The Ventures.......or not

[Veenture]

A friend of mine on just uploaded this on YT showing this new line-up, the video labels it as a "demo" group: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB84lG_zG0Q

Thanks for posting that Zac! I agree...a change of band name would be in order...perhaps "ONE VENTURE" or "LAST VENTURE"

[jtr654]

Thanks Zac. I really don't know why anyone is getting upset about a Name . The music and keeping it alive is what counts not who is in the band.

[brutus]

As long as Don Wilson is playing it's the Ventures. I really don't see the problem.

[ZacJM]

maybe they should just be called The Ventures II or something. They could try to sell it as a relaunch of the group with the newer members or something.

[Veenture]

As long as Don Wilson is playing it's the Ventures. I really don't see the problem.

I have no problem with a modern day line-up either, calling themselves The Ventures (for good reason too, like $$$) but as I see it, those unique musical talents and characteristic sounds of the original/early long-time members is getting more and more diluted while the band still continues under the same label. That's ok but I see 'em as a different group anyway -closer to a cover band even but then, my age comes into the equation too

[Sarah93003]

maybe they should just be called The Ventures II or something. They could try to sell it as a relaunch of the group with the newer members or something.

If they're doing it for the money they could always be "The Venture Capitalists".

[ZacJM]

They just put this up on their website addressing this issue and a few others;
http://theventures.com/?pg=news&id=107
Looks like they look into sites like this!
He mentions Future Ventures and the extended Venture family, I wonder if they plan to continue the group after the original members leave kinda like the Zappa family doing the Zappa plays Zappa stuff after he died.

[rog43win]

Zac, thanks for posting that link to the Ventures site, and the article they wrote concerning various rumors that have been floating around. Occasional updates from the band would dispel the questions and rumors from even starting.
I've been a Ventures' fan since "Walk Don't Run" came out in 1960....as I remember, they never were very good at keeping fans up to date on much of anything regarding personnel, etc...I was even in the fan club back then. Maybe they were too busy with travel, recording, etc to worry about what the fans thought.
Looks like they plan to keep on "keepin' on" ....no matter who does it........which is cool.
I agree with Paul that the quality continues to be diluted, and even though it still may be good, it certainly is not what used to be the Ventures unique sound. But that's fine too...it is their living and livelihood, and I wish them all the success in the world.

[dubtrub]

We see Nokie playing all the time at various venues with house bands or guest musicians. How would it appear if he showcased himself and fellow unknown musicians as The Ventures? What about the Beatles, Beach Boy's etc, if they continued using the name. When we hear a name we associate it with a certain person or group of key individuals.

"Yeah I'm going to see the Ventures but non of them are the Ventures as they have all been replaced. I wouldn't pay to see a concert of the 'Ventures' if the musicians were all replacements playing Ventures cover songs regardless of who they are."

When Don leaves, it's over.

[ZacJM]

Not that their music sounds any worse but there is considerable difference in their playing(even with Bob, Don, Nokie, and Mel) when they got older. Maybe in the near future these extended family members of The Ventures will bring back the youthful faster playing they had back on the 65 album. Who knows, idk that I'd still call it the Ventures though