police squad

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1411991231' post='2564550'] I think a solo career is in order, singing whiny dirges about how tough it is in the North East (Tongue firmly in cheek!) [/quote]

[quote name='sblueplanet' timestamp='1411990608' post='2564538'] Playing at being Sting for 7 years should be enough for anyone. [/quote] not stopping anytime soon either. I love the music of the Police, they were/are my favourite band

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1411986324' post='2564490'] Must admit it is one of the few gigs in the town that I'd do... The WM is the other option if the rates are ok I know they need to work but some methods of getting that work didn't go down well with a few agents... which seems to be shooting yourself in the foot for the sake of a commission fee.... Seeing the gigs your other band got in the summer..there really isn't a contest and you don't need to be playing pubs when there are better gigs for the Tribute market. IMO. [/quote] yep you're right. But I've actually handed in my notice today anyway. I'll honour the 3 last gigs and then that's it

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1411984937' post='2564478'] Don't work a band with a specialist act in any old pub. You can't get the rate and so you become another pub band. That is ok if that is what you want to do but it doesn't help sell tickets for an act that could get better gigs. You know the market and the type of gigs on offer for that sort of tribute act... and the other guys are into taking anything that turns over a fee. Considering that Sting polarises people, you don't need divey pubs or audiences.. which matters not a jot to others in bands who just want to get paid. Which pub..? [/quote] Yes JTUK you're right but this band has always been Tim's 'other' band when the Heroes singer was on holiday. A way for Tim to continue to earn money without busting his a*se. I've never had a problem with that and we've built up a reasonable following over 7 years. But his other band do get all the prime dates and plenty of Butlin's weekend gigs which, to be fair, he could have brought the police too but the politics didn't seem to allow it. The pub is The George. The guy eventually got asked to leave by the (off duty) bouncer chap, who is a lovely guy and apologised to me for the trouble but it was too late when he realised that there was a problem. The idiot in question was behaving like he was on coke. He imposed himself on me in the break too. I was fine till I thought he was going to get violent. As is usual when this happens there seems to be very little help available to the band and the band normally have to deal with the sh*t themselves. It's a shame because Aftershock had trouble with a drunk woman falling all over the gear a couple of weeks earlier. It seems the landlord/lady aren't keeping their eye on the people in there. It's a shame because I used to really love playing in there

[quote name='bonzodog' timestamp='1411971569' post='2564334'] In an ideal world we would all play on nice stages in front of friendly crowds but simple fact is if you play pubs you have to accept there will be some idiots. Last saturday i had the opposite where some bloke thought i was wonderful and played air guitar about two inches from me most of the night. Regularly bumping into my mic stand causing the mic to keep smacking me in the mouth. I would rather be called a w****r any day [/quote] My biggest worry was the bloke was going to get violent. That was the problem, I've been called a w*nker at gigs before. I have no problem wrapping my bass round his head but I'm the one that would get done for assault. This was just a normal pub gig.

lol at Chris.

some excellent responses here. Thanks for your input, but I must say this about it all. When I got upset at the gig it was to do with the gig, not the band. I have never chucked my toys out of the pram before. I am not a diva or an arsehole. I turn up with a full PA system and mic everyone up. I put my all into every show. I do a lot of gigs and always fit everybody in when I can. We still have 3 gigs this year.I haven't actually left but should I do these remaining gigs. I think I should

Hey chaps, I've seen one of my Police tributes is advertising for a new Sting. Admittedly I threw my toys out of the pram at a recent gig. Dickhead in the audience started calling me a w*nker at the top of his voice. It was near the end in the last song, so I just told the audience he was calling me this and stopped. Didn't finish the song or introducing the band. Next day or so another gig came through but I rejected it telling the guitarist that I'm not playing there anymore and in fact don't book any gigs. I need some time off. The guitarist gigs for a living and I generally am very flexible about playing. I like to help and I hate letting people down. But for some time I've not been enjoying the Police gigs in the pubs. There isn't really the audience for it. We only gig when the guitarists main band doesn't, so it's not like we get the pick of the gigs. I've done it for just over 7 years and to be honest, I don't want to do it anymore, But should he have told me?

