NoRhino

Good idea. I did once use scissors to cut a handful of those metallic foil streamers that some clubs like to hang on the back wall.

Tiny stage at a holiday camp. Black curtain at rear of the stage. I always move these to the side of my amp to make sure the fan is never blocked. 20 minutes into set 1 and the bass cuts out - don't panic, turn round to see said curtain covering fan at the rear of my amp. Can only assume the drummer's elbow perhaps moved the curtain back to its original position. I assured the band that a ten minute rest to let the amp cool down will see us back in business. Experience is a great thing to have in tricky situations eh?

Anyone got gigs there Saturday or Sunday?

Our first time at a holiday/caravan park in South Scotland. Planned three sets. I was apprehensive about a Blues covers band playing to a holiday camp audience but it turned out well. We did have a couple of very young children running about the floor like every wedding ever but they were fine. The crowd who were seated really appreciated what we did and clapped and sang along when prompted. At the end of the first set one chap approached me and said (You need to effect a whiney ned/chav voice here) "Haw mate, whit dae yeis play? I like yer songs but whit Rock dae ye play? Dae ye play any Coldplay?" "I'm sorry, we don't." "Whit dae ye play?" "Did you like that hour we just played?" "Aye it was great" "Well, we've got two more hours of stuff like that" "Dae you know any Floyd?" "Sorry, no." "Whit aboot Roger Watters then?" Despite his in your face approch he was dancing enthusiastically all night but he might have been supported by odd substances. On the plus side we've been re-booked and offered a slot at an all day festival sometime later in the year. One the down side one of my car's tyres shredded to bits on the drive home the next day but the AA and Kwik Fit had me back on the road inside two hours.

Received a message yesterday to say he's changed his mind and doesn't want to play covers. OK. No probs. Thanks for letting us know early on. All the best etc etc. Back to the search.

We auditioned candidate no. 2 last evening. He turned up on time. He had prepared the songs we'd asked him to learn. He's a decent singer and a good harmonica player. Funnily enough he seemed to enjoy letting loose on a song we'd given him that he hadn't heard before. He's a personable guy. We've invited him back. This looks promising.

First candidate was, in our agreed opinion, out of his depth. Came along with his own new mic and a chart telling him which harmonica to use for which key. It was wrong and I tried to point that out to him nicely. He could fit in with a big band crooner scenario but his rhythm and timing wasn't up to the mark. He saw our band as an opportunity to get into a scene and meet new people. Best quote of the hour was "My singing teacher can't teach me any more" A reasonable guy and we thanked him for coming. Looking forward to next week when we see candidate #2

Thanks to everyone for your input so far. Really interesting. Tonight's chap has a track record of singing professionally in a different genre but likes our style and thinks he'll be able to fit. We haven't met him in person. He has a better PA than we currently own. Next week's chap is very laid back and looks like he'd be a good focal point fronting a band. He knows the style inside out. He doesn't have any equipment to bring to the table. We met him for coffee last week. Those aren't deal breakers but add interest to the choice to be made. I was the new man auditioning for this band 5 years ago so I want to make it relaxed for our two possibles.

Of course. Nothing worse than a vocal out Of the singer's range. Good point though.

Tonight and next Wednesday we are auditioning two people to fill an upcoming vacancy of lead singer. The band is well established and tightly rehearsed from years of regular live work. I'm interested in your opinions on what will make these auditions go well, make the auditionees feel at ease and help us choose the right person in the end, The auditions will be in a studio and we've sent each a set list in advance plus links to live performances on tubeface. Thanks

I play 4/4 on F notes ascending from 1st to the dusty end. Then I get a thumbs up from the SE. At a festival recently I did that and asked how many bass player launch into a slap frenzy during their sound check. "Every effing one of them" he smiled.

I read this post and bought one of these from Amazon. Have to agree that it's perfectly comfortable and with a long sleeved shirt doesn't look cheesy at all. My next gig is a full on Black T affair so it can be as cheesy as can be and no-one will notice.

No. The adverts definitely give that impression though. There are 3 marquees with one dedicated to reggae. Friday evening has rock and 1970s rock bands. Saturday is a mix of bands. My lot...Used Blues is playing on Saturday evening followed by a cracking rock band called Slyder. Met them last year and enjoyed their set. There will be acoustic players too plus a young musician competition If you live nearby it's definitely worth investigating.

Are any Bass Chatters playing at StaffsFest this weekend?

Are you a lefty who plays conventionally? I don't wear a watch these days but always wore it on my right wrist which is a bit anti establishment. Back to the topic of hats... I don't wear one at gigs but suddenly feel the urge to don a handsome black trilby for Saturday's gig.

Been mulling this over and think that DIY is indeed the best option. That we only have ourselves to blame. And at least I'll answer my own phone calls Thanks for your input as always.

Tribute band covers. Band established 8 years ago and we're looking to play better venues like town halls and small theatres. Festival gigs work well for us with a promoter but moving to indoor venues isn't working as we'd hoped. Promoter pays for hall and makes money from bar sales. Band hires PA and makes money from ticket sales. Is that normal practice?

I'll post this as two open ended questions... What should a band expect a promoter to do for them? What should a promoter expect a band to do for them? I don't have an axe to grind. We've only recently started working with promoters so it's a new experience.

No howls of outrage from me. That's exactly what I did. Makes no difference to sound. Plus the brakes are handy when playing on a stage with an obvious rake. I think that's the technical term for a severe slope.

Eleven

Spending my weekend in Sheffield at this. http://www.hrhblues.com/

At the very least you should offer to pay half the cost of fuel used on the whole trip. There and back.

Sorry casapete: I'm a slow reader. We were at the Glasgow show. Brilliant as always. John Conte is an immaculate bass player. I saw Little Steven a couple of years ago. Another great show, Not sure if I'll go again, although my all things New Jersey loving wife might decide otherwise.

Which act has the most bands playing 'tribute' to it? I did a quick count of Quo bands today and reckon there are at least 20 in the British Isles.

Several years ago I tired to book us into this very venue only to give up after one visit and three phone calls to a junior under lakky. Total waste of space. Bands pay a fee for the venue and PA but need to cover the door themselves to collect tickets and cash. Best avoided and we didn't try again. The tech set up isn't high end as others have suggested any band member could have coped in the OP's situation. This situation seems to be more than an emoyee failing to turn up for work.