cetera

Funnily enough I watched this the other day while browsing through OGWT performances by different classic acts...

I was a founding member of a KISS tribute with whom I spent 25 years performing across the World. I, of course, portrayed 'Gene Simmons'.... Do you have to be a fan of the original artist, or maybe you become one? You don't HAVE to be, but you should at the very least have a high level of appreciation for either the band or musician you are portraying. There's no way on earth I'd play in an Oasis tribute for example.... How important is it to be visually/musically identical? How much latitude are you allowed? This depends on the band. With KISS the visuals are EQUALLY as important as the music, but the visuals are also the hardest. I've seen some terrible KISS tributes where the Gene Simmons is only 5ft tall (even in his 7" stack heels) and the Paul Stanley is way overweight and lycra is NOT his friend.... lol! Many of them barely move onstage or think that an occasional stick out of the tongue is 'job done'. *head shake* With an ABBA tribute, the four upfront need to look right, but the rest of the band not so much. However, no matter what band/artist it is.... musically the attention to details needs to be there e.g. accurate parts, identical solos like the record/famous live version etc. I also think that where possible identical or very similar instruments should be used - particularly if the artist is know for it e.g. Mick Ronson - Les Paul, Clapton - Strat, Simmons- Axe, McCartney - Hofner/Ricky. Also, I believe there to be two distinct types of 'tribute'. 1) A 'Tribute to the Music of....' - Bands/artists not known for their look/visual impact/frontman with specific image i.e. Steely Dan, Eagles, Chicago etc 2) A Tribute Band/Artist - has a strong visual as well as musical impact whether just frontman or whole band i.e. Stones, Beatles, Queen, KISS, Bowie etc Anything else is a cover band. They may like to think they're a 'tribute', or bill themselves as one - but, to me, if they play the songs of an artist without the necessary attention to details musically and/or visually then they could just be a covers band down the pub... Do you ‘get into character’ or is it just a gig? In the KISS tribute my 'character' was everything. I had to learn/practice how to walk/prowl on 7" stack heels with a huge armour/studded suit on while playing bass, flicking my tongue, grinding my hips etc.... lol! Add lead singing 40% of the set on and bv'ing the rest on to that.... and then learning to breathe fire and spit blood... well, it wasn't exactly a walk in the park, especially when dodging pyro pots and flame pods onstage! If I was a Bill Wyman, Flea, McCartney etc I would also think it essential to get into character. However, if I was in e.g. a Squeeze tribute, it wouldn't be necessary. Does it feel musically limiting, or is it fulfilling your needs? (Maybe you have a side band?) I wouldn't say I found it musically limiting - it was a challenge recreating the bass lines accurately while juggling the vocals and physical moves too. We also regularly changed up the set and played plenty of album cuts for fan and band enjoyment. I played/play other stuff at home for myself anyway and at various points over those 25 years I was in a couple of original bands and pub cover bands on the side. Also, there's a skill and discipline in recreating