Death Of The Carnivores....

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 3:27 am

About 6 weeks ago, Eric informed me that for personal reasons, he was leaving the band. This left us looking for a bassist to carry on the work, but although this was bad news at the time, it did give Kit & I a chance to rethink what we were doing. The result of this is that I've gone back to my roots! The Carnivores will be no more & in it's place is an out & out blues band.

I played blues & Telecasters exclusively for around 17 years or so, before turning to rock & now feel it's time to go back home. The logistics of a new band are a nightmare, as many of you know, especially when you have a lot of gigs to transfer between the two bands & the negotiations that have to take place. I've been writing & pre-producing a new album, so we have something to promote & I have to say that I'm feeling pretty good about things right now.

I'm into the final stages of sorting everything out, but we have a line up & the name will be decided within the week, to coincide with the publicity. I'll miss the Carnivores, but am so excited about this evolution.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 3:58 am

Let me be the first to say, "congratulations" on your new vegetarian enterprise!

Just another example of the circles found in the drama of life, Tony. Best wishes.

But are you saying that you're giving up Ricks? Say it ain't so, Joe!

melibreits · Post by **melibreits** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 4:07 am

Congrats, Tony, and best wishes....

I'm sure you already know it, but yes, you CAN play blues on a Ric (and look and sound really cool while doing it, too)!

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 6:04 am

Thanks for your wishes...much apreciated. I'm really excited about it, as the album is sounding very good indeed....a lot of work in a very short time.

Giving up Rics Paul? I've played a Ric bass since '78 & have no intention on giving up on that. I've demoed the new songs on my 4003 & it sounds great...a little different, but in a good way. The question really is am I giving up on Ric 6 strings. You're right Melissa, you can play blues on Rics, but for that KILLER blues tone, a Tele (Strat if that's your thing) is very hard to beat. The nearest Ric that came close was my old 350v63 & the neck pick up combination was a tone that just dripped blues. The bridge pickup wasn't quite so impressive in that sense, but I'm sure things could be sorted in that department. Sadly I no longer have it, but it is a guitar that I'd very much like to try again in view of this change.

I really would like to stick with Rics, as I love them so much. It's just a question of taking them out of their usual roll & making them a master of your chosen music. The Ric 12 is master in it's field & so is the 4003, but the 6 strings are generally used as jangly rythm machines & I would so dearly love to take a Ric & turn it into a turn heads, drop dead tone blues gtr....even if you had to re-wire, or change the bridge pick up.

Perhaps I will look out for a 350v63....

steverok · Post by **steverok** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 7:41 am

Tony, sorry about your band ending. Good luck with the blues & the Tele, although I'm sure some people here are disappointed that you will no longer be a staunch Rickenbacker enthusiast. My roots are rock and roll - I never had to go back because I never left ...

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:22 am

Steve, no need to be sorry, it's a new beginning, but thanks for your concern. As for not being a staunch Ric enthusiast, nothing can be further from the truth. Rickenbacker, under the guidance of John Hall are the greatest guitars in the world & nothing will change that opinion. It's just a question of horses for courses, but I am still convinced that Rickenbacker could be even greater than it is....it will only take one name player to use a Ric in an unexpected way & then the flood gates could open. I just wish I was that player...as do we all!

winston · Post by **winston** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:43 am

Whoa!

This is big news. I just stumbled on this thread. Good luck Tony. You know full well my taste in music and you are going back to your roots. I love it. I am looking forward to the new CD, Rickenbacker or no Rickenbacker on lead.

Keep me posted, this is an exciting development.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:48 am

I actually prefer humbuckers for lead and bass. Thus my affinity for Gibson stuff!! But it's not the brand, it's the humbucker vs the single coil.

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:09 am

Thanks Brian, I'll keep you fully posted. The funny thing about blues is that there's this whole thing about British & American blues. My style of blues may surprise a lot of you & I can't wait to unveil my new album, but blues is blues....British or American (& many others!) but I just hope that some of you will like my particular brand.

Charly, I completely agree with you. I went to see Gary Moore last night & his support was a US blues outfit (so sorry, can't remember the name), but both used Les Pauls. Totaly differant sounds & both great, but I'm a single coil man when it comes to blues....love the 'bucker sound too, but for me, it's single coils.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:28 am

The biggest reason is from a Steve Miller concert for the Joker tour in Long Beach. He was playin all his stuff and it sounded great. I noticed three Marshall lights on above his speakers. For the song Evil, I saw a 4th light come on. That Paul pierced my soul!!

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:37 am

"That Paul pierced my soul!!"

Great words Charly & it's what the blues is all about....nice one! If you play a Tele, a Paul, or even a Ric, it's about that feeling in your soul that just knows when it's right....

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:38 am

Hey, Tony! I'm sorry to hear that Eric has left the fold but very pleased that you've returned to your roots and a new venture is on the way. May I wish you all the success in the world and heaps of fun!!

So..... the Rampant Carnivores shirt will become a collector's item, eh? I'd better wrap it up and hide it away for a few years.......

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:41 am

Howard...you get a complimentary album & T shirt from the Red White & Blues (whoops!), for being such an all round good egg!

ozover50 · Post by **ozover50** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:57 am

for being such an all round good egg!

And I was barn laid!!

That would be too cool, Tony. Are you planning a web site?

tony_carey · Post by **tony_carey** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:58 am

I am indeed Aitch.....