Len_derby

Yes, there seems to have been a real change in the general tone of discussions. It might be a result of the pandemic, or perhaps people are eating too many bags of these.

Who could fill those trousers?

Oh yes, the potential train-wreck that turns out well. About five years ago, playing at a private party event. I proudly wore my black vinyl ‘leatherette’ trousers. You can guess. Sudden split down the inside of one leg from crotch to knee. Much mirth on stage at my expense. At the end of the night the host laughingly bunged us a hefty tip on top of the fee to, in his words “buy some decent stage wear”. My lasting lesson is to always have some cable-ties in my gig gear.

You’d have to be careful not to slip on it,

We once got to a pub venue and the doors were locked to stop us getting in! This was in Matlock Bath and we were told the landlord had done a bunk and left the place locked-up. The place stayed closed for quite a few months but has since reopened in a much cleaner and tidier state. We did get the gig eventually.

Foulds Guitars, shop in Derby are selling a used version that looks almost identical to yours. They are asking for £400. It’s been in the shop a few weeks though! No takers, so far.

I’ve just checked Facebook again. Someone asserted it, and after jokingly going along with it, she then said “no”. The bit I missed. I feel soiled……

Well, it’s rock n’ roll init. I was sure I’d read that on her Facebook page. Serves me right I suppose for doing social media.

And don’t forget to ‘mind how you go’

The Shaw Taylor of TV’s Police 5 fame is her dad. Hence why she uses that name.

Luckily, me n’ the wife are relaxed about what each of us buy for our hobbies. I might be able to sneak a new bass into the house but she’s going to struggle with another kayak. Currently I believe she has two 🤔.

I’m managing to be in three groups. A standard pub covers band, an originals-only punk/indie band and an acoustic blues/Americana trio. The covers band is the most busy gig-wise the other two much less so. For me, the key is up-front and honest communication. Plus compromise where needed. At any kind of audition I’ll always say I play in other bands. Having to be exclusive to one band would be a deal breaker for me. I’ve never wanted to play at the level where exclusivity to one band is necessary. I can honestly say that I’ve never had a clash of commitments that couldn’t be managed. If there ever was I’d probably follow the money. Most weeks I manage to get some kind of session with each band - a rehearsal or song writing session depending on the band. Perhaps plus a gig, so I’m often out playing four nights a week. However, I only work part-time on anything else, my children have grown up and left home and my wife is happy off doing her own things. So, I have no domestic or job conflicts. I think that being in more than one band makes me a better musician. Plus I think I’d get bored playing the same genre of music all the time. Your background situation may be vastly different to mine but I hope the above helps.

Yes, he was brilliant wasn’t he? A pompous fantasist in the mould of Capt. Mainwaring or Basil Fawlty. Remember the charity bass relay we did? I asked him if he’d like to get involved, based on the frequent high-profile gigs he did. It soon became clear it was all bullshine. Mind you, he wasn’t the only one…….😉

Thanks Mike.

Any recommendations for gig bags for short scale basses? Fender Mustang in particular. I know it’ll fit into a standard size bag, but that takes away the ability to stash the bass out of sight in the boot of my car. Suggestions welcome.

I messaged Josie last year. She’s ok, just doing different things.

Good on yer Stew, have a great time. Me and the drummer from the covers band have been easily persuaded to go to a Boxing Day jam-night and join a lead guitarist we’ve never played with before. What could possibly go wrong? 😆

There’s some brilliant stories here, keep ‘em coming. I’ve not played a military base (yet). The nearest to it was when me and a mate did a sloppy camping and busking trip in the south of France in 1984. We got permission to play in a bar in a small town called castelnaudary and lay down a hat for tips. Unknown to us was the fact the town had the Foreign Legion induction barracks. As the evening went on the atmosphere became more rowdy as off-duty instructors got drunker and louder. Luckily we were saved from any harm by our accents. A sergeant instructor from Chesterfield took us under his wing. We turned down no song requests that night, even when we had no idea how to play them.

Hold my beer…..😹 Jokes aside, it’s all about making the commissioning client happy. I’m still over the moon every time I take my Swift Lite out. Not a great photo, from last night.

Excellent. When it goes well it’s about the most fun you can have with your clothes still on.

I’ve played pub gigs six out of the last eight weekends and they’ve all been full, with people behaving pretty much as if nothing ever happened. Or is happening. Last Friday I went to a restaurant for a Christmas social and the place was absolutely rammed. I’ve got two gigs coming up this weekend and it’ll be interesting to see if attendance is down. My guess is not, I think the wary have already opted-out a while ago.

Buy and play what makes you happiest. Might be expensive, might be cheap n’ cheerful. A happy bass player is more likely to give a good performance. For other gear, I now go for lightness and transportability. I’m getting older and weaker plus car parking close to venues seems to get more difficult.

An important thing to consider is that some ukulele basses, particularly the cheaper ones like my Countryman, don’t have a truss rod. Strings other that the rubber type can cause a lot of “pull” on the neck making decent action impossible. Personally, I don’t mind the rubber strings. I’m weird that way. 😜

It might be a bit out of your preferred range but there’s an active music scene in Newark. They had a great little blues festival in the castle grounds each September that, unfortunately, seems to have ceased. One of my daughters used to live in Newark and whenever I visited at the weekend there was always bands on. In contrast, I spent a weekend in Gainsborough last October and as far as I was able to tell, there was no live music whatsoever anywhere.

What’s the live music scene like over there? I spent most of my childhood holidays at Skegness/Ingoldmels/Chapel and have been back occasionally over the years. Always enjoy a trip to the Lincolnshire coast. Lots of caravan sites and ‘lively’ boozers. Hopefully plenty of gigging opportunities for covers bands but not for the faint-hearted. 😉