John Barlow + Musician in Aiken, SC

SEEKING

ABOUT

PROFILE UPDATED 01/19/23!

Been playing for 40 years and making money doing it for 35 years with a few breaks here and there. Studio experience in analog times. Probably up near 1000 gigs by now.

I’m a bassist by choice. I’m not a frustrated guitarist. I actually want and like to play bass. I can also do backup vox and lead vox if you want/need me to.

My singing voice is not a smooth tenor. It's a raspy baritone but I can hit the high notes. Think Brian Johnson and Sammy Hagar. I can smooth it out some but I'm not Steve Perry. Probably best for you to hear it in person.

I already know a ton of songs and can pick up new ones fast. I don't use a teleprompter or cheat sheets onstage, ever. I’ve done everything from sharing half the lead-vocal duties and all the backup vox to just standing there and playing bass. At this point in my career I'd like to have at least a decent chunk of the vox duties.

I’d like to find a band that’s either working or well on its way. Startups are fine if the potential is there. I live in Aiken but I’m willing to go with a band that’s based in a 50-mile radius or thereabouts. Prefer not to gig any enormous distances outside that radius -- no Atlanta, no Myrtle Beach, you get the idea.

I’m a straight-ahead rock guy with prog-rock influences; not into hair bands or the stuff from the early 2000s by guys who didn’t get hugged enough when they were kids. I understand that a bar band has to play the standard crowd favorites to get bookings. I personally see them as a necessary evil that justifies doing some other stuff from off the beaten path.

PLEASE NOTE: I'm interested only in the rock/alternative genres of music: late 60s through Seattle and 90s alternative. Other styles of music are fine, but I'm not interested in playing them.

I couldn’t care less about your age as long as it’s 21+, your looks, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion etc. as long as you can play. I don’t party anymore, but I don’t care if you do as long as you can handle it.

If your band is working, I’d like a chance to come out to a gig and see what’s what. I’ll bring one of my basses with me in case you want to give me a trial by fire. I have functioning gear and dependable transpo. I never ever miss or arrive late to a practice or a gig without giving notice as far in advance as possible, including a text if I’m caught in unexpected traffic. If I don’t show up and you don’t hear from me, it means I’m in the hospital, the county lockup or the morgue.

Looking forward to hearing from you...

Cheers,
John

Screen name:

John Barlow

Member since:

Oct 24 2018

Active within 24 hours

Level of commitment:

Committed

Years playing music:

40

Gigs played:

Over 100

Tend to practice:

2-3 times per week

Available to gig:

2-3 nights a week

Most available:

Nights

Influences

Personal Influences:
Bass -- Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, John Entwistle, Jack Bruce, JP Jones.
Vox -- Ian Gillan, Joe Cocker, John Fogerty, Axl Rose, Paul Rodgers, Bono. I know it sounds like a crazy mix.

Like to play: Rock, hard rock, 90s alternative, classic rock, prog rock.

Instrument experience:

Vocalist:

Advanced

Bass Guitar:

Advanced

EQUIPMENT

Multiple Fender and modded Squier Precision basses, 200W GK bass amp, 2 vocal mics. I don't buy really expensive stuff because it spends so much time in bars and cars, but I know how to use it.