xilddx

Much prefer the old forum style, but I don't look much these days as I found my ONE bass here last year.

To me most new 'progressive' rock bands are playing 'regressive' rock.

[quote name='grahamd' timestamp='1354573846' post='1887702'] Thanks for the heads up. And whilst were on the subject Mike Howlett is a great unsung player, him and Pierre Moerlen... [/quote] Mike Howlett is a fabulous player, he's a mate of an old friend of mine I play with in London Zulu. I met Mike after the Gong gig in London a couple of years ago, he's a charming gentleman! He lives in Australia now. Pierre Moerlen's Gong is really lovely, Time is the Key is a great album!

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1354570999' post='1887643'] What happened to Keith missile bass? [/quote] Here and Now supported Gong in Liverpool a few weeks ago, it was Enochian Theory in London (I really enjoyed them and bought the album). Keith Tha Bass is on Facebook and every morning he does a charming little reflection on the weather He's still playing with Here and Now.

[quote name='Clarky' timestamp='1354525299' post='1886853'] Can I add a rather belated congrats Charic - sounds like a fantastic evening [/quote] Yeah me too! Missed this thread entirely! Very well done mate!

[quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' timestamp='1354568496' post='1887591'] Yes, that is tripe ,) [/quote] They are both tripe, along with Mystic Rhythms, The Holy Triumvirate of Rush tripe

[quote name='mep' timestamp='1354565609' post='1887517'] Brass fretless fingerboard, wow! I like Gong & have just checked their tour dates and they are in Exeter on Dec 14th, but no tickets left. [/quote] Trust me, he's the sh*t! Try and see them, it was a great gig!

I saw Gong a couple of weeks ago, Dave Sturt was on bass, Vigier with a brass fretless fingerboard, MacBook Pro, floor board and Markbass. He was AMAZING! My kind of bassist. I wonder does anyone know anything about his rig? I'd love to know what he was running. Cheers.

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1354527715' post='1886889'] I have no problem with people drinking, I just find talking/reminiscing about it dull! (if you think about it, as a non-drinker, it would be like me talking about Jazz at a Folk club). I remember as a much younger man, going to the pub with the 'lads' and listening to them talk about how many pints they had and how sick Fred was and who did what stupid things.... it got [i]really[/i] dull after a while. I have been thinking about the 'other' potential angles and have some things I can explore if I can get the time (Christmas don't half eat into your free-time, doesn't it?). [/quote] There is not a lot more f***ing boring than boring people talking about there boring and boorish drunken episodes. Bores the sh*t out of me but I laugh heartily and say fackin 'ell that must have hurt mate! Har har har! But inside I am dying. I quite like the idea that this is a poor lonely fat fella with mental and physical health problems, who only gets any nice attention at Christmas and looks forward desperately towards it all year. The picture is actually taken in July. He has a dream that one day someone will fall in love with him and tries too hard to make people like him, but they are instead very wary of him. But the story has a happy ending, although no-one falls in love with him, a stray dog sits with him and when he wakes from his alcoholic stupor they become the best of friends and have adventures together

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1354542660' post='1887137'] No problem Nig. As i said it was just hanging around. Glad you found such a good use for it. Funny enough both my sons are now getting in to playing keyboards. The youngest is getting a lovely workstation for Christmas. The keys light up so will be great for leaning songs. Its not midi or even USB but its going to be ideal for him (and yes, we got him some good headphones as well . The eldest loves Garageband on my iPad2 and has started to create some "music" on his PC with my Roland midi controller, but was wanting something bigger with more keys and sounds built in, so it will be handy to get the Korg back whenever you've finished with it. Definitely no rush though. The Novation looks great, i'd like something like that if i get back in to playing keys and recording. I hope it works out for you. When i was at the gadget show on Friday i almost got my son one of these, until i saw the price. OMG is the term that comes to mind. I was thinking its like Casio VL1 updated but oh no, much more than that. Very nice piece of kit though. [url="http://www.teenageengineering.com/products/op-1"]http://www.teenageen...m/products/op-1[/url] [/quote] Thanks again Dave! I'm so pleased your nippers are getting into music! And glad the Korg will get much use in its rightful home Let me know when you'd like me to get it back to you, is Jan ok? That Teenage device looks amazing, and really weird But the price tag