things accurately every night..... Do you have any qualms about tributes ‘stifling original music’? Not at all. It's a separate scene and tbh it keep venues in business, but we always tried to have a local upcoming originals band on as support when we could in order to give something back. Where else would they get to play their original material to maybe 400+ people a night and get to promote themselves/sell a few CDs etc? Certainly not on their own shows.... Have you ever met or been seen by a member of the ‘originals’? What did they say? We were very lucky in that our positive profile with the band and their record company gave us many amazing opportunities including: Gene invited us to perform a private show for him and the schoolkids on his 'Gene Simmons Rock School' TV series. This was a highlight as we spent lots of time in his company, laughing, smiling and joking. I've met him a few times now and the 'real' Gene I/we know is not the controversial person he projects for the press/general public (PT Barnum was right). We were asked to play at various KISS album and video launch events for Universal Records. We played various Fan Conventions across Europe where we met members/former members Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss, Bruce Kulick, Eric Singer, Mark St John (RIP) and their longtime Manager Bill Aucoin (RIP). We also had all bar Paul, Gene & Ace join us onstage at different events to play live with us! We only ever got positive feedback from them - although a couple of former members (with alcohol issues) were a little 'difficult' lol! Other well known bands also came to see us over the years including The Red Hot Chilli Peppers who saw us at the London Marquee club & Def Leppard who saw us at Tokyo Ariake Coliseum. What is the overriding thing being in a tribute act has taught you? Attention to detail, personal discipline, huge respect for the creative aspect of the original act and musicians involved...and the energy needed to do it night on night for years! It's also a lot harder to do it right than people give credit for..... or than doing an originals band, where there are little or no audience expectations other than hopefully vaguely decent songs. All the 'best' tribute bands and shows pull out all the stops, wherever possible/financially realistic and this sets them apart from what are, otherwise, mainly glorified 'cover bands'. Recreation of the main things the band/artist are known for are key....! However, having said that.... there are some particularly anal fans who will always find something to criticise. One guy said to our Paul Stanley that it was "an excellent show but you don't have quite as much chest hair as Paul Stanley"... to which our guy replied "I'm not Jewish either and I've still got my foreskin .... how accurate do you need it to be?!!" Having done it once, would you do it again? If so, would the musical angle be very different? I would..... not KISS though... as a slightly overweight 50+ in lycra and make up paying tribute to a similar 70+ year old wouldn't be a great look! I'd rather be involved with a 'Tribute to the music of' show..... ideally The Doobie Brothers, Journey, ELO, Toto or something equally as musically satisfying. I'm happy for now doing my 'Classic Rock Anthems & Power Ballads Show' in theatres..... although part of me would love to do a bit of 'Rutger' in an ABBA tribute too

