It's no secret that Keanu was a considerable influence when I decided to start playing bass. And so far it's been one of the best decisions of my life.
Just last night, my band played a show at a great venue. This place has a real stage, lights, a sound guy (The Guy! We LOVE having a Guy) and it's just very real when we play there as opposed to some of the other rinky-dink places, which sometimes seem like glorified rehearsals. Anyway, last night, on the last song of our set I came forward a little bit while I played and found myself in light. I saw the halo glow around the edges of my bangs changing colors and the sparkle of my machines and frets.
For the very first time since we started playing out, I felt like a fucking rockstar and it was awesome. I'll remember it for the rest of my life and I pretty much have Keanu Reeves to thank for it.
When people ask me who my favorite bassist is, I say his name without hesitation and if they ask, I tell them why. Bottom line? He loves to play and that's what matters.
When it was announced that the Spaceland and Roxy becky shows would have a guest bassist, I admit it made the choice easy whether to go or not. It would have meant taking time off from work and missing sleep the day before a gig of my own. And even though it's now been reported that he was in the audience and a few lucky and faithful fans and becky supporters had a chance at a little of his time and attention, I don't regret skipping the show at all. While I have always loved watching HIM play bass, the last few times I've gone to shows, it has been to see him PLAY BASS. And I feel that his bass playing is an integral part of the becky music that I love.
Which makes the current buzz that he's possibly going to be permanently replaced as becky's bassplayer pretty disheartening.
Like many others, I've assumed that the substitute bassist was a temporary thing, that maybe Keanu's been busy or had other commitments of some sort. Of course, him just hanging out at Spaceland on Wednesday night makes it a little unclear. There's also a message from Rob (thanks CK and Mee) at the official becky board that uses the phrase "new line up" which makes what's going on even harder to nail down.
For now, it's all just speculation. It does seem that becky is agressively trying to land a record deal, the importance of crowd turnout at the upcoming Roxy show has been stressed at the official site so we may assume that they want to gauge the interest in the band without the famous bassist. My opinion is that a contract should be given based on the music, not on how well you pack a bar on the Sunset Strip, but that's just me. The music industry probably begs to differ, which is why my band isn't rich and famous yet, either.
Whatever the situation is (and I don't expect we'll ever know exactly what the story is), I can't imagine that Keanu will give up playing bass.
It's in him, he's a fucking rockstar and it shows. He'll always be able to get a gig.
Hell, I'd be happy to take a night off so he can sit in with The Vibemerchants. I'll even take a night or two to teach him my parts.
becky | from inside the mind of krix at November 12, 2004 04:24 PM .I really *see* you playing bass, krix. I'm so glad you picked it up and really can't wait to see the VMs live. I *am* going to go see you someday. And sooner than you think!
As for Keanu, it made sense to me that he might be too busy to practice with the band with the new Constantine reshoots and all and that he would then be unable to play with them at the gig, even if he was free that night. But I guess, there might be something more to it, although the Band might just be "testing" out its potential "sans" Keanu. In any case, I'm convinced he's going to keep playing. And I don't know for the rest of you, but as much as I love Keanu, I still want to see Becky play.
Posted by: Zen on November 12, 2004 05:24 PMI agree wholeheartedly ZEN I still would love to see becky continue to play regardless of what the situation is.. Their music ROCKS regardless.. and it shouldn't matter who or who isn't in the band.. to me.. it should matter for the music and the quality of the music.. If I didn't like the music.. I wouldn't be hanging around the official website..
hugs and God bless to you all have a great weekend!!
Posted by: janice on November 12, 2004 06:05 PMJanice, don't you have a Rob crush? ;D
I have to agree with you though, I love the Becky songs. I like them more than the Dogstar songs, even if I *loved* Brett's honey and gravel voice.
Posted by: Zen on November 12, 2004 06:30 PMYep I got a Rob crush..but being somewhat of a fan of Keanu's is what led me to the Rob crush and in finding Dogstar and becky.. :).. I was a fan of someone else's.. coincidentally looking for Keanu pics to put on a fan site.. and I became a fan :)..e ven though I have seen some of Keanu's work in the theatre..
If he wasn't in the band either I'd still like becky's music regardless.. cause it does totally ROCK .. I like Dogstar's too but becky's is heavier and harder, which I really enjoy :).. so I can't complain.. I miss Dogstar and their music.. but thank God for becky.
hugs and God bless
yeah, you take a couple of nights off and show him your parts, krixy!!
*squeeeeeeee*
*ahem* I am so happy for YOU that you had the rock star epiphany! I know you don't watch LOST but still I'm gonna say it, "you are a ROCK GOD!"
