Leaderboard

It seems a shame that she wants to try bass, when: 1. She is already a poor keys player (and is likely to become a poor bass player, at least to start with 2. She is a good trombone player (surely a better fit in a band that wants another instrumentalist, and wants to showcase the lady musician). 3. You have already done the heavy lifting, by learning the songs creating arrangements that work for the band, and turning up to rehearsals. Be direct, and ask if the intention is that she will replace you. Tell them that you would feel a bit "spare" if she was playing bass, even for a few songs.

Alternatively, agree to let her play a few tunes in the first set. Pop to the bar and have a pint while she plays said songs. Then leave the venue for the evening.

Emergency over His dad has found it under all the mess of wrapping paper! Have a good day everyone.

What has been your favourite band discovery this year? New or old band but new to you. For me it's Brutus. I saw them at Arctangent festival and they blew my mind. Interesting and original metal music. The singer/drummer is one of the most talented people I've ever seen live and the rest of the band are great as well.

Interesting amount of negative responses here! I work often in a covers band where one of the singers is a bassist-in-progress to whom i give a lesson every now and then. Sometimes I get her to play a tune or two on the gig just for fun... no harm in being supportive of someone who has taken interest in the finest of instruments!

This was posted on our FB page last night by a local band reviewer for the Dreadnought in Bathgate. Very humbled by it. No pics or vids have appeared as yet. Dave This year I've had some good nights, some really good nights, some great nights and some exceptional nights in the Dreadnought.. Tonight's gig was on another scale completely... For ny on THREE HOURS the packed Dread was treated to a Christmas Party of epic proportions courtesy of the phenomenal glam rock covers band Blockbustarz... Mike, David, Colin, Lynn and Barry were tinselled up, hairdoed up (Barry had a hat on), silver suited up, glam rock booted up and face painted up to the max.. The crowd were suitably attired as well, with Elton John style glasses, glitter covered hats, Christmas jumpers, flashing light necklaces and tinsel on show.... Appearing on stage to Rock and Roll Part 2, they were straight into the classics, Ballroom Blitz, 21st Century Boy, All of Me Loves All of You and Dance Dance Dance for starters. It was clear from the onset that the crowd were 'up for it'.... It was party central 'doon the front', led off by a lady wearing a white Christmas jumper and Santa Hat (who I was informed was touching 70!), who never stopped 'glamming' for 2 and a half hours before she had to leave for her bus Tremendous...... Some of us 1970's punters knew all of the words, but the younger audience members just boogied along.. The Cat Crept In, Hey Rock n Roll and Glass of Champagne kept the crowd dancing... Can the Can was followed by a Sweet song... As Lynn intoduced it as "This is Mikes song!", I immediately thought it was Hellraiser... Unfortunately for Mike it was Little Willy... (too much info from the Green Room). Virginia Plain, Get it On, and Let it Snow (which had the crowd singing along) kept the pace up. The white Christmas jumper wearing woman was still going 'aff her heid' and enjoying every minute. Coo Ca Choo , Dynamite and Rebel, Rebel saw no let up in the pace, with Mike and Lynn on vocals giving it welly, as was Barry Bazza Haywood on drums (what an incredible glam rock drummer he is), and more than ably assisted by Colin on guitar and David on bass. The stage was a mass of glittery covered suits and strange shaped guitars.. Saturday Night, Schools Out, Crazy Horses and Hellraiser took us and the band to a very well deserved break.. Phenomenal first half.. Waterloo and Teenage Rampage started off the second half before the call of "Where's Hastie?" went up.... It could only be Tell Him from Hello, the best punk/glam/ rock song ever! ... As sure as night follows day and apples fall from trees, I always migrate towards the front.. Now it was game on between me and the santa hat wearer.. Tell Him was followed by, I Love Rock n Roll, Under the Moon of Love and Children of the Revolution before the first Christmas song Lonely This Christmas was played... CLASSIC.... Next up was Rocket and The Jean Genie before we had a stage malfunction....During Let's Stick Together one big lad went down like a giant redwood... backwards. Before you could shout "Timber", a monitor was crushed and Lynn got banjoed on the eye by a mic... ROCK AND ROLL..! As Lynns shiner was appearing the lad was helped up and staggered away... I Love to Boogie and Fox on the Run led us into Merry Christmas Everybody.. MAGNIFICENT.... Come on Feel the Noise, Devil Gate Drive and Wig Wam Bam had me and the 'doon the fronters' giving it 'laldy'... Hot Love, Spirit in the Sky and the Time Warp took us up to Tiger Feet or as Johnstone 'Swagger Panther' Bowes was singing "Panther Feet"..... The big stage diver was back, but was cajoled around the floor and was still enjoying his night. Blockbuster, I Wish it Could Be Christmas Everyday and a rousing Loch Lomondy version of Shang a Lang ended the proceedings.... 100 out of 100 for all concerned tonight.. The bar staff, Pete on sound, floor security. (), door staff, the up for it crowd, the main man Douglas Croft and not forgetting of course the tremendous band... That's what you call a Christmas Night... ..... That's me and my reviews of the music scene over for this year. I hope next year's is just as good.... As Noddy Holder once said.... "Merry Christmas Everybody!" .... Ps.. I heard Lynn is auditioning for the 'Black Eyed Peas"' .... Big Hastie over and out from his big chair where I'm recovering from my 'pogo' off with the Santa hat wearer.... Rock On Folks..

