Stevie K Band

Checking In

2009-03-26T06:22:00.000-07:00

Howdy guys

Well the tour has been shortened by two nights ho hum.

Whats new? Well my my let me see now...err we've got new bits of kit, new songs, new recording sessions, new posters/artwork...it's a regular bonanza I tell thee!

I'll start with what I know - guitars. A new relic strat is wingining its way to me courtesy of my friends at Fender but I have a little mod planned for this sunburst beauty which I shall reveal once it's finished...I will hopfully use it next week on tour. Elsewhere I have discovered the joys of tweaking...yes thats right, the Dunlop Fuzz Face re-issue...what else!? The trim pots have allowed me to fine tune the little red circular blighter to my taste and I'm pretty satisfied so far, hang on, kettle's boiling....Thats better! A nice cuppa:)

Okay where were we, yes, FUZZ! You might notice this is not the first time I have mentioned Fuzz in a blog, don't worry its just me delving into these murky, 'fuzzy' waters. Hmmm what else..well the 'Jackhammer' seems to be acting as a good Tubescreamer type pedal so along with the Fuzz, Pickup Booster and Jackhammer I'm starting to nurture ''Distortion Corner'' just over to the right in my pedal board. How Quaint.

In other gear related news we've got some drum kit based fun and games happening so I'll hand you over to Tim ''Mark King'' Deal, Tim....

So there I was reading a rather wordy post by our resident cocktail maker and guitar tweaker Stevie K, when I was asked to continue.

Continue I must; continue I will.

So we spent the best part of two hours trying out hi-hats in Wembley Drum Centre last week. Joy of joys. Eventually we came up with some Sabian (controversial I know) X-Celerator hi-hats which sound like A-Customs but aren't quite as bright.

So I've expanded my drum set up, using my main kit with 10" tom and 16" floor tom but now with the ride cymbal where the crash was...here's a picture.

P.S. What a discrace I have made at not getting the size of the crash right. It is an 18" for which I shall be eternally regretful. Apologies to all who correctly thought that 16" for this sort of music would be woefully inadequate: you are right.

So two rides, an extra crash AND auxilliary snare, which I've tuned higher for some interesting moments. May also add a 10" splash in there, although I find they don't cut through that well. Good to have the options though.

Bit hungover from an awesome jam night last night (@The Goat, St Albans, every Wed's)
Laughed myself to sleep (very rare) because I was coming up with so many collective nouns. For instance:

A Vasquez of knife crime
A North Korea of flange
A brush with the law of golf apparell
A Tina Turner of fair trade produce
A Bill Gates of sleep deprevation
A nicotene of drunk shrimp explorers

See you on tour!
We will update the dates on our myspace asap.

x

Well hello Folks!

2009-02-15T14:18:00.001-08:00

Okay so 2009 starts with a 10 date tour out west in glorious Somerset. We will be supporting Chris Jagger and playing some of our own headline slots!

Meanwhile you can catch the band letting their hair and riffs down most Mondays in St Albans @ their ever popular Jam Night.

The venue depends on the bands tour schedule etc but at the moment is @ The Duke Of Marlborough, Holywell Hill, St Albans.

To keep up to date join the Stevie K Band on Facebook: http://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/Stevie-K-Band/37772547897

From here you can also join the Stevie K Blues Jam Nights group which tracks all the Jam session movements and can notify you when and where they are happening.

Thanks everybody!
Looking forward to meeting/playing with some of you soon!

Regards
Stevie K

Merry Christmas And Happy New Year!

2008-12-30T16:27:00.000-08:00

Hello one and all!

It's been a while I know but suffice to say there are many great things planned for The Stevie K Band in 2009! Not to mention of course our gig @The Half Moon in Putney on 11Th Jan 2009.

In the meantime have a very happy new year and I look formard to 2009.

Peace
Stevie K

Badger!

2008-11-17T10:44:00.001-08:00

Thats all I wish to say.

Badger

News - recording, guitars, Hobnobs

2008-11-04T01:37:00.000-08:00

We're hitting the studio this week to record some demos...new songs!! With new drummer Tim ''and another thing'' Deal.

In other news my longest serving guitar - a prototype '86 Fender Custom shop Hank Marvin signature model - has just been re united with it's original Lace Sensor equipped pick guard/electronics. I recorded most of the album with it using (IIRC) custom shop Fat 50's pickups with a Quarter Pound in the bridge (listen to ''Same Old lies'') but the time had come to try once more it's original active circuitry. The results are superb....!

'til next time I change my mind y'all!

