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The Police are saving me right now, and I came across this cover of The Bed's Too Big by Foals from a BBC session. I really like it. His voice works really well, reminds me of Terry from The Specials. Got any good ones? No Jaco please http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxaUXvz-P7g

[quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1339522371' post='1689898'] The Bed's Too Big Without You, Sly & Robbie featuring Sheila Hylton. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xh76luVPpw0[/media] [/quote] It's when Sly and Robbie cover a The Police number and can't get close to the vibe of the original, and basically f*** it up, that you realise how superb The Police were. Sorry Pete, I love Sly and Robbie, but that was dread, not DREAD.

I am also very interested. Mine would be for a two passive MEC pup home build which had an East 4 knob U-Retro. I think I need more info on what your pre's layout is in terms of knobs and switches. I'd be happy with a blend, but like the idea of a three way switch. I need a big deep tone suitable for dub, but like a bit of bite on that too. I run a POD X3 so not a big issue.

Cool. You'll also need to be very organised and clued up about your tax affairs, and running your own business to maximise your income and minimise your outgoings.

Can you go part time at work until you get an established music income?

Don't underestimate how difficult and stressful it can be, even for established artists.

[quote name='Chrismanbass' timestamp='1342907137' post='1742727'] in my experience am dram players dont get paid to perform as a rule however if the company is lacking a key person i.e. a leading man then maybe they might encourage someone to step into the role, however having done a lot of am dram and youth theatre stuff as a musician i get paid at least expenses for the shows depending on the budget for the show the pay can be quite lucrative which is far from the norm as apart from the theatre staff nobody else gets paid normally (director, choreographer, stage manager, stage crew ect...) [/quote] Thanks for that clarification mate.

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1342905730' post='1742715'] This thread is nuts, assuming we take playing for charity out if the mix, then anyone who plays for free is getting something out of it, that may simply be the fun of playing live as a hobby or a greater plan such as exposure. If someone is exploiting bands by making money out of them Playing for free that is a different issue How about saying all those involved in AmDram should get paid? [/quote] I believe Am Dram players do get paid more often than not, perhaps some Equity arrangement or something? Perhaps Seashell can advise.

[quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1342903432' post='1742698'] Careful, you'll start getting bombarded with PMs if you question his viewpoint; I've had a dozen or so in the past three hours... though apparently you're expected to be contrary. [b]IME it's a long hard slog for an originals band to get paid a worthwhile amount to gig; depends as much on location & available venues as it does the bands' ability; and then if you have to travel to get decent £ then it has to be even higher to make worthwhile... though I'm aware I'm stating the obvious there.[/b] [/quote] Clearly not obvious to the Slow Blues in E geezer though is it. Still, it's got to be hard for a blues band I suppose, otherwise you've got f*** all to sing about.

[quote name='slobluesine' timestamp='1342898361' post='1742619'] it started as a general question.... "anyone else here totally pissed off with musicians who play for free?" no foot stamping, toy throwing, just a Q on the subject of 'gettin paid' got my answer folks and seems i'm in the minority, no probs, i'll get over it [/quote] Well it's a daft question then isn't it. If you aren't going to put some effort into thinking about under what circumstances, be totally pissed off anyway (which I assume you are given your behaviour in this thread), and not accept different thinking, why should we bother educating you? I don't know what music you play, or what you earn from it, but it sounds like you think it's other musicians' fault you don't earn more.

[quote name='Jazzneck' timestamp='1342896881' post='1742594'] If it's a freebee gig then the best technique is this: [attachment=113769:USA 2007 031.JPG] The white hat marked "TIPS" at the front of the stage is for TIPS for the band! That night the band only played for a free meal and a few beers; their money came from the tips put into the hat. I played three numbers with them and was given U$25 out of the hat for the privilege of playing a club on Beale Street whilst on holiday - not bad eh? It is a technique that one of the bands I play in is considering doing but it'll probably go down like a concrete parachute in the UK. So........... you'se can "play for free" as far as the pub is concerned but you take your own risk on covering expenses whilst you have your fun - it's up to the punters at the end of the day but it certainly makes you tighten up and work hard. [/quote] I wouldn't even consider putting a hat out for an originals band. What sort of message does that send out? We should be proud, not act like buskers, I doubt you'd get much respect or admiration for that. Let's face it, people see music before they hear it. You have to capitalise on that.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1342896716' post='1742591'] Can the OP please make it clear that he's talking about originals bands here? [/quote] Exactly. If I'm just starting gigging my originals band, and we can't bring in a beer chugging following, why would I want to be paid?!? I'm so grateful to the venue or promoter for letting the band play in the first place. When we can bring in twenty people who generate £400 of pre-profit revenue for the venue, then I MIGHT expect £50 or something for the band, possibly.

