All you need is…

I recall seeing a Beatles documentary a few years back, when the (then) surviving members were asked “Is love all you need?” They all replied “Yes”, although it was George Harrison who looked the most convinced about this.

Although the physical form also needs food, warmth, shelter etc. I would tend to agree with them. I would also say that love as all you really need to perform good music.

Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers is a musician I have great admiration for, as much for his approach as his playing. He once said that to make good music the band needs to have love for one another (no sniggering at the back, please). I also agree with this.

I spent too many years in bands and gigging with musicians that I had little in common with. The gigs sometimes felt like a second job, as opposed to a pleasure, and the highlight was getting paid and going home. This situation is all too common, and I believe that an audience can sense it.

In more recent years I am happy to say that I have been in two bands – The Rubb and CatDesigners (see www.catdesigners.co.uk) – where I describe gigs and rehearsals to other people as a night out with my friends. Whereas I used to resent rehearsing (because we didn’t get paid) it is now one of the highlights of the week. To me, at least, the music is good and getting better all the time.

Just as none of us tell our families and loved ones how we feel about them often enough, I have never really told my band mates how much I appreciate them – but I will get round to it one day.

If the tone of this blog appears a bit soppy to you, go and listen to ‘Do You Realise’ by the Flaming Lips. It may change your whole outlook.