Bassmonkey

I'm going - Its about 10 mins from my house.....

Oh and we prefer no break. Gives the audience an opportunity to try elsewhere and to be honest, once we've humped the gear in, set up and soundchecked - I would happily play as long as wanted. That's why we do it afterall so a pointless 15/20 minute break after the first set is a waste of time to us PLUS allows the drummer to cool down too much. He likes being "in the zone" as it were....

Most of the pubs we play want us on at around 9-9.30 then finish 11.30ish. There are one or two with curfews on noise at 11 due to neighbours but 11.30ish seems like the norm

This resonates with me as we are a covers band playing in pubs. We have had the same experiences as described here - few people in the audience, payed off before the end due to lack of punters (both paid and offered half fee). Has thankfully only happened a very few times in over 100 gigs but still isn't good. We have therefore taken the decision to do less gigs in new venues either in or away from our usual patch and more in places/areas we know we are gonna attract regular audiences as well as more parties/weddings etc. This has worked well for us but means of course that we have to vary the set more regularly as well as trying to engage the audience more in order to try and stand out amongst the plethora of Sex on fire playing cover bands. Part of the issue in my opinion is that (for many of the reasons already mentioned here) many pubs are struggling and therefore try anything to attract punters including putting bands on. This of course does not always work for their clientele. This also has given rise to the huge numbers of pubs arranging a "charity fundraising music festival" where bands are offered the oportunity to play for free while a few quid is raised but the landlords make a packet. Er.....no thanks.

I use the Senheisser Freeport. Had it 5 years. Never a problem. Andy

As some of the guys here have already said, it's something you may be able to control by having a go yourself. I did exacty that. Tired of singers and their sometimes unusual behaviours I started off doing backing vocals then tried a couple myself - it takes a while but soon learned to play and sing together and now front my band. Also - one less mouth to feed when it comes to payment time. Might be worth a go (assuming of course that you can hold a note) Good luck buddy

Always love it when they say stuff like "scratches do not affect playing at all" How deep would they actually have to be to affect the playing? It's up there with " I don't know anything about basses....."

Bong and a blitz?

We try and play crowd pleasers (indie type anthems) and without doubt, the most impact is when we play the following in order of popularity: 500 Miles - YES I KNOW - hate it but it goes down a storm Common People Sex on fire (see 500 Miles for response) Mr Brightside - if we could play this 20 times in a row the dancefloor would remain full - works a treat Andy

[attachment=112136:Cardinals_Poster.gif]Here's ours......

Agree on The Wardrobe. They're both similar venues in terms of vibe and clientele but The Wardrobe is bigger. Always good in the adjoining bar above where musos from Leeds College of Music turn up and jam regulary. Check out Kenny Higgins a genius bassist often in there (You Tube him if you want convincing) Andy

Once auditioned a percussionist who approached us at a gig and offered his services. Seemed like a good guys and our funk band could use one. Sent him a tape of the set and arranged a rehearsal. He then turned up at rehearsal with TONS of gear, congas, timbales, racks of bells and bongos plus gongs and other [email="cr@p"]cr@p[/email]. After about an hour to set up we started to play. All I can describe is a cacophony similar to the sound of a drumkit rolling down a flight of concrete steps. After a few mins of horrified looks between the band, we tried to suggest bits he could play - no good, eventually we called a halt to the horror, helped him pack down and in to his van and wished him the best. Think his mum must have bought him the gear, still wonder what became of that lad?

I've played there a few times. is a great little club. Is downstairs though so in and out is a bit of a pain. Not terrible though. Stage is quite small, just a couple of steps up. You will be a bit cosy but should fit. Has a bit of a jazz/latino/soul reputation. Def worth a gig. Enjoy buddy

There were loads of Ricky's the other night, Simenon, Foxton, Undertones plus a few Ps. Those crazy kids !

Ricky for me

Ive got one in a Rivoli case. Dont wanna sell but happy to measure etc if that helps? Cheers Andy

Yeah noticed that today. Grant or not it's pretty. Were I closer than 200 miles away I'd have a punt for £30

Start American Idiot. Wakes em up. Finish Mr Brightside - usually 100% audience up by then. Encore usually ends with Fight for the right. Cue instant need for a laydown and some strepsils as I am the singer too......

Playing in the 80's, got to a point in the song where we dropped out and kept the percussion playing, I foolishly start to do a "let me see some hands..." type overhead handclap. Bass falls off its strap and smashes on to the floor. Cue the whole club and band pissing themselves laughing. SHAME!!!! next day - bought my first set of strap locks

Started in 1982 with an ENORMOUS Custom Sound Combo - like a wardrobe then - Custom Sound 150W head with 1 x 15 cab (smaller) Marshall DB4500 head, 1x15 and 4x10 cabs (bigger) Ampeg SVT450 head plus 4x10 cab, then 2 x 4x10 cabs finally 1 x 8x10 monster (BIGGEST) Ampeg B100r (smaller) Ampeg B200r (bit bigger) Orange 500W Bass Terror and 2x12 cab (SMALLEST EVER) Hopefully that's the last one for me now. Satisfied (for now at least........)

Get another ska jazz then lad!