casapete

I think many people still refer to her as this even now. When I worked in record retail many years ago, nearly everyone thought Ray Sawyer was actually Dr.Hook rather than the band’s name.

There’s loads of bands like this - Van Halen, Santana, Elvin Bishop Group, Dave Clark Five, Fleetwood Mac, Kool and the Gang, Alan Parsons Project, Spencer Davis Group etc etc. Not sure it’s held many of them back really.

We played there recently, and after lugging all our stuff upstairs to the stage, I uncovered the SVT rig behind a curtain - nobody had told me they had in house stuff we could use. 🤬

There’s a tribute to Ronnie Spector on BBC4 tonight (Friday) at 9pm.

Dupuytren's contracture in my fretting hand. Only stage 1 at the moment, so hoping it doesn't progress too fast to become a problem.

Ronnie with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.

2 mins and 42 secs of heaven. RIP Ronnie.

GK for me with my Gen 1 Compact. Either 800RB or MB800, both sound fine but the RB has the edge.

Great band - think I was first aware of them after seeing them on Later with Jools. Went to see them in Manchester soon after and was very impressed.

Great song with one of the longest intros ever, and then starts on a chorus - genius! Don't remember the 2 bass players though?!! (apologies for double post)

Personally I prefer the blue, but that red also looks good in a louder way, especially with the pearl plate.

Only use a Sansamp Bass Driver as a DI so it goes on the floor, hidden under some lighting where our violinist can’t stand on it. 😆

Did our first show of 2022 last night at Hull New Theatre. Always our best/favourite gig so we were doubtful as to how things would be. Anyway, had around 1000 people turn up, and despite not playing or being able to rehearse for nearly 2 months due to illness in the band, things went just fine. (Pics taken by our sound tech Rik and audience members.)

Saw Dr Feelgood a couple of times in the 70’s, great band. John Sparks (Sparko) was a superb bassist, very cool and understated but really good solid player. He must be getting on a bit now for doing roofing work though!

Kingston upon Hull and surrounding area has produced some great talent - some home grown and some based here for a while. These include : Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder, Woody Woodmansey - The Spiders from Mars John Cambridge - a good friend of mine who played drums with David Bowie pre Spiders, and introduced Mick Ronson to Bowie. Everything but the Girl The Housemartins The Beautiful South Kingmaker Red Guitars ( recently reformed) The Watersons Throbbing Gristle ( Genesis P.Orridge and Cosey Fanni Tutti) Roland Gift ( of The Fine Young Cannibals ) The Rats - legendary local band who featured many great musicians including Mick Ronson. Lene Lovich Sade - some of the band members. Also David Whitfield , Joe Longthorne and Ronnie Hilton.

Did my gig at a seaside hotel, depping with friends. Was supposed to be a DJ on with us to fill in the gaps in our sets and do the midnight shenanigans, but they never materialised so guess what? Yup, we played marathon sets as well as doing the countdown to 12 o clock etc, then the usual daft tunes afterwards. Police had cordoned off the street outside the hotel too, so carried my gear afterwards to my car parked strategically not outside the hotel but away from all the passing revellers. Got in at around 3am, bed around 4am. Nearly lost my voice today, but on the up side I got paid, yay! My regular band hasn't worked for nearly 8 weeks now, so some work was most welcome though, especially as just found out that 2 members have tested positive which means at least 2 gigs this coming week have to be cancelled, again! Anyway, Happy New Year! 😄

My NYE gig still on at the moment, as well as a gig at the same venue on the night before. Although I do have some doubts about whether it’s a good idea, if Xmas was anything to go by it won’t be very busy, meaning I can easily social distance with no problems. Like some others on here, this is my living and with January in the balance I feel I have to fulfil the bookings.

Yup, Peavey central. The band had an endorsement deal in the late 70’s IIRC. Ray Sawyer ( guy with the eyepatch) sadly died a couple of years ago. Think the band still tour with Dennis Locorriere back fronting them.

