Any closet rockers out there?

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 27 Mar 2014 10:02 am

My compliments on "The Wind Cries Mary".

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 9 Apr 2014 9:48 am

A little fun I had last night after I just figured out how to play this on my steel. It's a rough take, for sure, so don't be too harsh!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10 ... 1845391015

I feel strangely at home and inspired to pursue this kind of playing. I need me a trio.....

Jerome Hawkes · Post by **Jerome Hawkes** » 9 Apr 2014 10:05 am

you are having way to much fun with that mike...watch out, you may turn a bunch of kids on to the steel guitar when that goes viral

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 9 Apr 2014 10:06 am

If that went viral, I would die. This is for friends only.

But I am having fun with it.

I've had gigs in the past where I was playing rock and playing it loudly and I was mortified to have some steel players in the audience. I guess at that time I was still trying to learn the traditional styles and I felt kind of yucky about what I was doing. But now I've learned to embrace that side and I feel I'm making real progress towards actually being pretty good at it. I guess in the end it's who I really am.

Jerome Hawkes · Post by **Jerome Hawkes** » 9 Apr 2014 12:25 pm

Mike Neer wrote: I guess in the end it's who I really am.

when i was living in Nashville many years ago - the great John Hartford said something i always remembered (being a young musician looking for his path in this world)
"You can not manufacture a style - it comes from accepting your limitations"
there is so much wisdom in this nugget, among many he had about life & music. it is SO hard (and frustrating) to try and duplicate someone else's path, yet so free and rewarding to follow the music that is within you.

Stephen Abruzzo · Post by **Stephen Abruzzo** » 9 Apr 2014 4:45 pm

Wow...dude that was awesome. Oh man, you've got some scary talent.

You mentioned in another thread (or maybe earlier in this one, haha) that you like Albert Collins.

Now, that would be some serious playin', to do something by the Iceman.

Great stuff Mike. You're doing the I-95 corridor proud.

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 10 Apr 2014 3:47 am

Alright!! ... That was great Mike, fun stuff

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 10 Apr 2014 4:38 am

White Trash ...

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 10 Apr 2014 5:10 am

Rick Aiello wrote:White Trash ...

You know it!

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 10 Apr 2014 5:22 am

You sure got a lot of fans ...

And by the looks of my inbox ... Some didn't get the joke ...

One of my favorite albums ... Still have it in my stack of LPs.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 10 Apr 2014 5:25 am

I completely agree. Edgar and Johnny were big influences on me. And so was Rick Derringer. I played with Edgar once in a club in NYC (or should I say managed to procure a spot on the stage behind the horn players). I think it was with my lap steel.

Rick Aiello · Post by **Rick Aiello** » 10 Apr 2014 6:27 am

"People keep asking me ... Where's your brother " ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur10zdp10Fk

If I heard that "line" once in high school I heard it a million times ... Wasn't too cool to be an "albino" in sunny Palm Beach

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0aqPjnrosA

Ron Bednar · Post by **Ron Bednar** » 10 Apr 2014 9:08 am

I've heard Pete Grant play some incredible Beatles.
And I too miss Steinar...I called and talked with him just before he passed...I miss him.
He did a great slow version of "Bad Moon Rising".

But for my 2Â¢ David Lindley is the main rocker on lap steel.

Here's a pic of Steely John...

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Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 10 Apr 2014 9:25 am

Ron Bednar wrote:I've heard Pete Grant play some incredible Beatles.

Ron, here's a little Beatles thing I discovered I could play a few months ago. Just trying to get the hang of singing and playing simultaneously:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10 ... 0700226567

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 10 Apr 2014 9:38 am

Here are your tee shirt colors for the tour ...

http://www.colourlovers.com/palette/333 ... et_rockers

Ron Bednar · Post by **Ron Bednar** » 10 Apr 2014 9:42 am

Now that is fun!!
I thought that was really good Mike!
Wish I could do that...

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 10 Apr 2014 11:59 am

The term "rock" seems to mean different things to different people, mainly dependant on their age. My most influenced days were the 50s, and at that time "rock" or "rock and roll" meant "rockabilly". Of course, the music has been around since before the war, and "rocking and rolling" was used in Juke Joints as a euphamism for sex.

So yes, I am a closet rocker. I've loved rockabilly all my life.

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 10 Apr 2014 6:40 pm

Mike:

Very nice vibe and singing to boot with no backing tracks. It takes a lot of seat time to acquire the technique and timing to bring it all together and before hitting the sack. Bravo!

Lenny

John RJ Wilson · Post by **John RJ Wilson** » 11 Apr 2014 2:21 am

Loving this thread, long may it continue on.and on and on. I know there have been similar in the past.

Mike.... The Hendrix is sublime, the rest aint bad too. Quit your day job and get an album of this stuff out

Brad sheesh, ok broken Children is of it's time, Human League meets Duran Duran. Good stuffs

But Blind Venetians man that was so ahead of it's time. My son Djent metal fan and player that he is nearly fell off his chair when I played it to him, this is in there with Periphery and that genre right here right now.

John RJ Wilson · Post by **John RJ Wilson** » 11 Apr 2014 3:21 am

Here is Mr Cunningham's For The Love Of God.
If ever a Vai track was made for lap steel this is it, the lap simulates Steves Sustainer pick up perfectly, along with the very hot DiMarzio and Eric Johnson pups in the Lapsteel.
Awesome

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6wGL18a8zc

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 11 Apr 2014 5:44 am

I really like "Rock'n'Roll Hootchie Koo". It's fun to listen to. Made me take out my guitar to find the chords, and I posted it on FB, it already has many likes.

Bill McCloskey · Post by **Bill McCloskey** » 11 Apr 2014 7:47 am

Dude, this is definitely the direction you should be taking. I've always liked your stuff, but you seem alive on this in a way I haven't heard from you before.

Charles Shafer · Post by **Charles Shafer** » 25 Apr 2014 8:41 am

I think that is why I bought a lap steel to begin with, not to bracket myself into any category, I absolutely love what Gilmour does in "High Hopes" or how Dire Straits can jazz up anything with the steel guitar. Are there other ways to play steel? Just kidding, of course, I think it is a truly versatile instrument.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Any closet rockers out there?

Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo