Writer’s Block

- is the bane of my existence right now…

I came up with the idea of forming an originals band a long time ago, over a year – and I even had, and still have, an idea of the persons I want to get involved… I’m frequently told that I should have a band, and that I’m a good enough guitarist that I can be selective about who I work with…

So why then am I still band-less??

Writer’s block. That’s the largest part of it… I want to have a large part in the music that the band produces, but have a shitty time writing it… Musically I’ve got a couple of ideas, but whenever I try to sit down to write a tune, I end up just playing the same old tired shit I usually play… When I go to a jam I’ve got a bunch of solo ideas, I can play almost any song in almost any style (a few days ago for example, I moved from a wild, shred-infused version of Foxy Lady – straight to a tidy and tasteful version Black Magic Woman…) When it comes to writing though… I’m lost!! Part of it is I feel slightly inhibited by my music theory knowledge… I try to make things perfect or limit myself to what theory allows me to do – rather than push the boundaries, which is ironically what I do with my solos…

In actual fact – I am sort of in a band now… Excluding ACM band(s) – I’ve been asked to join a functions band – which is excellent news!! We’ve got paying gigs lined up, starting in May – which means I’ve got 5 months to learn about 30 songs… Easy!

Shame none of it will help me with the writer’s block!!