yep, I'm not changing anything other than, maybe, a Gibson TRC and a new set of strings

people want white. simples

[quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1411726700' post='2562276'] I had one and sold it becuase of the neck dive. I was so disapointed because I think the white one is the coolest looking bass ever but it was just impossible to play. [/quote] Have you tried the latest version. The Pro IV classic. I've heard that they do balance properly, mine does

[quote name='gafbass02' timestamp='1411714604' post='2562087'] Placebo, I know he plays white, but I've owned white before and silver looks so cool and would still fit [/quote] nice

agreed they do need to be lower (ish). I just need to hold the old beer belly in a little bit more (which I do all the time lol)

I remember an interview with Brian saying that he would like to retire soon as he's the eldest member. 10 years older than Angus I think. I wish them well with the new album and with Malcolm's nephew on the guitar. I'll be buying the new album when it's out

when the cons outweigh the pros, it really is time to have a rethink. I did this just over 5 1/2 years ago with the band I'd been in for 8 years. The guitarist has been a great friend of mine for over 20 years and I used to work for the Bass player in his music shop. I really couldn't stand the roadie idiot that drove the van. He was there every gig being a complete tw*t, thinking he's important etc. I couldn't really get anything in the set that I thought would be good so in the end I gave them 3 months notice. I have since depped with them (on vocals) a number of times and am singing with them this Saturday. My point here, is that it's time for you to move on. You may, at some point, find yourself playing together in the future but at the present time, that isn't important. Try something new that fits in better with your current situation

[quote name='hamfist' timestamp='1411630771' post='2561251'] I think those white ones look magnificent ! Unfortunately, I think I'm just starting to get too old to pull off he look on stage with a thunderbird myself. [/quote] no you're not. Doesn't matter how old you are. If you could pull it off when you were 25 you can do it at 60. It's a state of mind. Go for it!!!

what's it a tribute to Gafbass?

[quote name='pfretrock' timestamp='1411548924' post='2560484'] I think where the upper horn should be, which Leo put there for a reason I take it yours is back of the neck/heel? [/quote] yes it's on the back of the neck/heel

black pickguard? Has no one suggested tortoiseshell lol. Slung low yes, very quireboys. Gibson do paint over mahogany don't they. There are black and white Tbirds. Where did the strap button used to be then?

Just a quick update. This has perfect balance. People say Tbirds have terrible neck dive but not on this. Any more love out there

I've always wanted a Thunderbird bass. Finally Epiphone have made one much more akin to its Gibson sibling. I found this one on ebay for BIN of £300 including genuine Epi hard case. I also have an Epi Jack Casady bass which is also excellent quality so I thought I'd have to check this Tbird out. It is immaculate and plays really well. Not sure when I'll get to gig it as it's not really a 'Police' bass. Comes with Gibson USA pickups and according to the web, 7 ply walnut/maple thru neck with mahogany wings. Although I've seen a review of a sunburst one, online, and it was 9 ply. Did a deal for £270 inc case. I'm happy with that. Anyone else got one of these?

[quote name='chrismuzz' timestamp='1411382224' post='2558876'] His only priority is the band. He doesn't have anything else in his life really. I'd be surprised if he didn't break up with his girlfriend if he finds out she's caused my early departure! [/quote] I would still tell them and walk away. You have done nothing wrong here. You said that you would probably enjoy the gigs now you've handed your notice in, (I remember doing the same 5 years ago and I really enjoyed the last few gigs because we were parting as friends) and unfortunately this trouble has happened and will only end up as resentment, agro and all that sh*t.

Chris, I would tell the band and the singer that his G/F is dishing out abuse over the internet. This is internet bullying. You must tell them now and walk away. The band members who are your friends will understand. Somehow I don't think the singer is your friend. Good luck

yes it was Lee. He sold my brother a pink Jackson, when he worked in Rockbottom in Croydon in the early 90s. I'd just bought a USA reissue 62 P bass from soho and then we went to rockbottom and he asked for a go on my new bass. It was amazing to watch him slap. He just flipped it over and bang. Great player and a really nice guy