Thanks to everyone who came, displayed, played, chatted, laughed and made for a fantastic day. It makes all the organisation of these events so much more worthwhile.... Big thanks to Colin @Hamster and Sarah (Mrs Hamster) for securing the venue and keeping us caked & coffee-d and to@Kingbassist for taking the time out of his busy schedule to give a fascinating and entertaining talk and demonstrate some awesome playing. Hope to see you again at future events Ian! Gear of the day for me was the new Trace Elliot head (huge heft and punch!) and the Trondheim Audio SkarBassOne pedal (juicy tones!). Both are new to market so keep an eye/ear out for them! Same time next year (preferably without the torrential rain storms)?!

I spent 25 years(!) in a KISS tribute. Lots to say so will contribute when I have more time, in the week.

Updated list: 1. MacDaddy - Custom Shukers / Rob Allen Mouse / Peavey Vypyr VIP III 2. Binky Bass - Binky 10 string, USA Conklin 8 string, ACG 9 string, 3 x ACG 6 strings, Reiver 7 string (geeeetar), GR Bass Dual 1400 & GR Bass AT410+, Helix LT, Pinegrove straps, Richter straps etc. 3. Cetera - Spector (USA NS2 & NS2X, Euro Classic, Euro LX (w/Haz),Euro 'Rachel Bolan', Pulse II ) Wal Mk1 'Geddy Lee', Fender 70's Classic P & FSR PJ with East pre, GK400RB, GK Legacy 800 & 4. Tech21 VT500 Heads, Genz Benz Neox212 cab. 5. Merton - various ACGs, Zoots, Conway Instruments basses, Glockenklang Blue Rock, Barefaced Two10/One10 6. Eude - ACG Finn SC Classic 6 string, ACG RetroB 5, ACG TKO Modern 4, ACG ChubstRR Mikro 6 string, 2 X ACG Mule 4 strings (on loan from ACG), GK Legacy 500, 1 or 2 Barefaced One10 Cabs, Dod 250(r) modded with @Sibob 7. Stingray5 - MusicMan Stingray5, Tune TWB6, Tune SWV4-BB, Boss GT-6B, Eden EC15 combo OR Trace Elliot GP12SMX combo. 8. NancyJohnson - NS Design NXT5a EUB, Lull JAXT4, Darkglass A/O900, Darkglass 112 cab, Tech 21 dUg. 9. prowla: Obligatory Rickenbackers, a Warwick or two, maybe a Kramer aluminium necked bass, some pedals, Ampeg & Tech 21 preamps (subject to change), maybe the Minitaur & MIDI bass pedals. 10. Silverfoxnik: G&L SB1, BC Rich Eagle, Godin Shifter Classic 5, Sprackenbacker Ricky copy, Mesa Walkabout 15 combo, or Handbox R400 + Vanderkley 1156 MT. 11. Happy Jack: an assortment of weird 5h1t that I can guarantee nobody else will bring 12. WalMan (hopefully!): Wal, Status S1 & S2 & Zon Legacy Elite. One of the rigs (probably Mesa D800 & BF One10 or BBII as there's already One10's on thelist) or Helix & Headrush. SkarBassOne pedal. May have an old case & 2U rack to sell/raffle 13. Steve Browning: Mesa TT-800 and Mesa Subway 1x15 cabs. SVL basses. Greco Pbass and Tokai Jazz. 14. OrangeFriday: Latest homebuild items - Tubular Bass and Basscape effects plus maybe Jellybean Bass (the one with a few LEDs in the neck) 15. BillyBass: Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas V (J) and IV (reverse PJ) , Balaguer select series Goliath (HH), Tech21 GED 2112 pre amp, Barefaced Midget,maybe a super compact too. Not sure about which head yet. Jam pedals Lucy dreamer, 16. Hamstead Subspace, Jam Pedals Ripply Fall. 17. Mudpup: Zon Sonus Std, Cort A4plus, Mesa Big Block 750, Mesa MPulse 600, Quilter BB800, Barefaced Big Baby cab 18. Simon C : G&L L2000 Tribute, Sire V7 Fretless, Ibanez EHB1000S Headless Shortscale. Various pedals (switch, tuner, Hypergravity compressor, Laney 85 Bass Octave, Bass Clone Chorus, Spectradrive) 19. Rumblefish: Reverend Rumblefish,Bernie Goodfellow bass, EBS HD 350,Vanderkley 112 MNT. 20. bass_dinger - Two Washburn 500s and a step-fronted SWR Workingman 12 with a three digit serial number. And maybe the Boulder Creek 5 string in my avatar. 21. Smanth - Harley Benton B-550FL, Kala UBASS, Roland Microcube Bass RX, TC-Electronics BG250-208, Line 6 Wireless, Some Zoom Pedals, Stompz if it is working, Bits for Phoenix. 22. Andyjr1515: Camphor Single Cut (see also For Sale listing); AJR's "Same woods and proportions as a Thumb but, wisely, a different shape" fretless; passing across the completed pink lightweight to Happy Jack 23. TrevorR - Wal Mk 1, Wal Pro 2E, Aria SB700, Frankenjazz, MarkBass LMII & Traveler 2x10, Pedalboard… 24. bassace97 - SVT Classic + 410, Stingray 4 HH and American Special Jazz Bass, and pedalboard 25. kebabkid - 2 x Sires and Roland Cube 26. Smanth - her good self 27. Darren R - his good self

