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I agree however there is a difference between this white middle aged British man playing a Blues about going out and drinking too much as opposed to a Blues about being a slave or a descendant of a slave living in a violent racist time. I think sometimes one cannot play a song if one does not have the lived experience to do so.

Oppressive governments using coercion and violence against their own people. Working class and oppressed people being used by the military to further their own agenda. Feels like fairly universal concerns to me.

I guess that's why my 5-string Warwicks don't have fret markers.

To thine own self be true. I think your concerns are spot on. If you don't feel comfortable playing it then don't. There are certain songs that you just can't play if you do not have a link to it either culturally or through family history. If the band must play a Fela Kuti song there are plenty others to choose from. As Pulp sang, "Everyone hates a tourist".

And then mixed with country and folk music. Bloody cultural appropriation.

If you’re worried have the conversation with the band. In my bluegrass band one of the players had a problem with some of the lyrics. She raised it, explained why and we changed them. No stress.

An interesting debate. Most modern music is ultimately derived from the Blues, a genre born out of slavery and the field hollers that regimented their work.

Oh, I think that the motivation was definitely the price.

You can over think these things. Some of the best songs tell a story, you don't have to have a connection or even empathy for that story in order to retell it. Indeed sharing stories is one of the ways that people learn about each other. Having said that I'd feel pretty silly if I had to sing Redemption Song in front of an audience, so there's definitely a 'Partridge' line somewhere, but it's probably very much an individual decision rather than a blanket rule you can apply to all situations

https://www.growlerstore.co.uk/collections/glass-beer-growlers

I took a punt on a not-well-known auction site and got a Headrush FR112. Not eBay to be clear. I got it cheap for £84 but it turns out that it doesn't work. It came with a blown 6.3A fuse and putting in another 6.3A fuse gave me a matched pair of blown fuses. Not quite as a nice as a matched pair of EL84 valves but still glassware I'm in discussions with the auction site but assuming that I don't get my money back, caveat emptor etc etc, any recommendations for somebody in NW England who can look at these things and repair them. The Headrush site shows somebody in Leeds and also somebody in Castleford. Both are a fair old schlep. If I don't get my money back, I suspect I'll be making them into a home made cabinet. Any sensible suggestions welcomed. Rob

It’s a pretty upbeat song unless It’s another one I am unaware of. If Fela Kuti wanted folk to sit around and mope it would have been a different tune altogether. I also doubt he released it hoping it would only be appreciated and played by and to a very limited audience who could fully appreciate and embrace its cultural context. Its a tune and a damned good one.

The issue is more about playing it as a tune to dance to without being aware of the context. And potentially to an audience that is more aware of the context than members of the band are. That’s the part that gives me Partridge vibes.

It depends what "everything you'd need" is! I've done ampless gigs with nothing more than my bass, a clip on tuner on my headstock and a basic DI box before now. If you're not much of an effects user, that might be all you need and about as simple/compact as it's possible to be.

Thanks Steve, that's really kind. They'll be touring to support the album in October/November.

Lee Alexander's bass part from the 2002 Norah Jones hit 'Don't Know Why'. From the album, 'Come Away With Me'. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/dont-know-why-norah-jones/

I have the same issue and have been playing email ping pong with Darkglass support for the last two weeks. In their most recent email they suggest sending my a replacement PSU which is worth trying but I have low confidence it will resolve the problem.

If the JB4 neck turns out nice you may get a decent amount of repeat business just from me!

Ride The Lightning - Metallica

Personally I feel culture is something to be shared and celebrated by everyone. I think if you are celebrating and sharing culture it’s not appropriating it but absorbing it, being influenced by it and changing your mindset and behaviour because of it. It’s a positive not a negative thing. Appealing to soldiers not to blindly follow orders, which I think this song is about, is as relevant to any culture or race and no more so than in the current world situation.

Music is music, as long as you don't drop words without their respective pass

Bristol has Elevator Sound https://www.elevatorsound.com/?srsltid=AfmBOop4A2d-1vjoEEkt-LT-NSxJs0OchGEyMImZZiXs1yPOaDQu9fn0

There is no official character named "Growler" in the Thomas the Tank Engine series; however, the term "Growler" is sometimes used by fans to describe the sounds a diesel engine makes or in unofficial fan creations, such as the "Growler the Goods Diesel" fan character found on platforms like DeviantArt. google AI. 🤣