It’s been a fun year so far for Hot As A Pepper! We’ve had some great gigs at many venues that are new to us and made a lot of new friends and connections in the process.
Now, it’s time to slow down a bit and spend some time with our families. We’ve scheduled downtime, vacation and trips in July and through August so, we have not been actively booking gigs.
Once the kids are back in school and normal work schedules resume, we will get back to booking.
Until then, if you need us, you know where we are, shoot us an email. We’d love to play your pool party or reunion if we are available!
Back a few days ago, Hot As A Pepper played a fun outdoor event called “Fridays by the Fountain” in Fountain Inn, SC.
The attendance was down a little due to Darius Rucker performing a few blocks away at the Charter Amphitheater / Heritage Park in Simpsonville, SC, but that didn’t stop us from doing what we do best – create a fun and funky groove that had people literally dancing in the streets!
In the middle of the show, my daughter, Megan, came up on the stage and performed a song called “Price Tag” with just me on acoustic guitar and Chris Eller accompanying us on drums. It was a joy to share the stage with her. Now, if we can only get her to come sing some backup and a few dance numbers!
Here she is…. Megan Hoyt…
If you would, please be kind and “like” her video on YouTube.
– John M. Hoyt – Bass Guitar / Vocals / Technology / Roadie
Our trusty Allen and Heath ZED22FX mixer was working so well that we decided to replace it… With this:
Mackie DL1608 16 channel, stereo, 6 aux mixing console with iPad for control
Sometimes you just have to mix it up (pun intended) and try something new and there’s not much newer that we can afford than the Mackie DL1608.
The DL1608 is not your typical mixer. They have removed 90% of the knobs, sliders and meters, leaving you with a box that is rather small, with 16 XLR inputs, 6 1/4″ TRS, a pair of XLR outputs, and a headphone jack. The only knobs are the input trim knobs and the headphone level knob.
There are two switches. Do you need any more than that? There is one to turn it on and off and one to shoot some voltage onto the inputs for your phantom powered devices.
EVERY THING ELSE is controlled from your iPad. The entire control surface is gone from the mixer and moved to an app.
You are not locked into just one iPad though. You can keep one docked if you wish, and that iPad can control the thing, as well as record two channels of mix audio (unfortunately, you cannot record all 16 channels like you can on the Presonus or the Behringer digital mixers). Using an inexpensive wireless router, you can plug the Mackie into that, and use several other iPads / iPhones to control the thing.
Here’s our plan:
DL1608 on stage, will reside on my bass amp’s road case. All stage wiring from mics and to speakers will run to the mixer. NO SNAKE running across the floor to pose a health and safety issue to dancers.
An iPad will remain docked in the DL1608 at all times and we will record two channels to that docked iPad. This iPad will be used to control the stage monitor mixes (remember those 6 aux outs? We can have 6 different feeds).
An 802.11n wireless router (Currently a very inexpensive Asus model) will plug into the Mackie and be velcro’d inside my road case.
My wife is our audio engineer who has been doing both front of house and monitor mixes for me for a couple years. She will now use her own iPad to control the Mackie from anywhere around the venue she chooses! NO CONSOLE TAKING UP A TABLE in the middle of the room. No Snake. No chance of someone spilling a beer in it.
Our guitarist and drummer probably want a different mix…. I’ll let them associate their own iPad or iPod to the Mackie and give them permission to affect ONLY their mix.
Should we add in ear monitors at some point, this system will be perfect for that too.
Shakedown cruise is coming this Friday at Rhythm & Brews in Greer, SC. I’ll try to reply or post a new blog post with the results. Oh, and we will be taking the old ZED with us, just in case!
Here’s a common issue… Someone wants a band for their 40th birthday party and they can’t afford it. Bummer! And an iPod just won’t cut it!
The cost of the band isn’t the only issue either! Besides paying the band for their appearance, there may be other expenses, such as renting a venue, sound and/or lighting. If the band is a popular act, they may have a rider that covers everything from transportation, accommodations, refreshments and assistants. They could require a particular size stage, union stagehands and more.