Sorry I'm not in the area to provide "crowd" for the becky gig...but it does sound like they are seriously trying to get a recording contract and be accepted for themselves...too bad if that means temporarily or permanently getting rid of their celeb bassist...but clearly it is a mutual decision if Reeves was there at the Spaceland gig. And I guess it sort of proves he's not giving up his "day job" whereas the band *is* the day job for the rest of them?
Can't wait to see VM again! glad the gig went well!!
Posted by: Nudel on November 12, 2004 07:00 PMWell, I wouldn't say that it shouldn't matter who's in the band. Maybe it shouldn't matter that there's a famous actor in the band, but I really do think that a new line-up changes things, no matter who's replaced. It wouldn't be becky without paulie, either. Or Rob. Rebecca's a given because she's the voice. There is a report at the beckyboard about the show, and it sounds like the sound is different, second guitarist and everything. I'd really like to hear the new sound and the new songs. Maybe it's better with the new players and that's cool. I just think that Keanu brought more to the group than his name recognition.
Posted by: krix on November 12, 2004 07:08 PMI am sorry to hear Keanu will no longer be playing with Becky. More importantly, I think he enjoys playing so I hope he finds somewhere else to do that. I plan to continue to follow Becky as a fan, and I expect they will continue to be succesful.
...but then again, maybe Keanu has found other things to do with his time ;-)
Posted by: lizzie on November 12, 2004 07:19 PMI want to clarify again that no one knows what's going on for sure. This could absolutely just be temporary.
It's just that after the long lingering painful way I clung to my denial about Dogstar's hibernation, I'd rather be a pessimist and be pleasantly surprised this time around.
Posted by: krix on November 12, 2004 07:26 PMOh definitely a new bassist changes things. There is no way a new guy (or girl) is going to to be better than *our* guy. I'm just saying that I love the band's music, so I'd support them whatever.
Hey krix, you ever think about auditioning for the part? No offense to you VMs and Vibrators of course. ;)
Posted by: Zen on November 12, 2004 07:39 PMI have a long way to go before I'd be good enough to fill Reeves' scuffy shoes.
Posted by: krix on November 12, 2004 07:45 PMWhen any band has an original member leave, it changes things and I think this band's no different. I've no idea what to make of beckys new line up, but if the original bass player's no longer with becky I can't pretend that it won't matter to me because it does.
Posted by: audy on November 12, 2004 09:03 PMAs others have said for the other members of Becky this IS their day job. While I loved having Keanu in the band, he presence has always made band seem like a hobby.
I would think w/a new sound, new bass player this is the right Becky to move on without Keanu. I"m sure he will always support and love them and maybe even make unannounced guest appearances.
Posted by: kay on November 12, 2004 09:17 PM
As others have said for the other members of Becky this IS their day job. While I loved having Keanu in the band, he presence has always made the band seem like a hobby.
I would think w/a new sound, new bass player and possible new record deal, this is the right time for Becky to move on without Keanu. I"m sure he will always support and love them and maybe even make unannounced guest appearances.
Posted by: kay on November 12, 2004 09:18 PM
Baby, you're a star! What a wonderful moment to have. Now all you need is a muppet moment. :)
Teach him your parts *hee*
Don't really have a clue regarding the guest bassist thing. Just wish I woulda went to see them in April when I had the chance. Kept thinking I'd make it to the next one, but that hasn't happened.
Posted by: sta-cie on November 12, 2004 09:33 PMvery interesting developments!
i think i need a little sleep!
krix... i owe ya lunch!
at the risk of repeating others comments -- take the night off and show him your parts!! **hee!**
glad you felt like a fucking rockstar, chick, because that's exactly what you are. and keanu, he's gonna be just fine. he's probably doing the noble thing so the band members can have their day in the sun. i love that man!
Posted by: lori on November 13, 2004 08:13 AMYes...he is probably just trying to do the noble thing for the band. He is a real stand-up guy. Thanks Keanu...you're a good man!
Posted by: lizzie on November 13, 2004 09:39 AMKay, I agree with what you said - the pros and cons of having a person in the band who has another career as their priority poses tons of problems. It may just be that there was a mutual agreement that his recognition would help get them off the launching pad, and he's ready to push them out of the nest (talk about your mixed cliches! sorry). To promote their musical career full time and try to schedule around Reeves would be a nightmare.
Let's just hope that it all works out for the best for all concerned, whatever is going on.
I want him back though, or in somewhere else. (hee)
I'm not giving up hope of seeing him play live someday.
the world never be the same afther this...
but, krix, we knew it from beginning : you are the really fucking rockstar
and awesome ;-))))
i 4 1 am making it to the roxy for sure!
it really sucks for me when my computer access is limited to nill... so i apologize for that... oooo ooo have new ideas...
better get back to my regular computer again!
