dmccombe7

My first proper band was called Torquemada after the Monk that started the Spanish Inquisition. Not that i knew that before then but quite liked it. Many people asked where the name came from tho. That was circa 1980 playing rock and prog covers. Other band names Firestorm (metal covers of course), Stormbringer (Deep Purple related covers), Mind Sculpture (Originals Prog band), George's Kitchen (singers dog called George and he was kept in Kitchen when he was out), Gypsies Kiss (no idea where that name came from as band had been playing good few years before i joined) The Monday Club (we rehearsed on a Monday night - blues funk based rock band) Hot Love (T.Rex / 70's covers band) Several others over the years i've forgotten so that says a lot for the names. I like the name to try and relate to the style of music but its not always possible. Dave

I must be one of the few that just don't remember songs. I play the ones in my current band but any previous songs i generally just forget. I could maybe bluff my way thru some of them but wouldn't commit to saying i knew them if asked. Few days refreshing my memory on them and they would come back quite quickly. I can play along with loads of CD albums without issue but i generally wouldn't count them unless i was playing them in a band situation. Dave

I've played in bands where i didn't pick any of the songs but the band was a style i wasn't really into. The songs were well liked by audience and to be honest i enjoyed playing them. I've also been in bands where i didn't pick the songs and were all within a specific genre ie heavy metal and after trying it for a few rehearsals decided it wasn't for me. I left that particular band. Think my point is that you either go along with the democratic vote and play whatever the deciding vote says or you leave and find a band that suits what you want to do. If the drummer thinks the songs are boring to play then he needs to move on and find a band or style of music that suits what he wants to do. Compromise or form your own band where you dictate everything. Dave

I've found many so called "sound engineers" are just Joe Bloggs off the street has been given the job to monitor the desk in a venue and rather than have any formal training he's had to pick it up himself. The good FOH sound is usually from guys that have had roper training. Back in my earlier years the sound engineers were just mates that said they would operate the desk for us and we toured with that too and it all seemed to be ok at the time. Would have to say at larger venues like the OP mentioned i would expect the sound engineers to be properly trained in their job. I've been to gigs where i was level with bass bins and it was mostly all i could hear. Dave

Sorry for laughing but that just about sums up the British climate in a nutshell. Totally unpredictable. Dave

I've read quite a few over past couple of years while on holiday including Guy's, Glenn Hughes, Gene Simmons, Ozzy and Bob Daisley's to read this year's holiday in May. Like the various F1 driver autobiography's too. David Coultard's was interesting if you like F1 that is. Dave

I don't need to worry about world cup gigs. Never gonna happen here. Maybe this tho

Icehouse were on a TOTP 80's edition few weeks ago with Guy Pratt on bass. I recorded it just for that reason. If you haven't read Guys book yet you should. Quite an insight into music world of those days. Dave

I'd never pay that for any band. Not even my fav bands. Not a Stones fan, never have been. Liked a few of their earlier songs but that's about it. I have a max limit maybe equivalent to $100 but it would need to be a good seat and a band i don't get a chance to see very often. Maybe Rush but few bands left i would pay that for. Genesis reforming i might or if Gilmour and Waters put a version of Floyd on tour i might but average i would reckon circa $50-$70 dollars for a decent band Better still go see a good tribute band or a good covers band. Dave

Tick in the box mentality. Also means that proper fans don't get a chance to see their fav bands. Dave

I'm of the opinion that i pay a lot of money for concert tickets and i want to watch the full show including any support act. Its disrespectful to sit and gab thru any band performance. Been to some local gigs where a crowd of women behind me sat and gossiped all night. They had obviously been drinking but you could hardly hear the band during their quiet songs. If i had been in authority at the venue i would have put them out. Few people did actually complain to staff who did nothing. Dave

Odd stage set up and picture isn't bright enough to understand what's going on. Looks like 2 Aguilar rigs with one each side of the drums. So what's happening and what kind of material is being played. Looks like a great setting i have to admit. Dave

I tried a Behringer amp head thru a Bugera 410 cab. Looked wuite like the Markbass cab ported at bottom. Amp had a nice clean sound. Not muddy and not too clinical either. All in all the Bugera cab sounded good and even coped with the octaver on the amp when i tried it. At the price they are not a bad amp and cab set up. Dave

No idea but drummer looks a wee tad stoned.

Band i was in last year a Blues / Funk based rock band the drummer used a digital metronome at rehearsals. Can't say i noticed it at gigs tho. In a 40 yr playing span that's the only one i've known. Dave

If i have no choice i'll use whatever is available and get the best sound i can. I might moan a little but no point making a big issue out of it. All else fails i'll DI to PA. Dave

That's neat and hidden behind the headstock looks far better than an add on at the top of the head stock. Dave

I took lessons for 12-18mths when i first started and altho i'm not a sight reader by any means i have found it useful when learning songs. I use it more as a tool for learning rather than a requirement and i've played most styles of music over the years. Yes i could get by without it but it helps me, makes life easier for me anyway. With regards hand technique i started off correctly but have taken shortcuts that i found made playing some songs easier for me. Yep i'm lazy. I now have regrets that i didn't take it further tho as i am now catching up with chord patterns altho that's mainly for my own personal satisfaction. Anything you can learn is another way to improve in my book. Dave

My rack tuner is not in line with my signal and taken from the amp tuner OUT. I do also use a TC Polytune sometimes in line but it has a true by-pass when off and also no effect on my sound. As long as a tuner is used it doesn't really matter what type in my opinion. Dave

Depends on the gig but i'm happy with just plug and play as long as i have my tuner (pedal or rack mounted). Normally like a touch of compressor but can do without if required. Dave

I checked the earth with my multimeter and it was perfect from bridge to jack socket. I even put tin foil under the scratchplate and attached to the metal control plate to reduce static noise when i rubbed my hand on the plastic plate. I added an additional earth under the bridge and soldered a larger earth on the back of the pots and altho it helped a little its always been like that. Its not horrendous buzz with nickel un-coated but with elixirs it seemed to be an odd thing going on there. I'm happy with the EXL170's rather than Elixirs which i only put on certain basses because they don't leave the house now. Dave

I usually keep the new box and date it with whatever bass i use them on. I usually wait until i notice the strings have reached a point that i can hear a significant loss of tone. Just seems to be around the 2month mark but that would be an average. My Precison deluxe has gone 3mths on same strings but i don't use it as often. Dave