JamieMillsBass

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1408013899' post='2526233'] I am not so aure (although I am not discagreeing per se). When I taught (late 1980s/early 90s), it seemed that everyone could play Teen Town or some BIlle Sheehan/Stu Hamm/Flea stuff and so thought they had it all nailed. When you introduced them to the concept of 'music' that wasn't based on acrobatics, they got the 'ump (I didn't actually use those words). I think tere was an element of the 'wow' factor around then, certainly. It may have waiend now but I still hear young kids talking Wooten and the other whizz bang circus freaks. [/quote] Actually, thinking about it, I was absolutely 100% one of those annoying kids you are talking about (In the early 00's rather than 90's) so maybe I'm wrong!

Good timing for me that you brought this up. A friend of mine is about to open a music school locally and has asked me to teach bass, so I'd be interested to hear everyone's experiences. I've never taught before, nor do I think I'm truely qualified to teach, but he's keen to have me involved so it will be learning experience for me. As part of his business plan he ran a serve on 100 kids and 100 parents each in various areas of our (relatively small) town. Bass came out bottom of the %'s of instrument anyone wanted to learn (interestingly it was mostly girls who wanted to learn bass). I think this is probably because up against the battle that it's not an immediate 'wow' instrument. A young kid picks up a guitar and plays the intro to 'Sweet child of mine' and his parents beam with pride and tell everyone he's gonna be the best guitarist ever. He picks up the bass, and plays the bass line, un-accompanied by the music, and 99% don't even recognise where it is from. It's not until you get to the advanced levels of playing bass that you can play something un-accompanied to someone and they are genuinely impressed. So for this reason, I think the number of bass students is inherently lower. This can be a good thing though, because you can be fairly sure that anyone who really wants to play bass isn't in it for the 'wow' factor. Therefore they might a) stick at it longer and not get frustrated when they can't play Victor Wooten after their 3rd lesson. I'd much rather teach three dedicated and enthusiastic students than 33 that have no real interest.

[quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1406886571' post='2515563'] Hi, I haven't played that one but I have had SGR guitars and a Stiletto Custom bass. My experience is that Schecter quality control is high, even on their low cost guitars. As the "Hellraisers" are at the top of their range it should be a great guitar. If you like EMG's go for it. You will get a lot of bass for your money. Alternatively let me know as I may be interested in a trade as I'd love to try one. [/quote] Thanks man, much appreciated.

I'm guessing not too many have played one then? lol

[quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1406804440' post='2514824']Yes I would be extremely pissed if I'd spent years studying music to then not get a gig over a 'bedroom player' but in the creative industry it doesnt matter in the slightest what degree you have or where and what you've studied because at the end of the day the art you produce is all that matters. You are only as good as your last performance.[/quote] But when a band is looking for a logo or artwork, they are generally not looking for a peice of paper with the logo drawn on. They are looking for it in different forms, rendered, unrendered, optimised/scaled for printing on CDs, T-Shirts etc etc, etc etc etc So although I agree with you that it doesn't matter what degree you have in terms of the quality of the actual design or the artwork, it is a combination of the time taken to get the design right and the skills required for the above that you are paying for, not just the design. If someone is willing to do that for free becuase they are trying to build a portfolio or something like that then fair enough, but sometimes bands either expect all of the above to be free or are unhappy when they get a good design for free but it looks like sh*t when printed because its not been set up correctly. I think the best option for bands with little/no money is to look for graphic designers who want to build their portfolio and are willing to do all of the above for cheap/free.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1406743586' post='2514346'] Fair point, but that could be because building a wall or doing a bit of plumbing involves physical work and materials whereas there's all sorts of stuff people can do at home with a PC for little more than a bit of their time. I can understand that some people are annoyed with being asked for a favour but there are also more generous types who enjoy helping out when they can. No harm in asking. [b]What I can't understand is why some people moan about such things. If they don't want to get out of bed without being paid for it then fair enough, but live and let live eh?[/b] [/quote] I can understand their veiw-point though. Let's put it into context that works for everyone here. You've studied music for years at University, can sight read, really know your stuff. So you start advertising for work, but can't get any because all the gigs are going to bedroom players who are offering the work for free (as they have a 9-5 job and can afford to). Would be pretty frustrating, no? No the difference is, this would probably rarely happen, because any band/gig worth it's salt will realise that you, having been to university, having studied and mastered the skills required to be a session musician, they'll pay the money and take you over the bedroom dude (that's not to say he wouldn't be capable). But with graphic design, logo's etc the free guy always seems to get the gig. I don't have an issue with people offering to do work for free, or bands asking for it, I just find it strange that it happens so often with that particular industry. I suppose it's something people going into it just have to deal with.

Haven't read through this thread but I'm guessin Maxwell Murder has had a few mentions. Also like Journey to the end of the east bay by them, it's not as mental but its a cool little line. Maybe not quite punk (in terms of the song style) but 'I Choose' by the Offspring has a nice little line in it too.

I can only really speak for originals bands, but hands down, nothing beats meeting people face to face if possible. The guys that do bookings for regular gigs in pubs/clubs get hundreds of e-mails a week from bands with a link to their facebook who are looking for a gig. Any time I have made the effort to meet a promotor (and it doesn't even have to be a specifically arranged meeting, go to one of their gigs) we have got a gig out of it eventually.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1406722422' post='2514057'] Possibly because you don't have to work in a 'creative industry' to be creative? You also don't need to be a 'professional' to be good at something, though ’professionals' will frequently dispute that of course [/quote] It's a fair point you make, but it seems like the only industry where it really happens. If you wanted a small wall in your garden built, you wouldn't need a professional builder, just someone who can build a wall. It would be a reletavely small bit of work, but I doubt anyone would ask someone to come along and build it for free (lets say you are providing all the materials for building said wall, so that doesn't come into it)? But, as the OP says, if you don't ask you don't get!

[quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1406714793' post='2513962'] I didnt for a moment expect anyone to do it for free, [b]but if you don't ask, you'll never know[/b]!! Edit: We got our logo sorted anyway... [/quote] Fair point!

This isn't a dig at the OP (I've asked the same question as he has of people in the past), but why do people automatically assume that it's OK to ask for work in the 'creative industries' to be done for free? Again, not a dig at the OP, just thought it might start a discussion.

I'd go with the Euro personally, but then, I have a Euro so I'm probably a bit biased!

Been looking for a 5er to set up in an alternate tuning (my Euro 5 is in standard and I use it for another project) for one of the metal bands I play in and been offered one of these at a decent price. Anyone have any experience? Good/Bad? Certainly looks nice to my eyes anyway.

[quote name='gadgie' timestamp='1402292862' post='2471670'] That's interesting and makes a bit of sense. I contacted Mark about a PJB Cub combo. He came back saying he had a double 4 and also listed a few others that might be portable/sound good etc which was what I was looking for. One of the suggestions was a TC250 208. When I emailed back asking for a bit more details. He seemed to be pushing me towards the TC and not the PJB combo. Saying something like 'you would be better with the 208' for words to that effect. At the time I thought it was sales talk as he might have wanted to get rid of the TC combo, but maybe he was just giving me good advice.... [/quote] Funny a long time back I rang to buy a Mark Bass amp head and cab (was looking something lightweight) and he talked me into a Genz Benz Shuttle 9.0 (which I am very happy with) as it would be 'more suited to the heavy stuff' I was playing at the time. Fair enough, although not long after I bought the Genz Benz, they discontinued the Shuttle 9.0 shortly and I did wonder if he was trying to get rid of stock before then. However, I have to say I was chuffed with the Benz, and still am, so can't complain and I'll be back at some point for some more stuff. Can't complain really.

After a bit of a hiatus mainly caused by me moving to a different country and the birth of my beautiful daughter, my band 'Apache Gunship' decided to head into the studio and record a few of the tracks we have written. 'After' is the first of a few over the coming months. Thoughts, criticisms, abuse are very welcome. [url="http://apachegunship.bandcamp.com/track/after"]http://apachegunship.bandcamp.com/track/after[/url] There's also another older track 'Unleash' up there that you can have a listen to. If you like, join us on FB, twitter etc [url="http://www.facebook.com/apachegunship"]http://www.facebook.com/apachegunship[/url] @apachegunshipni Enjoy (or if not, let me know why!)

Where abouts you guys based?

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1351089898' post='1847199'] I think the pictures can be open to any genre, it's just what you make of it. In all honesty, with out a brief it could be anything................ Fiddles and Banjo's, and you have a Rodeo impression...... Garry [/quote] Well yeh this is true it can be adapted to any genre, but when I saw this months picture Pantera 'Domination' immediately started playing in my head! So I figured, this should suit me Just haven't had a chance to get anything laid down.

The one month were the picture really suits my influences (metal mainly) and I haven't had a chance to get anything recorded! ah well!! Looking forward to hearing all the entrys, gonna wait to listen to them all one by one.

Hi, I'm moving to Bristol in the coming months and am looking to join/start up a band once I get over there. I'm into a wide variety of stuff, ideally I'd like to be in a thrash based band but incorporating elements of ambient, doom and stoner metal, progressive without being djent like everyone else seems to want to be these days. But if thats not possible I'm up for most things as long as its heavy (and not punk) I'm a fairly advanced player with Influences including thrashy stuff like old Metallica, Megadeth, Testament, Sylosis etc, Doomy/atmospheric stuff like Sabbath, Baroness, Isis and groovy stuff like Pantera. You can see some of my playing here; [url="http://www.youtube.com/jamiemillsbass"]http://www.youtube.com/jamiemillsbass[/url] and hear a track I recorded for the September composition competition on here; [url="http://soundcloud.com/jamiemillsbass/summergonesour"]http://soundcloud.com/jamiemillsbass/summergonesour[/url] If you might be interested at all, shoot me an e-mail at [email="[email protected]"][email protected][/email]

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1348441783' post='1813778'] Wow. Super smooth tone and great playing - I wish I had your skills! I like how it builds momentum from start to finish; very natural and the change around 2 minutes is great. Mix sounds fine on my headphones.[/quote] Thanks mate, enjoyed doing this, Looking forward to seeing the next picture and giving it another bash!

Heres mine. Gave up on the mixing completely because I'm useless at it. When I first looked at the pic I thought it looked nice, then when I looked again I thought there was a bit of a sinister thing to it, as if something really bad is about to happen, so I tried to get this into the tune. It's all bass, no guitars at all and the wee solo bits at the start were all improvised. I'm not really totally happy with the layout but it's all I could do in the time, anyways, enjoy!! [url="http://soundcloud.com/jamiemillsbass/summergonesour"]http://soundcloud.com/jamiemillsbass/summergonesour[/url]

Hopefully get mine mixed tomorrow, I say that as if I'm actually any use whatsoever at mixing. ha

I'm up for this! Will give me some motivation to actually finish off some of my compositions for a change instead of moving onto another one! Got a few ideas that might fit, time to get recording!

So overall it seems that there is a decent enough wee scene then? Anyone happen to know of a drummer, guitarist (or two) and singer looking for a band?? lol