Happy Jack

A NON-comprehensive songlist would include: Ain't No Sunshine Cry To Me Dancing In The Street Drift Away Get Ready Gimme Some Lovin' Good Times Hard To Handle Heatwave Higher And Higher How Long I Got You (I Feel Good) I Say A Little Prayer In The Midnight Hour Knock On Wood Lady Marmalade Lovely Day Mercy Mustang Sally My Girl Nutbush City Limits Proud Mary Reach Out, I'll Be There Something's Got A Hold Son Of A Preacherman Soul Man Stand By Me Take Me To The River Through The Grapevine Time Is Tight Twisting The Night Away Valerie Why Did You Do It You Know I'm No Good

New band formed earlier this year currently comprises four very experienced gigging musicians - drums/BVs, keys/BVs, rhythm guitar/male vox, and saxophone/female vox. We have played our first few gigs (including the British Motor Show) but have now lost our bass player. This is a gigging band, not a hobby. With five people in the band we’re never going to get rich doing this but that’s OK, we love playing this music and at least we’ll get paid. We’re looking to play pubs & clubs at least once a month (more likely twice) in and around West Herts but there’s not much in the diary just yet. The band rehearses on Thursday evenings in our own facility in Harrow HA1, so there is no need to pay for a rehearsal studio. We have an initial 2-hour repertoire in place but we’ll be adding new material over the next couple of months. The person we’re looking for will: * be enthusiastic and reliable * actually want to be in a band * be prepared to learn new material and rehearse it * live within a 40-minute drive of HA1 * have their own car If you can contribute harmony BVs then that will certainly be welcome, but it’s not essential. As long as you sound right, we’re not fussed what bass you play, how many strings it has, what amp you use, whether you have a pedal board. Sadly, we have to insist that you have performance video that you can share with us before we can meet for a try-out. We will be happy to share ours with you. If you think this could work for you, please drop me a PM.

@Silvia Bluejay always wears gloves when setting up & breaking down, and tells me - quite rightly - that I should do the same. Trouble is, I just find it a bit of a faff so I never bother. I have rigger gloves in the car so that's not the issue; it's actually putting the bloody things on that's the issue.

This ^ Since @Silvia Bluejay and I have to load in and set up the PA as well as all our other kit (instruments & rig for me, video & stills cameras for her) my shirt is always wringing wet by the time I'm ready to start playing. I don't like it, but there's not much I can do about it until I'm ready to hire a road crew, so I keep a stagewear shirt in the car until the last minute and then change into it. That being the case, it makes perfect sense to be wearing a band t-shirt whilst loading in and wandering around carrying cables and stuff. Staff and security recognise who who are and what you're doing, occasional punters come up and ask what sort of music you play, what time does the first set start, and is that a cello?

We've just played six gigs with three bands on two different instruments at two venues in four days. Will re-engage with Basschat later!

Real world difference in size & weight of active cabs isn't what some people think. 15s are bigger & heavier than 12s, 12s than 10s, bit not that much. Future proof! Go 15s!

Have you tried looking in the "Live PA" section?

“The Gibson Garage in Nashville has had an extraordinary impact on the music scene in addition to becoming a global music destination and we are thrilled to bring the Garage to London.” A shop selling over-priced, badly-made guitars is now a "global music destination"? In your dreams, mate ...

Posted this week by Ron Carter ...

Given the number of times I've been told by 'those who were there' that the bands used to get the same money then as today - only it went WAY futher then, of course - it was quite a relief to hear that this 4-piece covers band was going out for £43. 😱

Terrific and very honest 1976 documentary. 29 minutes well spent.

Comment dit-on "Barefaced" en français ? Demander un ami... 😉

Given the age group, I'd suggest start by researching skiffle. The songs the skiffle boys chose to 'rock up' in the 50s were largely established popular songs from the preceding 20 years.

The Glitter Band. Oops.

Yes, I wondered that too ...

It happens to the best of us ... and yes, that IS Ringo Starr at the back.

It has taken me FAR longer than it should have to realise that the LiveTrak series will work only with iOS. Me and my bands are totally Androided ... there's no way we're going to move over to ruddy Apple just so we can buy a particular mixer. It's a shame because @Silvia Bluejay and I have a LOT of Zoom kit and we really rate their stuff, so it's really silly of them to turn iOS into a ghetto for this product.

"This product is currently not available for purchase."

There's a long-established saying in English ... form follows function. So, what's the function? What will you use this second amp for, and where? Bedroom practice, studio recordings, pub gigs or football stadiums (yes, I know its stadia but many people don't), whatever your answer it will inform the advice you will receive.

Nice one @ratman, do you also use the record-multitrack-to-USB function at all?

Understood, but once you get past £500 (the XR18 seems to be £579 at the moment) you're not in cheap territory and the £845 for the Soundcraft actually looks like VFM to me, given the functionality and ease of use. Our XR18 is still working fine and we're in no hurry to dash out and buy another wireless mixer, but I'm getting our Plan B ready for the day after the XR18 dies. There's an old-school Yamaha MG12 in the back of the car to deal with the gig where it actually happens, you understand ...