cheddatom

Good work Lozz! We played the Star & Garter again last night. It wasn't the best turnout but by the time we went on there were probably 50 people, which isn't bad in a venue that size. We played well and went down really well... knackered now!

I was chatting about this to one of the best drummers I know last night and a couple of things came up Playing "melodic" or "musical" beats that fit the song, rather than just picking a beat and keeping time Moving with the music, not just an effort to entertain others but rather actually "feeling" the music Fast fills, double strokes and stick tricks do not make a good drummer, but when a good drummer does it, it's very entertaining

I think to be a good drummer, you have to listen to what everyone else is doing, but also play with real confidence. If you're under-confident, or insecure in your playing, it can really show, especially in terms of big dynamic changes. For example, if you go from quiet to loud, that first beat of the loud bar needs a really hard hit on the bass drum. Conversely if you're over-confident you're probably not going to be listening to the rest of the band, you'll concentrate on what you're doing instead, play silly fills, speed up etc. and then the whole band sounds sloppy. I don't think you need to be technically good at drums to be a good drummer

you can tell from playing it acoustically can't you. I have 3 6 string basses and they all sound very different un-plugged. One of them has a B string that's as punchy as the rest of the strings, and this one sounds best plugged in too

very cool

Headsticks launched our new album on Friday so we'd arranged 3 gigs this weekend to launch/celebrate. Friday night at The Salty Dog in Northwich. This venue is ace and it was pretty full. The crowd were obviously all fans as they knew all the songs, even the ones from the new album, and half of those even we struggled to remember! It should be a great sound here but they seemed to struggle with some dodgy gear. The sound check was perfectly clear and balanced but a DI failed early on in the set meaning our guitarist had to rely on his tiny amp to try and fill the room and this turned the stage sound to mush. It sounded great out front apparently, which is all that matters Saturday was Katie Fitzgerald's in Stourbridge. This is another great venue, but similar issues again. The room sounded awesome, but the mixing desk had clearly seen better days. It was obvious from the music playing from an Ipod that kept jumping up and down in volume. That thing needs a service! Anyway, it sounded great out front and we got a great reception Last night was Foreman's Bar in Nottingham. This place really is tiny. Sold out at a capacity of 55 people and they were packed in like sardines. I used my tupperware bass drum contraption instead of a normal kit just so we could fit in. The whole place was singing along and dancing Brilliant weekend! Now I need a lie down EDIT: Someone posted some footage so you can hear my tupperware kick drum in action

Yeh, he's really good, a pleasure to play with, gets a load of jazz gigs too

Another video from Headsticks - I play drums, the album is out on Friday!

ace thread so far, thanks!

Hah, very good. Cheers! I'd normally have stayed the whole night but I had to rush off. I love the atmosphere at these punk gigs We did have some technical difficulties. Half the set should have been acoustic but for some reason the soundman couldn't get it to work

Saturday night I played at The Underground - a local venue, probably 200 capacity, big stage. I was on guitar with Julia Mosely. I'd finally found the right sound when playing about with amps and pedals that morning so I was really in the mood for it. A smaller than expected crowd, first two numbers totally botched, but the actually I had a great time. I just love playing with this band. The bassist is seriously world class and the drummer is great too, so it feels like we're just jamming at the back while these two amazing vocalists wow the crowd at the front of stage Sunday night at the Start & Garter Punk For Pam festival. I was a bit rushed as I had to drive myself and shoot off straight after we played, which always feels bad as this scene is so nice and supportive. I was on drums and my left hand really cramped up halfway through the set. Probably too many bar chords and unison bends the night before! Anyway, we got through and went down well. I'm looking forward to next weekend, 3 gigs in a row launching out new album and I get to play my own drums!!! Can't wait

I got Newtone to make me a set for my 6 string with a .150 for the low B and it was the best sounding and feeling low B I'd had, but then it was on a custom bass that already sounded awesome. I think it was the feel of the Newtone that I liked so much. It was pricey though

I forgot to let you know, sorry, had a bit of a dramatic weekend with my poorly cat. It was ace though, so thanks for your help

I work 3 days a week in an office and 3 days a week making music. Maybe you could get something part-time? Best of luck

awesome

I played West Street Live in Sheffield on Sunday thanks to our own @Johnny Wishbone It was a rare outing for my heavy band CreepJoint but hopefully we'll start to play more. In terms of the music we play it's definitely my favourite band that I play in. We seemed to go down well and it was tight, but that 30 minutes just flew by! I can't wait for the next one

I'm in 6 bands at the moment. They're all mates of varying degrees. The front man from CreepJoint has been a good friend since we went to the same playschool when we were 3! There's one guy in one band who does grate on me because of his negativity. There's another guy from another band who grates on me because he's such a bad player! But considering I play with at least 17 other musicians on a regular basis that's good going!

ask him what he thinks of the recordings. He might say "Yeh, I'm a bit too rigid, it's not grooving enough but I don't have time to practise"

Saturday night was a small festival in Derbyshire, probably 250 people crammed into a hall, I got to use my own kit for once and it sounded awesome. I have my new hi-hats and it was the first gig for them. A new piece of gear can really inspire you sometimes. Everyone was singing along and dancing and it was a brilliant gig all round Sunday night was at the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham as part of Beat The Streets festival. We played it last year and it was packed with loads of young people out for a fully day of music and drinking. This year was much the same so a great atmosphere, great venue, sound, beer etc, couldn't have been better!

A fun video for one of the songs from our new album out in March. I play drums and recorded and mixed the audio

We did the 100 Club last Thursday (not been on here since) and it was ace. Every time we've played there it's been great but this crowd were really enthusiastic and considerably younger than we're used to. We played really well and went down brilliantly. A young girl even asked for my number afterwards, which was a lovely ego boost! Even if she did slink away embarrassed having learned my age

ace

no, not particularly, just wondered what it sounded like. It looks right up my street. I love 6 strings

Any recordings yet?

thanks! It's a Squire P into a barge concepts blender, just blending about half/half clean and a fulltone fulldrive. That goes into a boss limiter that's set fairly subtle, then there's a VST guitar amp and a VST chorus on that too