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Living In The 80s are looking for the
80's guitarist for eternity

So that you know what you are getting into with us, it is important that you read the following text:

The band Living In The 80s or LIT80s for short, founded in the fall of 2022 in the northwestern part of Switzerland (Sissach), has the 80s in its blood and has set itself the goal of becoming the best 80s tribute band in northwestern Switzerland and the 3-country region over the next 5 years.

 

 

Living In The 80s are (photo from right to left):

Martin Stöckli - Drums / Electronic Drum Modules

Kathi Dienstl - Rhythm Guitar / Bass & Synthesizer / Backing Vocals

Dave Bechtel - Lead Vocals / Bass

Marianne Lauber - Keyboards / Synthesizer / Backing Vocals

Gasha Mitrovic- Lead Guitar => he needs to be replaced

 

 

Fernando Geneto - Technical / Sound Engineer (not on the photo)

 

 

Over the past 2 ½ years, Living In The 80s have honed a 2 ½ hour repertoire that covers the broad palette of the 80s between pop, rock, new romantic, synth pop, dance and electronic in a versatile and colorful way. LIT80s pay homage to some 80s acts (Queen / Depeche Mode / Simple Minds / Bryan Adams. Pet Shop Boys) with shortened versions of their greatest hits or pack them into gripping, self-arranged medleys (e.g. The Alan Parsons Project & Pink Floyd, a pop medley with Roxette / Alphaville / Men Without Hats or a rock medley with Europe / Bon Jovi / Alice Cooper / Van Halen).

We have been live on the road since spring 2024 and are already booked for 10 concerts in our 2nd season 2025. The gigs we have played so far have always been frenetically acclaimed and have shown us that we are on the right track with our performance and repertoire.

Unfortunately, we have had bad luck with our lead guitarists so far. Our first guitarist, Jörg Hurter, was not a good fit on a personal level and he probably underestimated the task of being lead guitarist. We feel very comfortable with our current guitarist Gasha Mitrovic. We get on very well as people and Gasha does a fantastic job. Both in terms of playing and sound, he can do everything the band wants to do (Brian May-Queen, David Gilmour-Pink Floyd, Richie Samborara-Bon Jovi etc., Charlie Burchill-Simple Minds) and Gasha also knows how to take a step back when he's less needed and he also sings very good backing vocals. Everything is actually perfect...but Gasha recently announced that he is moving back to his home country of Serbia at the age of 60. The exact date has not yet been set, but since we know how difficult it will be to replace him, we are already looking for a new lead guitarist to follow in his footsteps from 2026 (possibly earlier).

 

So, after this somewhat lengthy introduction, we have now arrived at the here and now:

Living In The 80s are looking for an incredibly good lead guitarist and finding that person is proving to be a real Herculean task for us. You have to have the 80s in your DNA and be willing to put your heart and soul into this band, because the rest of the band members of Living In The 80s have that spirit. We are not professionals, but we are very goal-oriented and invest a lot of time in the band. We are professionally organized (rehearsals / distribution of tasks / social media / booking etc.) and have high-quality equipment at our disposal. We simply want to achieve something great with this band. The financial aspect is secondary for us and it should be for you too (fees are currently between CHF 100 and CHF 450.00).

 

How good are Living In The 80s musically? The best way to find out is to watch a few live videos on our homepage https://www.livinginthe80s.ch or go to our You Tube channel https://www.youtube.com/@livinginthe80s.

The range of great songs from the 80's is huge and we are only at the beginning with the song selection and the live show. But we have to admit one thing here: We turn down 80's rock and metal bands like Mötley Crew, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Whitesnake, Aerosmith, AC/DC etc. because our lead singer doesn't have the rock voice needed for these artists. Besides, there are already enough cover or tribute bands that have dedicated themselves to these bands.

LIT80s is based in the area of Northwestern Switzerland, but should be able to be booked throughout Switzerland and in the 3-country region, which is why we are also very open to a guitarist from the Bern / Aarau / Solothurn / Zurich area or from Southern Germany.

We are already listed on the website of concert agencies for future concerts (e.g. artisten.ch).

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What does Living In The 80s expect from you as a guitar player:

  • The wide range of pop / rock / disco etc. and as already mentioned: Queen, Pink Floyd and Simple Minds are an integral part of our repertoire. That's why you have to be confident that you can play solos by Brian May, David

  • The wide range of pop / rock / disco etc. and as already mentioned: Queen, Pink Floyd Simple Minds and Bon Jovi are an integral part of our repertoire. That's why you have to be confident that you can play Brian May, David Gilmour, Charlie Burchill and Richie Sambora solos 1 to 1, both in terms of flow and sound.

  • A good band needs good backing vocals. Our two women in the band hadn't sung before. They have been given a mic and now sing really good backing vocals. It would be great if you could also contribute backing vocals.

  • We work with backing tracks to play songs as faithfully as possible. In the meantime, we have all familiarized ourselves with In Ear and you must do the same. The technology is there. 

  • We are a silent band with electric drums and our own band technician, which means we can adjust the volume to suit the event at any time. That's why amps have been a thing of the past for us for a year now. You therefore need a modern effect pedal. Our current guitarist Gasha, for example, uses the Line 6 Helios https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4p7KKDyOY5s&t=7s and goes directly into the mixer in stereo. It's incredibly good and every musician can create their own sound via the In Ears with the corresponding app, which is why we no longer have to lug around heavy monitors.

  • In a band with such a wide range, it's not possible for the lead singer to play all the songs in the original key. You have to be willing to play the keys of the songs sometimes a 1/2 tone or whole tone lower.

  • Every successful band needs a captain. In our case, it's our lead singer Dave Bechtel who pulls the strings. We vote on a lot of things democratically as a band, but in the end we need a leader who has the last word...but he also has the greatest responsibility in the band.

  • Regular rehearsals. We rehearse in the evenings during the week and once or twice a month on Saturday afternoons. As the songs usually take a little longer to arrange, we can also switch to a 2-3 weekly rhythm with you as the guitarist

  • Scheduling flexibility for band rehearsals and concerts. You are welcome to pursue other musical projects, but this band must be a top priority for you.

  • Collegiality and helpfulness.

  • Use of social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, Whats App).

  • Transport possibility for own equipment.

  • Help with transportation and setting up the PA system.

  • Great outfit at concerts.

  • Participation in rehearsal room rent (CHF 50.00/month).

What does Living In The 80s offer you:

  • Air-conditioned or heated rehearsal room with parking spaces and toilets in CH-4450 Sissach BL

  • Professional PA system

  • Band and sound technician as a permanent band member

  • Broad network of promoters in the northwest Switzerland area

  • Good networking on social media

  • Great friendships and lots of great experiences

  • Haribo confectionery, coffee, various mineral waters in the rehearsal room

  • Frenetic audience

  • Hard work, fun and bad pay*

  • *) Fee is rounded after deduction of 20% (general costs for technology, drinks etc.) and divided by 6 band members.

If you have read and heard everything and are fired up, you should definitely get in touch with Dave Bechtel on 079 444 89 55 or livinginthe80s.ch@gmail.com . We look forward to hearing from you.

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