say yes, but only if you can play the drums.

Hello! Picked this Japanese beaut up on a whim the other day, because you can't have too many Sunburst Precisions.... right? Spec... Jazz neck, oval tuners, light weight (8½lbs, thanks to the basswood body, which is surprisingly pretty). So far, the usual cliches apply. It's very resonant, balances well, feels great, it's rich and punchy... I'm gigging it on Boxing Day, and as ever the proof will be in the (Christmas) pudding. I'll report back..

Plot twist... ...she joins BassChat.

Come on mate, tell us what you really think 😆 Kinda agree though 👍

Worth seeing what the drummer / bandleader thinks of this. We are assuming he is supportive of her idea, but he might be tired of hearing about it too. I very much doubt she’d play bass as well as the actual bass player, so then it comes down to whether the bandleader/ husband /wife are happy for the music to be worse quality for the sake of appeasing her, in which case you’re better off out anyway. Hard to know from the OP how serious or determined she is about it, or whether it’s just a nice idea that’s come to mind etc. I’ve swapped with guitar/bass/vocals in bands before for one or two songs and it didn’t bother me as I was clearly the better bassist. Might as well try and sound out what she and her husband want from this, rather than assuming the worst and walking out. If they want you as the bassist I’m sure they’ll be able to say so. If they actually want to shoehorn her in on bass it’s best you find out straight. Hope it works out either way.

Politely decline and suggest she has a go on drums for a couple of songs instead.

My fave discovery is Ren. Pure talent imho. He's created a smart blend of music, theatre, indy film, philosophy and self help and... I don't know quite what to call it except, It's Ren. All done independently too. Start here, then look into The Money Game (parts 1, 2 and 3) 😙👌

Bacchus The Night ～ Patti Smith

There are a few points that are lacking in the OP’s comments. Is the band leader either of these couple? If not, what do they have to say about it? Have you mentioned that her time might be better served getting her keys playing to a higher standard? Sounds harsh, but that would be my response. Has she said why? This would be my first question. There is no reason to go down this path if you are a functioning band that’s getting gigs. It just doesn’t make any sense other to serve this persons ego. I’ve been in bands which have couples in them and they have been a complete joy. I’m still in one and they are a fantastic pair. I accept other people’s mileage may vary here, but couples in bands are not always doom and gloom. Sometimes it can be a good thing. Personally I think you’re making a rod for your own back by giving advice re gear etc. This will only fan the flames of someone who clearly must believe they can do a job as equal if not better than you. If she thinks she can have a go on bass and not be up to your standard, that’s kind of worse. Sorry, but I have little time for these wannabe types. In every band I’m in, I want them to be the best possible version they can be. The scenario you describe does not fit that mantra and therefore does not compute for me at least.

Definitely stop.drop.rewind for me. I first saw them when Facebook showed me their 'we write a Midwest Emo song in 60 seconds' video, a very funny and clever little insight into a quickfire writing process that actually turned out a great song. Having followed that, I saw some of the short videos that bassist Kris Lohn had made where he was showing off some Geddy Lee parts from tunes like 'Red Barchetta'. I was inspired to look more deeply into their music and found their brand of 'nerd rock' to be much to my liking. It's uniquely complex and yet simple at the same time, because the sense of melody in each of their songs is so strong. When you start to look a little more closely you'll see the intricacies in the music; all shifting time signatures, counterpoint basslines, amazing harmony and big hooks. I think they're absolutely awesome, just an insanely good three-piece making something really fresh and cool.