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1354539081' post='1887066'] First time ive even noticed this sort of thing on BC. Some fantastic work from everyone, very impressive. I must admit i've not listened to them all, all the way through, some weren't my cup of tea, but one stood out for me, partly because i thought part of it sounded like It Bites, and partly because i just loved the idea and the music in general, so my vote went to Silddx. Oh,and thanks for the mention Nig, although it wasn't needed :-). Glad you are getting on well with it. I was going to PM you about that but i can see its working just fine. HAHA, that will teach me to read the thread first. So, my vote was too late. Sorry about that. Shame it actually let me vote though. [/quote] Dave, thank you!! That's really lovely to hear you liked it so much The Korg is brilliant, it's introduced me to a whole new inspiring world, so much so that my dear queen is buying me a Novation Impulse 49 for Christmas! I was going to PM you today saying that I can give the Korg back to you in Jan if that's convenient for you, along with a flagon of choice bourbon Thank you ever so much for lending it to me, it's been a total joy to have around and it's changed my music and composition for ever. Along with this competition it's really inspired me to make my own music again, and I'm sooooo happy about that! Thanks again, Dave, you're an absolute gem mate

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1354489582' post='1886686'] Maybe that's your angle right there Bilbo. I'd hoped the image left plenty of room for humour and joviality, but I also thought it had a darker and more 'sobering' side (despite - or perhaps because of - the intoxicated state of its subject). Just like laughing at someone falling over on You've Been Framed. Then wondering whether they suffered a fractured skull as a consequence. Christmas is full of mixed messages after all... take your pick! ;-) [/quote] There are SOOOOOO many angles possible from that picture mate, for me it contains deep pathos. And there's any number of backstories possible, I think Rob should look a little deeper, there's so much possible from this, and you have a number of character and story perspectives to write from, himself, his son, daughter, wife, best friend .. I love it and hope I get time to do something. Mind you, I'm into the instrumental opera thing I've kinda got into but I love the idea of writing some lyrics and getting a vocal on it. We'll see

[quote name='Kongo' timestamp='1354494177' post='1886745'] My point has gone completely over your head man. What I mean't is it is influential in the scence they say an artist is good and BAM, they're good. No question at all, they're good. By musically dumb I mean they don't know a major from a minor and cannot detect pitch. No need to bring Jazz in here, some of us are schooled in that but choose not to play it, although Avant Garde is another matter. This is once again, IMHO. :-) [/quote] Ok. I'll leave it to others to see if they can find some sense in your post, because I'm afraid I can't. Sorry mate.

[quote name='Kongo' timestamp='1354406922' post='1885737'] A music judge that can't hear mistakes eh? Seems legit. :-P But in seriousness, the show influences people into thinking this is what is good and what they should buy etc...targets the musically dumb. That's my opinion. [/quote] [quote name='Joker2807' timestamp='1354413364' post='1885775'] i hate the x factor with a passion it represents everything that is wrong with the music industry today [/quote] Guys, this is nonsense I'm afraid. The show does not influence and distort the music market, it is a PRODUCT of the music market. As for this concept of the 'musically dumb', well most of us on here are musically dumb, as is the rest of the public. That's why there is simple popular and rock music which sells by the bucketload, and a much smaller market for jazz, avant garde and orchestral music. People in general don't want to make the effort to develop their musical tastes because they have no concept of the pleasures that may bring. Same with food, clothing, home decor, art, literature and TV .. That's why in Britain today, there will be 10 million people wearing their SuperDry outfit in their magnolia homes with the clip framed Athena poster of a hunk with a baby above the mantlepiece, copy of Fifty Shades of Whatever on the Ikea coffee table, watching the X Factor, while eating fried chicken from a bucket, and looking forward spinning their Adele CD afterwards. Doesn't make them 'dumb' or worthy of hubristic criticism does it?