Bye Bye
Stevie K

Clips

2008-10-27T05:36:00.000-07:00

More and more clips are being added to our myspace profile...keep up to date @ www.myspace.com/steviekband

Gretsch Power Jet

2008-10-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

Hmmmm, the plight of the continental furniture enthusiast....a constant worry? TBH I feel the same way in any big guitar store!

Now, showing up to gigs in fishing vessels....thats a HOT topic!!

Enough nonsense from me!

Well with The Gibson gone, the suitable replacement has been found. I am now to be found weilding a bright red Gretsch Power Jet loaded with TV Jones Powertron pickups and I must say, it freakin' rocks dude!

I had my guy at Fender take a look over it and he decided to make small adjustments to the nut but thats about it - it is pretty much there.

I couldnt resist some of my personal modifications so firstly I did what most people do with Gretsch guitars by adding a 680pf cap on the master volume control, next was a Gretsch Space Control bridge allowing precise string spacing and finally I decided I like it without the scratchplate (not exactly a ''mod''). We'll see how this bridge goes but initial impressions are of much much more volume acoustically.

...and another thing

2008-10-11T14:08:00.000-07:00

Hello. Tim here, resident stick twizzler for the Stevie K Band. This is a new regular blog, totally unrelated to the music but very necessary to vent issues of modern life which is simply missing in modern blues rock. On a recent trip to Ikea I realised that such a large assortment of furniture in one area is equivalent to intensive farming (of the human variety). Not only did they have a lack of suitable desks for my pc and audio equipment, they also failed miserably in making the experience at all pleasant. I found myself marauding my way through lampshades one minute then into a menagerie of foliage in the next; which only survives in Ikea undoubtedly due to the tropical temperatures...putting the 'furnace' in 'furniture'. And why is it that the publique genérale, the indecisive creatures that are prone to these sorts of stores feel an overwhelming need to wade their way through the isles as if caught in some glutonous muck?! At the end I felt myself gasping for hope "let me out...I'm just a drummer not a continental furniture enthusiast!" Lets hope MFI comes up with a better solution. From an exhausted Stevie K Band drummer.

The Flag, Watford, This Friday, 3rd Oct!

2008-09-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

There is an air of anticipation as we approach this week's gig @ The Flag, Watford. After our extended set @ The Goat in St Albans last week, we are excited to be playing in front of a good crowd and at a fairly large venue.

Thanks to those of you who have bought C.D's by the way! Be sure to see the band on the road!

Stevie K

Video Clip Available!!

2008-09-21T14:56:00.000-07:00

You can now view a short clip of The Stevie K Band playing live @The Dublin Castle.

Enjoy!

Stevie K

Stevie K Band London 2008

Camden gig

2008-09-21T11:07:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all who came and supported at The Dublin Castle, and to those who we signed C.Ds for - thank you!!

We all had a great time, the band's sound was fat!

We play The Goat in St Albans on Thurs 25th Sept so please come along. It will be fun to hear us delve into some cool covers and improvise a tune or two then onto rocking it with the album material.

take care

Stevie K

Our first in a run of gigs starts this Sunday in Camden

2008-09-08T08:43:00.000-07:00

I'll be there, err obviously! I'm personally looking forward to this as it's only the second official Stevie K Band original gig since December 2006 (not counting our jam night of course)

During our cover/original shows later in the year we will be joined by a selection of ace Keyboard players.

Now the guitar techy stuff - this will also be the first official outing for my recently ordered bespoke Custom Cabinet Compny 2x12 enclosure. www.guitarampcab.com offer a wide range and have recently been awarded 5 stars by Guitarist magazine. The sound from it is truly awesome with my Lonestar. I'll also be re tubing so expect TONE!

I'll prob keep the pedal and guitar inventory down - I don't use many 'gadgets' anyway so a bit of delay, modulation and gain boost is prob all I'll take - I use the amp's overdrive. Guitar wise I'm currently favouring my beloved strat for standard tuning (complete with newly fitted tele bridge p/up!) and probably my customized Squier Esprit for Eb....listen out for this thing in Eb, it's a monumental sound!

Bye for now!
Stevie K

Still more gigs

2008-08-17T05:36:00.000-07:00

Yes I am still here!! Been busy booking shows. Latest additions are: the Goat, St Albans on Thurs 25th September and Sunday 16th November @ The Horns, Watford. These two dates are in addition to the others on www.steviekband.com.

See you there!

Stevie K

Gig's are coming in thick and fast

2008-07-23T09:30:00.000-07:00

Please see the website for gig listings....we are coming to a town near you!

Hello!