Great band / performance / song! The line ‘when you’re in love with a beautiful woman, it’s hard...’ was always delivered with a grin - remember them doing it on TOTP. When they played in Hull a few years ago, after soundchecking the band had their instruments stolen. They put it out on social media requesting some replacements and did the gig using the borrowed stuff.

When I first joined a band who did a lot of jazz and swing stuff, I remember we did ‘Walk between raindrops’ from the 1982 Donald Fagen album ‘The Nightfly’. Although only fairly short, the song is great to practice walking lines with, and I learned a lot from playing it.

I got a uke bass a few years ago. Tried a few, and for the money thought the Countryman was the best, certainly not a great deal of difference with the Kala I tried which was maybe £300 more. Going for solid woods etc seems a bit unnecessary in such an instrument, where the electrics are the key part. I’ve used it on gigs and it’s been fine, straight into the PA. Took a bit of getting used to scalewise and rubbery strings etc, but sounds great and the portability factor is a big selling point for me. At the moment my work doesn’t require it but will hang onto it for future gigs.

That B&G bass looks fantastic, and if it’s anywhere near as good as their guitars it will be amazing. For me GAS 2022 isn’t even a thing. 2021 has been such a dreadful year for my finances that I can’t possibly justify spending on gear that may not be earning it’s keep. Fortunately I’m not desperately needing anything, but if my gigs start to return to some state of normality I’d like to investigate changing some amplification. Had a hankering after something Aguilar / Barefaced maybe, or possibly even a bigger Fender Rumble as I’ve recently been using my 100w combo on small gigs and loved it.

If we’re still allowed I’ll be gigging in a seaside hotel, playing various sorts of stuff for any guests that have managed to get there. If circumstances change then it will be an evening in watching Jools Holland and whatever else is on TV. Obviously I’m holding out for option 1.

Yup, quite possibly! Guess he can't win either way now.

Recent statement from the EC camp updating stuff, just for anyone who may be interested. GERMAN BOOTLEG CASE: STATEMENT Published // 22.DEC.21 Given the widespread and often misleading press reports about a recent bootleg case involving a woman in Germany, the following provides clarification to set the record straight. Germany is one of several countries where sales of unauthorized and usually poor-quality illegal bootleg CDs are rife, which harms both the industry and purchasers of inferior product. Over a period of more than 10 years the German lawyers appointed by Eric Clapton, and a significant number of other well-known artists and record companies, have successfully pursued thousands of bootleg cases under routine copyright procedures. It is not the intention to target individuals selling isolated CDs from their own collection, but rather the active bootleggers manufacturing unauthorised copies for sale. In the case of an individual selling unauthorised items from a personal collection, if following receipt of a “cease and desist” letter the offending items are withdrawn, any costs would be minimal, or might be waived. Eric Clapton’s lawyers and management team (rather than Eric personally) identifies if an item offered for sale is illegal, and a declaration confirming that is signed, but thereafter Eric Clapton is not involved in any individual cases, and 95% of the cases are resolved before going to Court. This case could have been disposed of quickly at minimal cost, but unfortunately in response to the German lawyers’ first standard letter, the individual’s reply included the line (translation): “feel free to file a lawsuit if you insist on the demands”. This triggered the next step in the standard legal procedures, and the Court then made the initial injunction order. If the individual had complied with the initial letter the costs would have been minimal. Had she explained at the outset the full facts in a simple phone call or letter to the lawyers, any claim might, have been waived, and costs avoided. However, the individual appointed a lawyer who appealed the injunction decision. The Judge encouraged the individual to withdraw the appeal to save costs, but she proceeded. The appeal failed and she was ordered to pay the costs of the Court and all of the parties. However, when the full facts of this particular case came to light and it was clear the individual is not the type of person Eric Clapton, or his record company, wish to target, Eric Clapton decided not to take any further action and does not intend to collect the costs awarded to him by the Court. Also, he hopes the individual will not herself incur any further costs. Eric Clapton Management 22nd December 2021