casapete

For me it’s missing Jim’s rather more interesting original walking bassline - Dave Hill sticking pretty much with just the root notes ( probably to allow him to stomp about like he does).

Absolutely, and that’s why I mentioned it doesn’t maybe sound ‘right’.

I’m guessing because it’s a ‘live’ version? Co-writer Jim Lea played bass on the original, and much better than Dave Hill does in this version IMO. I liked a lot of Jim’s bass stuff, really made many of Slade’s hits for me.

Thanks Loz. I’ve been with them for around 14 years so it’s going to be difficult for me. Hopefully we can find someone who will enjoy it as much as I have. 😊

So grim I couldn’t recall how to spell his surname too….😆

Was going to post this myself, wonderful song. ( Just don’t mention the George Micheal version….)

After 14 years playing with ‘The ELO Experience’ I am looking to retire in the spring of 2024. Subsequently the band are looking for my replacement, and I suggested putting it on here first to see if anyone is interested? I’ve posted more details in the ‘Bassists Wanted’ section, so please have a look if you think it may be for you. Many thanks, Pete.

Well, it's with a heavy heart that I'm going to be stepping down from my position in this band in a few months time. I've volunteered to put this up on here first, before advertising more widely if needed. The plan is to gauge who may be interested, and then I can forward their details on to our band leader Andy who will ultimately be deciding who to choose. I'm looking at leaving around April / May 2024, so that's when the new person would be taking over. Below is a brief 'advert' I've put together to outline the type of applicants we are looking for. https://www.elotribute.com/ Bassist with backing vocals wanted for 'The ELO Experience'. I am retiring from this band in Spring 2024, so we are starting to look for my replacement! The person will ideally be based in Yorkshire / Midlands area, and have their own transport ( to get to meeting points for our band bus to pick you up en route to gigs.) We currently play upwards of 65 gigs a year, mainly in principal theatres all over Great Britain along with some festivals. There may also be the chance for European gigs in the future as well. We need someone who can authentically play the original ELO bass parts as well as provide solid backing vocals which form an important part of the songs. You will need to be well presented with a strong 'team player' professional attitude both on and off stage – this is something all our band and crew have and it makes for a very happy group of people! Age-wise we are happy for pretty much anyone to apply who can do the job – the current members range from mid 20's to mid 60's. It is possible for you to do other work around our band's commitments, so long as it's understood that this job is ALWAYS your first call – we never use deps. If this sounds like you and you'd like to be considered then please drop me a PM and I will forward it on to our band leader Andy. I'm also happy to answer any questions via PM if there's anything more you need to know before applying. Please send PMs to me by Wednesday 15th November - thank you. If you're successful we would be looking at rehearsals in early 2024 with a view to starting full time with the band in April / May 2024. Cheers, Pete.

The Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone is quite an iconic place. I’d guess it is from the art deco era, and is situated on the side of the cliff overlooking the English Channel. It’s quite a challenge reversing our vans down the track to the load in area! Backstage there are lots of photos of bands who’ve played there over the years, including The Stones, Thin Lizzy, Quo, Judas Priest, Ozzy and Motörhead. ( They must be slumming it these days having tribute bands on like ours! )

Good to meet up with you Bill, and thanks for posting your pictures. This was our last gig of 3, a venue we’ve played regularly since I joined the band. We got here a bit early, so I had a walk up to Coda Music in Stevenage Old Town. Still a brilliant shop, mainly for guitars but they had a selection of basses in there too. The gig was virtually sold out, so just over 800 punters in the room, which is a bit sports hallish with accompanying sound! Got it sounding okay after a while, but one of those gigs where your amp doesn’t sound anything like the night before, so a rare change of my eq needed ( I know, that’s what it’s there for etc). Gig went well, followed by a long drive home up the A1. Only two more gigs now left to play this year - would have been three but Carlisle Sands venue closed due to suspected concrete construction issues.

That’s a crazy price - shame no other gauges for wusses like me though! Thanks for posting.

Hope so Mick. Being northerners we sometimes think weather reports for southern regions are maybe a bit exaggerated, but you’ve had it grim down here just lately. Seen loads of trees down and the sea front last night in Folkestone was wild. Still blustery here today ( we are near Canterbury ATM) so hope things improve as the day goes on.

