steantval

On Sunday night Simon Cowell proved he is the biggest PRICK in the world by keeping those Dickhead Twins in the show. By voting them out it would also have left the other Dickhead (L Walsh) on the show with nothing to do. The show is totally fixed (who checks the votes) and loses what little credability it had. It's all about his money and ratings, the contestants are merely pawns in his game. Lets hope smarmy Cowell has another go in the reasonably priced car on Top Gear and some f*cker cuts the brake pipes, that's what I call reality TV.

I just love mine it's perfectly balanced and plays like a dream. I currently have to play an SG bass every gig for our Free tribute act, it's pretty awful to play and totally unbalanced but it looks correct and makes the right sounds for the material we are doing. Sadly the Musicman just sits in its case but I will never get rid of it. [attachment=35083:P3210008.JPG]

Our drummer Mr Jeff Rich has secured us a gig at High Barn in Great Bardfield and looking at the website the venue looks superb. Has anyone out there had any experiences of playing at the venue?

I had a bad experience on Saturday night. Brand new SG bass and brand new purchased that afternoon Bass Centre strap. Played at a large venue, support slot of forty minutes and one song from the end of the set and the strap gives way, being an SG I had a solid hold on the neck and saved the bass from just hitting the stage. I ended up playing the last song sat on a stage monitor with the bass supported by my knee. I inspected the strap and found the hole had ripped wide open that goes over the button. I have now purchased a full leather strap and will be fitting locks as a precautionary measure.

Picking songs within a band should really be done democratically. Rot does start to set in when members have to play songs they do not enjoy. Time is precious, why waste time learning something you have no enthusiasm for.

STEALER (FREE TRIBUTE) PLAY AT THE CROWN AND MITRE IN NEWARK. FRIDAY 11TH SEPTEMBER, STARTS AT 9.00PM. [url="http://www.myspace.com/stealer1"]Visit My Website[/url]

It's our first gig with our new drummer - Jeff Rich - ex Climax Blues Band and Status Quo. Newark Blues Festival, Crown and Mitre, Friday 11th September.

I have played in several cover bands and in my opinion the band is only as good as the lead vocalist. If the vocalist is rubbish the band will come over as rubbish. All of the bands I have been in have had the luxury of having superb vocalists and we have never had the arsing about of changing keys. If you are constantly having to change keys to suit a limited vocal talent, ditch the songs and choose ones they can sing. Certain key changes totally wreck the feel of certain songs, as I have witnessed on many occasions.

Seen them twice in the last couple of years. Excellent live band with some awesome songs.

[font="Comic Sans MS"]Andy Fraser on Mr Big by Free..........................a real classic.[/font][size="5"][/size]

Just finished watching the Stevie Wonder concert from the 02 in 2008 on BBC2. What a joy to watch some seriously good musicians. Cool dude of a bass player, excellent and really laid back. Not to mention the three stunning female backing vocalists.

I'm currently playing in a band called Stealer and our whole set is devoted to the band Free. We are a tribute band but not a look alike, we feel the music is the most important factor. We are based in the Cambs/Lincs area and are looking further afield for suitable venues to perform at. Could any of you folks suggest anything in the East Midlands, Beds, Herts, Essex or North London areas? Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated. [url="http://www.myspace.com/stealer1"]Visit My Website[/url]

Stealer, musical tribute to late 60's early 70's classic blues/rock legends Free. Playing at Mama Liz's Voodoo Lounge, Stamford, Lincolnshire. Friday 5th June, starts at 9.00pm. [url="http://www.myspace.com/stealer1"]www.myspace.com/stealer1[/url]

Really enjoyed our gig last night as support to the mighty Wishbone Ash (Andy Powell). The only negative was the promoter cocked up the timings and we only had a twenty minute slot. It was great to see some pro musicians in action. Andy Powell came over as a decent bloke, he signed my original Pilgrimage LP from 1971. The bass player had a nice sound with a Musicman five string, Hartke head and 1x15, 4x10 Galien Kruger cabs.

Really enjoyed our gig last night as support to the mighty Wishbone Ash (Andy Powell). The only negative was the promoter cocked up the timings and we only had a twenty minute slot. It was great to see some pro musicians in action. Andy Powell came over as a decent bloke, he signed my original Pilgrimage LP from 1971. The bass player had a nice sound with a Musicman five string, Hartke head and 1x15, 4x10 Galien Kruger cabs.

Thanks for response guys. F*ck the looks, I'll stick with my tried and trusted Musicman that plays like a dream.

I currently play in a Free tribute band and my gear is a Musicman through a Markbass rig 2x10 plus 1x15. The band is now really started to take off and the guys in the band are now looking at the retro look in terms of stage appearance ie clothing and equipment, the hair is long gone and wigs are totally out of the question. They suggested I source an old bass amp and cabinet (heavy-hernia inducing) to which I have bluntly refused to do, I am seriously considering an SG bass in Cherry but are not willing to pay Gibson prices. I have seen Epiphone long scale SG basses advertised for £199 new which I feel will look correct without too much investment, but I'm not sure of the sound quality. Do any of you folks out there have any experience of these basses?

Stealer (Free Tribute) will be playing at Goodbarns Yard, Peterborough this Saturday 18th April. Music starts at approx 9.00pm. [url="http://www.myspace.com/stealer1"]Visit My Website[/url]

I find just using your fingers is messy. [size=6]I tend to usually use a knife and fork.[/size]

[quote name='EBS_freak' post='429553' date='Mar 9 2009, 05:11 PM']I know of a Free tribute band who gave out excerpts of "Free Live" as their demo. They never had any trouble getting gigs... (just make sure your promoter isn't a Free nut)[/quote] Those guys must be taking the piss. Our Free tribute act "Stealer" wouldn't dream of doing anything like that, you should have complete confidence in your musical ability as a band. [url="http://www.myspace.com/stealer1"]Visit My Website[/url] We always do our demo's as a live take with no overdubbing etc, it gives the promoter/venue an honest sample of what the band actually sounds like. We are about to go into a studio for two days to record some newer tracks for our demo CD. We find that the majority of venues/promoters do require a demo prior to booking.

[quote name='doctor_of_the_bass' post='426729' date='Mar 5 2009, 10:09 PM']Nice one Steve! Where abouts is the gig? Cheers! Nick (say hi to Russ and Lee)[/quote] Hi Nick, The Park Venue, Peterborough Friday 15th May I didn't know you knew Russ as well as knowing Lee. [attachment=21619:wishbone.jpg]

I'm feeling really great at the moment due to some good news about a forthcoming gig that has been confirmed. My band "Stealer" have been confirmed as support slot to my musical heroes from my late teens (I'm over fifty) the great WISHBONE ASH featuring Andy Powell. WHOOPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.