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I've just started 'proper' depping (as opposed to helping out with bands I used to be in). I've done several gigs for one band and I have a gig next Saturday with a new lot. Both bands supplied setlists via Spotify. I had three questions - Are they all in the original keys, are there any surprises with arrangements and what's the dress code? For both bands the answers were yes, no and we don't have one. The reality for the first band was: Original keys? Yes, apart from the two that weren't which I found about about on the night - one of which I had to transpose on the fly, the other I had a few minutes to work on. Any surprises? No. Apart from the the one where our regular bass player signals the rest of the band to come in and the one where the singer always gets lost in the middle and may come in early or late... or on time (again, on;y made clear on the night). Dress code? No. But they all decided to wear shorts and Hawaiian shirts on the night. To be fair, they were a great bunch and we had a laugh and none of the issues mentioned actually caused real problems. The band I'm playing with next Saturday have a reputation of being more 'professional' but in the last week I've had an avalanche of WhatsApp messages discussing the final set list (which has changed several times), keys and rehearsal dates. And 75% of the set for this gig are songs I've never played before, with perhaps 50% that I don't really know at all so I've put a lot of effort into getting familiar. Out of necessity will be playing this gig with a cheat sheet. My approach is as a dep I am doing them a favour and enabling a gig that otherwise would no go ahead, so I have earned a bit of leeway (particularly if its at short notice). But I am also part of the band for the night so I will do my very best to fit in with the band ethic (look/feel etc) as it's their reputation on the line. To a certain extent that would include deciding what bass to use from a visual point of view. My go to clothing if there is no guidance would be black trousers, usually decent looking jeans), a lightly patterned shirt and maybe a waistcoat, with black shoes. Although I do BVs and a few lead vocals, for a depping gig I would not usually offer to sing as that's an extra thing that could go wrong. I expect an equal share of the fee and I would not expect to have to pay any deductions for PA etc that other band members have agreed to. I would always want to see the setlist before giving a definite yes or no and I would be totally honest about my ability to nail the songs. It's in no one's interest to say yes to something you know you can't do, so the set would dictate the notice I need, as I'm not the quickest learner. Good habits? Mainly I try to remember that I am the hired hand and I'll aim to stand at the back and not try to stand out.

That is a lovely bass. Definitely on my GAS list!

Politics, football and personal relationships (wife / partner) should be kept out of bands at all costs. There are plenty of other stupid and ridiculous stuff we can talk about. We are very lucky that we have an ex marine on guitar and his stories keep us amused at every gig when getting dressed for the show. Some of the things those guys got up to are quite simply outrageous and ridiculous whether it was serious or just for fun amongst themselves. Don't think we have any fanatical footballing fans in the band. We do talk about motorbike racing as guitarist and myself are into bikes. We do talk s***e about guitars a lot of the time tho. 😂 Dave

Jungle Gardenia - Mike Oldfield

Jungle Boogie - Kool and The Gang

Looking good there Lozz. Dave

Best wishes matey.

I'm not 100% physically. The infection took a lot out of me but I;m slowly building strength back up. It'll be a few more weeks before I'm 100% physically. Thanks Rob

There's a 2005 example on here for £1,500 so fair price indeed.

It's entirely possible... Algorithms and 3D Printing Can Be Used to Create Realistic Nasal Prostheses

If your 89 SR4 has a birdseye maple neck, they're fairly sought after due to coming from a time when EB was trying to re-establish the brand and when they weren't being charged any more for figured maple neck blanks compared to plain maple. Not sure if that helps you reach a decision one way or the other but it comes from a good period...unlike the pre-sale-to-EB early 80's rays which were a bit of a crap shoot for body woods.

Haha, editing error! the singer had a sure wireless system for his sax, which always clicks and pops. After the last gig he gave it to a sound engineering guy to see what was wrong with it but forgot to pick it up so he had to use a sax mic on a stand!

A few photos of the actual bass. This one weighs just 6.7lbs! My other one feels like it's made of lead in comparison weighing in at 8.2lbs 😂.

I expect Rob fixed the hospital error with a new nose - made by 3D printing cartilage 😉

I hope your hooter's healing well. Good work!