cheddatom

People say my band Headsticks are "too political" or "too left wing" but if you read the lyrics, they're really not. They're generally about compassion and equality* It's happened a few times though - someone's clearly watched the entire set, and enjoyed themselves, then they come up to us after and say "I'd be a fan if you weren't so political" 🤷‍♀️ *I have something to say about why those basic human qualities might be considered "left wing" these days, but it'd probably break the rules

You don't usually play open chords on a bass, which is the main reason for a capo. I used to play a song with an old band that had a fast riff which bounced off open E and A, but the guitarist played it a tone higher (we were actually down tuned). I couldn't play the riff in that key without a capo, so I used one for that song!

I have in the past, yeh, they're fine

only just seen this, also happy to help if you still need it doing If someone sent me stems and there was something wrong with the bass, I'd go back to the client and ask them to fix it. I might offer to play it for them, but I definitely wouldn't MIDI it

Friday night, Salty Dog in Northwich. I'm sure it's been fuller for us before but the boss says not. You may recall me talking about a sound engineer who had to be shouted back to his station because he'd muted the acoustic guitar? Same guy. This time he stayed at his station, but he was so glued to his phone he didn't realise we were waiting on stage, ready to play, at the allotted time. At one point it sounded like he'd undone all of his bass boosting EQ and stopped the almost constant feedback. That lasted for about 20 seconds before he managed to f*ck it up again and get back to his phone. Fair enough if you don't like our music, or maybe you don't like us as people, or whatever, but if you're being paid to do a job, and a pub full of people are relying on you to do the job, it'd seem to be to be the right thing to do to either learn how to do it, put the effort in, or quit and give someone who wants the job a go Anyway, there was a dog running around while we played. I'd been speaking to the owner before the set and she explained that the dog doesn't like loud noises, which was quite confusing as she'd brought her to a gig! I've never owned a dog but I couldn't shake the thought of causing this dog distress as I played. We've had a lot of positive feedback about the gig, and several people have complimented the presence of the dog too (her name was Melon) so, I'll let the audience be the judge, and they were happy. I guess the fact I had to drive home later, and this pub has the best beer on our circuit, also put a damper on my mood.

For back problems I would suggest core muscle exercises, yoga etc. but good on you for compromising! I personally have a problem with my left wrist that can't be mediated. I expect it to get worse over time, and it already has. I used to play 6 string basses, then I could only play 4, now I can only play short scale. I used to play acoustic guitar every day, now I can't play for more than 10 minutes. I used to play drums with big fat heavy sticks, now I have to use light sticks. Lots of compromise and all of it quite depressing. I'll probably sell some basses soon, and I guess at some point I'll sell my acoustic guitars. I haven't dared try my old yamaha 12 string for example. All the best Lozz!

Yellow Arch Studios in Sheffield on Friday night. We've never been here before but it's a cool venue, you'd probably get 200ish in the room, great stage, PA etc. Crazy Arm were on first, not heard of them before but they were all exceptional players. We (Headsticks) went on 2nd and absolutely smashed it. People were going crazy from the off. 40 minutes of non stop drumming and I was soaked. We have a song called "Naked" and it's about the emperor's new clothes and being lied to by politicians, but for some reason, sometimes people strip off to it. Friday night a regular fan of ours apparently stripped totally naked, went mad in the mosh pit, banged his head, and got kicked out by security. I didn't see any of this but a few people confirmed it after the set. Can't wait to see him at a gig soon Shanghai Treason were on after us, who were great at sound check, and I feel terrible 'cos they're all lovely people, but I spent their set catching up with a good friend who lives in Sheffield and I never get to see him. I hope that's not earned me a black mark!

I've used settings similar to those in the OP when playing guitar through a bass amp, could be a possibility?

Cool! I must have seen you before at some point

Which band are you playing with?

Have you checked out Bob Vylan? Highly recommended Anyway, yeh, I've been to to last 5 or 6 Rebellion festivals running. A lot of it is pretty much as you describe, but I guess that's what people go for. I don't think my band fit into that category at all, and there must be loads more. Steve Ignorant's Slice Of Life for one, which is IMO very clever musically and lyrically. The same band plus a drummer are doing a set of crass songs - musically simple perhaps but an incredible show and certainly not just 4 chords with a one line chorus.

Awesome! I'll be there with Headsticks, hopefully catch your set

Have you done the paperwork for the amp? Anyone's allowed to take an instrument for personal use but AFAIK you need a carnet for an amp

I'm sure there's a "worst gig" thread somewhere, but just to chip in... Try playing in original metal bands. Then you get to do "unpaid practise". Sometimes the other bands might watch, but we played one once where the support band left and after we started our set, the soundman left too, meaning we literally played to no-one for 25 minutes and then went home unpaid.

