casapete

After being a long time Radio 2 listener, recent presenter changes have led me to Greatest Hits Radio. However, their playlist is somewhat limited to mainly 70s/80’s/90s so I don’t get to hear newer stuff. Another +1 for Boom Radio - some presenters a bit staid now but the choice of music is good for my demographic, with lots of songs I haven’t heard for years rather than the usual obvious oldies played by GHR. They also play a smattering of new stuff too. Just a shame they’re only on DAB, as our band bus doesn’t have it.

I missed out on a Jerry Jones Longhorn a few years ago, big mistake.

I absolutely love this tune. Just over 2 minutes of brilliance, especially the bass part (Tommy Cogbill?). Taken from what is often regarded as one of the best albums ever, ‘Dusty in Memphis’. Good that we all have diverse views on this topic though. 😄

It’s a beaut Dave. The action is a tad low for me so need to sort that a bit, but it plays great. Only one sound but it’s a good ‘un! Light as a feather too.

Got a call from a friend yesterday afternoon asking if I could dep at a local social club last night. They have a rock’n’roll night on Wednesdays which is quite well attended, and I’ve depped there before. Just a 3 piece band (guitar, bass, drums), and when I arrived I found out it was a dep drummer too, who turned out to be an old mate who played with me in the same band years ago. Had a cracking gig, both musically and socially. Two 45 minute sets, nice people and well paid! Used my Danelectro Longhorn into a Fender Rumble 500 combo. Home before midnight too, so happy days. Tired today though, and got 3 more gigs this week - tonight at my local pub with the acoustic duo, then Redditch tomorrow / Shrewsbury on Saturday with the ELO Experience.

Sounds horrible - hope you get it sorted soon.

Damn, I’m in Shrewsbury that night Mart - I will get to see your band soon though! Service Station isn’t a big place but they put on lots of bands, as you say mainly rock so hope you shake them up a bit! Am sure you’ll be great, all the best. Pete.

As is often the case in these discussions, I’ll get the elephant in the room out of the way before anyone else chips in. I love this design, beauty is in the eye of the beholder etc….

Where / when are you playing Mart?

Our acoustic duo played another gig at The Lookout on the Pier in Scarborough last night. Usual full house and dozens of requests, this time including ‘The thrill is gone’, ‘Moon river’, ’Unchain my heart’ and even ‘Waterloo’ which I don’t think I’ve ever played before. Nice bassline too, although a bit more limited due to dropping the key so two blokes could sing it! We have one more gig there at the end of this month before a bit of a break until July. Picture taken as we were loading out, a beautiful evening over the bay.

Just back from seeing Tommy Blaize at Ilkley Kings Hall. Am guessing not many folk on here may know Tommy - he’s one of the singers in The Dave Arch Band who perform each week on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. Certainly one of the best singers I’ve seen in a long time, he has worked with so many other people ( Stevie Wonder, Amy Winehouse, Queen, Diana Ross, Beach Boys ) and also plays piano, guitar and ukulele! A great selection of songs with truly amazing vocals and piano playing, and a few stories too. Cracking gig, highly recommended if it’s your bag.

In my old function band we had a 3 piece brass section, some of whom were teachers and couldn’t always make the gigs so we got used to having a fair few deps in. If the gigs were in London we’d have deps who could only do the gig if near a tube station, and they would turn up already dressed in a dinner suit carrying their instrument. No mic or music stand etc, and would never help with anything other than just playing the notes. They’d be off like a shot after the last song too - became quite funny really. Had some great players though, absolute pros who probably gigged most nights. When we were doing 3 or 4 sets during long days at weddings, we would change our stagewear. We had some pretty loud suits for the evening sets, and when having them made we thought we’d better get a spare for any deps. As most of the brass guys were often shall we say on the more generous side, the dep suit was made as an XXL. I shall never forget doing a society wedding in Ireland with the dep trumpet player (5 feet 6 tall and skinny as anything) dressed in this suit, looked like we had a schoolboy standing in. A few days afterwards we saw him playing with a band on Later with Jools Holland, looking very cool and hip. Could have made a fortune if we’d had some pics of him playing with us.

Started my final run of gigs last night with The ELO Experience at Milton Keynes Theatre. As you’d expect, a large modern theatre with great staff, load in and backstage facilities. It has a capacity of 1400, think we had just over 1000 people in so felt quite full. We haven’t played for 3 weeks, so were all a bit on edge hoping we would be okay. Didn’t start well at soundcheck with a few tech issues, but with the help of our guys we got it sorted eventually. We were just leaving the theatre to find somewhere to eat and bumped into Warwick Davis passing by -nice bloke and a favourite of our lighting maestro Rob who got a selfie. The gig went well, lively audience in good voice. We all got through it without any major problems, although I was quite tired. 170 mile drive back home as the gig was a stand alone, have been having a quiet day today.

I use a stool just like this one, works well and the guitar stand bit is very handy. Most of the acoustic duo’s gigs I do are seated, although some do get to that point where standing may be more appropriate.

You could then stand up for the key changes, Westlife style!

I’d say if none of the band members mind then just do it - am sure they appreciate you being there whether seated or not. Possibly set up closer to the drummer so at least there are two musicians roughly the same height?

Not sure Mick - Gerry did mention Rory a couple of times, and from what we were chatting about in the restaurant before the gig I’d say he still has immense respect for him.

Yup, we get this sometimes. A nice gesture which doesn’t go unappreciated. The OP’s venue sounded like they would never do this though, if they’re trying to underpay bands due to their drinks sales. Wonder if they try it on with tradespeople - ‘sorry mate, can only give you half the money for fixing our plumbing as it’s been a bit quiet today’?

I was too Paul! An absolutely lovely bloke though, really grounded and funny. He likes a glass of wine too….

Wonder if they’d taken more than expected on the bar they then would have paid you extra? Absolute tw*ts.

Just got back from seeing Band of Friends at Howden Shire Hall. A friend of mine asked if I could supply Gerry McAvoy with a bass rig for the gig, so I took him my GK800RB and a 4x10 to go with an Ashdown 1x15 that was there. The band are based in Europe ( Gerry lives in France), and they were only doing two UK gigs so wasn’t worth them bringing their backline over. My friend Ian Bolder ( Trevor’s brother) brought along a Fender Vibrolux for the guitarist to use, so all good. After the soundcheck we all went for drinks and some Italian food, and was great listening to Gerry’s stories. I told him last time I saw him play was with Rory Gallagher at Hull City Hall in June 1974. I was 16 and due to take my Maths O level ( GCSE) the next day. My mum told me I should stay in and revise, but I convinced her I was up to speed and went to the gig, which was ace. I got an ‘unclassified’ grade in the exam, so I blame Gerry for my lack of qualifications! Gerry was great again tonight. He was using his 63 Precision and it sounded mint. Shame there was only around a half capacity crowd, but the band still performed 100%. Cracking gig!

I think types of Asian bread ( naan etc) served with curry etc are completely different from the exotic pizzas mentioned on here . Pizza is by definition ( for me anyway) a doughy base topped with a tomato sauce and mozzarella, and then adorned with various other items. I dislike pizza without the tomato/mozzarella combo, and those with toppings that any proud Italian would refrain from eating. Blimey, people will be having curry sauce with fish&chips next - oh, wait a minute………😆