The Day I Auditioned For Jamiroquai - And What Went Wrong!
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- Jamiroquai at the time was one of the biggest bands on the planet, I had just been in a band that had lost its record deal, I was doing quite well doing session work, but guess who my favorite band was? you guessed it, Jamiroquai! In this video, I talk about my audition, what went wrong and what I could have done better. The Studio Rats are core band members Paul Drew on guitar/production/mixing, drummer James Ivey and Dan Hawkins on bass. They collaborate with singers and musicians to produce radio-ready songs.
Great story - and very humble of you to share it!!
Cheers Martyn.
@@TheStudioRats It’s silly of you to try and say this was a “stadium band”. Please.
More please…..fascinating.
I met Toby Smith and the rest of the band a few times back in the 90s. They were all great guys, but Jay Kay was very much the boss: fair play every ship needs a captain. He's a complex character I think. He had beautiful women throwing themselves at him backstage. Anyway glad you didn't give up, and remember everything happens for a reason. Love the Fender Rhodes you've got their too, I had one myself in the 90s.
So refreshing to hear real stories, from real people! Failure happens and it's all good. Share some more, this is great material. Cheers.
Cheers again Seb
Sending positive vibrations to you brother ! 😃 👍🏼 The best place to be , is where you are now🙏🏼 Peace and love,
Stu 👍🏼
Legend!
Everyone has bad days 🥴. I remember good days, bad days, alright days, and a ton of amazing days with the lads. Absolutely fantastic 😃
Stuart Zender I can imagine you have some great stories Stu. You were part of the band in its hay day, it must of been an awesome ride.
@@TheStudioRats Hey guys, how incredible to have both of you interacting here after this story. Thanks so much for the fantastic music and for the humility.
@@zender2012Hello, I know you're not going to answer but I love your work on all of Jamiroquai's albums. after all you are part of the best funky stage in the world
From what I hear, back in 98 he was a bit of an arse. He’s a lovely guy now, I live locally to him and he’s chatty, friendly and humble. I think marriage and fatherhood has mellowed him.
Marriage and kids will do that for ya lol
as per the usual with young music stars he had a bad cocaine problem at that time, he gave it up in 2003
I think they were all just too young for that level of success. Plus they’re rebels. Of course they’ll do all the illegal things
A guy has a dream career, dream house, dream studio, comes from privilege and wealth, knows no struggle or hardship and hasn’t the decency and graciousness to be pleasant to you….. nah… better off without that crap brother, life is too short.
More please. Stories are a great way to pass on experience and learning to many. Love it!
Cheers Red Rover, will do.
Love this! More stories 👌
This must have been nerve wrecking. I got nervous just by listening to your story. 😵 I am sure most pros have stories like this. ID love to hear more😃
will do
Very interesting - yes, I'd like to hear some more stories! I have to say that I think it was churlish of Kay not to be pleasant on your entering, it would have been just common courtesy to greet nervous auditionees so they settled in and gave of their best. As you said, it all turned out for the best. He failed the audition to be the lead singer of The Brand New Heavies and went on to better things...
About the Brand New Heavies, I didn’t know that. All the best.
Funny, Simon Bartholomew played for a time in Jamiroquai
Such a cool story, I feel your pain though, I can imagine how terrifying that must have been.
You need to get an interview with Rob Harris!
these lessons of life as a musician are priceless. i've only ever been a cover band guitarist and auditioned guys for a second guitarist in our band. we never play songs exactly like the albums, and i love someone who listens and finds their spot in the song and plays with the band. opening up for some creative playing. i look for ways i can play less to mean more and give room to others. unfortunately, i can't read music and only play by ear, but i feel it works well for cover band work.
You played with jamiroquai, that's it. Just for that you should feel like a winner. Nice story
The right man got the job. Rob Harris is a fantastic guitar player.
Great story...we all have those moments...part of being human. Cheers.
What an epic story. I would have done exactly the same, obsessed over tone and played the parts to the point of exhaustion. On another day for another band might have got you the gig. Thanks for sharing
Cheers Low-fat, yep it definitely changed the way I auditioned after that.
