mike f

Primus -John The Fisherman

I love Cardiacs. Check out Fiery Gun Hand lower down there on the right.

Rickenbackers. Had one years ago, looked lovely, sounded great but the neck profile and the body's edge just got the better of me; it had to go. P-basses. Had a 1977 capri orange one (bought for £270) ; looked fab but had a neck like a tree trunk. And my own Thumb bass (which I still have and cannot part with). Due to the headstock being made out of lead, magnets, small stones and churches, I now have got a damaged shoulder. Have two Streamers now and all is good.

Ah, good Cud; Rich and Strange. Great song, saw them in Leeds a long time ago. Just got back from South Africa. Listening to Paul Simon's Graceland, heard it lots there; great fretless playing on there. Lots of Macca again too.

I played a gig in January and afterwards this chap in his 50s said I reminded him of Horace Panter, the way I played but mostly the way I moved and my presence on stage. Having not really listened much to The Specials except to what was in the charts when I was a kid I didn't know what to make of this. Of course I said thank you cause I certainly know who The Specials are, i.e a great band. Having now had a look and listen to The Specials I realise that it was some compliment! For me I'll always point people towards Scott Thunes, who hardly ever gets a mention here. He played with Frank Zappa. He played good.

I'd say he was groovy too. Getting Better and Baby You're a Rich Man spring to mind, and Hey Bulldog. And Come Together. And Taxman.

Prince. Is it a secret or summat that Prince is an amazing bass player?!

Rehearsed with my new Markbass Super Synth last night. Didn't have much chance to use the synth part but I can report that the Octave, er, bit, is fantastic! Any other Super Synth users out there?

[attachment=53710:DSC_0027__2_.jpg] Both from 1988. Both well played. Both bloody lovely.

Anyone know which fuzz would replicate that sound? Thanks Mike

There's also Panic in Acton. I can recommend Survival too; nice chaps running the place, lots of rooms and not too expensive.

Paul McCartney Geddy Lee JJ Burnel Flea Prince Scott Thunes JPJ Les Claypool

Nick - did you see your Ibanez make an appearance on the last show?

Towards the end of a 3 hour rehearsal it cuts out when I switch it on. The battery has been changed and this still happens. The switch becomes noisy when this occurs also. Nothing mechanically looks worn or broken, which is pretty good considering the pedal is over 10 years old.

Thank you Mr Foxen, I should add that I adore the OC-2, glitches and all. So an additional question would be; how quickly and where can I get my OC-2 fixed?

Is the OC-3 basically an OC-2 with added features? Will the OC-3 allow me to produce the same sound as the OC-2? My OC-2 appears to be on its way out and I've got a gig next week, and I don't want to risk my OC-2 failing on me halway through, and so I'm thinking about getting the OC-3. Get another OC-2 or get the OC-3? What would you people recommend?

Over 10 years ago I auditioned, in London, for a band from Richmond. I got there on time, as did the drummer and guitarist. I leant my 1973 Fender Jazz up again the bass stack which was near the door as we chatted and waited for the singer.... ...who, after a wait of about 20 minutes, pushed open the rehearsal room door dramatically with a big "Hello", marched in accidently kicking my Fender across the rehearsal room floor. That was probably the best sound we made all evening. I didn't stay with the band. Mike

Scot Thunes - Valley Girl, Zomby Woof (from The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life) Paul McCartney - Getting Better, Glass Onion, Hey Bulldog Prince - Partyup, Uptown, She's Alway in my Hair Les Claypool - John The Fisherman John Paul Jones - Ramble On Stanley Clarke - School Days Flea - Funky Crime

Did someone say fIREHOSE? Walking the Cow