KevB

The exchange rate has changed a bit since I posted 2 years ago but $400 is still about £70 each for a 4 piece band for a four hour gig. Even if it's gone up and they get $500 now that is less than £90 each. How many gigs would you have to do in the UK at that rate to be anywhere near self sustaining? Nice as a supplement to a day job salary but not a replacement for one I suspect.

Yeah, doing house band at jam sessions soon gets you over it. Handed mine to no end of people who then make it sound like it was crafted to do rather than my sausage fingered ramblings. On the other hand it's also been occasionally handed to a total novice too so it evens out eventually.

[quote name='Huge Hands' timestamp='1462977479' post='3047485'] I'm ashamed to say I had to look up who that was. The Wikipedia page states: [b][i][color=#252525][font=sans-serif]His style has been described as one that incorporates aggressive speed, technical precision, and harmonic sophistication.[/font][/color][/i][/b] [color=#252525][font=sans-serif]I think our guy only manages the first of those three....[/font][/color] [/quote] You mean he's Yngwie, then (yes you can look him up if need be)

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1462972047' post='3047413'] We play 7 of them, though on any one gig probably four. I like doing the more unusual stuff and I'm still sulking because the rest have decided to ditch "Kayleigh". [/quote] This is in the list of the band that have just taken me on. It was one of those basslines I'd always wanted to have a go at but never got round to. I probably won't do it note for note but hopefully get a good gist of it over for the punters.

I must admit I didn't audition for a busy functions band when they were looking for a new bassist after I went to see them live and they did '500 miles' all wearing comedy ginger wig/tamashanter combos. Even I draw the line somewhere.

Getting the phone call from the last band was quite amusing. The band leader (clearly saw himself as that but wouldn't admit it) didn't have the balls to call so the drummer (musically weakest link in the outfit) was given the job. At one point he said 'Its not about your playing Kev' at which I was incredibly tempted to say 'Correct, it's about yours - you're not very good' but I couldn't bring myself to do it

The truth is that these songs come up a lot because a lot of people who go to gigs like them. A few of them are always worth having in the locker for a general covers band to pull out in need of getting a crowd onside when the original set isn't quite gelling with your audience. They could rescue your gig.

Currently learning thirty odd songs for new project myself. Relatively new band but all experienced players who I've worked with before in other projects. I was originally approached as a dep for the gigs the regular bassist couldn't/wouldn't do (some genuine health issues) so they carried on booking lots of gigs. He has now quit with no notice so I have all my deps plus his original dates to cover. As it happens I've been treading water a bit recently so can do nearly all the dates, they will have to cancel this weekend's single gig (I probably wouldn't be quite ready anyway) but OK after that. I start end of May, between my first gig end of may and the end of July they have fourteen bookings Three hour rehearsal last night, went quite well.

Technically I guess I've been fired twice, though on both occasions it was a case of them phoning me before I could see them face to face to tell them I was quitting. I don't like to do that stuff by phone so if I'd simply followed the bands method then i would have quit by phone a few days before they asked me to go. Blessed relief on both occasions. The last time they still had my power amp to run the PA, then asked to borrow it one last time even though I wouldnt be playing the gig. Amp destroyed at gig by drunk spilling beer on it, band refused point blank to give me what the amp was worth second hand. Doing them a favour left me £120 out of pocket.

Next for me should be Magenta at the Citadel in St Helens on Sat all being well. Never been there before and not seen the band before either.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1462814712' post='3045923'] I've played many of these numbers in some very good bands. I think a [i]bad[/i] band is defined by [i]how[/i] they play rather than [i]what[/i] they play. [/quote] Is of course the correct answer. Bands can make a dog's dinner of obscurities just as much as the proven crowd pleasers. I've done stints in a house band for open mic/jams so I think I've played 21 of the 25. Couldn't give a toss frankly, not even slightly embarassed.

Only one foot tapper allowed on Sat mornings, the one that opens and closes Brian Matthews' programme on R2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1X_3d9e25o

Out of curiosity was there an upright setting for the Variaxe? Never got round to trying one out.

I've used the little Behringer 205D (only a 5'' speaker!) in a small band set up for monitoring both my vocals and the output from my midi pedals (ie keyboard mid range) at the same time (2 channels which can be independently adjusted) and they remain surprisingly clear at fairly low frequencies, wouldn't put a kick drum through one though. Can incorporate on a mic stand used for vox so not actually taking up any extra floor space at all. The singer in the last band didn't like the look of it but then he was a complete cock.

Ultimately I guess it's 'Because I can'. The empowerment of the day job

Routine depping gig with a band I was with for a couple of years. Though in a pub it turned out to be a birthday party so good atmosphere and an extra tenner on top of usual pub gig fee with that band. Also got to experiment with my Fender rumble 100v3. The drummer is quite loud so I was really having to drive it hard and it was overdriving a bit too much for comfort, with a quieter band I think I'd have been OK and it was a useful exercise but I'll probably be back to my TE/SWR set up next time I play a full on rock gig. The guitarist caught me out by playing one song a full tone lower than it should have been but it was easy to transpose on the fly, don't think singer band leader was too amused though

I'm planning on using my recently acquired Rumble 100 for a dep gig on Friday, though I picked it up as a practice combo. Don't think it will be a big room so I think it will do the job for not particularly loud pop/rock/indie stuff.

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1461696495' post='3036918'] Sounds like a great fun gig, though I can see why you're a bit nervous. My first band used to do 20th Century Boy. It was a terrible band, but I'd love to play that song again Good luck and let us know how it goes. [/quote] I'll probably be playing it at a dep gig on Friday. If you pop along you can do it and I'll have a pee break

Ah, that makes more sense. Someone just mentioned it at work via their social media and my first reaction was 'Thought he was dead' (mainly as Apr 14 is my birthday and it rang a bell) but the guy seemed adamant. As you were folks...

Being reported that Percy Sledge has passed away too...

No Paul, still in same place. I was actually down at the Greyhound last Sunday afternoon for the new open mic/ jam sessions to start just to show some support, I'm not currently part of the house band though.

Jon summed up my feelings in post #85 better than I could. Big talent in a small container, it had to get out somehow. RIP

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1461250770' post='3032905'] just to confuse things my plastic Fender logo is already screwed on [/quote] Now you mention it Paul, on closer inspection mine has two screws on it like yours and not like Discreet's. Has he picked up a knock off copy?

I suspect off the record many major artists guage how 'big' they are by the numbers of trib's they spawn and in how many regions of the globe.

I'll give you two quid for the one you don't like. You won't have it on your conscience and I'll have a back up when mine snaps off. Win-win