rushbo

Great bassline, but man, what a voice Karen Carpenter had. Goosebumps.

What seems like a lifetime ago, I played in a classic rock covers band whose USP was that the singer did the whole set as Vegas-era Elvis. He was great - karate moves, jumpsuits, corny patter - he had the lot. After a well received gig, somewhere in the Black Country, I was "enjoying" a post-performance pee, when a drooling drunk crashed in and attempted to use the urinal next to me. He squinted at me, through bleary eyes and said, "mate, you're the best singer I've ever heard!" Unless he was referring to my handful of backing vocals, thrown hopefully in the direction of a mic during the gig, it seems our friend had mistaken a chap with a soul patch and a tatty, black CBGB's tee-shirt, for The King of Rock and Roll. He offered me a moist and tattooed hand to shake. I politely declined.

I'm jealous! I'm a huge Game Theory/Loud Family/Scott Miller fan and I got into his work through that connection. His "Natural Causes" album is a bit of a desert island disc for me. "Kenny vs Thrust" ain't too bad, neither!

He’s consistently ace. There’s some fantastic stuff on this record.

PopMatters aggregated all the votes into one chart - sadly, none of my picks made the top sixty. Bah humbug. I did get Rush ("Permanent Waves") and The Replacements (Pleased To Meet Me") in the top twenty reissues, tho... If you want to read my grammatically dubious reviews just click these links. They're not all for PM, a couple are for a brilliant blog ("I Don't Hear a Single") that I sometimes write for: Jayhawks: https://hearasingle.blogspot.com/search/label/The Jayhawks Kevin Godley: https://hearasingle.blogspot.com/2020/12/kevin-godley-muscle-memory-review-by.html Spygenius: https://hearasingle.blogspot.com/search/label/Spygenius Anton Barbeau (interview): https://hearasingle.blogspot.com/search/label/Anton Barbeau Erik Hall (interview): https://www.popmatters.com/erik-hall-2020-interview-2645676528.html Captain Wilberforce (interview): https://hearasingle.blogspot.com/2020/06/ian-rushbury-interviews-captain.html Dream Syndicate: https://www.popmatters.com/dream-syndicate-universe-inside-review-2646053104.html Ben Watt: https://www.popmatters.com/ben-watt-storm-damage-2645142789.html Bob Mould: https://www.popmatters.com/bob-mould-blue-hearts-review-2648108963.html Squirrel Flower: https://www.popmatters.com/squirrel-flower-was-born-swimming-2645362480.html

I had to list my top ten albums for PopMatters- an online music magazine I write for. I don't think it was a vintage year for music -no surprise there- but there were some fantastic records released. 1. Jayhawks XOXO 2. Kevin Godley: Muscle Memory 3. Captain Wilberforce: When the Dust Just Won’t Settle 4. Dream Syndicate: The Universe Inside 5. Ben Watt: Storm Damage 6. Anton Barbeau: Manbird 7. Bob Mould: Blue Hearts 8. Erik Hall: Music for 18 Musicians 9. Squirrel Flower: I was Born Swimming 10. Spygenius: Man on the Sea

I’ve used a Gear for Music case for about two years. They’re really robust and do the job for a very sensible price. The only drawback is that they don’t sit very comfortably on the shoulder, but if you use the handle, they work well.

I love the idea of a five-string, but I just don't get on with them. I've had three to date - all really lovely, playable instruments, but I just didn't bond with any of them. Maybe it's my dainty little hands or my inability to grasp the (not so) radical geography of a fiver that's holding me back. I played in blues bands for years and having the ability to play something in the key of 'E' without having to resort to open strings, would have been a boon. I tried. I couldn't. I think they're a brilliant tool to have in the box, and if you're covering keyboard lines faithfully, they're invaluable. In short: Do you need one? No. Are they useful? Very. Do I wish I could get to grips with one? Yup.

It ain't Christmas until I've heard this: Somewhere on the interwebs is a video of me, desperately trying to keep up with Tracy Wormworths brilliant bass line...

Happy days. Queen were the first band I ever got into, after a mate brought a copy of the "Night at the Opera" LP into school, sometime in 1976. This film got fairly regular showings at our local fleapit, often twinned with "The Wall" or "The Song Remains the Same." It was great to see it on the big screen, in all it's grainy grandeur.

There are a few more tasty examples on a previous thread: Here's my current, go-to bitsa.

They're here! The ancient postman gingerly dismounted his Penny Farthing and placed the battered envelope into my trembling, expectant hands, just this morning. Early signs are good. They're certainly a snug fit. Have we made all the KY Jelly jokes yet? Oh, OK. They clash beautifully with my fiesta red bass and wine red strap.

BassChat - second class!? I won't hear a word of it!!

Still no straplocks in the Black Country... did somebody shoot the carrier pigeon?

I haven't had mine yet (sobbing)