JoelB

ABOUT BILLTOWNLIVE.COM (Joel B Vincent, Webmaster)
If you're a musician, performer, artist of any kind or live music fan living in the Williamsport area or nearby ... if you're a band or performer that'll be playing in the area soon ... or if you'll just be visiting our area ... I hope you'll check out BilltownLive.com . My goal with the site is to provide a much-needed online resource about "what's going on" and to support & promote musicians and our cultural scene, as well as be a helpful site to area residents & visitors in general.
You'll find loads of links and information, listings of all the bands, performers & musical service or instruction providers, current weather & news, cool features, directories & listings for dining, nightlife, theatre & dance companies, all things food & drink, community organizations, local government and more!
It's a sponsor-supported, personally-run website with no advertising, and all listings & links are FREE. The site's official launch (with advertising, marketing and a huge launch party) will be coming soon!
BilltownLive.com is already getting over 1,500 visitors every week and quickly becoming one of the area's favorite websites, so please ... check it out, be in touch, get listed and be promoted!
And, just so you know ... the website is a labor of love, and not at all about making money. I already have a great job to pay my rent and bills. The site is my way of giving something back to my hometown and my fellow musicians & other artists, and it's been needed for a long time. I care about my community & the world around me, the future of live music in this and every town ... and I want to make a difference. I'll welcome your support and help to make it everyone's favorite, local site!
ABOUT JOELB, THE DRUMMER
I'm basically here on MySpace for two reasons. One, to connect with my fellow musicians, artists of all kinds and live music fans for the sake of my website, BilltownLive.com ... and two, to offer a little information about myself as a drummer (and about me, personally). I can't say as I'll spend a great deal of time here posting things or blogging, because I spend pretty much all of my free time working on my website ... but I will definitely look forward to finding and keeping in touch with all of my friends everywhere ... and making great new ones along the way!
Gweetingz, peeps of Earth. I'm Joel. Joel B. Joel B Vincent (and no, I never use a period after my middle initial). Who are I? A drummer, occasional drum, stage or lighting tech guy, decided dork, pop philosopher, musical prostitute and wanna-be webmeister. By day, I'm a mild-mannered graphics guy ... but by night and weekends, I don my cape and tights (not a pretty sight) and become DRUMMERMAN!
I battle evil with razor-sharp sticks and a mean foot, relying on my wit (I only have one wit, while others may have more wits) and my confusingly silly behavior to distract and overtake the dastardly opponents of having a good time ... innoculating the good people of the world with infectious grooves and thumpity-thumpedness to soothe (or more often incite) their savage instincts and predelection for badness. Although, being bad can sometimes be really good.
Music is and always will be my one, true passion. I've been playing drums for almost 30 years, and consider myself very well-versed in most all musical styles ... with particular strengths in jazz, funk, R&B, blues, rock, pop and latin/island rhythms. With extensive experience on stage, in the recording studio or as a "tech" with local, regional and national artists, I would probably describe my playing style as fluid and unassuming ... understated, yet dynamic and expressive. According to others, I apparently have a quick foot, a very smooth style, the ability to fill-in and sound as if I've played with the band all along, and a great ear when it comes to complimenting what a soloist is playing and in "going where the song leads." I also sing, though I feel my strength in that regard leans more toward harmony parts in the mid-to-higher ranges and an ability to find them and "fit in" when wanted.
I don't at all consider myself to be a "technician" with blazing speed or amazing rudimentary prowess, but that's never been my goal as a drummer. For me, it's all about playing for the music ... for the song. I'm actually not a big fan of drum solos, and prefer to have my "fun" within the groove, much like drummers (and major influences) Stewart Copeland, Jeff Porcaro, John Bonham, Bernard Purdie, Ringo Starr, Jabo Starks and Dave Garibaldi, to name just a few. I actually like "driving from the backseat," so to speak ... and would always rather hear someone say that the band was great, and not just the drummer :)
I'm also particularly fond of drummers Levon Helm, Joe Morello, Bill Goodwin and Ed Thigpen for their grace, tasteful playing and personal class. I remember meeting Ed Thigpen at a NAMM Convention in California, and there he was ... in a neckbrace from a recent accident ... meeting and greeting people as an endorser of Regal Tip Sticks & Brushes and happily demonstrating his brush techniques with a smile. A truly classy guy. Levon Helm's another such gentleman ... a gifted musician with a heart of gold, and I'm proud to have worked as his drum tech on two occasions at the Billtown Blues Festival. A sweet man and very cool dude.
