Len_derby

My experience is that it's surprising what you can fit into even a small hatchback. The key is to come up with the best way of getting it all in by a bit of planning and trial and error. And then take some photographs!

It could be very useful to have your presence on old publicity when looking to join a new band. A bit like a visual cv. I've recently had to step down from a busy band because of medical reasons. The band leader asked me if I wanted all the old photos and vids with me prominent left on line. I said I was fine with it, but if the replacement bass player had an issue I'd be cool if I was erased from view.

Herbie Flowers is a close neighbour of my in-laws. I've never met him.

If you're of a bluesy persuasion try Eric Bibb.

A late welcome to Basschat. As mentioned above I'm in Allestree. Being a true local yokel I know where Flaxholme is. I'm glad you're using the name, as it doesn't appear on any signs and hardly any maps anymore. I play regularly with a guitarist/singer who lives just up the A6 from you by the traffic light junction for Wirksworth. Daz Kelly. I'm long overdue to have a meet-up with Spondonbassed, would you be interested in an evening get-together of all three (or more) of us? Maybe an open-mic or similar.

I was able to help Russ with moving his collection to a new home. He's the happy new owner of five Hercules wall hangers. I'm pleased to be able to help such a great Basschatter.

Well done sir. I have the orange version and love it.

Bought a gig bag off Tobie. Well packed, great communication and Tobie was patient when I was a day late in arranging payment. Good transaction all-round. Another great member of Basschat.

As I said yesterday, wow. 😄

One of the many good things about living in Derbyshire is that I'm only a stroll away from Andy. I had the honour of seeing and holding this bass for real this afternoon. Wow. That's all.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1500764167' post='3340101'] Excellent point Pete I think, at the bar band level fun should be the priority. As a matter of fact whenever I arrive at a gig I start the process by creating a fun atmosphere. Not just for me but the whole band. It's really important. Guys, don't show up at a gig with a sour attitude. Your not that important. Blue [/quote] Similar to me Blue. I always say 'if we're not enjoying it how the hell can we expect the audience to?' Although sometimes it's about faking it.

Another festival last night, this time small local one at a village called Doveridge. 5 Hill Out were playing in a good-sized village hall adjacent to the main field. Given the rain this was to our advantage as the place was rammed full. We went down a storm and sold a good wodge of CDs. A break now for holidays and then we play at The Green Meadows festival near Peterborough on 11th August.

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1500278401' post='3336562'] Wellowfest last night. All the press etc. made it look like it was a big deal, and they certainly had the stage, PA, and overzealous security to live up to that. It's a shame they didn't have the audience to match! Never mind, it was still fun [/quote] That's a shame. I know the organiser, David Chappelhow works really hard to make Wellow work. I'm wondering if there are just too many festivals now chasing a limited audience. I know there were at least 3 other festivals within a 25 mile radius of Wellow this weekend. We were at Ripley, which is just the other side of the M1.

A busy, 2 band- 2 gig, weekend. Friday night 5 Hills Out folk punk at a crowded sweaty pub in Ashbourne. Loads of energy both on stage and in the audience. It was our first return since the landlord changed, but he was a happy chappy at the end of the night and even gave us our fee without us asking. A very drunk fan wanted to help us break down and carry the gear out. Erm, no thanks very much. Saturday, blues and gospel with the Daz Kelly Band at the Ripley Music Festival. For a small festival it has a fantastic stage and sound provision. We were in stark contrast to most of the acts (heavy rock covers) but went down well, maybe because of that. It's a charity festival, raising money to keep the small local hospital going but we got a small fee for expenses. I went home and spent it mostly on beer and then grooved around the kitchen with my daughter to the R6 Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show. Incidentally, hosted this week by Colin Greenwood.

Over time, I've tried to stop fretting about it. Particularly in a live situation. Yesterday I payed at a festival with an active Precision through a Trace Elloitt combo. I didn't like the tone I was hearing on stage at all, but the people out front said it sounded just dandy.

5 Hiils Out played a short set this afternoon at The Belper Food Festival. Under an awning in a pub yard, very hot in the sunshine. Amazingly there were three other Basschatters in the audience; Chris Sharman, KevB and Andyjr1515! That's 4 active members at one gig (and already knew each other). Anyone beat that?

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1499532013' post='3332051'] Depends on the type of band your in Tim. In my band I only have control and opinions on my performance and stage presence. Unfortunately we're not the type of band that reviews and has open discussions on this topic. Blue [/quote] Blue, if your band is getting regular gigs and good feedback from audiences and promoters then things are ok. We talk over here about rule 1 of engineering. "If it ain't broke, don't try and fix it ".

Yamahas are great choices for 5 strings in my experience. Enjoy!

I spent a week in Barcelona last autumn and during a lot of wandering around the bar and restaurant areas only found one place that had live music. There seemed to be no music scene of that type. I Conversely, I know someone who retired out to Malaga and keeps himself busy playing in a rock covers band. Most of his band mates are Brits, and from what I can tell so are his audiences!

[quote name='radiophonic' timestamp='1498922448' post='3328002'] . I swear, every Guardian reader in North Nottingham must have been there. [/quote] Hope the houmous was good John! Good luck tonight. A rare weekend off for me this summer. A chance to properly to try my birthday whiskey. Scapa from Orkney.

Yesterday 5 Hills Out played at the Exile Festival in Derbyshire (our home turf). This is on a farm high up on the side of the Derwent Valley with great views. The organisers were vague in advance about what backline might be there so I took my rig. However there was one already set up which the soundman wanted me to use. It was a decent set-up, Ampeg, but had I known that I'd have gone by bus and had a few beers (it was my birthday). A small annoyance though; we did a good set, made some new friends and got a fee as well as tickets for the whole weekend festival. A weekend off next before playing the Belper Food Festival on the 9th July

The George and Dragon in Belper with 5 Hills Out. The pub hosts music every week and has a decent in-house pa and a sound man. We played well but the effects of the earlier England Scotland soccer match meant the crowd was a thin by regular standards. We got a slot at the town's food festival next month out of it (as well as payment), so all good The stage area is fairly generous at The George so I took my Barefaced Big One, with my Genz Benz Shuttle on top. Much air was moved.

Just received a Status gig bag off Mick. Excellent transaction, prompt communications, all good. Trade in confidence.