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Last gig of 2023! A Thursday night wedding- in the Christmas/ new year ‘Gooch’ as described by our drummer. Really nice venue, large crowd, still had some party vibes left in them. The room can be a bit troublesome sound wise but the sound guy was on it and everything ran really smoothly. As ever, our singers found a new way to make even bigger plonkers out of themselves in our titular song, all in the name of entertainment. Shake It Twerk.mp4

Bandeoke residency in Bristol last night. Crazy busy, crowd right in the mood, only played Valerie three times as well which was a bonus. I really enjoy these gigs. The barrier between audience and performers is totally broken down. You know that guy ? The one at every gig who comes up and yells 'play Wonderwall'? Well instead of shaking your head and saying sorry mate it's not on the set list and continuing with your prog ska interpretation of My White Bicycle to the understandable derision of the crowd, you just say yes mate, of course, get up here and sing it with us. People feel invested, part of the evening, and we have no clue what we'll be asked to play (except Valerie of course) which keeps us fresh.

First gig back with new singer, 3 months work to get a set together, and a Boxing Day Gig at Herefords premier live music venue. All the hard work paid off and we pulled it off, landlord happy, punters had good time, was good to get back out there!

EARLY NYE GIG WITH MAPLE ROAD The Precinct Germantown 4-7 The senior citizens love early NYE . I'll be home by 8:30 Daryl

My personal grail of pedals and one I've been searching for since its release in 2018. The WMD Geiger Counter Pro is finally mine. Back when I toured in 2012, the Geiger Counter was the core of my setup, bringing most of my synth and distortion tones. That pedal was amazing but had some major shortfalls - no blend (WMD later did a 'bass mod' but it still wasn't the same as having a mix) and no preset saves. The Pro remedied both of these issues (plus doubled the number of wavetables). It was made and sold for a short time, but, as I understand it, was killed by COVID and the inability to obtain key components during that time, after which it was discontinued. I missed the one that came up on here and since then prices have gone silly with many people asking well into four figures for them. After lots of searching and negotiation, I finally have one... and after an hour of play - WOW - very much kicking some other great pedals off the board. Board re-shuffle inbound! Much yay!

Be honest but kind 👍

Over the many years i've been playing i've given up at different levels ie playing in bands, playing at all, even at home, but always having my Warwick Thumb NT89 as i love that bass and would never sell it. I got back into bands when i turned 50 after 15yrs off and never really looked back. I'm busier now than i ever was but its still just a hobby for me. I really enjoy playing in bands now that i've retired at 56 yrs old the pressure is off and i have the time to put the effort in that a band requires. I've always maintained that if it starts to feel more like a job i'll walk away but for now its all just good fun in both bands. Maybe its just good luck that both bands have great people in them and that makes life a whole lot easier. For those thinking of giving it all up i'd say take a full break from it and see how you feel in 6mths to a year. If after that time you decide to walk away i would recommend keeping the minimum amount of gear to gig and practice at home with just in case you change your mind again. Dave

Noble, Baby Sumo, Barefaced One10.

Bad Ikea - Ariana Grande

Normally after a gig we would play a playlist of some sort through our PA whilst we pack up etc. For NYE's gig I have said that we need shouldn't do that as it adds to the packing up time, as we can't breakdown the PA & mixer etc and we are all keen to get out of there ASAP. On a side note, I saw today a quote generator for a wedding band, and on their list of options was an after gig playlist put through their PA, and they were charging nearly £200 for that as an extra add on to the main gig fee.

Following on from my last post where I was considering a PA style rig with a bass bin I think my luck was in and found this rig for £150. Lamented by some for a very neutral tone, but that is ideal for what I want. Also renowned for being reliable, but alas a previous repair on a filter cap on the 60V rail gave way on my way home. Pair of chunky ~5A 4700uf 63V caps later from RS and all appears well! Any idea on when these were first released? 2000-2010? (My bass doesn't normally sit that close to the radiator!)

Well…my most expensive recent purchase. And my cheapest. Guess which one will be for rough gigs…

Walk or demand fairer pay if you're doing the work of two bands, I reckon

Unplugged quickie...(my previous description might not have been entirely accurate, but this is what I meant...😊) IMG_2802-1.mov

Add some spacers to the shelf supports!

Here's most of the original line up doing Pleasuredome, Two Tribes (starts around 10.25) & Relax at a Trevor Horn's 25th anniversary concert in 2004. Mark O'Toole totally nailing the bass on all three songs, with a pick. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbCEF4sYSiY

Unbelievable - MDF

Arnie (The Fastest Milkman In the West) - Benny Hill

I have a city centre pub gig tonight (in-house rig and engineer) and parking can be a mare (but not always), so I'm in 2 minds about how little I can take. Mooer - owned it 6 hours but it seems straight forward. Mooer > in-house PA > house monitor and/or IEM I could potentially take a pedalboard and/or full rig BUT I'm inclined to dive in at the deep end. Having trialled some of the user created tones, I've selected the one that is closest to 'my' sound and tweaked it a little. Theoretically, I can tweak the EQ on the fly via the app but hopefully it's a case of Plug and Play. I'll report back tomorrow on the results.