Then again, my influences have always been those whom I admire and respect, more so than for their skills alone. One such influence was my first drum teacher, Bob Morrison. Fabulous big band and all-around drummer, but also a wonderful man and mentor as well. I find it humorously ironic that now I occasionally call on Bob to cover for me on jazz gigs I can't do!
Some of my favorite local or once-local drummers (and good friends) that also have lent me inspiration include Steve Mitchell, Bobby Leidhecker, Mark Polis, Lou Feist, Billy Matlack, Brett Barnes, Keith Bashnick, Charles Gehr and Dick Cummings. Dick's son Rich is also an up-and-comer (if not peer) that's got great chops & ideas and is a standout guy. I also recently had the pleasure of meeting and hearing Jeremy Hummel (formerly with Breaking Benjamin, and from the area here). Seriously great player and nice guy!
Hearing great drummers (or any musician) never fails to make me want to play, learn more, grow and create great music with whomever I'm fortunate enough be playing with at the moment. Being a musician is about growth, and never about feeling down about someone else playing better than you think you can or do. Find your groove ... your style ... and express yourself through your music. My only advice to any drummer or musician is to learn about, understand and appreciate every style of music there ever was or is ... and practice! That is how we get better!
MY DRUM GEAR
DRUMKITS & PERCUSSION
Pearl Masters Custom Birch Kit (Platinum Mist Finish), 1963 Ludwig Be-Bop Kit (Black Diamond Pearl Finish) and a Roland V-Drums Electronic Kit, plus congas, timbalitos and assorted percussion (including cowbells, of course!)
More cowbell!
My Pearl kit and drum tech services are available for music festivals and regional/national act concerts. Please contact me directly for availability and rates.
CYMBALS
An assortment of Sabian, Bosphorous, Wuhan, Istanbul and Zildjian. When it comes to cymbals, I'm not a "one-brand man" like many drummers seem to be. To me, it's all about the sound of a cymbal and not its label.
TOOLS & SKINS
Vic Firth Sticks (SD4) & Brushes, Pro-Mark Multi-Rods, Johnny Rabb Rhythm Saw Sticks (cool tools for latin/island grooves!) and Evans Drumheads & EQ Pads.
MY BANDS
The Blind Chitlin Kahunas - One funky, rockin', bad-ass blues trio featuring guitarist/vocalist Chris Bovard and bassist/vocalist Kimbo Reichley (oh, and me, too). I'm thrilled to be gigging with these guys finally!
Rubber Soul - A tribute to the music of the Beatles like very few others. No wigs or costumes, just great Beatles music performed creatively and with a penchant for spontaneous improvisation. My bandmates are Bob Yoas (bass/keyboards/vocals), Dave Brumbaugh (guitar/vocals) and Scott Francis (guitar/bass/vocals).
The Doug McMinn Jazz Quartet - Smooth, cool and sometimes downright funky! My musical compadres are saxophonist Doug McMinn, guitarist Dave Brumbaugh and bassist Tim Breon. I always love giggin' with these cats!
The Transcendants - Very happenin' jazz quartet featuring many original compositions by guitarist Dave Brumbaugh. The quartet also boasts keyboardist Steve Adams and bassist Tim Breon. Extremely talented guys ... always challenging me, pushing me.
BlueZilla - Earth-shakin', fire-breathin' blues ala' Stevie Ray, Hendrix, Buddy Guy, etc. My blues brothers in this trio are guitarist Dave "El Conquistador" Brumbaugh and bassist Bob "The Businessman" Yoas ... two of my oldest and dearest friends.
I also occasionally (and not often enough) work with singer/songwriter guitarist Melissa Reaves and Blow Dog & The Maple Men.
JOEL B ELSEWHERE IN CYBERSPACE OR BEYOND
My Website BilltownLive.com
My Favorite Hangout The Bullfrog Brewery
My Day Gig Yoas Services, Inc.
REACH OUT & TOUCH ME (Me will likey like that!)
My Website E-mail - [email protected]
My Personal E-mail - [email protected]
ABOUT JOEL B, PERSONALLY
I'm a dweeb :)
An ongoing stream of consciousness about me or my thoughts, direct from my few remaining brain cells and well-intentioned heart ...