Three gigs for us this week, all over the place too! First was in Stamford on Thursday night. The Corn Exchange is a great theatre in the picturesque town centre. Largely run by volunteers, it’s always a good place for us and we sell it out too,( although only seats around 400 so it’s one of the smaller venues we regularly do.) Great crowd and atmosphere, and I got to meet up with an old school mate who I haven’t seen in over 40 years! Last night we were at The Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone, an iconic venue with views over the channel. Had a dreadful journey there though, with the M20 partly closed due to trucks being held there due to channel ferry cancellations with the appalling weather conditions. Really blustery all the way, I was struggling to keep our bus in a straight line a lot of the time. Anyway, we arrived a bit late but got soundchecked quickly. Not an easy place sound wise, but for the first time we flew the top part of the PA and it worked great. First time we’ve sold the venue out with 830 people in. There’s room for dancing at the sides which is great, some people up almost straight away! Really appreciative crowd, all in all a cracking gig. Today we’re driving up to Stevenage, so just hope the weather lets up.

Ha ha, no fighting though - didn’t you know we’re all sh*t on here? 😆

I’d agree, although getting an 800 combo or (even head/cab) s/h would be unlikely on the OP’s budget of £450.

Another +1 from me for the Rumble 500 V3 combo. All the amp he will need and more! If the seperates route is preferable the Rumble 500 head is also a great choice.

Fair enough, but some people are probably still doing it primarily to earn a living rather than trying to find a 9 to 5 job? I guess this depends on how you define ‘ the nostalgia thing’? I would say that playing stuff from over 30 years ago now falls within the category. It seems that the 80’s era is particularly popular at the moment, which must be mainly down to the demographic where people who remember that time are wanting to relive it. Butlins are rammed with people when they put on 80’s weekends!

A friend of mine who had a local music shop was a friend of Paul McNab. I went to Paul’s workshop in Huddersfield a couple of times to deliver / collect guitars for him. Paul was not only a builder but also did refinishes on instruments, to a very high standard. My friend had a 50’s style 2 tone P-bass that Paul made for him, and it was an excellent bass ( albeit a touch heavy IIRC). Paul did a great job on my 63 P-bass. When I acquired it the finish was literally peeling off it, having been stored for a couple of years in a loft. Paul did a nice natural refin on it, which has lasted over 30 years.

I’m 65 and still gigging, doing around 140 a year - a combination of UK theatres with the ELO Experience, and local stuff with my acoustic duo. Been doing it for a long time so almost second nature, although I must admit the travelling doesn’t get any easier. Am considering semi-retirement soon, though won’t be abandoning the duo stuff. It’s been my job for 30 years, and compared to other work it’s still a relatively manageable way of life for me. My voice ( backing vox) seems to be holding up, although have noticed a bit of arthritis in my fingers lately - nothing like Keith Richard’s fortunately!

I can never understand why some bands won’t work NYE. One of the few days you can make a reasonable amount, kinda makes up for all the other ‘cheap’ gigs you inevitably end up doing during the rest of the year. Find a gig that suits your band and make a good job of it, and they’ll hopefully want you back every time. I’ve done hotel gigs in Scarborough with the same people for years and we’ve always had good comments from the management ( who’ve had feedback from their customers.) I think I’ve had maybe one NYE at home in the last 30 or 40 years, and that was when I took some time off when my daughter was born.

Today (Sunday) on Sky Arts they are showing the 2019 film ‘ Hitsville: The Making of Motown’ It starts at 5pm.

Thanks for this- I’ve often wondered what these may be like. A quick google shows them available on eBay or Amazon for £34.99 a set, so am tempted to try them. Does the quite heavy gauge (58/110) feel hard to play? I’m used to 45/100 bronzewounds on my Washburn AB20, and was hoping they wouldn’t feel stiffer than these.

Perhaps an obvious choice, but surely one of the most hook worthy bass lines ever ( as well as being near perfection IMO) This extract from Wiki sums it up really - The opening bass notes are recognized around the world. As Smokey Robinson says, "I can be in a foreign country where people don't speak English and the audience will start cheering before I even start singing "My Girl." They know what's coming as soon as they hear the opening bass line. [He sings the famous line created by bassist James Jamerson:] 'Bah bum-bum, bah bum-bum, bah bum-bum.'"