My First Gig Using the Axe-FX Ultra - Video

steadystate

steadystate

Fractal Fanatic
I finally received some footage of my first public gig with the Ultra. I was called to do the gig on fairly short notice, so I scrambled to create the presets (and learn the tunes). But it still sounded way better than my previous rig, even though I've improved the tones since. No dazzling solos or guitar gymnastics, but it was a great way to debut my new rig.

Unfortunately, I was very ill the night of this performance, and had just learned that my wife had another guy and wanted a divorce. It really shows on my face now that I see it from an external perspective. I look sick and miserable because I was. That night was hell on earth for me. But life is much better now. 8) Now that the obligatory excuse section is out of the way:

Comfortably Numb: The Symphonic Rockshow - Comfortably Numb - YouTube

Funeral for a Friend: The Symphonic Rockshow - Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding - YouTube

Wall exerpt: The Symphonic Rockshow - Pink Floyd Wall Medley - YouTube

Still of the Night: The Symphonic Rockshow - Still of the Night - YouTube

Who are You?: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_SghFMZ3jo&feature=related

Living Thing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=9Ra-MsK4Mj8&feature=endscreen

I'm the one playing the red Carvin DC-127.
 
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Excellent playing and really cool idea - rock meets orchestra! You guys did Pink Floyd justice on that one. AND....love the Carvin....one of the overlooked guitar builders IMO. I have a KOA DC 145 that I love. -Mike
 
Great job. What a cool gig and a monster sound. I thought your guitar on YouTube sounded better than the Australian PF dude on tv for what it's worth on Comfortably Numb.
 
Wow - I love this. The concept is really cool, you guys sound really terrific and I love the light and sound show. Just a fabulous production that really does the music justice.

I cover Pink Floyd occasionally with a group of work colleagues from around the world at our global conferences -- here is a youtube clip from a show earlier this year where we played Another Brick in the Wall Part 2 with a choir. Was my first Axe FX Ultra gig as well. Apologies for the sloppy playing (email rehearsal!)....I was playing two concurrent sets with two bands in two different ballrooms...

I am the guy on the right. Ran the Axe FX Ultra into FOH with stage monitoring through a bass amp that someone had handy. The Ultra does a really great job of projecting, almost irrespective of the setup.

Another Brick in the Wall Part 2 - YouTube
 
First off, glad to hear life is all good 'cause that sounded like a tough pill to swallow. But the show must go on and boy go on you did! All of you sounded GREAT!
 
I had to watch all the videos in a row last night (I think I was the first person on Youtube to watch your Stairway to Heaven ;-))---- Still of the Night is my favourite ... nothing short of epic!!! Thank you for posting!
 
Great show indeed. Very impressive, especially considering your mindset at the time. Would have loved seeing it in real life.

On a sidenote, this beats a similar gig show and soundwise I did a few years ago, after not having played in public for 10 years.
You can watch that show here, let me know what you all think of it. (I'm the guy sporting the pinkish Ibanez.) :
night of the proms 2007 - YouTube
 
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Wow - Awesome gig, awesome playing and tone. Sorry to hear about the troubles you're going through - took some nuts to get up and play that well given everything you must have had going on in your head.

Rock on brother.
Sukh
 
Music is the best way to heal your wounds. Very fantastc videos, great overall sound, of course - the guitar is the best :)
Thank you for posting, it's very impressive for me.
 
Superb sounds. Awesome playing. That little bells thing just before "just a little pinprick" in Comfortably Numb was sweet. If that show ever tours, let us now.

Man, these videos sound awesome. I've gone through 5 or 6 now. That ELO cover, Livin' Thing, is FANTASTIC!

Can you tell us a little more about the project? Seems like it's a huge endeavour to stage something that big. Was it a one off show or do you do this regularly? How big is your set list? Changing it up all the time? Who does the orchestrations?
 
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I love hearing someone nail a performance for 99.9% of the people that would ever hear it, but still critique their performance. Only you really know how well you played or didn't, but to the rest of us, you did it justice and then some. For a long time I dismissed the various professional cover bands, but as time has passed I appreciate that we can hear the music of some of the all time greats live when we otherwise wouldn't have the chance.
 
iaresee said:
Can you tell us a little more about the project? Seems like it's a huge endeavour to stage something that big. Was it a one off show or do you do this regularly? How big is your set list? Changing it up all the time? Who does the orchestrations?
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The core band (lead vocalist, guitarist (me), keyboard/violinist, bassist, drummer) plays regular gigs in Vegas, mostly classic rock and 80s at various casino showrooms. This was the first of what we hope will be more symphonic shows. We have two more scheduled in the first half of next year. We may also bring it to California. Too soon to tell.

Lon Bronson (a local musician/conductor) scored and composed the orchestral sections. The orchestra is composed of musicians from Las Vegas and parts of California. I imagine we will change the set up to some extent, choosing songs that lend themselves to this format. Next time, I should be my old smiling self again.
 
steadystate said:
The core band (lead vocalist, guitarist (me), keyboard/violinist, bassist, drummer) plays regular gigs in Vegas, mostly classic rock and 80s at various casino showrooms. This was the first of what we hope will be more symphonic shows. We have two more scheduled in the first half of next year. We may also bring it to California. Too soon to tell.

Lon Bronson (a local musician/conductor) scored and composed the orchestral sections. The orchestra is composed of musicians from Las Vegas and parts of California. I imagine we will change the set up to some extent, choosing songs that lend themselves to this format. Next time, I should be my old smiling self again.
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Most excellent. Very cool.
 
Superb show! The choice of tunes, the way they served the ensemble (and vice-versa), the playing, the light show...all world-class stuff! I'm envious. :mrgreen
 
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