So maybe booking a band of that caliber is a bit much. Even a local band can set you back a grand, and you still have to have a place that is large enough, has enough power to provide for their audio and lighting gear, and keeps them warm / cool and dry. And, all without the neighbors calling the police for loud noise.
Here’s a suggestion – work with a local band to find a venue who might subsidize your party!
How would that work? Simply put, your party will only last a couple hours, right? A bar, club or restaurant has live music starting around 8 or 9 in the evening generally, and some as late as 10pm start times.
You might be able to work with the band and venue to secure the facility for your party from 6 to 8, or 7 to 9. The venue pays half the band’s fees and you pay half and you both get exactly what you want! You get a party at a great location, with a band all to yourself, or at least mostly to yourself, and then the bar or club gets the benefit of the band playing until they close.
The band may charge slightly more for this, as their play time is increased, but they are getting two gigs and only moving gear once.
The venue may be more than happy to entertain this idea as you are bringing 50 of your closest friends to their place, and providing them with some sales. You can probably secure a deal where they let your party have discounted booze, or a drink special.
If this sounds like something you are interested in and you are in the Upstate or Greenville SC area, give us a call and let’s talk! You might just end up with a band for 25-30% off AND have a great location for your party!
It’s already March, and so many weddings are planned, right down the last detail. The dresses have been purchased months in advance, the cake and catering have been finalized, and even the groomsmen have been fitted for their tuxes.
But have you picked a band yet? You’re not using an iPod on shuffle are you? Or some DJ who was suggested by a friend of a friend?
If you have decided that prerecorded music is for you, at least insure you have a great sound system. Rent one from one of the reputable places around the Upstate that has a subwoofer to make the bass actually something you feel, instead of just hear. That will be certain to help a little.
However, nothing, absolutely nothing, takes the place of a live entertainment! A band brings the energy level up! Especially a group that has a wide variety of styles that will appeal to a broad majority of your attendees.
Hot As A Pepper is such a band! We play a fun and funky mix of dance and rock, with some good old Carolina Beach, country, and even a reggae tune thrown in for good measure.
Our upbeat rock from the past and present is sure to move the younger crowd, while disco, beach and funk will get just about everyone else. For those who prefer country, yes, we can do a couple tunes for them too.
If you would like more information about how Hot As A Pepper can spice up your wedding reception, please give us a call at 864-979-1224 or use the contact form on our website!
Our rates are affordable, our show is exactly what you are looking for, that is, if you want something unique and fun!
Hey, it’s been a while, but here’s some updates for you…
First and foremost, we have added a member, Chris Eller, who now is the guy keeping the beat going. He’s a pretty good guy, and a terrific drummer, so be sure to pop in and check him out at one of our next public gigs.
We’re booking again… We took some time and have been working up a bunch of new material and breaking Chris in. So, if there is a venue we need to be hitting up, please let us know! We’re hoping to start filling the calendar for March and onward, but there are a lot of dates in February we are available for too!
Need a T-Shirt? It’s time to have some new ones made up! This design is extremely popular. Hard to keep them on hand for the shows, but we’ll do our best. If you know you want one, hit us up and have us reserve one in your size. $20 dollars for one, or get two or more for 30 bucks!
Notable upcoming gigs open to the public:
2013-04-13 Heart Walk Greer
2013-04-19 Greenville Heritage Main Street Fridays
2013-05-10 & 11 Bovinova 3.0
Hey everyone, it’s been a while since we posted anything here, and I apologize because I know you have been hanging around, hitting REFRESH over and over wondering why there was nothing new!
Last night HAAP played again on the Wild Wing Cafe Spartanburg stage. What a blast that was! We were pleasantly surprised to see a couple dozen of our friends make it in from Greenville, Easley, Powdersville, Piedmont, Simpsonville and other parts unknown.
What can I say? We’re honored that someone would go out on a cold and rainy night just to see us!
We made some new friends last night too, got a few new “likes” on our facebook page, and even a gig inquiry. And very important to us, the management and staff seemed to like us and not only paid us, but I think we will be playing there again in 2013!
