Sitting in on a Taiwan Blues Jam

What's that? A picture of me playing drums? You don't play drums? Yes, you are correct, I don't play drums...WTF???...read on to find out...

I'm not a big fan of sitting in a playing in blues jams or other jam situations. I'm not sure why, I think probably because I play for my own enjoyment and performing is never something I think about or even really care about. So when the "white guy from Subway" (restaurant) gave me the Taipei Wednesday Night Blues Jam info, I thought, "Well, what have I got to lose? At least I can write a blog about what can happen."

So Charlene and I show up for the Blues Jam and arrive 10 minutes early to eat dinner and "check it out". I wasn't sure if I was going to sit in a play, I didn't bring my guitar, and was more curious than anything. The "white guy from Subway" came to our table (we mistakenly thought he was the waiter). He was happy to see us, but I was no longer an outside observer, now I was a potential "jam guy" to sit in with the band. I never said what instrument I played, just that I would maybe sit in.

So he left, and the band started to play...well it was kind of a band. There were two guitar players (Subway dude on one guitar and vocals), and one bass player...no drummer. Maybe the drummer was late? No after three songs...still no drums. So I mention to Charlene, that I would like to play drums more than guitar. Not so much because I'm a good drummer (I'm actually quite awful) but the music was so strange that I figured my crappy drumming would at least sound better than no drums at all.

After four songs (and a few beers) I got up and asked if there was a drummer, "No drummers here" was the reply. OK, what the hell, I'll sit in. So I sat in and played a few songs. Horrible playing, but then again...well I leave it at that. So after I played a few songs, the "white Subway guy" comes up to the drums to start playing. Very strange, I figured that with no drummer in the beginning of the night, that he would at least sit in an play. Nope, now was his time to play I guess.

I sat down to have another beer and older "white" guy sat in and played some really nice country/blues/slide guitar. This guy could play VERY well and it was quite enjoyable. I wanted to sit in a play guitar with him, but no luck. I went up THREE times to sit in and play (even planning on singing and playing guitar) but my reply from the "white Subway guy" was "no we need a drummer". I said, "No I'm actually a guitar player...and I'm pretty good." His reply was, "Get in line, everyone here is a guitar player". He didn't say it in a bad or mean way, just a matter of fact, half-joking way.

OK, well no guitar playing from me then. I don't think I'll be going back. I'm not being a dick or anything about not being able to play guitar, it's just that those "jam sessions" are just not my thing. I probably had more fun playing drums than I ever would have had playing guitar. Hell I'll NEVER get a chance again in my life to play drums in front of an audience, so all in all, it was a pretty fun time.

Here's video to document the awesome event:

Jim