I'm just me. I gotta be me ... dee dee dee! I'm normal ... for a musician, anyway. I'm imperfect and know it. I am human, and I grow more each day. In my life, I've known joy, reveled in love, made mistakes, felt regret, learned & grown, hurt people undeservedly (but unintentionally), brought others joy and laughter, met incredible people and lost touch with the best of friends, felt sadness, felt happiness and smiled, taught, given and bared my soul naively. I cry during sad parts of movies. I get angry when I see ignorance, stupidity, selfishness, disrepect and inconsideration. I adore silliness, goofiness and being a geek. I'm sometimes cynical, often philosophical, occasionally crotchety and usually opinionated. I hate litterbugs. I believe there's nothing common about common sense. I live for the moment, the day and the music. I'm emotional. Hearing applause is akin to sexual bliss. I'll never be wealthy, but my life will always be rich. I'm a creative soul, yet a practical thinker. I respect, love and find awe in nature's beauty and harmony. I'm not religious or politically-inclined. I think for myself. I have difficulties with people that can't spell or use proper grammar. I've been married and divorced. Infidelity is one of the deepest hurts, and one of the slowest wounds to heal ... but forgiveness is the cure. I just love koala bears. I hate people that are lazy and abuse welfare of any kind. I love beer immensely, but I can't stand drunks ... especially sloppy ones. When I'm tipsy, I giggle, act silly and suffer from "sea turtle eyes." I believe that the Internet has "dumbed" people and bred a whole new kind of rudeness ... just as cellphones have created an army of assholes. I do pretty good impressions of people. I spend way too much time feigning a British accent. I have a Kangol hat fetish, and I'm often mistaken for Samuel L. Jackson when wearing mine.
Bart's pizza is the absolute best in the world. Sean Connery will always be the best James Bond. I can't stand it when strangers walk up to me and say "Ya know, smoking's bad for your health." GRRRR. My response is always the same ... "Yeah, and ya know what's even worse for your health? Giving unwanted advice to strangers that have a short fuse."
I drink, smoke, curse, belch and fart ... with glee ... but I couldn't give up ALL my vices in the quest for betterment, now could I? Besides, farting is funny.
I adore reggae music. Nassau & Paradise Island in the Bahamas is one of the most beautiful places to be ... besides my absolute favorite place ... anywhere along Rock Run in Ralston, PA. The most beautiful stream in the world, in my humble but ever-correct opinion.
I think that women are the most fabulous creatures ever to grace this planet. Fascinating, insightful, introspective, capable of wonderful emotion, sublimely intelligent and sensible, powerful, evocative and mesmerizingly interesting. We need a woman in the presidency ... but just not Hillary. All due respect to her, but she's far too self-serving. Liked her hubby alot, though. What a shame he got busted for a blowjob. As if every president hasn't done worse. Sheesh. But, the important thing to remember about that incident is that he was unfaithful, and not just poor in his judgement as a leader. Being unfaithful to your partner is perhaps the worst thing you could ever do. It's the worst hurt there is. Trust me on this one. Where was I? Oh, yeah ... heading for my couch to indulge in mindless TV entertainment. Gawd bless America.
I really fucking hate litterbugs. People that litter are trash themselves. Every other creature on Earth lives in harmony, but humans so arrogantly refuse to. I just don't get that. Our environment is fragile and verging on kicking our ass. Mother Nature, for lack of a better term, will one day tire of the way we treat her and brush us from her shoulders like annoying dandruff. Yes, I more than care about our environment, and what bothers me greatly is that anyone who speaks up about protecting or caring for the environment is instantly labeled by the ignorant masses as a "tree-hugger" or "whale-saver" and dismissed. How moronic. Americans are, by far, the worst offenders of thoughtless, greed-based inconsideration toward the consequences of their treatment of our planet. Caring about our planet is not a "liberal" or "hippie" thing, for gawd sakes. When will people stop ignoring what's happening to the environment? Does no one notice the drastic changes in seasons and weather? Sheesh. I'd apologize to our future generations for having to live in the mess we've created, but it's not me that did it. I'm just glad that I won't live to see the catastrophic end of the human race. Or at least I hope I won't.
When I watch other drummers, I get so inspired. Whether it's "pros" or the friends that I'm so thrilled to have, they all make me want to play better and speak more through my drums. Music is passion personified ... and amplified.