A small festival in the middle of nowhere on Saturday night. A full on set 11-12. It was very warm and sweaty. This crowd are so supportive of the band, we could play absolutely terribly and still go down well. I can understand how that might undermine the motivation of some, but for me it just takes all the pressure off. I had a great time, and I managed to get home by 1:30 which was a lot earlier than I expected. 3 weeks off now

you get more sustain though right? Am I just imagining that?

Feedback is so much more than just screaming guitar sustain etc. I personally like a controlled amount of feedback when playing bass too. Even the strings feel different under my fingers if I'm turned up loud through an amp or PA

I get the ampless/in-ear thing and it obviously works for loads of people. One potential drawback I can see is feedback. Some feedback is desirable, especially when playing lead guitar. How do you get feedback with no monitor or amp?

Honestly I have nothing to do with that side of things so I have no idea! We're generally playing venues that are geared up for full bands, we just did the acoustic thing to give the fans something different, or at least that's what I was told when I begged for a floor tom

The last of our "almost acoustic" gigs on Saturday night in Wroot near Doncaster. It's very much a village hall type venue, but the sound is always great. The original plan was to have an all-seated affair, which reduced capacity, and so it sold out within hours of being announced. As footage of our "almost acoustic" gigs started to appear on the internet, the promoter for this one realised that seating may not be appropriate due to all the p*ssed up punks going nuts. This meant he could up the capacity again, but it was a bit late to shift many more tickets (although apparently he did another 20). Anyway, there were plenty for the room, we sold loads of merch, went down really well, and got loads of free pizza and beer. I don't think it gets much better than that! I've been finding these gigs really easy in terms of physical effort. We've got loads of the "full band" gigs booked for this year and I'm worried I'll not be up to it. Better get exercising! There are loads of photos on Facebook in our "Headsticks Gigs" group but I'm not sure it's polite to just nick them for here. The venue is cool anyway, lots of fairy lights etc.

If hard hitting, exciting drumming is your thing, check out my mate Sam

Rough Trade in Nottingham on Friday night. I love playing here, there's something very cool about this place. This is our stripped back acoustic set, so you'd think the sound engineer would also strip back, but no, two mics on the bass drum (with no resonant head), close mic on the snare and hats. A good 10 minutes of EQing the drums. 5 mins EQing each vocal mic etc. During sound check I have to admit I was internally rolling my eyes a bit, but I've never heard so many compliments about the sound, and it was great on stage, so, shows what I know! About halfway through our set, an un-known punter with a very striking appearance made their way to the front. It was difficult to concentrate while she twerked, spanked herself, rolled around on stage legs akimbo, and periodically tried to stuff her bosom back into her "top". Very entertaining. There's footage on the internet but I'm not sure it's fair to share it around. Here's the setup from sound check Compass Cafe in Blackpool on Saturday. Only 70 people in here but it can't really fit any more. I had to do our sound so only one mic on the bass drum I absolutely hate doing live sound, and there's no way you can do it properly from on stage behind a drum kit, but whatever, we got away with it. This might be the only venue where I can order a beer from my drum stool

I played 6 strings most of the time before my wrist injury. I did use a 4 string for a stoner/doom band as I thought the 6s might have looked a bit silly. Personally, I prefer to have all the notes accessible without sliding up and down the neck I've had to switch to short scale bass only now, so my 6 strings just sit there at home looking pretty and making me frustrated. I might sell them soon. I'm hoping someone might start making a short scale 6 string at a budget price

If I get 30 mins in a dressing room before we go on it's fine, I get to warm up. If I go from loading on to playing, I'm a bit screwed. I don't think any amount of banana, shaken or otherwise, is going to solve that, although I appreciate the kind thought. Imagine trying to peel a banana while the sound guy is shouting for you to hit the rack tom!

Our "Almost Acoustic" set in Stoke on Saturday. A tiny venue and totally sold out. I have a bass drum, snare, hats and a cymbal. I'm not sure the reason for it but it's good fun. Our bassist switches to his acoustic bass which is 5 string, and it's so nice to have the extra low notes. I sometimes wish he'd go back to his 5 string Bass Collections but he loves his Fender P. We played 1.5 hours but it was so chilled out I barely broke a sweat. Apologies for the terrible photo, I only took it to show off my cymbal to a mate. Rock City on the main stage as part of the Beat The Streets festival. We've done other stages at this festival a few times and it's always good, but to be back on at my favourite venue was a real treat. Awesome sound as always. A full on 30 minutes set. I had no time to warm up, broke two sticks, and had to fight through cramp, but it was a bit more exciting than the "acoustic" set. I was drenched!