band's flag...

 

[László]

OK, this is awesome. I've been getting calls, emails, and texts from folks who saw the show in Detroit and the one in Chicago last night.

People are saying stuff like, "I knew it'd be good, because I heard the records, but I had no idea that it'd be THIS good!" I know a few people who saw the show last night in Chicago, and because it was sold out, and a second show was scheduled for tomorrow (they're in Milwaukee tonight) -- and they bought more tickets to see the band again, only two days after the first show.

All this is amazing. Granted, I'm the Dad. But people telling me that the band owned that stage, and that Jamie gave great performances, no one has to say that. No one has to text me the next day and tell me how blown away they were, just to be nice, unless they mean it.

I'm verklempt!

Chicago last night -- Look ma, no jumpsuit!

 

[sergiodeblanc]

That's rad, Les! Chicago isn't an easy place to get love.

 

[László]

That's rad, Les! Chicago isn't an easy place to get love.

On behalf of Jamie, thanks, Serg!

 

[László]

OK, so here's a few of the responses that I saw on the band's Facebook page while stalking my son (that's how I find out what's up! he tells me nothing!) -- pretty nice responses! This is what new bands hope for when they tour as the opening act for more established bands, and I'm glad it's being well-received. I gotta say, I was blown away by the live show myself, and I'm a picky SOB even though it's my own son:

"You guys were awesome at the academy is show on Sunday! Made new fans out of us. I went looking for your music"

"I love this song so hard."

"You guys are probably one of the best live bands I've seen in a long time. But where can I buy your music? I can't find it anywhere"
"I stream the heck out of this on Spotify."

"Ever since I've heard you live you all have become like my favorite band! Great stage presence and awesome music can't wait til you put more out!"

"And release your album sooner than later..."

"PARTYBABY, COME BACK TO BOSTON PLEASE"

Right now the music is streaming only, on the web, apple, spotify...the record hasn't yet been released, though there are rumors of an EP to be followed by the full-length that's already finished, mixed, mastered and in the can.

They're getting airplay pretty regularly on Beats 1, which is pretty darn cool I think. Destined for success? Well, I guess they're gonna let the string unwind a little bit, and see what happens...

 

[markintime]

You are so lucky, Les. And if I had it to do all over again, don't know if I could, but it's fun thinking that I'd like to try... but not at almost 67.

 

[László]

Thanks Markintime! I'm having a ball watching this happen. There's been more airplay of the stuff on Beats 1, and a second sold out show in Chicago happened last night. I have lots of pics, but...basically, you've probably all gotten the idea by now.

Anyway, I'm told that things are going well for the boy.