If you look at it in a different way, as well: Could you have coped with JKay's attitude, long term? . I couldn't, personally. I can't cope with people for days or weeks. Never mind months and years 😂
Great story, even though it didn't go as you wanted. Would absolutely like to hear stories like these. Jamiroquai was also one of my favorites. Really like the way they use the instruments and rhythm in their songs.
Cheers yep Jay Kay is a tool but they are/were a great band.
Wow, that is a great story. It's interesting how nervous you were around Jay. He sings, but he certainly doesn't know how to play guitar or any other instrument that I know of. I probably would've been more nervous playing with the band. At the same time he is the leader, so whatever he wants goes. Like yourself, this my favorite band in the world as far as the genre that they play. It just wasn't meant to be, but you ended up in a good place regardless.
Nice story that. I'm nowhere near the musician you are, but having played for a long time, I know how much things like that knock your confidence. JK is a bell end?... Who'd have thought it ;)?
Great story, Paul. Lessons to learn all the way along in life. We either learn from them or repeat them, I guess. Thanks for the insights.
Cheers Douglas.
Great story, Paul - lessons for us all there. Plus - as you said - when one door closes, another one opens.
Thanks for the video Paul. Something about the chronology of your story doesn't quite add up unfortunately. You state that your auditioned for Jamiroquai was in 1998. Simon Katz was the band's guitarist from 1995 until 2000. He featured on the albums "Travelling Without Moving" (1996) and "Synkronised" (recorded in 1998/99). He left the band after the "Synkronised" World tour. Rob Harris, the band's current guitarist - replaced Katz in 2000. It's true that Stuart Zender left the band in 1998 (replaced by Nick Fyffe), but they have never been any accounts of Simon Katz leaving the band during that period.
Rob Harris joined in 1999 and thats from his bio on his own website
" joining the band Jamiroquai as a member in 1999 which continues to this day. Rob has played and co- written on the albums Funk Odyssey, Dynamite, Rock Dust Light Star and has most recently played on the band’s 2017 release Automaton and embarking on a global tour with the band in the April of the same year."
@@ant2312 With all respect, Rob Harris' chronology or memory must be wrong. On this TV performance from December 7th 1999 (Jamiroquai's last live performance of that year) Simon Katz is still the band's guitarist: ruclips.net/video/EYDvtupYx9o/видео.html
This is Rob Harris' first performance with the band in May 2000: ruclips.net/video/VhPk2C7eZGo/видео.html
That’s a great story. Many years ago I had to travel across the desert from Egypt into Israel in armed convoy travelling at a set speed with Pre agreed stops. It took 13 hours and all I had was my Sony disc player and ‘Funk Odyssey’. I learned to love Jamiroquai on that trip! Amazing band.
cool story
Being auditioned for one of the greatest band that ever existed must be hard, dude. Glad you didn't gave up... and you surely did a good job
If you want to know the story of the guy who got the gig: ruclips.net/video/4QOGCgb2lRg/видео.html
That was really insightful and surreal. I play the drums and I go to open mics hear in Chicago. They ask me if I can play certain songs, well I always know the songs but I play the drum parts as how I see fit because I didn't want to sound like anyone else. And sometimes the other musicians get frustrated because they want the original drum parts but I always felt confined doing that. I was starting to feel like Maybe I should change. But after watching your video I am relieved and Happy to stay me. Jamiriquai is thee Hottest band EVER. My style. Your story was so awesome. I loved hearing it. You seem really cool. Please tell more. I'm gunna tell everyone In Chicago about your video and to watch it. JAMIRIQUAI are very big here still. But man that was so interesting. Thanks. You are a cool cat!!!!
From all accounts you probably dodged a bullet there. He sounds like a piece of work .
I feel your pain my friend. I've been in the exact same place. I had an audition to play with Frankie Valli. It wasn't my biggest dream in life but I do love his tunes and the band was very cool. I wanted the gig. But like you my nerves killed me. I played very mediocre and lost the gig. There ya go. Boom. Love your playing and your channel. I'm here frequently. Peace.
