Len_derby

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 😆).

Have you changed over from using the TE Elf in combination with the One10? How does it compare?

Very nice. Did the Mustang go as part of the trade?

Saturday, at the annual Folk in the Woods. It’s the inaugural event of the week-long Ripley Music Festival. It takes place at the Waingroves Community Woodland, a lovely area reclaimed from a coal mining site and managed by local volunteers. My covers band, Top Deck, finished off the day playing 7pm - 8pm. Back line supplied, so I was able to travel by bus with just my Mustang and a few bits. Any money raised goes to the upkeep of the woodlands, so no fees for anyone. However, it was free drinks and food for performers. I got a little bit confused by the paths walking back through the woods to the main road and bus stop. 🤪🍺

Gluing cut-up bits of an old trouser belt on to a standard sized gig bag that allows it to be used for a short scale bass and hence stored in the car boot, out of sight.

They are still there, and have scaled back to concentrate solely on drums and percussion. Part of the former shop space has now gone over to the above mentioned Hippo Guitars. I didn’t know you had a Derby connection, Stub.

This one makes me think of a micro pub near me that’s in an old workshop. The cobbles are so uneven that a regular who comes on his mobility scooter shouts his order from the doorway and they bring his ale out to him. It’s a pain when the buffet gets served during the set. No only do you lose people’s attention there’s a chance they’ll be no grub left. That’s apart from the drool running down on the bass.

Now relocated in the Strand Arcade, off Sadler Gate, as Foulds Guitars. There is also Hippo Guitars on Osmaston Road who buy and sell pre-owned guitars and basses exclusively. Worth a trip @Geek99.

Another thought, do these ‘less than fully committed’ members have any say in the set list? Maybe letting them choose a song they particularly like, within the genre, would make them keener? In my bands we call it ‘throwing them a bone to chew on’. 😀🐕🦴

I think you’ve hit on something there, Mick. A lot of players, especially guitarists, seem to have a preconceived idea that the structure of a blues song is always the straight 12 bars, using chords I, IV & V. The memorable songs tend to have variations and subtleties that make them stand-out. Born Under A Bad Sign being a good example. Far too many people, in my experience, have the ‘it’s just the blues, innit?’ mentality.