Dokken

Yeah, we have a venue just up the street from me (St. Rocke, Hermosa Beach) and their lineup is very heavily weighted toward tribute bands, and that place is packed every night of the week. I get the impression the bands do pretty well. Normally I am not much of a fan of the tribute band scene, but my wife talked me into seeing Super Diamond a couple of weeks ago and it was a lot of fun TBH. I doubt I would appreciate a rock tribute but the tongue-in-cheek nature of the Neil Diamond thing worked somehow.
 
I honestly don’t even like playing other band’s songs. I’ve always been about making my own stuff. I’d learn bits and pieces of songs just to learn technique or to see how to create certain sounds but that’s about it.
 
It’s one of those “crippling self doubt things” often times I wonder if my riffs are too boring, if my lead work sucks. But.... I’ve had many people tell me they really enjoy my stuff, I enjoy writing and composing it, I love the challenge in it. So I take the plunge, put my stuff together, and put it out there then go “HEY! LOOK WHAT I MADE!!!”
 
Metal89 said:
It’s one of those “crippling self doubt things” often times I wonder if my riffs are too boring, if my lead work sucks. But.... I’ve had many people tell me they really enjoy my stuff, I enjoy writing and composing it, I love the challenge in it. So I take the plunge, put my stuff together, and put it out there then go “HEY! LOOK WHAT I MADE!!!”
Click to expand...

Here's one I wrote while zonked on painkillers....so it doesn't follow any accepted musical norms...

Heroine - Angel In Black
 
9RG7mAS.gif

 
Robert Herndon said:
That song just kinda came to me. I'm hoping maybe my writing will evolve into something a bit more commercially suitable...you know, something people would want to crank going down the road...
Click to expand...

Just like anything, I think its just something that needs to be practiced. My very first single is going to be more along the lines of "power metal" as far as lyrics, instrumentation actually has a Manowar influence. The only complex part is the tempo changes, and there are times where I go. "no one will want to listen to this crap..." other times "You know...this actually makes a pretty good opener" The other song I have 95% composed is far more complex lyric wise, more thought provoking, and serious. Sometimes that inspiration just hits and the trick is to capture it before you lose it.

I personally just try to remember a few things. Every song is going to have people that don't like it and people that do. And there are numerous songs the artist themselves didn't think was any good, in fact, they thought it was trash but became instant hits. Just have to throw it out there and find out. If it sucks, hey every artist has put out a stinker from time to time. not every song is going to be gold.
 
Metal89 said:
Just like anything, I think its just something that needs to be practiced. My very first single is going to be more along the lines of "power metal" as far as lyrics, instrumentation actually has a Manowar influence. The only complex part is the tempo changes, and there are times where I go. "no one will want to listen to this crap..." other times "You know...this actually makes a pretty good opener" The other song I have 95% composed is far more complex lyric wise, more thought provoking, and serious. Sometimes that inspiration just hits and the trick is to capture it before you lose it.

I personally just try to remember a few things. Every song is going to have people that don't like it and people that do. And there are numerous songs the artist themselves didn't think was any good, in fact, they thought it was trash but became instant hits. Just have to throw it out there and find out. If it sucks, hey every artist has put out a stinker from time to time. not every song is going to be gold.
Click to expand...

You could be right!!!!

I write only when something comes to me. i don't sit down and try to write. I'm too busy with the band and I enjoy playing covers...especially this Judas Priest themed thing we got cooking right now...
 
Robert Herndon said:
You could be right!!!!

I write only when something comes to me. i don't sit down and try to write. I'm too busy with the band and I enjoy playing covers...especially this Judas Priest themed thing we got cooking right now...
Click to expand...

I'm the same when it comes to writing. It has to just come to me, and at times it just comes one line at a time, other times I can get a whole verse written out before I have to wait for inspiration. Luckily I have a job where i can listen to my music all night so it usually only takes a few days. But like you I go through the whole "crippling self doubt" deal... just every aspect of the song that I make. I often times try to sneak in samples of it to gauge how people like it. In fact, this first song y'all have already heard the intro and the main riff when I posted the video of me testing out the new switch on the Dinky. Maybe not the most accurate litmus test but it gave me the confidence boost I needed to proceed with it.

And very interested in this Judas Priest thing you got going on! I don't know why, I just never found personal enjoyment myself from playing covers, I definitely don't have anything against it and there are a lot of covers i do enjoy. However, I personally get really bored doing it myself.
 
Robert Herndon said:
I hate my own songs. I do write, but I seldom record them. I just don't think I have the right stuff...
Click to expand...


Here is one guy I admire his bass playing, but the true genius is his song writing. I bet you can do it, Robert. I also find it so killer that Robert Deleo on Bass can think and lay out the whole song and his brother Dean can duplicate or use teamwork and voila a song is born.

 
Last edited:
Thanks guys, Robert and Don. I replaced the clip with the one I really was looking for. Hope u like the new one.

Sorry to hijack off Dokken, but it was meant to accentuate the talent Robert Herndon has and his total accumulation of influences that he can certainly use as building blocks to song writing and performing.
 
Metal89 said:
I'm the same when it comes to writing. It has to just come to me, and at times it just comes one line at a time, other times I can get a whole verse written out before I have to wait for inspiration. Luckily I have a job where i can listen to my music all night so it usually only takes a few days. But like you I go through the whole "crippling self doubt" deal... just every aspect of the song that I make. I often times try to sneak in samples of it to gauge how people like it. In fact, this first song y'all have already heard the intro and the main riff when I posted the video of me testing out the new switch on the Dinky. Maybe not the most accurate litmus test but it gave me the confidence boost I needed to proceed with it.

And very interested in this Judas Priest thing you got going on! I don't know why, I just never found personal enjoyment myself from playing covers, I definitely don't have anything against it and there are a lot of covers i do enjoy. However, I personally get really bored doing it myself.
Click to expand...

We got a group of older guys together (we range in age from 49 to 58) that really dig 80's rock and especially Judas Priest. Our goal is a 5-6 night a week Casino gig as a musical tribute "Geezer - Celebrating The Music of Judas Priest," since none of us look like the members.

It's the most fun band I think I've ever been in...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top