First of all, I think any band that would let this happen, namely, allowing an amateur to take the role of the professional, displays a general disregard for the value of the role they're undermining. Would the drummer, the most obvious ally of your would-be usurper, be happy for his enthusiastic wife to pound the skins for a 'few songs', come what may? I doubt it. But in many bands, the bass is seen as a lowly function. Admittedly, by the efforts of the bassists in a lot of cover and wedding bands I've seen, the reputation is often earned. The fact that she vaguely says she wants to play 'a few songs' suggests she'll want to play as many as she can get away with. And you will what, presumably stand around like a chump whilst all this goes on? Just tell her respectfully no, and suggest she find a different place to pursue her bass playing.

It's difficult. Whilst it could have just been innocent, life has taught me to chase the rats in my head to the worst possible outcome. That way, nobody can ever disappoint you or (more importantly), they can never blindside you. From a personal perspective, as I never play in covers bands, there is no way someone else is playing bass in a band I'm in. They would have 3 seconds to make up their mind and after that point I'd quit. Maybe I take things too seriously. Maybe the lady in question is very nice, but just a bit self unaware. Maybe it's all a ruse to force you out of the band through a series of petty humilations waiting for the day when you snap, quit in disgust leaving them with one less band member to split the cash with and them laughing sinisterly with lightning flashing in the background. Sorry, that's just my weird thought process. The keyboard player is probably just an eager div who didn't realise the implications of the suggestion. Or maybe this is a subtle way to start a tempestuous affair with you by taking an interest in your playing and requesting "tuition"...... Sorry, couldn't resist that one.

Tell her "Certainly.But its gonna sound weird with 2 bass players playing at the same time.Oh,you want me to stand down? Nu-uh!"

In the same band though? Because that's what the beef is here, I think. I for one would not be keen, mostly because I can't do anything else but play bass, so I just have to bog off to the bar then? I don't think so. Maybe the OP can do a straight swap and play some keys while she's playing bass so maybe it's a moot point. But in my world, that's someone taking my role in the band leaving me with hee haw to do. I'm not having that.

Brutus are cool. For me it's Matteo Mancuso. This kid is extraordinarily gifted. I might have to try to schedule a trip to see the wife's family if ever he plays down Sardegna way.

"Love the idea! I'll make sure my phone is fully charged up so we can live stream it" ...should stick a nail in that coffin lid

My Japan 1100s has a hex nut. When I bought it there was already a very handy normal 1/4 drive 8mm (I think from memory) socket on there with a pair of holes drilled right through the sides at right angles to each other to allow you to use a small screwdriver, allen key, etc to turn the trussrod like a Stingray. It lives on there permanently. A simple, but very useful idea. To hell with it, vanity shot, ain't she perdy. 😁

By the Mrs?

What will you be doing during her bass songs? If you'll be singing lead vocal or playing another instrument it can add a different dynamic for a couple of songs. If she doesn't need or want you to do anything but leave the stage kill the idea stone dead now.

Seems like a no situation to me. You are the bass player, let her find her own bass band.

Tell her you've got a new song for the setlist

FLEA JAZZ PACIFIC PEACH (Ltd Ed Player Series) Body Alder Alder Finish RW Nitro Gloss Poly Fretboard Rosewood Pau Ferro Neck RW Nitro Satin Neck pro C shape Modern C shape Headstock Plain Matched to body colour Radius 7.25 9.5 Frets Vintage narrow tall Medium Jumbo Truss Body, neck off (or loosen) Headstock Tuners Fender tall vintage style Standard PICK UPS Pure vintage 64 jazz Pure vintage 64 jazz Rotaries Stack knob Stack knob Pickguard 4 ply tort 3 ply parchment Bridge 4 saddle vintage threaded 4 saddle standard Gigbag Deluxe None PRICE £1295 £889 I much prefer the headstock truss access, 9.5 radius & medium jumbo frets, only an opinion. I replaced the parchment plate before I even set the bass up.

Ooooh, I like your thinking!