2008-07-04T10:13:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all those who have contacted me thorugh the website asking for videos and albums. Please keep checking the website as gigs will be booked soon!

Stevie K

New video coming soon

2008-06-16T09:45:00.000-07:00

Some live footage of the Mermaid jam night (hosted by the Stevie K Band) will be coming soon, available to view online...stay tuned!!

Blew a valve

2008-06-13T09:32:00.000-07:00

Well as the title suggests, I blew a valve...not the output tubes but a pre amp tube which teaches us all a valuable lesson folks....bring spare tubes to shows!!

So in the end I'm sticking with 6L6's...they're fatter at high volumes and if in good condition are crisp and full sounding imo.

Anyway, back to the Stevie K Band - the press release is resdy so after all this waiting you are soon going to be able to see the Stevie K Band live across the U.K.

Dont forget the album is available via the website...simply email me here and I will send it out to you. £10 + P&P to mainland U.K..

Catch up 2

2008-06-02T03:25:00.000-07:00

This week I will mostly be...trying some EL34 output tubes!!

If they're good, you can hear them for yourselves at the next show!!

Catch Up

2008-05-07T00:55:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Just dropping by to say hello.

It's been a good couple of weeks for the Stevie K Band and I am now sorting out gigs/promotion so stay tuned!

Stevie K

Thank You All

2008-04-20T03:31:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all that came out to see me and the boys on Thursday. It was a great show for me and we all had a great time playing!

Thanks to Sangers, Ben, Matt and Ramon for jamming and apologies to Lewis and Craig for not getting you guys up to play.

I should mention also the amazing work that Spencer has done for me with his outstanding album cover art design. Check out his site, I can't recommend him enough for his talents in web design and album cover art!

www.komodromou.com

Album is in my hands

2008-04-17T06:43:00.000-07:00

I saw the album in the flesh for the first time this morning and its a good thing too as we're launching it tonight at The Mermaid! - 98 Hatfeild Road St Albans!

It will be available via the website as well, by using the 'Buy Now' button and for the first 500 it will be little old me seding it personally :)

If for some reason you dont see the 'Buy Now' button just email me through info@steviekband.com and I'll get one sent out to you. All you'll need is Pay Pal, your address and £10 plus £1.50 P&P for England.

Right I'm off to get ready for the show!

The Album Is Finished!

2008-04-10T07:43:00.001-07:00

I Have just finished Mastering the album!! It Sounds great!

Clips will be up shortly and it will hopefully be available for sale at the Mermaid gig on the 17th (Next Thursday!)

P.s to any musicians out there, bring your instrument as we may have a little jam session too!

Another great session @ the Bassment

2008-03-29T14:58:00.000-07:00

Went to see Gutherie Govan last Thursday and was treated to a fine display of musicianship. All those guys are amazing, truly, I get great pleasure from listening to Pete Riley's drumming....wicked!

Hot Fuzz!

2008-03-26T16:17:00.000-07:00

Monday night was the first use of the Fuzz pedal, it was great!! And I should mention that the Jam was great too!! Thanks too all those who turned up and played!!

I will post in more detail later in the week

Album nearly done, available at The Mermaid Gig 17th April

2008-03-21T18:13:00.000-07:00

Well while I'm posting I may as well update the album situation. Ten tracks are done, artwork is being finalized and I'm getting excited about the next gig where it will be on sale! The gig will be at The Mermaid, 98 Hatfeild Road, St Albans 8:30 start. We will be playing as many of th album tracks as we get time for as well as some Steely Dan and Robben Ford covers so come check it out!

We may even do a little jam session......

Just picked up a Boss FZ-5

2008-03-21T17:59:00.000-07:00

Trying out this Boss fuzz pedal and I think I'm gonna add it to my set up.....I'm not by any means a Hendrix aficianado but thats what it reminds me of. I like it because I can now have 3 or 4 distortion types: 1) clean/crunch 2) Overdrive 3) Overdrive with pickup booster engaged and 4) Meltdown - Overdrive with the FZ-5 engaged! When engaged with the ring modulator I really can create a truly revolting (but cool)sound.

This is my first fuzz pedal, I always use my amp's distortion so am not that clued up when it comes to distortion/fuzz/overdrive pedals but I like it that way, it makes it more fun when you 'discover' a cool pedal.

Jam night musings

2008-03-19T09:47:00.000-07:00

Just reflecting on a great night again at the Mermaid, once again it was great to see all the great players!

Welcome!

2008-02-22T11:45:00.000-08:00

Hi there, and welcome to my first blog!

Here you will find my random waffles and musing about my project, the Stevie K Band.

Come back soon!

Cheers