Len_derby

This is a really interesting topic. Personally, at the level of a ‘weekend warrior’, I don’t expect or need to be ‘mates’ with the people I play with. If someone is espousing extreme or illegal nonsense, then that’s beyond the pale. But, if what they believe doesn’t affect the working of the band and it doesn’t affect the relationship with audiences and venues, does it matter? It’ll be very sad if people with different views can’t find common ground to work together.

All the blues festivals I’ve been to seem to have a fairly broad definition of what constitutes ‘blues’. As a case in point, I regularly went to the Newark Blues Festival before it moved from the castle. Headline acts over the years that I can remember were; Aynsley Lister, The Nimmo Brothers, Ian Siegal and Chantel McGregor. Non of which are strictly blues in the traditional sense. Interestingly, with respect to @pete.young‘s post above, they were all mostly playing their own material.

Good luck with this Mick. The only bit of advice/experience I can give is related to travel. I spent a few years in a band playing original songs in a folk style with an interesting selection of instruments; accordion, mandolin etc. Although we got a decent amount of gigs at pubs, clubs and festivals there was a lot of travel involved. Playing a particular genre, there seemed to be maybe only one venue in a town or smaller city that was worth playing in. Suitable festivals might be a couple of hours drive away too. I don’t know if that’s the case for the blues, though. Plus, it will depend on how often you want to play live. Hope you find a way!

I think we’ve got the same mates. 😂 Jokes aside, I’ve done long stints in originals bands and I understand the importance of recording material, so I’ve committed to it and done my best. Although, I often think of something one of our fellows @FinnDave said. A recording studio is often somewhere music goes to die.

Recording. I don’t like the process or the environment. To me, modern digital recording smacks too much of pi$$ing around on computers. I’d rather busk outdoors on a rainy Wednesday than spend time in someone’s home ‘studio’ (spare bedroom).

A Thursday night gig for The Desperate Cowboys at The Golden Eagle in Derby. There’s not much space for bands to play in, but as a three-piece it was bearable. A good crowd for a weekday night, car parking right outside and a ten minute drive from home. Taylor mini-bass through a TE Elf and Barefaced One-10.

Air-bass, 1958. Mustang bass, 2025.

The second gig of the weekend yesterday for Top Deck. At the Great Northern pub, Langley Mill in Derbyshire. A nice old pub overlooking what was an important meeting place of three canals back in the day. The so-called Great Northern Basin. We played outside on a raised wooden stage area. Thankfully with some shade. A jolly Bank Holiday crowd, that included several children. So, we avoided using some of our jokes.

The first one of a two gig weekend today at the Eclipse pub in Loscoe, Derbyshire. We were part of The Losca Festival, a one day event to raise money for local charities. Live music from midday until late in three pubs all within about a hundred metres of each other. We did a forty-five minute set of covers starting at 4.45. Very hot and sweaty, but we went down a storm. I think the audience had imbibed just the right amount of alcohol. Unlimited free food and drinks for performers and we’ve got some paid bookings out of it.

I sold a Gramma pad to Shep. An amazingly smooth and easy transaction as we only live about two miles apart.

Around five years ago we had a guitarist who was a habitual drink-driver. His average intake on gig nights was four pints of beer, after which he’d drive home. Looking back, we cut him too much slack. He was younger than the rest of us and we tried advice and persuasion on him, to no avail. Eventually we sacked him, but in his eyes we were the bad guys.

A mighty talent. Actually born in West Bromwich and didn’t move to Ireland until he was eight.

The covers band, Top Deck, played The General Havelock pub in Ilkeston, Derbyshire. A good gig; ‘ilson’ people can be a bit wary of outsiders, but if they take to you they love you. We never had to buy our own drinks all night. We played in an outdoor, roofed, area. Showtime was 7.30 until 9.30 as it’s in a residential area. The pub seems to be managing its relationship with the locals well. Home by 10.30 to some cans in the fridge.

Anyone else tempted to buy something because they read about it on this thread? 😂

Not really a prejudice, but I’ve never understood why anyone would wear a hat when someone else has taken the trouble to provide a perfectly good, weatherproof roof over their heads. Ungrateful, I call it 😂

Ouch, that’s a really dumb thing to do. I think I’d severe connections with people who pulled that stunt. Pub landlords talk to each other. A bad reputation is hard to shake off.

I tried out the open mic night at Derby Market Hall. Every last Thursday of the month and this was the second one.The market hall is a magnificent Victorian building, recently reopened after a multi-million pound renovation. Every slot from 6pm until the 10pm shutdown was taken. At its peak, probably about 75 people there. The acoustics aren’t good, but no surprises there.

I know just what you mean. For me it’s because they are associated with influential and iconic players and relatively rare. You certainly don’t see many on my pub and club circuit of venues. I’m lucky in a way, as I had the chance to try @Norris’s out at a Bass Bash a few years ago. Lovely as it was, it didn’t feel right. That’s saved me a heap of money and disappointment. I do have a hankering for one of Retrovibe’s short scale Lil’ Richard looky-likeys, though. A itch that needs scratching 😆.

The acoustic trio, The Desperate Cowboys played The Doghouse pub in Alfreton. I’ve played there a couple of times before with a full band and was a bit concerned about how we’d go down with a ‘softer’ sound. As it happened, we got as many people up and dancing (without any drums or percussion) as on previous visits. So, a good night and well appreciated by the pub and the audience. The pubs of the Derbyshire/Notts ex-coalfields are not for the faint-hearted or easily offended. But if they like you it can be a great night. Taylor mini-bass through Trace Elliott Elf and Barefaced One 10.

White coat syndrome. I had to look that up. It seems a fairly natural response to knowing one’s efforts are being recorded for posterity.

Unfortunately you still hear that ‘women can’t sing rock’ nonsense. I’d say it’s harder to find a good singer than it is to find an audience, so go for it.

It was a memorable weekend back in 1985. During the morning of the Saturday I moved into my first purchased house, starting as early as I could so I could set the tele up and watch the show. I’d stretched myself to the limit to buy a new-build semi for £22k. Different times.

That’s a shame, especially as most blues fans now qualify for free bus rides (me included 😆).