[quote name='slobluesine' timestamp='1342888637' post='1742458'] [url="http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/musicblog/2012/jul/19/olympics-london-2012-musicians-pay?fb=native&CMP=FBCNETTXT9038"]http://www.guardian....P=FBCNETTXT9038[/url] [/quote] This is old news mate. SOME of the musicians are not being paid, some are. It is wrong not to give the musicians expenses at least. Are we talking about the same issues here? And before you ask, I know, and play with, musicians involved in the Olympics, some paid well, some not paid at all, for different musical activities. I think your OP was unclear if you are talking about these types of scenario. Anyway, Johnson was absolutely correct, you are now stamping your feet and can't accept other people feel different to you about this philosophical/economic issue, so what's the f***ing point in discussing it?

[quote name='slobluesine' timestamp='1342884685' post='1742381'] do Kit or London Zulu charge admission? the reason bar staff , security, lighting and sound get paid is that they refuse to do it for free [/quote] No, the venues and promoters do. We get a cut sometimes, but not often.London Zulu are a bigger draw so we make a few bob, but next to nothing after costs. £20 each?

[quote name='slobluesine' timestamp='1342882461' post='1742353'] but why would you not expect to get some of the takings? [/quote] Running a small venue is not easy or very financially rewarding, many go down, and most of the small London venues I play with Kit or London Zulu are clearly doing it because they believe in putting on live music as a good healthy thing, and the owners are quite passionate about it. I would rather have good places for fledgling originals bands to play but not get paid, or paid little, for playing, than make these venues unviable because of some sort of mandatory musicians union fee for bands playing. Next thing you know bands are out and cheap DJs are in. It's not just one band playing mate, it's often four or five in one evening. Are you suggesting a small venue gives £1000 of its profit away to the five fledgling originals bands in an evening? It won't work, it never has. Once the band develops a following, then they can hire bigger venues and services and put on bigger shows, but no doubt you'll be pissed off about that too as you probably consider that to be 'pay to play', which of course it is.

[quote name='slobluesine' timestamp='1342874065' post='1742166'] just cos it's enjoyabe doesn't mean you should do it for free, maybe i should be more specific.. its the gigs where people pay to get in, sound, lighting, security, bar staff, EVERYONE gets paid except the band [/quote] Depends doesn't it. And I don't think the situation you describe is particularly prevalent, I agree many bands get paid little, a percentage of the door or bar takings perhaps. But it doesn't bother me. Good bands with marketability will give themselves a chance, and the crap falls by the wayside, at least they got a chance to play. The venue and its staff are providing a quantifiable service with associated costs, the band are purely qualitative, if they give the punters a good experience there's a chance they will eventually get to a position where they can demand payment in return for the economic benefits of supplying an audience who will pay the venue and its associated suppliers. If you're in an originals band trying to build an audience and get exposure, then of course you are going to play for free. In the same way fledgling sound or lighting engineers may work or shadow for free to get some experience and break into their industries and develop enough skills and reputation to get paid. One does a sort of cost/benefit analysis and makes a decision about financial reward for your art. Once you have a reputation with monetary value in terms of demand then you'd be a fool, or naive, to work for free. I suppose if Anthony Jackson decided he had enough wedge and offered his services for free you could argue he might be putting some other less lauded sessioniers out of business, but there are only so many hours in the day so it would have little impact, as someone who wanted Marcus Miller on their music would pay for him regardless of Anthony's economic proposition, this is art after all.

Hey thanks gents! And Sean, great to see you mate. It was a really great fun gig, we all really enjoyed it, great crowd too. Thanks for coming man

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1342788589' post='1740952'] Once you get over 30 you never use the J pickup again anyway. [/quote]

Mel, sorry if this sounds a bit off, but given the situation you're in at the moment in your bad luck thread, would you not be better off squirreling that money away just in case? I don't know how big or small it was, but maybe it might be the first step in getting out of the area you live in, then you have a plan to work towards which will lift your spirits and get you a more relaxed life when it comes to fruition. That said, the temptation to treat oneself can be overwhelming, but it doesn't last, and nor does the pleasure of acquisition. However, great news you got a bonus at the exact time you needed it! That could not have been better timed!

[quote name='umcoo' timestamp='1342776963' post='1740696'] I don't really understand Allparts UK. