hiram.k.hackenbacker

One of those Artist Series would be very nice 😀

Part of the reason for their half heartedness in my case may have to do with the fact that I disclosed to them that I had the neck replaced by Rob Green at Status almost immediately so that I could continue using it. In hindsight, that probably wasn't a great move on my part. That said, I've only just found this out some five months down the line. They also seem to be sticking quite rigidly to the "it's over a year, so it's out of warranty' approach. I questioned whether Fender basses are supposed to last longer than 12 months. Ignored. Apparently they're doing me a favour and as a good will gesture have offered me a box of strings. Woo hoo! Go me 🙄

UPDATE: I still have not received the replacement neck from Fender. I think they may be growing the trees it will be made from. I’ve had to enquire a few times for updates and one of the most recent communications indicated that there was a ‘known issue’ with the necks on these basses. Quote: ‘The known issue seemed to affect only a small batch of Flea Bass necks that for some reason were failing in terms of twisting and bowing with the trussrod unable to offer any relief at all.’ I bought mine from what I believe to be the initial run that was shipped to the UK. This is probably worth noting if you bought or own one from the same batch. I’m happy to forward you the e-mail from Fender if you have any ‘out of warranty’ issues like I’ve had.

My 80’s band are in a bit of trouble in the keys department. Since the original guy emigrated we’ve had another guy in his place who is brilliant. He’s a great fit for the band, really nice chap, has all the gear plus the skills required and more. The only issue with him is that unless the gig is local, Friday’s are pretty much a no go due to his work commitments. We have gigs coming in all over the country for both Fridays and Saturdays so need to find someone to either replace or dep him ASAP. Rather than advertise on a bass forum for a keys player, I thought it might be better to sign up to a keys forum. I have had a look, but finding one with a decent amount of UK activity is not as easy as I thought. Any suggestions?

Tickets available here.

I'm a fan and have been for many years. I still have that bulky vinyl set The Complete Works which I bought on its release. A fabulous collection of albums it is too. But I'm not an anorak obsessive about Queen unlike other artists I'm particularly fond of (Genesis, Frank Zappa, Peter Gabriel, Rush etc). So, I was watching the Live at Wembley Stadium DVD set yesterday. Although it's essentially the same set, it's great to see two gigs of that scale filmed back to back on consecutive days. Within the extras there are interviews with May and Taylor where they state that the final gig with Freddie was at Knebworth at the end of the 'Magic Tour' in 1986 and that it was 'almost perfect' (for them) sonically. There are clips also which appear to be from Knebworth. This suggests that it was also filmed, but I can't find any reference to it having been released. Is anyone aware if the gig was filmed? It seems a shame if it was that it hasn't been released, being Freddie's last full gig.

“a sinister midget with a bucket and a mop”

Yes, another great album. I remember listening to The Torture Never Stops for the first time and wondering what kind of mind this could have come from....

Yes, spot on. Over-Nite Sensation is one of FZ's finest studio works. Got me into George Duke big time. This is one of my favourite FZ guitar phrases. There's nothing particularly difficult about it, it's just in the context of the song, it fits perfectly. Straight out of the gates as the first song of his second show in San Diego THAT DAY, the note that starts at 0:48 just makes the hairs stand up every time.

I'll look it up 👍

If you think 200 Motels is a tough listen, try Civilization Phaze III 😀

That's a big period to have dibs on 😂. As you say, there is so much to like. If pushed, I would probably go to the album that started it all for me - Zappa in New York (released in 1978, but recorded in 1976). My teenage brain really didn't know what to make of it; I just knew I liked it - a lot! That was the first album I heard, but it belonged to a friend of mine who I convinced to lend it to me so I could tape it. I played that tape so much I wore it out. I'm now the owner of every album he has produced as well as a mountain of bootlegs. More than I will probably ever be able to listen to. Happily, the ZFT have just announced the 40th Anniversary of Zappa in New York, comprising a 5 disc Deluxe Edition. More info here.

Most of the recipients of said behaviour deserved it though 😉

Rumour has it that Steve Vai might turn up at a few shows as well. Where else better than the London Palladium. Fingers crossed.

Thanks for the kind words. Our lead man has an album of material to be recorded, but he has a mammoth amount of studies this year that need to take precedence. Maybe next year.

I'm sure I read somewhere that there is an interview of Frank talking about holograms and their potential use in the future for performances. He was all for pushing boundaries, so I think he would approve. That's what I'm telling myself anyway 😀.

Just bought my ticket for this at The Palladium. Anyone else going? I'm really looking forward to hearing Thunes play again since the last time I saw him some 30+ years ago. This is the promo blurb which sounds both promising and intriguing: "Live music’s premier hologram production company, Eyellusion, have announced that a who’s who of Zappa fan favourite musicians will support The Bizarre World Of Frank Zappa hologram tour – set to hit the UK in May 2019. Hours of never-before-seen Zappa performance footage from the early seventies will form the basis of the “can’t miss” concert spectacle, which is being produced in close cooperation with the Zappa Family Trust. The “Bizarre World of Frank Zappa” hologram tour band is comprised of former Bandmates for this monumental series of shows. The touring unit boasts guitarists Ray White and Mike Keneally, bassist Scott Thunes, multi-instrumentalist Robert Martin and drummer and Zappa archivist Joe “Vaultmeister” Travers – with special guests set to join in on some shows. In 1974, Frank Zappa transformed his Los Angeles rehearsal space into a sound stage and cranked out a passionate, trademark performance seen only by the camera operators in the room who captured every last bizarrely beautiful moment. This footage, locked away in the Zappa vaults for 44 years, will serve as the basis for what will be the world’s most ambitious hologram tour to date, blending live footage of Frank with outrageous visuals that offer a striking view into his complex musical works." Here is the ZFT trailer....

New promo for 2019....

ChangesTwoBowie play The Clarets Bar at Chelmsford City Football Club, Essex on January 18th 2019. Supported by Delta Ladies. Tickets available here.

Just got home from the gig. I swerved the support acts. Most of the people I spoke with in the pub beforehand were of the same mind, although I did speak to someone inside the venue who said The Picture Books were OK. The Clutch encores will be posted here in due course.

+1. Clutch have had some decent support artists over the years, but this just seems like an easy fix to me. Two supports both of which only have a drummer and a guitarist. Kind of get it on the level that the origins of ‘stoner rock’ are on Clutch’s DNA, but they have moved on somewhat now.

I'm going to see Clutch again tomorrow in Brixton. I've just looked up the support acts. I don't think I'll bother getting there to see them if this is the best they have to offer.... Admittedly chosen at random on You Tube, but neither video predisposed me to put myself through another. Have they been with Clutch on all the UK dates? Anyone fancy trying to change my mind about either of them?

The table and chair from the '96 Outside Tour are on the list as well as the giant eyeballs, the smaller projected heads and roped mannequins. I think we'll have to draw a line at the giant glass spider. I don't think that will fit in the van!

Needs must of course Daniel, but it saddens me that you’ve had to keep dropping the price. Might be worth waiting until 2019 as it’s fully on silly season now. If it helps, I’ve pasted the link to the thread you were probably looking for below. The lastest video is the Smoothie in ‘slap’ mode on Ashes to Ashes.