The Colorado Bass Newsletter
If you've ever had the chance to see the band "Some Peoples Kids", then you will probably remember the wide range of musical styles and sheer quantity of material they cover. What you may or may not remember, however is their bassist, Michael Finkiewicz, (Mike). Even though Mike gets a few moments to showcase his obvious talent, he and the groove are usually so intertwined, one can easily forget he's even there. Quite a trick, huh?
Mike, 42, has worked, played and performed with numerous bands during his 30+ years as bassist, which began innocently enough, after watching the Beatles perform in '64 on The Ed Sullivan Show. Upon viewing 'the big shoe' and digging on Paul McCartney, he immediately did the only rational thing, he cut-out a cardboard violin bass and began jumping wildly around the room until he saved up forty bucks from his paper route to purchase his first bass, a St. George, (shouldn't that have been a St. Paul? - no, that's a city). So, I guess you gotta believe him when he says he was always a bass player.
Mikes current equipment includes S.W.R. amplification, a Modulus Quantum 5 fretted bass and a Peavey TL5 fretless bass. Citing influences including James Jamerson & Marcus Miller, Mike said getting to meet Jaco Pastorius and seeing Stanley Clarke in the 70's did a lot for him as a player. That seems apparent, when asked about his inspiration, Mike quietly replies " It's inside and it's just something that needs to come out." When you watch him play you understand just what he means, it looks like he has a lot of fun and also thinks that "if you stop having fun, you should get out of it." It's a fine line to tread, the role of a bassist, in his words to "stay in the pocket and support the band, come out here and there and do a little bit, but mainly hold down your job. You can add your own style as long as you don't step on anybody's' toes." When I asked him about his musical goals he told me he wants to "keep playing and getting better till I drop", that's a damn good goal if your gonna have one!
If you get the chance, you should catch one of their shows, that shouldn't be too hard since they continue to be steadily booked all over. I asked Mike about their schedule and he said they have a lot of work, lots & lots! You can call the Some Peoples Kids Hotline for a list of their upcoming gigs # 1-800-530-0278. Go hear 'em, and say "Hi" to Mike if you see him!
News & Notes
I am still waiting for those articles that were promised to me by a few well meaning, soon to be contributing bassists - they know who they are, or maybe not, as the case may be. If you would like to contribute articles or columns to this thing-a-moe-bob, send 'em in, around 250 - 300 words, more if I dig it, deadlines are the 15th of the month prior to publication & you can write about almost anything bass-related, nuff said.
Tax time is coming up, so don't forget to read up on the tax code changes that affect the small buisness/self employed, more on this next month if space & time permit, if not 'Good Luck'.
Couple of good shows coming up, The Flecktones should be doing a few dates in Colo. in March, also Gary Hoey is at Manhattans on Sun. Feb. 16th - I just want to see who's on bass for that one.
Don't forget to check out Monday Madness at the Gardens-original bands, 2 or 3 each nite-they could use some support!
THE PRICE OF LOYALTY
Band merchandising has been around for a long time. Although it didn't become big business until the Beatles proved how much money could be made. In my youth I belonged to several fan clubs, (Oh, that Marcia!), and I purchased the posters and products from magazines and records with allowance and paper route money.
One of the greatest marketing ploys of all time was the Kiss Army, of which I was a long standing member. I couldn't wait for the new record to show up on the shelves. Exciting as that was by itself, they always had that merchandise order form in every one. The posters, the keychains, Paul Stanley's spit in a glass. I had it all. Even the Kiss radio. Of course the radio stations in my town never played Kiss on the radio, but hey!, it had their picture on it. I remember the concerts where I'd spend $10.00 on a T-shirt and a poster. I was loyal to my band! I went AWOL from the Kiss Army in the eighties and hadn't really thought about it until the "BIG" reunion. For nostalgia's sake I purchased some of the new recordings. Opened 'em up and there, as always, was the stuff for sale sheet. Only... something had changed, $800.00 for a signed gold record, $1400.00 for a jacket, (hey, order me two)! And I had to go to the concert at $50.00 a ticket and $25.00 for a cheap shirt. Who can afford all this stuff! The Beatles are one of the top grossing acts of '96, which is pretty amazing considering they haven't played together in 25 years and one of them is dead. A lot of that has to do with a loyal fan base, so of course, you have to have the CD's, the videos, the books and magazines. I'm not dogging on bands that merchandise, after all, money is one of the reasons to get into the business. It's been pointed out to me that there are collectors who hoard this stuff for a living, (proving that you can make a living off inflation). But what about the average "Joe" rock fan. Do regular people really spend this kind of dough without taking out a second mortgage? I'll always remain a loyal fan to the bands that created the music that shaped my youth, albeit a poor one.
Late News
BASS ADS
All types of repair & assistance available at very reasonable rates. Trouble shooting, technical specifications and documentation available. Why let another day go by when you can get that instrument feelin' it's funkidoobiest!
2 Basses For Sale:
Fodera "Monarch" 6 string, will consider partial trade for quality 5 string, O.B.O. Custom made Hill fretted 4 string, Pedulla MVP type body style, EMG pickups and more, all reasonable offers considered.
Basses & Amps 1/2price
Questions & Comment?
R. Lee
Colorado Springs, CO. 80906-7733
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