Biinqlub

SEEKING

Band to Join, Accordion, Acoustic Guitar, Background Singer, Bagpipes, Banjo, Bass Guitar, Cello, Clarinet, DJ, Dobro, Drums, Electronic Music, Fiddle, Flute, Harmonica, Harp, Keyboard, Lead Guitar, Mandolin, Other, Other Percussion, Piano, Rhythm Guitar, Saxophone, Steel guitar, Trombone, Trumpet, Ukulele, Upright bass, Violin, Vocalist, Vocalist - Alto, Vocalist - Baritone, Vocalist - Bass, Vocalist - Soprano, Vocalist - Tenor.

ABOUT

Music was everywhere in my blood and upbringing. My grandmother was an accomplished music teacher, supposedly my ancestry dates back to one of India's greatest composers, and at 5 years old I took singing lessons in an ethnic style that prioritized learning by ear, not notation.

As a teen, I turned to rock. Been playing for 30+ years casually, did a couple very casual bands in my youth, and wrote lots of songs and recorded on my own when younger. I grew up heavily influenced by 80s and early 90s indie / alt and though that never went away, I will play pretty much anything from rock to blues to country to metal to punk, so long as it's in the range of my ability. Genres don't matter that much to me.

These days my career (I run my own company) and my family dominate my time, but music is my one indulgence and I really love the energy from playing with others. I'll quietly stand in the back and play bass, or be out front on lead vocals, whatever works. One warning though: when on stage, I love to have tons of energy, lots of jumps and rock faces, no matter how much it embarrasses my kids.

Screen name:: Biinqlub
Member since:: May 22 2022; Active within 2 weeks
Level of commitment:: Just for Fun
Years playing music:: 30
Gigs played:: 10 to 50
Tend to practice:: 2-3 times per week
Most available:: Nights

Influences

The band that really pushed me to want to play the guitar was, and still is Australia's Midnight Oil. That might be surprising to some, but their energy, social motivations in their songwriting, incredible interplay between two rhythmic guitars (something I really love) is something else.

Besides that, I got into the whole Shoegazer then Madchester then Britpop stuff from the UK, and all that still holds a place in my heart. The Stone Roses, Catherine Wheel, Shed Seven, The Charlatans and more.

On the North American front ... well, I'm a Hip fan, always will be, and not just because I was born and raised in Kingston. Ben Gibbard from Death Cab for Cutie and Bob Mould (Husker Du / Sugar) are also writers / singers / players I admire greatly.

Instrument experience:

Rhythm Guitar:: Expert
Acoustic Guitar:: Advanced
Background Singer:: Advanced
Vocalist:: Advanced
Bass Guitar:: Intermediate
Lead Guitar:: Intermediate
Mandolin:: Beginner

EQUIPMENT

My pride and joy is my custom electric six string. My friend and I designed it in university, and it's the only one of its kind in the world. Think of a Tele and a 335 and a Rick all meeting in a dark alley. It's got a big, deep, twangy sound and it's all me.

I also have a Gretsch Duo-Jet (ie Chris Cornell's guitar), a 12-string Rick knockoff, the same Takamine plug-in acoustic I bought when I was 17, a used mandolin I mess around with, and another custom guitar, a fretless 4-string bass with a meaty active pickup and a huge laundry dryer dial for a volume knob.

Pedal board and also an old Boss multi-effects unit I use for delay, trem and whammy when necessary.

My amp is an old semi-analog Peavy Twin Reverb knockoff. That may be due for an upgrade though.