stewblack

I was depping in four piece last night. The set was fairly standard, apart from a couple of originals which were straightforward enough. The guitarist started 'Ironic' with what sounded like some unusual flourishes and as I joined in (on a song I've never played before btw) it was clear we had a difference of opinion vis-à-vis the key, chord sequence, general song structure - you get the picture. When we had staggered thorough to a shambling conclusion the singer expressed her surprise at the racket going on behind her for the preceding few minutes. As I pointed out that it might be helpful in future to let a dep know if you play a song in a different key or play fast and loose with it's structure, she protested that they did play it in the original key. The guitarist, throughout this exchange, appeared to have become fascinated with a small part of the ceiling off to his right. His awkward, embarrassed look told me he'd never bothered to learn the song and was simply busking his best interpretation. Not a scintillating anecdote I admit. However it got me thinking, those of you who do a lot of stand-in work must have some tales. Why not share them here?

Not the Saturday night I anticipated. One of my regular bands has become sniffy about slumming it in low paid pub gigs so I'm rethinking my strategy. Playing is my only source of income so I can't afford to be so choosy. Last night they had pulled out because the singer was sniffy in a more literal way, another bad case of vocalists throat put her off the team sheet so I cast about for a bassless band to fill in at very short notice. The pub we ended up in could have been called the Sandpaper, The Stormy Sea, or the First Draft - in a word it was rough. All day drinkers in a forgotten backwater of a grim city, not many of them and all of them with a distinctly under evolved nature. But we played, we got paid, I earned money I wouldn't have otherwise seen, and although I couldn't actually decipher what was being said, the little knot of tokers standing around my car as I loaded up at the end of the night seemed to be very positive. It's all well and good playing once a month for 200 quid each but playing twice a week for 60 earns me a lot more. Case closed.

A gentleman never tells...

Ah well there we differ. I'll take any work I can get as I approach my 70s. I feel the clock ticking...

You are realistic and very wise. I would drop bands without a second thought when I was younger. Now I hang on to as many as I can

A golden weekend for me - by which I mean a 4 gig weekend. Thursday - Bandeoke residency in Bristol, Friday - originals band first time in a very nice boozer only 10 minutes down the road from me, last night - soul band in a favourite pub in Shrivenham, and later today another Bandeoke residency in Warminster. Just been woken by a very excited 4 year old hunting Easter eggs. The joys of grandparenthood!

Welcome. Welcome to the wonderful world of Harley happiness. It's not Stingray or Precision or Jazz - it's the Harley!

Speaking as a person who has been asked back by bands I flounced from, and by band members who flounced from me, it can work just fine. We all change, circumstances change, and at the end of the day it's just music.

Thoroughly enjoyed this thank you for sharing

When Affordaboard reduced these already inexpensive pedals to twenty quid, how could I say no? How does it sound? Dunno. But it looks cool!

Yum yum. Some real juicy pedals here 🤤

Daryl, you are an absolute inspiration to me. I too value the work I've put in over many decades and the money I've invested and I don't work without I get paid. Not only are you living proof that age doesn't have to stop us working but you're so damn cool as well

Weekly Bandeoke residency last night. First use of my HB short scale. It sounded amazing I have to say. Probably a lot to do with the incredible sound I've found through the Source Audio Ultrawave to be fair

Oh no. This is terrible news.

Just looked these up. Bax has them for 60 quid but claims they should be 300. Can this be right?

I live in north east Somerset and used to gig with a Portsmouth based band. If the music and the people are right the distance doesn't matter.

Lovely. I do like a bit of droneage