1. MacDaddy - Custom Shukers / Rob Allen Mouse / Peavey Vypyr VIP III 2. Binky Bass - Binky 10 string, USA Conklin 8 string, ACG 9 string, 3 x ACG 6 strings, Reiver 7 string (geeeetar), GR Bass Dual 1400 & GR Bass AT410+, Helix LT, Pinegrove straps, Richter straps etc. 3. Cetera - Spector (USA NS2 & NS2X, Euro Classic, Euro LX (w/Haz),Euro 'Rachel Bolan', Pulse II ) Wal Mk1 'Geddy Lee', Fender 70's Classic P & FSR PJ with East pre, GK400RB, GK Legacy 800 & 4. Tech21 VT500 Heads, Genz Benz Neox212 cab. 5. Merton - various ACGs, Zoots, Conway Instruments basses, Glockenklang Blue Rock, Barefaced Two10/One10 6. Eude - ACG Finn SC Classic 6 string, ACG RetroB 5, ACG TKO Modern 4, ACG ChubstRR Mikro 6 string, 2 X ACG Mule 4 strings (on loan from ACG), GK Legacy 500, 1 or 2 Barefaced One10 Cabs, Dod 250(r) modded with @Sibob 7. Stingray5 - MusicMan Stingray5, Tune TWB6, Tune SWV4-BB, Boss GT-6B, Eden EC15 combo OR Trace Elliot GP12SMX combo. 8. NancyJohnson - NS Design NXT5a EUB, Lull JAXT4, Darkglass A/O900, Darkglass 112 cab, Tech 21 dUg. 9. prowla: Obligatory Rickenbackers, a Warwick or two, maybe a Kramer aluminium necked bass, some pedals, Ampeg & Tech 21 preamps (subject to change), maybe the Minitaur & MIDI bass pedals. 10. Lozz196: US Precision, Ashdown ABM600 & Ashdown ABM PRO NEO 210s x2 Ampeg SCR-DI, Sansamp BDDI v2 11. Silverfoxnik: G&L SB1, BC Rich Eagle, Godin Shifter Classic 5, Sprackenbacker Ricky copy, Mesa Walkabout 15 combo, or Handbox R400 + Vanderkley 1156 MT. 12. Happy Jack: an assortment of weird 5h1t that I can guarantee nobody else will bring 13. WalMan (hopefully!): Wal, Status S1 & S2 & Zon Legacy Elite. One of the rigs (probably Mesa D800 & BF One10 or BBII as there's already One10's on thelist) or Helix & Headrush. SkarBassOne pedal. May have an old case & 2U rack to sell/raffle 14. Steve Browning: Mesa TT-800 and Mesa Subway 1x15 cabs. SVL basses. Greco Pbass and Tokai Jazz. 15. OrangeFriday: Latest homebuild items - Tubular Bass and Basscape effects plus maybe Jellybean Bass (the one with a few LEDs in the neck) 16. BillyBass: Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas V (J) and IV (reverse PJ) , Balaguer select series Goliath (HH), Tech21 GED 2112 pre amp, Barefaced Midget,maybe a super compact too. Not sure about which head yet. Jam pedals Lucy dreamer, 17. Hamstead Subspace, Jam Pedals Ripply Fall. 18. Wolverinebass: Aside from bringing sideburns and sarcasm, not sure what I might bring. 19. Mudpup: Zon Sonus Std, Cort A4plus, Mesa Big Block 750, Mesa MPulse 600, Quilter BB800, Barefaced Big Baby cab 20. Simon C : G&L L2000 Tribute, Sire V7 Fretless, Ibanez EHB1000S Headless Shortscale. Various pedals (switch, tuner, Hypergravity compressor, Laney 85 Bass Octave, Bass Clone Chorus, Spectradrive) 21. Rumblefish: Reverend Rumblefish,Bernie Goodfellow bass, EBS HD 350,Vanderkley 112 MNT. 22. bass_dinger - Two Washburn 500s and a step-fronted SWR Workingman 12 with a three digit serial number. And maybe the Boulder Creek 5 string in my avatar. 23. Smanth - Harley Benton B-550FL, Kala UBASS, Roland Microcube Bass RX, TC-Electronics BG250-208, Line 6 Wireless, Some Zoom Pedals, Stompz if it is working, Bits for Phoenix. 24. Andyjr1515: Camphor Single Cut (see also For Sale listing); AJR's "Same woods and proportions as a Thumb but, wisely, a different shape" fretless; passing across the completed pink lightweight to Happy Jack 25. TrevorR - Wal Mk 1, Wal Pro 2E, Aria SB700, Frankenjazz, MarkBass LMII & Traveler 2x10, Pedalboard… 26. bassace97 - SVT Classic + 410, Stingray 4 HH and American Special Jazz Bass, and pedalboard 27. kebabkid - 2 x Sires and Roland Cube

