Live Show with Backing Track instead of Band

[Eivind August]

We have drums and some other stuff as backing tracks. Works fine, but I definitely prefer having UC there - would not have done it alone. As someone mentioned, Melt-Banana does that these days as well, and it works great. Really depends on what you want though, I like having other musicians to interact with unless it's minimalist ambient, but it's absolutely doable to perform solo if that is what you prefer. Ruins does some stuff alone where he triggers the bass with his drums and it is awesome, but he has a crazy amount of charisma.

Edit: Not saying you don't have charisma or that it's definitely needed, just typing out loud.

[spacelordmother]

Record videos of you playing the backing tracks and project them up there with you.

The only thing better than JonnyAngle is moar JonnyAngle.

[odontophobia]

Record videos of you playing the backing tracks and project them up there with you.

The only thing better than JonnyAngle is moar JonnyAngle.

Play drums to all of your surf tracks instead.

I present M Sord.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZvqbSxe76o[/youtube]

[Dowi]

Ruins does some stuff alone where he triggers the bass with his drums and it is awesome, but he has a crazy amount of charisma.

I was almosts forgetting about him, some years ago he toured as solo drums, starting loops and stuff by himself, the videos are incredible, wish I had the chance to be there.

[Dowi]

Ruins does some stuff alone where he triggers the bass with his drums and it is awesome, but he has a crazy amount of charisma.

I was almosts forgetting about him, some years ago he toured as solo drums, starting loops and stuff by himself, the videos are incredible, wish I had the chance to be there.

[Kacey Y]

I. am. into. this.

Alum guitar, surf rock, alternate tuning? I would totally play bass for that lol.

I do agree with the sentiment that a one person band with backing tracks is totally doable, with practice and good PA support, but I would try to do something to make it visually engaging. What about a visual component? Projected visuals, synchronized lights, fog machine, whatever, dealers choice. Doesn't have to be hokey and gimmicky (although that's ok too, in the right contexts).

I had a 2 person recording project with sequenced drums that considered doing this. We got a bunch of offers to play live shows, but it wasn't a live band. Ultimately we didn't end up pursuing it, because the frontman wasn't into it. I think the Ben Verellen's old band Harkonen did a tour with drum backing tracks through the PA.

[MechaGodzilla]

We use a drum track/samples on cassette - as well as 2xguitars, keys, live snare/tom for impact, plus vox. We also made a point of having weird visuals so we filmed a ~40min super8/animation car movie to project alongside the music.

[MechaGodzilla]

also check out Bob Log III. blurs the line between one-man-band and playing to backing tracks but makes a whole lot of commotion.

[D.o.S.]

A+ to projected visuals. Synched lights always look a bit gimmicky to me but some acts totally make it work.

[coupleonapkins]

Your vid sounds great!

Another, slightly less logical option: Tom Jenkinson that shiz

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrBBHDJMEuQ[/youtube]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrBBHDJMEuQ

[$harkToootth]

JACK
JACK
JACK
JACK!!!!!

[JonnyAngle]

Ok so I have a friend who could do visuals. He could add the backing track to the visuals so all I’d need is a projector.

[adamajah]

I don't know but you're making me like a surf music and it feels weird in my body

[Kacey Y]

I don't know but you're making me like a surf music and it feels weird in my body

One of us...one of us...

[JonnyAngle]

There’s two types of surf guitar

Elevator music ie boomers with Hawaiian shirts

Rock and roll surf guitar: the Beyonderers, Watang, dick Dale, the kbk, the surf coasters, los Elasticos etc