Wow Franky Valli I’d love to hear that story Freddy.
You sharing this experience, Paul, simply sums-up what's great about you guys and your channel....down-to-earth, good, honest sharing of a love for music, especially that which revolves around guitars (don't we just love them.....recently got a 2008 PRS DGT and I'm in smitten!)......and we like-minded souls get the benefit......can't thank you enough, guys, and more power to your elbows (and fingers).
I appreciate that! CHEERS steve.
Renaissance Periodization intro anyone?
Never heard of this band
you dodged a bullet mate.
Music has always just flowed from me I don't play other people's stuff I just play what I feel and it works like becoming one with my feelings and music it just feels natural the longer I play the better I get music has always been a healing thing for me I don't want to be famous or make it a job I just want to play and heal my own soul great story by the way and your probably better off you do great reviews
Would love to hear your about your other experiences that provide lessons learned. Keep up the great work!
Shocking, music is a crazy phenomenon, your opinion on Jamiroquai and my own are so far removed it’s almost like we are on different planets, I wouldn’t put them as the best band in bloody Buckinghamshire let alone the world haha
You need to get out more
@@jetblack.7186 And why is that? Because I have a different opinion? Get back in your cave 🤡
@@dan44762000 if you don't think that Jamiriquai are not some of the best musicians and live performers in the country that it looks like you've never been out of your cave, your opinion certainly isn't based on fact, therefore it can be ridiculed
@@ant2312 Whatever you say Einstein, nobody cares 👍
One door closes, another one opens
Nice story Paul! Good advice for anyone finding themselves in a similar situation. BTW, I once saw JK on the Kings Road - his head under the bonnet of a broken down vintage Aston Martin.
I shouldn’t laugh but...
My dear late father said for events in life like this: “The fish that escaped is always the biggest!”
Their label manager from the Sony days signed my band too. Which was a buzz for me at the time, being a massive Jamiroquai fan (even though my band sounded nothing like Jamiroquai). He referred to Jay as "such a combative motherf*cker" 🤣
Hi Paul. Great to hear this story. I hope you are well, and would be great to hear more! Take care
X
By the time Tom (the former guitar player) left, the band was over... Stuart had left, so Dj Dzire and Toby was about to leave... you didn’t much...
Pat yourself on the back, you made it there. But you weren't quite ready for the job yet. Really good though, I think. Good work! 🙂👍👍
Great story. It's always impressive when someone shares difficult moments. The singer was a dick - imagine getting the gig and having to tolerate his pissy attitude at every practice. Personalities eclipse virtuosity in a band setting.
You raise something that applies to all fields and professions, which is that being relaxed (but also focused) when you need to deliver is itself a talent. It at least means recognising it and working on what works for you on how to relax. My guess is that being in that band would have been a pretty bad experience. The signs were there: two band members leaving; JK being difficult. Low odds on his day being that bad.
It was not you who made the mistakes, my dear friend. It was Jamiroquai when they called you for audition. You'll feel better when you accept that.
Best regards.
Santiago Aubrey, successful troll.
Wow, man. That’s an inspirational story. I’m sure it was an unforgettable experience, and so what if you didn’t get the gig. We all end up where we need to be eventually. If you ever make it to Nashville I’d be happy to jam on some Jamiroquai with you! The world could certainly use more positively charged disco funk these days. Cheers.
I think you did GREAT given the circumstances- I would have had a heart attack and collapsed head first into their amp and everything else before even beginning the first rhythm part
Should've pounded whisky you probably still be thier guitarist . Go back just hang out. That song 'butterfly' I remember. I think 'butterfly' came out year later 99?
Great story!!! and one by which to learn from!!! No lesson is for free but it is for you to keep!!! Loved❤️ your story please keep sharing them with us!!! They're really Lessons to learn from!!!😊🙏🏻
I really appreciate ur honesty. I play keys in germany, was 13 when too young 2 die came out etc.... I feel u man❤
Excellent band. The earlier stuff is probably the best. I think Zender was the best bass player and the late Toby Smith was a superb keyboard player. You’ll notice the band was never the same without Smith after he left in 2002.