Whatever. I hope that works out for him ok.
Posted by: lizzie on November 13, 2004 04:32 PMThat’s why I said that your blog is the best.....Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us
Posted by: cleo on November 13, 2004 07:51 PMI am honestly confused of what to think....I just don't see Keanu quitting so easily. It's not like him. When I did see him in July he seemed so happy about playing with them. There was no doubt in my mind that a few months later....now....that he may possibly leave. I hope he doesn't leave because to be honest....the music won't have the same vibe it was giving off before. Just like others have said, the music will sound different without him....it's not just about his star status.
Posted by: Keanu_Soul on November 14, 2004 09:11 AMJust want to thank you krix, for being so optimistic about all of this and being positive.
I think that's they way we should view this until we really know what is going on and are addressed by the band, if that even will happen? There could be many reasons why Keanu was there but wasn't playing. Maybe he had a prior committment that cancelled, maybe because of shooting he couldn't make practice and didn't know the songs well enough, maybe they are adding a bassist, but why would you add a bassist when you have one? I don't know....all we can do is hope and pray he's not leaving the band and until we know for sure let's all remain positive, and hope is the key word.
we love keanu's bass playing...
we love becky...
he's not a quitter at all...
it really could be anything...
when i think of becky i think of a big heart
... and i am definately going to be at the roxy even if i have to do .... whatever!
Hey Krix...hire that guy for YOUR band!;-)
Posted by: lizzie on November 14, 2004 08:50 PMThanks to Janice for passing along this comment from Rob:
"gee, i was just trying to rally the troops a
little.(not that you need it) the ''new'' line up
refers to the fact that we have added a second guitar to fill out some of the parts we did on the new demo's. i guess i got a little sentimental about the past and all the changes i have been through. sorry, must have been the wine. if your all woundering about keanu, well, he is very busy with his film work. unlike dogstar, becky has to keep going. we can't sit still for months at a time, rebecca and paulie have way too much talent to be idle. they are the main songwriters for becky. its what they do day in and day out. keanu will always be welcome to play and write with us when he has the time. lucky for us we borrowed christian from tony's (sexy drum tech) band.
he rock's and is helping us in a pinch. the record
company's want to hear us now before the year is out.
so this is the line up they will get at the roxy. by the way, its all sounding beautiful.
thank's again for your world, rob."
There's also an official update from the band:
"Due to the myriads of emails we have been getting and in addition to the numerous discussions based around the topic, please allow us to clear up the issue surrounding Keanu Reeve’s involvement in “becky”.
Although Keanu is an original member of “becky” and will always be a part of the team, his current work schedule is such that he cannot devote %100 of his time as can the other members of the band. This being a crucial time for “becky”, we need someone to fill in who is available for all of the rehearsals and all of the shows. Contrary to speculation, there is no drama surrounding this decision and it certainly isn’t the first time someone else has been asked to fill-in. As we’re sure many of you have noticed, he has a very demanding day job.
That being said, we are asking that you re-focus your attention on supporting the band (with or without Keanu) this Thursday night at the Roxy. It is a very important night for “becky” and one that will not be ANY FUN without you. So tell your friends and get the word out:
“BECKY” IS GOING TO ROCK THE HOUSE THURSDAY NIGHT AND WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU THERE!"
Posted by: krix on November 15, 2004 12:25 PMWell if they had just said that in the FIRST place...! :)
Posted by: Chianti on November 15, 2004 02:52 PMMy guess is they were trying to have it both ways. I see Keanu has a new movie project w/my favorite director Spike Lee. That I'm excited about!
Posted by: kay on November 16, 2004 09:06 AMwell... i had one of those days yesterday... seems i couldn't say anything right... but now it's today! yay!
i am soooo looking forward to becky!.
love kisses
A replacement bass player is always in order cuz Keanu has movie work to do. Dogstar did it too, when ever he was filming. It doesnt mean he's leaving. He enjoys it to much.
Posted by: rush on November 16, 2004 01:19 PMWhy is it that whenever he goes missing people assume he's no longer with the band? It's obvious they've made an official statement that he will always be a memeber. I think people jump to some unfounded conclusions sometimes...it's all based on rumor and speculation. They believe what they want to believe...what makes "them" happy and not necessarily the truth.
Posted by: lizzie on November 16, 2004 08:19 PMRemember, this is a fan site.
Keanu Reeves is in no way connnected to this website.
Please do not make a comment thinking he will read it.
Comments are for discussion with other fans.
Thank you.