Len_derby

Good music that's well executed. Preferably at regular gigs, but for me a good rehearsal can be motivating and uplifting too. I don't really go in for the social/friendship side of bands. I think it can be counter-productive sometimes. Some people seem to get upset when I don't want to be "matey", like they needed me to validate them. I'm not really a misery-guts, honestly 😘

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1496653855' post='3312913'] what a nightmare! I hope Belper Goes Green was good? [/quote] It was great Tom, I can see why you liked it. Glad your time in Doncaster went well. The Uttoxeter Festival seems an odd one. We did a benefit gig in the town earlier in the year with a promise we'd get a slot. We weren't greedy, and were prepared to be bottom of the bill but they totally blanked us. We never got a sniff, messages not returned etc. One of my aims for the summer is to actually see you guys. I've got my eye on the dates.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1496605453' post='3312656'] If I ever make it to the UK, I'll be looking all of you up. Blue [/quote] And you'll be very welcome Blue. Do it!

I was having a chinwag with two other Basschatters this weekend; Chris Sharman and Dave Sturt. We were all playing at a local festival, some of us twice. We have a nice little enclave of supportive forum members here in Derbyshire, not forgetting the incomperable Andyjr1515. Andy was probably far too busy on his latest wonder-build to come out.

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1496309957' post='3310359'] This is an ace festival! Shame I can't make it this year, have a good one! [/quote] Cheers Tom. Sorry I didn't get to see you at the Hairy Dog. I had a broken down coach and 64 8/9 year olds to entertain in the Peak District. 32 a side footy match!

Another one in the bag! (Ouch). I've just received a Gator mixer bag from Gareth. Very well packaged and overall as near to a perfect transaction as you could realistically hope for. Thanks Gareth, a pleasure doing business with you.

Indeed, and Chris Sharman. Although to be totally accurate Andy is a Duffield lad.

The Eco-themed free festival at Belper Rugby Ground in Derbyshire. I shall be playing with 5 Hills Out (folk punk) at 1.30 Saturday on the solar powered stage Then Sunday at 12.00 midday with the Daz Kelly Band (acoustic blues and gospel) on the bike powered stage. Come and say hello if you're there.

We always do a recce in advance if it's possible. With the best will in the world most pub staff won't see it from a band's point of view and therefore might miss some real difficulties. I'm sure we've all got horror stories. Landlady " power sockets? I'm sure we used to have some behind this sofa".

[quote name='radiophonic' timestamp='1496043665' post='3308241'] Small festival slot as a part of the Anglo-Hungarian Motorcycle Festival. 2 hour drive down to Molehill Green. We'd played a few duds recently, but yesterday everything just clicked. Decent monitor sound, me an the guitar player could run at full power for a change, somebody competent and sympathetic doing the live sound. Best of all, it was early afternoon and blazing sunshine so everyone was up and about two pints into their Sunday breakfast and there was no mud. Well worth the trip and the pay was okay too. [/quote] That's good news John. I was getting a bit worried for you after the last couple of gig reports you posted.

Interesting questions regarding the north/south divide. I have family in Greater London (Hampton) and Brighton. When I visit one thing I notice is the lousy road congestion and parking opportunities. I think that would take some of the shine off gigging for me.

[quote name='Callumjord' timestamp='1494659284' post='3297607'] I play in a function band up in the north of Scotland (moray), we primarily play weddings and functions but do the odd pub gig to fill our calendar. A number of the pubs up here would rather just pay for an Acoustic guitarist in for the night but a number in the area are more than happy to pay for my 5 piece band. I don't think our going rate has been any less than £350 for a 3 hour set. I'm actually quite surprised to hear about the going rate down that end of the country. [/quote] Yes, the higher rate is interesting. Two possible reasons come to my mind. One is that, even with the sector in apparent decline, most places in England still have a glut of pubs. Secondly, I have a hunch that 'up there' you appreciate live music more and hence audiences make more of an effort to turn up and spend money. Your travel costs maybe high though? I gig porobably 3 weekends out of 4 and rarely have to drive more than hour each way. But scenery isn't like yours!

We're currently working with Nick Hollis at Alpha Studios in Wirksworth Derbyshire. Very experienced. He's a busy chap, but all the good ones will be!

For what it's worth, £200-250 is the norm for pubs in Derbyshire too. Although some pay significantly less and still have regular acts. As a 5-piece the economics aren't great, but without doing them we wouldn't have got our festival and private party bookings. So, for us it's about looking at the bigger picture.

Very sad to say I'm going to miss this. Some old friends from Adelaide are visiting the UK and Sod's law has decided that Saturday is the only day I can see them. Have a great day everyone.

Another good pub gig with the folk-punk originals band. We were playing in the home town of most if the band, Ashbourne, but at a pub we haven't played before. It's one of those places that has a new landlord every year or so and the latest is keen to get music going. So, we didn't know what to expect but it turned out to be a lively night with bouncing punters and two encores from us. The landlord was chuffed and paid up happily. I used my Corvette 5, Barefaced Midget T and Genz Benz Shuttle. I love needing only one carry for all my gear.

Excellent, well done. Networking pays off.

Two things come into my mind. Firstly, wanting to avoid the things needing discussion he's invited her to try and scupper it. Alternatively, partners of either sex can get jealous and suspicious. Because it's a non-musical social event maybe he wasn't allowed to come without her.

No you're not wrong. And, in some ways, neither are they. They have different levels of commitment/motivation/expectation to you. My experience is that it's very hard to change this. It causes bad blood. Your choices are to grit your teeth and stay or find a band of more like-minded people. I was in a similar situation and walked. It took 18 months to find the right band.

I agree that giving your music away is the right thing in some circumstances but we've found that there is still a market for selling CDs. We're a folk-punk originals band and we recorded what's become a 4 track CD. We had a small run of 100 made and have sold 90 of them at gigs over three months. At £5 a throw we've covered our costs plus a bit more. There are also some venues and festivals that insist on a physical CD of your music when you apply to play.

When looking at band ads I always like to know up-front about rehearsals. How often, where, when. I think that information can tell you a lot about a band and if you're someone who's got other things going on it can shut the door straight away.

The Crew in Nuneaton, with my band 5 Hills Out. It was a two-band night of Folk-Punk originals and we shared the bill with Bleeding Hearts. The Crew is a great venue, a proper sweaty rock bar venue and well worth a visit. The sound man and promoter are the same person and he did a good job on the sound. The key factor for me was that he didn't swamp the sound with kick bass drum. The venue supplied the PA, we shared backline with the other band and we got paid. An appreciative crowd and we sold some CDs. A good start to the weekend.

Lucky you! My two gigging 5 stringers are a Warwick Corvette and a Yamaha TRB. Both good, in their different ways and together cost less than £900 (both being 'pre-loved'). I've never tried a Fender 5 stringer that wasn't underwhelming, although I've never tried one of the high priced ones.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1490559686' post='3266004] I'm always weiry of the guy whose wife never comes to a gig. Blue [/quote] Why's that Blue? Also, have a 'whoop whoop' from me 😉

It works for me Blue. Watched and enjoyed. Rock on!