I like your comments about Jay Kay. He's always come across as an obnoxious little so & so. That's probably the BIGGEST requirement of Jamiroquai's sidemen - To be able to tolerate Jay Kay's BS night after night - Just ignore all his crap and think of the dosh...
Dear Paul, your story is heartbreaking, impressed me much! Nowadays do you have a chance to communicate and play with Jamiroquai?
Lesson for life right there...dont over-think it. Great story Paul 🎸
Chhers David.
Great Story Paul, yes more of these please. :)
Will do.
interesting timing, 1998 was right before synkronized came out. simon katz stuck around for that tour. rob harris came on before 2001.
Rob Harris joined in 1999
@@ant2312 must have been late '99/early 2000 because simon katz was still on tour with them through july '99.
Hmmmm never heard of him but I'm in the US....but you know "some" things work out for the best You might have dodged a bullet What ifs won't sustain a good head space Cheers and happy holidays
Jamiroquai isn't that big in the USA as in the UK. I thought they were bland musically.Don't fret, they aren't that great nowadays because they let you slide thru their greedy egotistical fingers.
You would only of been an employee , only jk is the band . Thats why jameraquai sounds excellent but somehow boring . You want funk its maybe not here .
Thanks for sharing this story. Everything happens for a reason eh! and as you say the guy before you was great and you think he got the gig... so no matter what you did maybe the guy before was everything the singer was looking for ..... no matter what you did. Would be great to hear more stories of how you got to be here now. Cheers from Australia
It would be great to hear more stories from you Paul
Cheers
Their loss is our gain!
I always wondered if people misspelt 'the cat in the hat' when referring to JK. Question answered.
You dodged a bullet man. Could be a broken man today with some big stadium stories. If he treats you like shit at his house whilst trying to find a new guitarist, imagine on tour… yet here you are nice and humble and able to smile about it. So the way I see it, you did good.
Yeah keep em comin 👍 JK band would've been right along my street also. I'd either have smashed it out the park, or he'd not been so sure. No in-betweens. And yeah, i'd have liked to have used my Boog to, but if they'd have wanted their amp 'ragged' i'd have gratefully obliged 😄
Please, I know don’t want to hear Jamiroquai sing
i heard em....it woulda been a waste of your talent......you woulda had to dumb way way down !
What you did was lose out on playing in a successful band that had a singer with a bigger ego than his talent. With your talent you could get session work with bigger artists than that and just enjoy playing music without the stress caused by some guy that thinks he's a superstar - but actually isn't.
Auditions are brutal unless you have the right mentality. I am my own worst enemy. Its a mental Battle with myself!!
That is a great store, Paul and a great lesson! And of course I would love to hear more! :)
Cheers Artur ill see if i can do another next week.
At least you got to play with them. When I was 19, back in the late 80’s I moved to London to try and ‘make it’ in music. I got an audition with a band at Nomis studios, took the Tube all the way from Dulwich with my guitar. I had hair like Bruno from Fame then and have never had great fashion sense. I sat on the sofa in reception and this dude swaggered out dressed in leather, necklaces and bangles - ‘Are you Simon?’. He told me to hang on, went back into the studio then came back out and said ‘sorry mate but we’re not going to try you out after all’. Another time I didn’t even get that far - rang an ad in the Melody Maker and the guy on the other end asked if I’d been in any name bands. Before I’d even finished uttering ‘no’ he’d hung up on me. The band? The Pretenders.
coool story Simon.
