hiram.k.hackenbacker

Just received an e-mail flyer for Royal Blood tickets at the London Eventim Apollo (or the Hammersmith Odeon as I prefer to call it). Ticket prices are E50 each. Not sure why they were double that where you are.

No, I don’t like doing that either. I did do it when I had my Deacon Limelight for the Queen tribute as JD usually had two blue picks under the top edge of his pickguard. Since I replaced it with the Shuker JJ, I feel less inclined to repeat the process as I don’t want to damage it. I’ve taken to using a tiny dob of blu-tack and sticking it to the bridge when I’m not using it.

I think I know what the response is going to be to that. Won’t be pretty 🤣

I’m not sure there are songs that I find easier with a pick, but I definitely swap between pick and finger style depending on how much attack I require. I don’t worry about tone or volume though. I’ll usually dial in a bit more treble if I’m using a pick, because most of the songs that require it have that gnarly pick sound that is more present in the mix anyway. I use Tortex Standard 1.0mm - the blue ones that John Deacon preferred. I don’t really like anything heavier than that.

3/6 in Sudbury then @WonkyOne. I wonder what the punters would think if they knew what they were paying for 🤔.

This is why you have to be careful what you post on a public forum. These comments could be interpreted a number of ways. Given that we don't know what will transpire when you visit the 'next show', if things escalate and the Police are called, you've already played your hand here. To be clear, I'm not defending MM. If half of what I've read is remotely accurate, then he deserves to be held to account for his alleged misdeeds. You'd also be a fool to think he is not monitoring this thread.

Report it to the Police as what? A civil debt?

Until recently, I’ve been predominantly a finger player. I’m now in a covers band that leans towards songs that need a bit of attack, so I started using a pick for all their stuff. I have no explanation as to why, but my brain just wants to start on an upstroke. Unless the riff dictates that it’s more difficult to do so (crossing strings/octaves etc), it’s usually an upstroke I’ll start on.

Me too. The person videoing it seems to be revelling in the players frustrations. One of those things that shouldn’t have made it to the internet. Bit sad really. I also hate seeing instruments destroyed for no reason.

Quality that. The main theme was one of John Barry's favourites and mine too.

No apology necessary. The overall sound level where we were sitting (Grand Circle) was fine, but JS was too loud in the mix. It was tamed slightly for the second half, but could have still come down a bit. Quite a few people didn't come back for the second half at ours either. My main gripe is that doesn't seem to know how to finish a tune. He just goes on and on, far beyond what was recorded with endless dives. Enjoyed it overall, but I wouldn't go again. Will be seeing Beller again soon with The Aristocrats. Looking forward to seeing them again.

There must be a fair degree of communication for you guys to have got where you're at? Transparency is a different beast. I can smell a fish from a mile off, so I have a fairly good nose for BS. Fortunately, all of the people I play alongside are also my friends, so I don't suffer from a lack of that. I can see how that would be an issue though, where there are differing agendas which aren't shared. I think you need to clear the air if it's troubling you.

Just arrived home from Joe Satriani at The London Palladium. Wowser, he certainly can play. Bryan Beller on bass too who is one of my faves. First time I’ve seen him play a fretless.

I asked Mrs.H what she thought was the best and she came straight back with the original Dr.No theme. Absolutely no doubt in her mind that any of the others were better; I should have said 'So Nobody Does It Better than John Barry then?', but that only just occurred to me 🤔. I've listened to them all again and there's a lot of good ones. It's slightly disconcerting that Moonraker has no votes. Granted, it's Bassey's weakest of her three, but even Madonna has one vote and that is just horrible.

Having grown upon Bond, I find this question extremely difficult to answer. Far easier to to name the worst, which is Sam Smith by some significant margin. Truly awful. Jack White & Alicia Keys is Grammy worthy in comparison. I’ll have a think about my favourite. Tough decision.

The major issue I had with my previous wireless set up was in a couple of theatres where they operated wireless lighting systems. Usually mid sound check when the lighting crew started turning lights on and off I would experience the odd drop out. Since I’ve owned the Shure GLXD, I’ve had no issues at all at those venues or even in busy pubs.

Yep, weird question, but take the G off. I can't understand how that would benefit you though.

Pretty decent. Played a pub in Braintree last night that we hadn’t been to before. Got a wedding booking plus a gig in France out of it.

Funny old riff that one. It actually sounds nicer (IMHO) being played with a pick. Cleaner I suppose, but then you have all that hopping over the A. Arguably easier finger style, but I think it loses something.

I think it makes it harder to play that song on a standard tuned bass in F# as you lose the option of using the open D, assuming of course your 5 wasn’t detuned. For that reason I just have a separate bass tuned down a half step and play the whole Jovi set on that.

Well, at least you have the right to reply, unlike the drummer in question. What key did you play it in? I seem to remember you used a 5 string in JJ. Maybe I’m misremembering it.

Bit of bad form there fella. I’ve played that song with him many times without issue. In fact, I’ve probably played more songs with him as the drummer than anyone else in my life.