NAMM

[palmerlouie]

ok, i just got a couple of questions for those in the know about NAMM or who are going this jan. (randy, derek etc)

1) how far is anaheim from downtown L.A?

2) where is the potato, la ve lee, and catalina's?

3) do we know who is performing at the actual show?? vinnie or virgil etc etc??

there is a show at the clubs mentioned above almost every night that i want to see....holdsworth, weckl, landau, fields, henderson....etc but just wanted to know how far the clubs are from anaheim?

im also thinking of staying in L.A from the 17th to 19th and then staying in anaheim for the show. is that a good idea and where is the best place to stay in L.A?

4) do the bands play 2 different sets of music or is the club cleared out and the band plays the same set?? and can i book before hand?

lots of questions here, sorry. i'd greatly apprecitate the replies tho as i have never been to L.A before.

also when is the HOD hang gonna be....i have to fit it in with all this gig-travelling [img]tongue.gif[/img] .....prob better to do it in the day....maybe a lunch???

thanks guys.....

[palmerlouie]

oh yeah...and are there any more clubs to catch people apart from the ones mentioned above.....??

and i meant whats the best AREA to stay in L.A.....

[XNavyDrummer]

Louie,

Just to give you an idea. NAMM will be about 35 miles southeast from Catalina's. The Spud is probably just a little father (about 9 miles from downtown LA). 35 miles in LA can mean about 1 to 1.5 hours of driving time depending on the time of day. NAMM, in case you didn't know is right across the street from Disneyland.

I've seen the "two sets" turn into one three hour set when I saw Marco at the Spud. When I saw Virgil at the potato recently they did two different sets. I've never stayed for two sets at La Ve Lee or Catalina's so not sure what happens there.

The Universal Sheraton is near the Spud is a nice Hotel in Hollywood.

Best,

Andy

[PocketPlayer]

This is probably WAY TOO much info...but;

I would make hotel reservations ASAP. The area around NAMM fills up quickly, but getting around is fairly easy. There are shuttle services with many hotels and you will see many people walking to NAMM from hotels during the day.

NAMM is in a HUGE building and there are plenty of places to relax. If you want to save some coin, get food outside the facility--you knew that, they jack prices way up inside the event itself.

I assume you are renting a car. Most of the activity is near NAMM (Anaheim). I would go to all the club sites and check their calendars (LaVe Lee, Baked Potato, Catalina?s, Cafe Cordiale). These clubs are all close to each other in the San Fernando Valley, near Hollywood. I mean very close to each other, within minutes. There are several jazz clubs in the Anaheim area, one of which slips my mind. Do a search for jazz clubs in LA and check their calendars for artists playing.

The first day of NAMM, you will get the scene down. I would check all the major vendors IN NAMM to see you is giving a demonstration and then the ball will get rolling as to who's playing where. Also check the NAMM site itself. This will take a little work to get the artist info. Most of all the drum stuff is on one floor and you will get a book giving the booth number of all vendors. It is worth it to sit outside the doors, relax, and go through the book, unless you want to dive in and walk the floors. You will get very good exercise.

A typical scene might look like this--you go to the Tama booth (which is a large area, Roland being the largest each year) and they might have a white board with a schedule of artists; Kenny Arnoff at 3PM, Virgil at 4PM, ect. (I just made that up, you get the idea). You can jot down what you want to see. Imagine thousands of people all around. It can be serious stimulus overload at first, but things settle soon.

As for digital cameras, I would get your flash off and figure out how to take good pics without it. That way you can go virtually unnoticed shooting famous artists from afar. I used to be a little self-conscious years ago of taking pics with my big telephoto lens until I got smart and traveled light.

I will say this, my uncle live about 10 mins from NAMM and has a big house. IF he is out of town, I will invite several HOD'ers to hang for free room & board. It really will just be a place to sleep because all day will be spent at NAMM itself. Not sure about this now and know you need to get a reservation, but if someone has a more flexible schedule it might save them a few hundred bucks.

Last bit of advice?definitely get a place and time to meet inside of NAMM if you are with friends. It is VERY easy to get lost from each other. I?ve spent hours looking for friends and been pissed off during the process. Zildjian or Roland are great places to meet because of their size.

One year, I brought a bunch of Modern Drummer mags with my favorite drummers on cover and had them sign. Last year I was walking around (five mins after entering) with a buddy and Lee Sklar was walking alone. My friend played with him a lot and we walked over said hi and Lee (a very personable guy who will share his thoughts freely, both pro & con about subjects) spoke of the music scene today. It was a mini-lesson about the true state of the music industry and getting gigs. This is what makes NAMM very cool.

Have a list of quality questions (in the back of your mind) you can ask someone. Make it simple. You will have but a few minutes to rap with someone. Greg B. was setting up his booth early one morning all alone and we had a good time. I mentioned something he spoke of in MD and that got the ball rolling. Most people simply stay away and stare because they don't know what to say and there is a sort of, "Keep your distance because I don't want to look like a little kid gushing over Vinnie when you walk by him" so I say and do nothing. Whoever doesn't know Steve Smith and can get him to say more than, "Thanks" I will give a prize to. The Zildjian booth will have an autograph session one day with about 10-15 drummers all sitting side-by-side. It's interesting to see each individual personality in one place.

Hope this helps a little. I'm rained in today so private email if you need more info. Happy to help.

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 07, 2005 04:13 PM: Message edited by: PocketPlayer ]</font>

[Randy walker]

The majority of 'jam' shows are held in and around the convention center and in the ballrooms of the bigger hotels like the Hyatt/Hilton and Marriott. Of course, then there is the spud and Catalinas, but the Sabian night and Zildjian parties are at the convention area.

[palmerlouie]

thanks pocket, thats helpful.

so are there any other nights i should keep free? is yamaha groove night def. not on anymore?

does zildjian have a bash?

[WecklsMechanic]

The NAMM show is here!!! Yipee!!!!

I wish they would post all the show/clinic times & places on the website. [img]frown.gif[/img] Would make life easier for us non industry people that can/will only show to see the acts and browse a little.

If I can help anyone, lemmie know. It seems like pocketplayer really nailed alot of the information.

Hey PalmerLouie..... Since I own an auto repair shop, I can get killer rates on car rentals here at my local Hertz Edition. Usually $19.95 U.S. a day.

I live in the San Fernando Valley where the spud (Baked Potato) and La Ve Lee are, and just over the hill from Catalina's in Hollywood. If I can help anybody in anyway, send me a personal e-mail.

Otherwise, it'll be cool to hook up with other HOD'ers. Lets start a thread or use this one to pick a place/time to all meet. I'll be going to see the Weckmeister on Saturday of that weekend at Catalina's.

Happy New Namm [img]graemlins/cake.gif[/img]

[troutbrooke]

If you're in town later this month:
Catalina's has the DAVE WECKL Band Friday, Jan. 21st through Sunday, Jan. 23th and VITAL INFORMATION Tuesday, Jan. 25th through Sunday, Jan.30th

[palmerlouie]

i think you have to be 25 to rent a car.,....im 19 so i guess not.

[drum4fun]

Could someone post a review of their NAMM experience for us less fortunate HODers, who are not able to go to NAMM? Thank you.