Warwick make the best basses in the world, for a number of reasons. And damn you, Chris, you've given me GAS for a custom shop one now! Sadly, no money I'll have to live with my glorious Streamer Chrometone for now

[quote name='Stephen Houghton' timestamp='1354323166' post='1884964'] That would be one long necked bass! [/quote] Well he smoked big cigars!

[quote name='Pinball' timestamp='1354322127' post='1884955'] ewww maybe not, something not worth commemorating methinks! Congratulations. [/quote] Why not? Each note could represent one of the children he abused, could be a nice tribute.

Paul, massive congratulations mate!! And we popped 200 f***in votes!! Absolutely amazing! You had better do a build thread man! Awesome, delighted for you

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1354262006' post='1884136'] Looks like people are only voting for the front runners now which is a bloody shame. Bit rich coming from me I know but it's starting to feel like an eBay auction Ah well. [/quote] And there are a good few that have had many fewer listens than there are votes, which is also a bloody shame. Never mind. The race between the top three seems like it will be very interesting tonight! Good luck in the wilderness mate

In just over a year's time, 4th December 2013, it will be the 20th anniversary of Frank Zappa's death. Mike (urb) did a cracking interview for BGM last year with my bass hero Scott Thunes, and I had a thought that wouldn't it be amazing to get some interviews with Zappa's most notable bassists as a Zappa Bassists Special for this anniversary. Maybe get some insights and anecdotes about what it was like to audition, record, rehearse, and play live with Zappa, what technical and aural skills were needed, how they triumphed or f***ed up, what tips they might have for learning tricky material quickly, did they get nervous, did they care about getting everything perfect, how they improvised or stuck to the exact notes, the hardest thing they remember having to do, etc etc etc. I know some of this is already available in various places so it would be good to get a new angle for interviews, but I reckon it would be damn interesting and useful. I'd love to hear the opinions and stories from Jim Pons, Tom Fowler, Patrick O'Hearn, Arthur Barrow, Scott Thunes .. I'm afraid Roy Estrada got banged up for 25 years earlier this year for molesting a 14 year old girl, so we won't be hearing from him! What do you think?

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1354181556' post='1883045'] Not this time Nige - I'm playing in Barnes that night. Have a good one. [/quote]Thanks Jack! Have a great one and I'll be out to see the Dogs when New Year is out the way. Cheers!

Why is the neck alignment on the piss?

[quote name='Stephen Houghton' timestamp='1354147039' post='1882877'] Big big answer mate to complicated to get in to on here but heres a simple version, everything is energy at some level and in my view everything has potential for change, a healer (hate the term because healing sometimes helps people die peacefully and isnt always about cures or positive change), is normally a person with a natural ability to connect to levels of energy that the average person doesnt percieve or is aware of that help bring a persons subtle energy into a balanced state and this in turn allows health to return. The problem nowadays is healing or healing ability can be bought on the shelf from the new age supermarket, everyone you meet is a Reiki master nowadays, i think you are born with a natural ability and you will end up using it if you choose to do so, i taught martial arts for 22yrs and was a total skeptic and now heal full time. Not through looking to do it but through where life led me, Life is sometimes very strange [/quote] Thank you, very interesting! You are one of those rare people who has natural ability, recognised it, and used it. Funny innit, my Sensei had to give up teaching martial arts a few years ago because he developed a very bad back, now he shifts heavy computer equipment about for a living and still has a bad back.

[quote name='Lord Sausage' timestamp='1354146317' post='1882866'] I thought all that spiritual healing was a load of bollocks. I had a problem with my shoulders, the girl i was seeing at the time was into it and took me to see her spiritual healer and she sorted it out. Spooky! [/quote] Must be a sekshall ting

[quote name='Stephen Houghton' timestamp='1354145916' post='1882860'] I am taking the p.ss no offence meant, you seem like a really cool guy with some really nice values and i respect that. This is why i hate getting into conversations in text they are always taken out of context. [/quote] Cool I've never come across a Spiritual Healer before, what's involved mate?