What we’re about
Hello Kansas City rockers, singers, horn players, pickers, string musicians, and performers of "live" music. Welcome to Band Club Social, an incredibly fun, high energy monthly "pop up" music experience and social gathering where musicians across Kansas City, such as yourself, will come together to perform (play) a 2 - 3 hour themed session.
Rooted in the mantra "all fun, no stress", BCS is a community first group where it's about playing great music, yes, but also about not making it the only thing...which is... having a night to just hang out, support others playing some killer music (much of it maybe being new to you), learn from each other, network, push your ability in a trusted space, happily be open to mistakes, have a cocktail or two, and stay positive (no ego).....and, again, play some killer music across all the genres.....rock (classic, alternative, southern, indie), country (classic, alt, new), Americana, jamband, soul / r&b, blues, funk, horns, punk, hard rock, jazz, and more.
This started in St. Louis (please don't hold that against us) but is spreading its wings to launch in multiple Midwest cities....and KC is the first outside the Lou.
Here is what some of the players have said about it, so far....
"The things that happen musically in each performance are nothing short of tight, groovin’ harmonious MIRACLES. It’s a cross between a low-key gig and a pro-level jam sesh, and it’s always a great time!"
- Jordan (multi-band player, lead guitarist)
"I was blown away!! Those horns!! @ Everyone was so incredibly talented. I was lucky to have been there."
- Angie (singer / songwriter / pianist)
"The Urge? THE URGE?! We are going to do a horn song by The Urge?!!
Oh my goodness, the vapors. faints ... later recovers. Oh, ahem, yeah I should be there for that."
- James (trombone)
"Super fun and great playing everyone! Most fun I've had playing music in a long time!"
- Ahren (lead guitarist)
"I had a blast! Shout out to my Allman / Ramblin' Man bandmates: that was
epic! One of my best musical memories."
- Johnny (multi-band veteran, lead guitarist)
"Bravo to all! Well done!!! I have wanted to sing Peg for a very long time.
Thanks for making my Steely Dan dream a reality."
- Sooz (singer / songwriter / acoustic guitar)
BUILDING THE COMMUNITY / MUSICIAN GROUP
So before we can have any "live" sessions in Kansas City, we first must build the musician group and that is why we are here on MeetUp. No sessions or event will be posted until we reach a suitable level to cover all the instrument groups and make the first session a banger. Early Fall (2023) is expected but we'll activate sooner if the group gets large enough / fast enough.
Who matches well with this "live" event and group?
Well first, know the sessions follow a "no group rehearse" format. When a session is announced, it will have a 30 song selection list that corresponds with the theme. Each interested player/singer submits their part preferences (lead guitar, rhythm guitar, drums, etc....) in ranked order of what they want to play the most to least. Each sign-up gets minimum of 3 songs to play unless otherwise noted....but can play many more than that if interested and capable.
The group administrator, with the assistance of the proprietary app/website, distributes the parts out 12-14 days prior to the session which gives everyone that much time to prep their parts. On the night of the event, everyone shows up, hangs out, and goes up to play when their song is called off the setlist. It's a one-time performance which means it's not expected to play perfect....but surprisingly, given the talent level, many of the tunes exceed what anyone could imagine, plus we get to do songs most never imagined being able to play "live"...even the true journeyman players.
Here are some examples from the St. Louis BCS group.....
- Please note, the performance space in these "raw, player shot" videos, at times, is in an unfinished music space where we were testing out this format, so it does not represent what the space would aim to be for KC (i.e. Knuckleheads, Tin Roof, Record Bar, private studio, etc...)
JESSICA / Allman Brothers Band
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nqp6BmlomHwSMy6o_LkXzqRO7_qgmyiQ/view?usp=share_link
SATURDAY IN THE PARK / Chicago (yes, we do full horn sections)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1n_dJZ3lsyEu56aDSPuyFdowADHQwLqcC/view?usp=share_link
MIDNIGHT IN HARLEM / Tedeschi Trucks Band
https://drive.google.com/file/d/16nXU87-4IvqH03BqHx2b3yUVYDLgQRg6/view?usp=share_link
10th AVE. FREEZEOUT / Bruce Springsteen
https://drive.google.com/file/d/152PgUyBFiD3lOZf08NMQNpNffcIQu4YF/view?usp=share_link
BAD SELF PORTRAITS / Lake Street Dive
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aqQKtR0Kh-M_gtFkfJciw3tzjnyKgAmV/view?usp=share_link
We don't want to draw a hard line on qualifications but for the sessions to produce the best "live, one-time" opportunity, players and singers need to know what they can deliver. Aim is for those with band experience (whether in current band or previous) and core competence / confidence on the instrument or voice.... or advance to pro level skills...or can be intermediate but, again, competence / confidence on instrument. If you have the talent, we can walk you through any nerves. No beginners, first timers, inexperienced on stage type players. Future groups will broaden out to accommodate more of these lower skill levels.
Sessions are fee-based. The fee delivers on the experience for the players and a fun night out. St. Louis group exceeds 735 local musicians and growing daily with over 250 that have participated in the "live" sessions so far. Over 30% now of new members coming from referrals so feel free to recommend to like musicians.
Looking for....
Lead Guitarists
Rhythm Guitarists
Acoustic
Bassists
Keys / Piano / Organ
Drummers
Singers (Lead and Harmony)
Trumpeters
Sax (alto, tenor, bari)
Trombone
Pedal Steel
Mandolin
Violin / Fiddle / Cello
Harmonica
Banjo
Percussion
If interested, please join up and get ready for a fun time with a lot of new musicians and some that may be your next bandmate (or is currently). Any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to me here on MeetUp.
We look forward to launching in Kansas City and seeing which city has the better rockers in Missouri ( + Kansas).
Cheers.
Troy Quinn, founder