@@TheStudioRats You’ve just reminded me of another story - I went for another audition in the village hall at Stoke Fleming, near Dartmouth in Devon which coincidentally is where JK has a house. I can’t remember the band now but it definitely wasn’t Jamiroquai! I did have to use the amp they supplied though and I remember there being a few guitarists in the waiting room. It wasn’t bad as the audition in a Torquay nightclub though - I had to stand on the stage, blinded by spotlights and play along to a backing track while two guys from the band sat in the gloom and watched. Why do we put ourselves through this? :-)
you didnt muck up the audition, you weren't ready to be in that bad, not playing wise or headspace wise or musician maturity level wise, we all have those moments we think we are ready to kick it with the pros but we find out its not the world we think it is -at all , if you went back today say youd be more mentally ready to audition . if you dont get in for a reason, one reason is enough to show its not your time , I auditioned for one of my favourite local bands and to be honest now im sure it was a setup with my boss in the guitar store and the band leader, to make me feel good . I wasnt at all ready and the guy that got the gig - a good friend now days was ten thousand times more ready to step into the slot, You get the things your meant to get or good enough to get. thats the best way to look at these situations,
Love these stories 👍🏼👍🏼
Not the outcome of course 😆
I bought a guitar from Rob Harris, he offered to drop it off, which was great as I requested he come down to my studio and jam some Jamiroquai songs, which he did, stayed for about an hour, soooo cool, that was the closest I got to the band, it’s a bigger story than that but will suffice for this comment
Awesome, he is a fantastic guitarist.
@@TheStudioRats Don’t think I’ve ever see JK pictured with the band
im so sorry that happened... but that must have been so hard
Ha.... I've never frozen at a Jamiroquai's audition.......
.....
.....
.
2:17 "... and bumped into his ferrari. "
Please more of that stories.
Amazing story mate! You would have actually smashed that gig. Can you tell us the one about Litch and the NCP, or buffet etiquette on gigs?
Cheers Danno, the only thing that I would have smashed was the tour catering! I’m not sure the NCP story would be allowed on RUclips.
@@TheStudioRats you’re probably right.
would love to hear more stories like this!
Keep the stories coming!
Seems like lessons that apply to so many life situations.
Don’t mean to be rude man - but you are waaaay too good to be in Jamiroquai.
I am curious what is Jamiroquai has to sing? What is the
Great video, I think Rob Harris got the job at the time I met him a couple of times prior to joining that band and was playing with Don airy from whitesnake rainbow , I spoke to Don and he was telling me how great robs playing was
Totally different type of music then though
great player.
Jay Kay stole my bike
The mother F£?!3r. You need to repay and do the same to one of his cars!
@@TheStudioRats oh come on dude did you really fall for that
Yes more of those please! Reminds me of my last audition where the médiocre singer and band leader was shouting at the keyboard player, if they don’t know how to put their musicians at ease then £@*# them!
cheers Viking
I was 18 in '98, & I would've bricked it, if I'd got a Jamiroquai audition. I hope you forgave yourself, Paul! 👊🏼
It was all for the best Toni, I’m sure I’d not be here if I was in a touring band like that.
Very cool story. You landed on your feet.
More stories please Paul. What a cool life you've had thus far.
I feel the embarrassment through the screen 😳
Yes! More stories please!
Have you seen the Fast Show parody of jamiroquai? Best one i've seen, its on youtube under the title Jeremy Kwee
Thanks for sharing your story, it obviously wasnt easy for you but its the kind of thing everyones interested to hear no matter the outcome. Also, for what it's worth, jamiroquai were past their prime by the time point you're mentioning so i wouldnt feel you missed out on too much, theyve still had some ok hits but its hardly like their first albums
I hear you young lion... Whooooshhhh... Mother?😉👍
Thanks Paul! Our “failures” can either be failures...or they can be a pivot to unforeseen successes and opportunities for personal growth. Really appreciate all that you share.
Thanks Michael, great advice.
Congratulations Paul for your honest description..We are waiting for more stories..!!!
Cheers Antonis, will do!
u choked. plain and simple.
Yep
Nick Fyffe was the guitar player you referenced along with Stuart Zender.
Nick was Stuart's replacement on bass. Their previous guitarist was probably Simon Katz, although Wikipedia says he was on 1999's Synkronized, but he may have already completed his tracks before departing around the time of Paul's audition.
Been there....🤔