Poundland ～ Weather Report

Aldi Young Dudes ～ Mott The Hoople

Simon WH Smith And The Amazing Dancing Bear — Alan Price

I received a new Hofner Club from Thomann this week. Thought I would share some thoughts. First up, having read some other reviews I was expecting to have to do some work on the bass. However I wasn't expecting to have to fish out 3 screws that were rolling about inside the cavity! Also had to clear the burrs off the scratchplate and bridge. Really basic QA being neglected there. Once I did that I replaced the (bad) stock strings with Labella flats. First time using this brand, very impressed. Intonation was surprisingly easy to do, and pretty accurate considering the limitations of the bridge. Lovely bass to play. Makes the sounds you expect a Hofner to make. Brought it to rehearsal and it held its own and more, though it is obviously not an all-rounder. It definitely encourages pick playing. The control panel is definitely a weird one. I found that "bass on" was great for picking, and "bass off" more suited to fingers, with some tweaking of bass volume to get some brightness back. Although the hardware is a little cheap I don't think that matters to me too much and it's all replaceable anyway. I would love to try a Contemporary to compare but overall I'm very happy with the budget model. Looking forward to doing some recording with it now.

You're fooked then. Sorry

Hold back the night - Graham Parker and the Rumour

The Hamsters used to do this on one song. It was sickening to see such talent as the standard did not drop one iota. One band I wish were still going.

Yamaha BB424X 😉

Tom McGuire and the Brassholes. Awesome band with a really tight brass section. https://youtu.be/Ds76T0AT93I?si=G5A2QA-8VfvZanIZ

It's a difficult thing to manage. You don't talk about a band leader but if one of this couple are the band leader then you have a problem. I'm also suspecting that up in Barnstaple there aren't huge numbers of gigging bands so if it got heated you'd be pushed into the wilderness. On the surface it's simple, you clearly don't want to share bass playing duties and why should you? You've learned all the songs and taken part in all the rehearsals and everything else being in a band entails just so you can be the bass player. It's the only reason you are there and committed to the enterprise. I actually think it's a really rotten thing to have asked you to step aside even for one song. In terms of the band if she isn't a decent keys player she could put her efforts into improving her keys for a better return for the team. I don't know the people, it's maybe she is just keen and naive, not thinking about how it would affect anyone else and innocent of band dynamics. Maybe just saying you really care about this and how being the bands bassist is really important to you will give her pause for thought. We've a young singer who is really enthusiastic and fires off ideas all the time, it's hard to know when to kill off the slightly loony ideas and when to indulge the enthusiasm. I think killing this off early would be my approach. The situation can only get more tense if nobody is talking about it. How does your fourth band member feel? Maybe the drummer can intervene. Who should you talk to first? Just be polite and say politely that you just aren't going to share bass duties. If it's a happy band they will understand, if not then do you really want to be there and steadily undermined?

A few transfers and a bit of pen! The pen ran a bit when he got sweaty but it was a belter of a first gig. Shifted 100 tickets with bare minimum promotion really. It was definitely a pleasant surprise! We'll be investing a lot into advertising campaigns for next year now we have the first gig under our belt. We werent sure it was going to work!

Yes - I think keep it friendly and supportive re her journey into playing bass, but firm, polite and definite about her not playing bass in a band which already has a bassist ...

As others have already said: ask questions, as jumping to conclusions often is not really helpful. One of the best bands I ever was in had a couple as a driving force and it worked out luvverly: no ganging up whatsoever. Also: Gentle Giant famously swapped instruments during every gig - all part of the fun. Though I admit that keyboard player Kerry Minnear did not have a love relationship to drummer John Weathers. Their wives would've been fuming!

Sorry to hear @bubinga5 i thought things had picked up for you a few years back but obviously not. I don't have any cheap basses these days but happy to let you have one i don't particularly use these days. Overwater J4 its not a Tanglewood but made by Chris himself) Its a nice enough bass to play. More than happy to chip in to get you sorted out especially at this time of year. You're not the first to be in this situation and certainly won't be the last. Wishing you all the very best that things pick up for you soon. Dave

This is spot on imo

The real tricky part is the fact she’s the drummer's wife. I avoid playing in bands that have a ‘couple’ in their ranks after a particularly bad experience. What’s best for the band quickly goes out the window, I found.

It wouldn’t worry me particularly. If she’s terrible or at least not great, but still insists on pursuing this dream, and no one says anything and they go along with it, I’d high tail out of there asap. I don’t hang around in bands with the deluded in control. If she turns out to be good, and is supported by the rest to pursue her dream, then you have a choice to share bass duties or leave. You could of course refuse that she plays bass all together. I don’t know what your relationship is like with her husband, but I would imagine that their relationship would probably win if he supports her.

I'd ask why! And then say, do you have bass you can use?

Whatever it is, it's got to be better than Cliff....