Are you really that bad that the landlord thinks you are pushovers? Tou can't renegotiate by decree and not at the 11th hour either. Turn up and demand the original agreed deal pay up front before setting up. Be prepared to walk. If that happens find the closest bar that will have you for 2 quid cover on the door and play your aresesses off 9 to 12.30.

This, it really is the only way. Acknowledge that she's tried and gave it her best shot, but that what she's doing isn't working out. I find it best to focus on what they're doing rather than saying she isn't a good fit. Good luck, never an easy thing to do.

100% this. Cup of coffee and an honest chat.

This may have changed my mind with regard to spares. I've never taken one before, and never needed one. I wouldn't be able to decide what to take. Except now I KNOW what to take. My Hohner B2AV. Compact, lightweight, plays well, sounds good. Leans against things without a stand. It has its own bag now...

Forthcoming New Year’s Eve dep gig is now looking shaky, as the singer has done his back in big time. Spent most of today chasing my contacts for possible dep vocalists. Actually got two potential takers from a post on Norfolk & Suffolk Musicians Wanted Facebook group. Not bad seeing I had only posted a couple of hours previously. Unfortunately, my top candidate (who can play all the instruments in the band too) has the cold and cough that is doing the rounds. Over to the BL now 🤞. Rehearsal booked for this evening could be interesting with two deps!

Here's mine. Epiphone body, Fender licenced Mighy Mite neck, Steve Soar pickups, hipshot lightweight tuners which really do help with the neck dive.

Just an addendum to this upcoming oddly-spaced NYE gig: the landlord won't pay for a DJ, he wants the band to do the whole thing, starting at 8pm for the first 30 min set, then 30 mins playing every half hour, alternating with DJ sets, finishing at 1am. He also extended the hours after we'd accepted the gig...and the money wasn't great to start with; apparently the original band booked had pulled out, and I'm beginning to see why...he's getting five(!) Spotify DJ sets in between our sets, and he can like it or lump it...I may be (and hope to be) proved wrong, but in true Star Wars styleee, I've got a bad feeling about this...

This in a nutshell. The only reason they reissued the NR Thunderbird about ten years ago was they were likely all over the bass forums and saw that the Bach models were gaining traction and saw there was money to be made. Gibson really don't care about the bass side of their business; it's a great pity that Agnesi and Co don't sit down with [us] and say why they're uninterested. I'm just flicking through Rob's Gibson Bass Book. I'd be happy to see a few period correct reissues; EB-2, Thunderbird II, either of the Grabbers, The Ripper, 20/20 or the EB-650.

When Gibson can sell Greeny Les Pauls with a Kirk Hammett meet & greet for $50k, and the non-meet & greet version for £20k, why would they bend over backwards to cater for bass players? There are a lot more dentists and lawyers guitarists than bass players who would spend that kind of money on an instrument.

Hi, we're Gibson. Are you a bassist? Just kidding, we don't care.

The Nate P basses are in my opinion the best P bass for the money. However, some of the ones I have had ( Ive owned 10 or so ) have had the same issues as well as the earlier ones ( Badass Bridge) having bowing neck issues, not all of them but certainly a few I have had. The later ones I think have extra rods in the neck to prevent this. Regarding the fret ends, the one I have in atm definitely needed a fret dress and the ends tidied as it wasn't great. It was second hand and 4 years old. I believe the Mexican stuff is very very good, although there are a number of 'Friday Afternoon' ones kicking about. A flea jazz I had was terrible, completely wired up wrong and needed considerable fettling before it was a good-un.

I suppose rather than be disappointed, be happy you didn't like it. Better that than falling in love with a particular bass you wouldn't or couldn't buy...

Little Cistern - QOTSA

Try Relax instead. If you have a wireless, it's perfect for going to the bar and getting a drink as long as you keep your money in the pocket on your fretting hand side.

Nearly forgot to write a report We were back at the Cow & Telescope in Southend on Saturday night. We played out debut there a couple of months ago but we must have left a good impression as we were invited back for this prime Saturday before Xmas when another band had to pull out. Apparently a number of other bands requested the slot but the venue wanted us. I did wonder what sort of turn out it would be, given it was the Saturday before Xmas but also the first day of a long break at home for many people. My fears were unwarranted as we had a great turnout. And everyone was up for a proper party. Singing, dancing and joining in from the start. The usual Christmas songs went down well and our super-sub, Sophie, I reckon did her best yet with us. Fab night and back slaps all round.

Few pics have appeared from last nights Glam gig.

Cake crumbs just sprayed onto my laptop

I am noticing more and more that when I listen back now to songs I learnt a long time ago and have been playing ever since, that what I thought was the bass line was nothing like what was actually recorded! I think this is a mix between me now having better audio equipment and headphones, and general improvement as a player.

Sweden. Stranglers

I keep looking at the new Mexican Duff Mckagen signature but it is also £1400 and I worry about the quality. I have the original issue Duff signature which I love, but am starting to think that the neck is starting to develop some issues. It’s 7 years old but I am constantly noticing buzzing and dead spots despite a recent pro set up. The American Performer range is around £1,250 and I am tempted to get one of those instead. I have always wanted an American made fender

Up Around The Bend - Hanoi Rocks (prefer it to CCR)

The point is, is she good looking enough to be a bass player? Irrespective of gender, it's a given that the bass player is, 99% of the time, the best looking in the band. If she wants to be in the club, then she needs the qualifications.

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..