We know it's late but we're pleased to finally announce our guest for the day.... Ladies & Gentlemen..... Mr Ian King! @Kingbassist (https://www.iankingbass.com/) Ian has played with, amongst others: Sister Sledge, The Temptations, The Supremes and Odyssey on gigs all around the world. He has also found himself on occasion playing for Paul Young, Huey Lewis, Don Felder from the Eagles, Ronan Keating, and Rick Astley. Currently he is holding down the very challenging bass chair in the West End phenomenon 'Hamilton'. He also gives lessons, so anyone looking to improve their technique have a chat with him after! Ian will be giving us a casual chat about his career and maybe a few bass part demonstrations early in the afternoon on Sunday.

Of course. Please remember it will be £10 per person admission to cover costs and pass on profits to charity.

Neil Jason (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Jason) is a phenomenal bassist. Loads of big 70's/80's NY sessions as well as performing extensively with the Brecker Brothers. That's also him with the fantastic bassline on 'Fame'...

Spector when it was run by Stuart Spector & PJ. Phone them with any issue and they'd pick up the phone themselves and sort it for you. Now they're owned by the huge Korg organisation I prefer to deal direct with the fab UK distributor 'Barnes & Mullins' who look after me well. GK were terrible when handled over here by Polar Audio but now they're handling stuff themselves I've seen a huge improvement in direct customer service.

Look at the photos on his instagram gig advert/pictures. In the comments various band members are saying he's a scammer and doesn't pay the musicians....

Which is it? Tom Bannister or Matt Bannister?

Martin Tiefensee of German band 'Lake'. Fantastic player. Three albums with the band and a few minor German sessions and that was it. Ron Anaman of US Pomp Rock band 'Trillion'. Lovely feel and style. Two albums with the band and then off into obscurity.

For Sale on the day: 1. Merton - ACG Mule, chambered short scale fretless, £1600 2. Merton - Warwick Rockboard ISO power supply with lots of different leads, £70 3. Merton, Barefaced One10 with official cover, £300 4. Nancy Johnson - Ibanez Roadster project thing. Haggle. 5. Nancy Johnson - Spector Euro LT. £££ I'll bring it ..would need same day PayPal. 6. Eude - Zoom B3n. Boxed as new, only used for about 30 mins, £100. Cash or PayPal on the day. 7. Andyjr1515 - 'Kert's' Camphor Single Cut, awarded No Treble's Bass of the Week. Open to offers around £1500 8. Cetera - Genz Benz Neox 112 Cab. 1x12 full range 300W 8ohm cab with variable control tweeter. Speakon & 1/4 " jack sockets. Built in kickback handle underneath. £125 cash or Paypal on the day. Bargain!

"Slowly walking down the hall, faster than a cannonball" - Oasis Actually, almost anything from them...

A nice run of gigs before Xmas.... H.E.A.T, Mason Hill & Collateral on Tuesday Skid Row, Treatment, Enuff Znuff & Collateral on 24 Oct KISS Tribute 'Hotter Than Hell on 4 Nov The Night Flight Orchestra on 10 Nov Kate Bush tribute 'Kate Bushka' on 10 Dec

Apparently it's a 4 string bass and a 6 string bass (maybe diff tunings?) - who knows why....?

EMG JJ set or try to get 2 EMG GZR J pickups from EMG

A friend of mine has inherited this fascinating instrument and he's trying to identify it.... and get a value on it... I don't have any info except that he believes it to be late 60's/early 70's, the pickups say 'Baldwin' on them and the tuning heads say 'made in West Germany'. I believe they could be Schallers.... Any help would be appreciated!

I've met Sophie and her husband Richard Jones a number of times. Lovely people and Richard is a great bassist. He's used SVTs for as many years as I've noticed. Maybe she knew a good Ampeg when she saw one?

The faux-reggae UB40-style version of 'Rocket Man' that Kate Bush did..... Eurghhh.....