All Activity

I totally agree, trust is a big part of choosing gear for me, which is why I’ve ended up with amps from only two brands, Mesa and Ashdown, and cabs by Mesa only. Both Andy at Mesa and Dave at Ashdown have given me great advice also 👍

Mike Score would struggle achieving that unique look nowadays, unfortunately we all grow old.

So I popped a new single out today, and you can hear it here, if you're so inclined:

That's a proper earworm, that! Nice stuff - and as several said before me, that bass sounds lovely.

It was Jam Night last night. My band weren’t available so I was expecting to do a slot with a couple of the host band members and a band less drummer. Then at shortly after 5pm I got a call from the host band asking if I could dep for them as their bassist was ill. So “Yes”; shower; throw some tea down (the solid variety known as “dinner” across vast swathes of the country😂) and leg it to the venue to help set up. My evening consisted of: 3 songs with the host band, all of which I know fairly well and have played recently. 2 songs in a scratch band with songs called out on stage. I’d never heard one of them before (on stage instruction: it’s in C with a Mustang Sally vibe). The other one was Route 66 which I hadn’t played for 25 years and that was on keys - oddly I could remember the key. My slot. An excellent guitarist / singer who I’ve played with a few times before joined me. And a drummer that neither of us had met before, who was expecting to play a blues set (it wasn’t). Myself and the guitarist decided on songs at 5:30 (between shower and tea), hence the hastily made band name of “5 thirty” (think “The 1975” but in a shorter time frame😊). I’d never played “Long Train Running” but checked out the chords and listened to it a few times on the walk to the venue. Closing song with the host band. “Proud Mary” which I don’t think I’d played for 2 years - so a quick reminder of the chords on my phone, then on the stage to play. I don’t think my ears have had such a work out before. I’ve been doing a fair bit of ear training in the last year or so - they did ok last night. It’s not usually a Jam Night (more bands that have practiced and book a slot), but last night was - I really enjoyed it.

Great idea

Just three guys dressed in tee shirts, nothing flash, the music speaks volumes. 80’s mega star, nothing to prove by dressing up like he did back then with the Police. Each to their own.

@ProjeKtWEREWOLF

Similar situation with The 'Oo, from what I gather - Roger Daltrey has frequently admitted to any disputes descending into fisticuffs, especially in the early days. It sounds like there was some camaraderie between Moon and Entwistle, but otherwise they just learned to get along on tour and then went their separate ways until the job forced them back together.

When it comes to gear, especially amps, I like to be able to go with companies where I have a point person - I've been using Ashdown for so long mostly because I've known Mark and Dave for a long time, and I know that if I have any issues with anything that they've got me covered. Luckily their gear is good. Mark arranged tour support for me on a couple of occasions 20-odd years ago at no charge, and Dave has been brilliant when I've had technical questions about the gear. When I've flirted with other amps over the years, I've never felt like I had that level of support - I'm actually comfortable with the idea of using Mesa though, because we have @agedhorse here to speak to. Never underestimate the difference the personal touch can make. So thanks so much for that - you got a sale out of it!

You certainly have to be on your mettle. I was doing a run through, when Lady Ez popped her head around the door to ask if I wanted a coffee, as soon my brain considered the answer (which was in the affirmative), I completely lost the plot of the tune.

I’m a miserable old man, who finds child prodigy’s very irritating. That’s more about me than them though, I’m only jealous and bitter. I remember first seeing Joe Bonamassa as a wee lad, doing his guitar face onstage at about 10yrs old….. I couldn’t stand him. Then, about 20yrs later I saw him live…. he was absolutely amazing of course.

At the risk of getting overtly political, because we know how BC feels about that, this idea that we all left and right need to align and come together to take down *those lot up there* is well intended but futile. I wont come together with anyone whose views on certain subjects are diametrically opposed to mine. Subjects like racism or migration? I won’t stand alongside anyone who parrots the sort of claptrap we now sadly hear every day of the week from GBeebies. Am I in the same social strata as Dave the rascist over the road? Yes. Will I stand alongside him? Hell no. Not now, not ever.

Another request, a transcription of the Stevie Wonder/Aretha Franklin duet on Wonder's composition 'Until You Come Back To Me' from the 10th Annual Soul Awards in 2005. Consensus is the bass player is Nathan Watts but we are open to challenge as we cannot find confirmation anywhere online. https://bilbosbassbites.co.uk/until-you-come-back-to-me-stevie-wonder-aretha-franklin/

Just seen this today Damn!

F**k it. Broke out the credit card and ordered one. This I have to try.

After a couple of recent gig mishaps with trailing leads changing my compressor settings mid-song, I've made a (prototype) acrylic shield today!