Len_derby

I’ve played at three different pub venues since “The Great Release” Tim and I have to say that generally people are behaving like nothing had ever happened. Of course, as individuals we can take some actions (masks where appropriate, not sharing mics, space, open doors/windows etc.) but my feeling is that to pub gig at the moment you need to be risk-tolerant. It maybe different in your area. My plonking-ground of Derby/Notts has a high amount of bolshy non-compliance with most things. In the pub I was at on Saturday I doubt I could have thrown a bottle over my shoulder without hitting an anti-vaxer.

Yesterday I spent 13 hours in a pub. This was due to me being part of the organising team for a multi-act day raising money for two food banks. I arrived at 11 to help setup and left at 1am after gear breakdown. I played in four different bands during the day, not all of them planned, due to the inevitable no-shows. The photo is from one of the pre-planned slots, the Daz Kelly Band. I’m playing my wonderful Swift Lite made by our own @Andyjr1515. Sadly, Daz is one of those musicians who thinks wearing a hat indoors looks cool. 😉

Are you sure? Those of us who were pogo-ing away in the first wave of punk are either pensioners or very close to it. 😂. But I have to admit I know nothing about the IoW.

Yes, there’s a basic truth underlying this. If you live in one of the more sparsely populated areas of the UK you’re probably going to find it harder to recruit team-members, whatever your job/hobby. I live in the Derby/Notts M1 corridor area. Not affluent or pretty but the musical opportunities are rich. In forty years of playing the furthest I’ve had to travel for rehearsals is a twenty minute drive. There’s a lot of good things, I’m sure, about living in the bucolic sticks but band opportunities probably isn’t one of them.

For my covers band we recruited our drummer through contacts with the local FE college. They do a music performance diploma. She’s 18, hit the ground running and is as keen as mustard. Not least because the money she gets from a pub gig is a big thing for her.

I’d echo the replies above. The get-togethers need to be rehearsals not practices if you’re going to get anything like the maximum benefit from the limited time together. I will add something from my own experience. When choosing covers to play make sure everyone agrees the actual version you are starting with. It’s very frustrating when band members do the homework but learn different versions of a song, even sometimes by different artists.

I’ve seen nothing but good reviews . My daughter, who is not much of a soul- music fan but considers herself a movie buff, thought it was excellent.

Hi Kev, we didn’t get the gig until Wednesday as the band booked for the night had to drop out. The place is called The Latch Lifter, an old chapel turned into a pub. You’d like it and a it’s a good venue to play. Our next booking is 21st September. I’m glad you’ve started back on the trail. Hope your planned trip to Greece happens too!

Played at a busy pub in Ilkeston on Friday. Zero mask-wearing among staff and customers but luckily I got to stand right by the side of an open doorway. The crowd were definitely up for it and we got the welcome group of well-dressed, well-oiled women on a night out to lead the dancing. It looks like @oldslapper and I had the same weapon of choice!

It doesn’t fit very well with the mythology, but Phil Lynott was born in West Bromwich and didn’t move to Dublin until he was 8.

I hear you brother. I’ve come to the conclusion that often I have no real control over my sound. So I concentrate on note choice, locking with the drummer, groove, all the things I can control. Like a lot of us I’ve paid big money to see and hear players who are considered masters and their sound has been totally y-fronts. So I’m not going to lose any more hair fretting about it.

It’s a tough one Stew, but eventually I came to trust the feedback from “knowledgeable” people out front rather than my own opinion. Who do you want to please? Yourself or the audience ? Ideally both, I’d say, but if there’s a choice which one will lead to more bookings?

In my experience there’s a bit of the opposite also being true. My family were classic, white working class and they were very supportive of any musical aspirations I had, seeing it as a legitimate way to make a life and living. In the mid-seventies I was lucky enough to get a full grant and university place at York. When I started to try and find people to play with and bands to join I was struck by what appeared a class divide. The kids from the posher backgrounds (loads at York at the time) seemed to have been actively discouraged from getting into music. My perception was that it was seen a frivolous activity that just got in the way of a ‘proper’ career path. Me, I was quite happy to be the oik playing the pubs of Tang Hall for a share of the £30 for the band.

A wife and a mistress. But which will be which? 🤪

All the very best Blue. I’ve missed your regular posts and look forward to hearing again about the USA music ‘front line’.

Nice choices Lozz. I’ve got a Precision Deluxe I bought new in 2003 and I’m interested to know what choices you’ll be making when deciding which one to play. Back on topic, I bought a Harley Benton short-scale P bass. It seems to cut the mustard at the rehearsals we’ve had so I’m looking forward to taking it out for a gig.

Good to hear from you Blue. We’re starting to open up again over here for both rehearsals and gigging but it’s baby steps. I think most of us are mentally prepared for it all to get locked-down again if the situation demands it. Welcome back

Don’t get hung-up about age. In my covers band, three of us are in our sixties, one in his early thirties and one (female drummer) is eighteen. As far as I can remember the only people to have mentioned it is us, when we make jokes on stage. To be honest, musicians who make a thing about age are not likely to be people I’d want to spend time with.

I think you’re taking a wise course. My take is that I’d rather play music I’m not a fan of rather than not play at all. Not least because when you’re out there being seen and heard it’s surprising what doors can open. I was playing year before last in a indie-style originals band when, after a set at a small festival, I got the offer of bass duties in a rockabilly band! Sadly, I was too busy to accept.

My tip would be to go along to pub open nights and talk to people. Over the years I’ve met loads of musical collaborators that way and I’m still doing so in my 60’s. As a caveat, I live in quite a densely-populated area and have lots of choices of small towns and villages with active music scenes. It may be sparser for you.

Nice one Stew. Do you now add GAS Engineer to your cv?

I use a PJ Bass Cub combo for practise and small gigs. Quality gear, in my opinion.

There’s some good suggestions here but in my experience I’d say don’t be reluctant to leave things just as they are. Let the change in dynamics and sonic space work for you. When I hear a bass player suddenly getting busy or stamping on effects pedals during a solo I often think it shows a lack of confidence in themselves or the material they’re playing.

A nice, civilised acoustic in my trio.

I’d forgotten I’d even gone one, let alone use it. So, I’ll agree on that one! 😂