Home Brew - Keith Aviss

Hello, my name is Keith, home country Canada, I retired in 2020 from a working career of 40+ years that was not music related. I have been playing music since I was 12 years old and have always loved it and when I was a youngster wanted it to be my lifes work, but that didn't happen. Originally as a youngster I was mostly into the heavier rock bands from the late 60’s and early 70’s. My music palette over the years has evolved by playing many different types of cover tunes for the past 50+ years and learning what pleases the crowd, growing I suppose my own style as that process took place. I have always wanted to be able to create music of my own and get it out there for others to listen to, like all musicians do, so I was hopeful this platform would allow this to happen although it is late in my life for me now at 63+ years old (& counting) perhaps it’s never too late?

My first real exposure to live music and the electric guitar was in elementary school when we used to go to the library and listen to one of the teachers (Mr. Johnson) play and sing, I believe that is where I first got hooked. 

My older brother was also a big influence on me musically as I would hear him playing his 60’s & 70’s albums. Later around grade eight I had a friend who’s family were very musical and his parents very supportive, my friends brother played the electric guitar a 70’s Fender Telecaster Custom and had a Fender Bassman amplifier, he let me play and he taught me my first few chords . . . I was definitely now hooked. This fellows younger brother who was one of my best friends played the keyboards and we soon formed a band with two other school mates and we called ourselves “Avalanche”, not sure how long it was before we played our first gig but this was the beginning for me and I had no idea what an impact this would have on my entire life ahead. One other note from my first band is we had another school mate come jam with us once or twice, and she went on to a very successful professional career as the lead singer in a famous Canadian band “The Headpins” she knew what she wanted and she just went out and got the job done, and to this day she's still rockin' it something which I have always admired.

As a teenager in the early and mid 70’s I was exposed to some of the greatest music ever, both recorded albums and live concerts. Back in those days we had great live bands play our school dances, which just doesn’t happen anymore and is a shame, it seemed like there was so many great rock bands coming to our town to perform concerts. I have many, many favorite bands and musicians, more now than back when I was younger when I was a more one dimensional musical thinker. In my very early days it was Grand Funk, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Rush, etc power house rock bands. But if I had to single out one guitar player who I have always admired and to this day still do, it would be Carlos Santana, he is not only a great guitarist but I love his philosophy on life and that music is a way to bring joy and healing to the world, for that reason to me he is a class act!

Over the many years I have played in many different rock bands, made lots of friends, and have played hundreds of gigs in my surrounding area. I was only ever a weekend warrior playing barn burners and bars because I was married at 19  and had to “get a haircut and get a real job” so to speak, to support my family. I have two wonderful children for whom I am very proud of, and I am now also a grandpa of five wonderful grandchildren all beautiful girls so I have much to be grateful for, they all call me “Grumps” no idea why though (actually I do!) lol. Also as previously mentioned I retired from a long  career in “Highway Design” which is another story, all the time though I kept up my playing and played many weekend gigs, but really I did put my music on the sidelines as a young teen where many of my other musician friends did not and pursued their music careers.

So here I am now retired from "Highway Design" that career is now complete, I have much more time for my music now but it is difficult to find other musicians in my age group who have the same interests and goals as me musically. I also have a very supportive wife, my biggest fan, who encourages me to pursue my music, and many friends that do the same. So I have taken to writing my own music and playing all the instruments and doing all the vocals myself (except the drum tracks which are drum loops) and this is why you can now find me here on “Bandzoogle”, sort of a dream I put on pause for 45+ years. Well I don't pretend to be a polished professional musician, I am completely self taught and don’t read music or understand much theory I play by ear and by feeling, and I play for the enjoyment and pleasure of making friendships with other musicians and hopefully spreading a bit of happiness to those who choose to listen. It has never been a job for me and I wouldn’t want it to ever be that.

I still continuing to work with other musicians and hopefully keeping a viable band together for as long as possible, so to get out and perform live music Rock / Blues / Originals. 

Lastly - I hope there are some tunes here that folks will enjoy and that may bring you even a few minutes of pleasure, maybe provoke a few thoughts as I often try to send a message in my songs. The world we all live in has become more and more confusing, but music can always make things better. All the best to you.

Cheers - Keith