We’ve brought on board a new drummer, Chris Eller, who made his debut at last night’s gig. Chris is a pretty alright guy who knows his chops and seems to play well with others.
You can read more about him on our member profile page!
Next up – New Year’s Eve at The Lighthouse on Keowee in Seneca. We will be helping to ring in the new year there! Come on out!
Do you love dancing? I mean, do you REALLY love dancing?
Here’s someone who loves dancing:
If you love dancing as much as this young man, then please consider Hot As A Pepper for your next function! There’s nothing we like better than providing the groove for you to get down to!
We cover many styles of music in a show, most of the songs are familiar and perfect for you to dance to, whether it is a shag or a slow dance, and maybe even a line dance.
At our last gig, we had an actual Hell’s Angel member busting a move most of the night with us! If we can get big burly bikers up dancing, we can move your feet too!
Call us today and book a party, corporate event, wedding, or hire us for your venue because we play bars and clubs too! We mostly play the Upstate because we are Greenville, SC based, but we will travel to you if the gig is right!
864-979-1224 or use the booking info contact link above!
What’s the advantage of hiring “Hot As A Pepper” over a DJ?
1. UNIQUE – there’s nothing unique in the music you already have on your iPod or CD. The artistry and talent that world class musicians bring to their performance is priceless, and becoming more rare all the time. Live solos on guitar, keyboards, bass and drums won’t happen with a DJ. Not to mention the Vocal interaction of a Front man during a song getting everyone involved with the song!
2. CREATIVE FLEXIBILITY – in real time, when they have to, live bands can extend, shorten, re-arrange, vamp, transpose pitch, modify tempo, and alter lyrics of songs to fit requests and respond to “spur of the moment” dance situations. Sometimes these tools literally save the day. DJ’s can’t do these things.
3. MEMORABILITY – a phenomenal, live performance will be talked about for many years, especially when they keep an entire audience engaged for hours. But who will remember a DJ after a month?
4. ENERGY & EXCITEMENT – most people rarely, if ever get to experience the raw energy and excitement of a sizzling, live performance up close and personal and when they do, they hit the dance floor with passion from the get go. But the DJ; standing at the table, rarely moves
5. ENTERTAINMENT VALUE – how entertaining is it to watch someone wearing headphones and pushing buttons?
6. COST – a DJ may save you money, or will he/she? You will likely spend $200-$750 for a DJ – But that’s just for one or two persons. A reputable live band will run $500-$1,500, but that’s for 4-5 talented musicians and a show! Comparatively, that’s a very good value.
7. REPERTOIRE – the Hot As A Pepper song list is adaptable – it allows us to pace the crowd and engage the crowd with relatable songs for the moment! A live band is not necessarily limited in what they can play. Everything we play, we make our own. If that means staying true to the original – we do that… but if it means dressing it up for fun, we can do that!
8. COMPLETE PACKAGE – if there’s any song(s) the band doesn’t currently do that you want, You can request it us to play on mp3/CD. So with our live band, you have absolutely everything!
It is with great excitement that we make this announcement…
After a long search, we have finally located the missing member of our band… No, he wasn’t lost, we just had not found what we were looking for until now; A keyboardist who can sing, play guitar and chew gum at the same time!
We would like to welcome Galen Fowler, who has been playing professionally since 1980. He was the front man for The Majestics in the 90’s and more recently he was with Flashback The Party Band from Charlotte NC. His specialty is the keyboard, however HAAP might be able to put up with him playing guitar from time to time. Galen works in industrial sales. He has a beautiful wife Barbara and three children, Raleigh, Andrew, and Jennifer. Galen is also a huge fan of the South Carolina Gamecocks. He will be a great addition to Hot As A Pepper.
Galen also opens the door for Hot As A Pepper to be Cool As A Cucumber for more laid back and intimate performances, such as dinner before the big event, and without question, he brings with him a large repertoire of music we could not have performed previously!
Please come out and see him in his debut performance this coming Saturday, November 3rd at Pop A Top in Piedmont where HAAP will be playing a benefit for the Charles Stokes family… We start at 6:00 PM….
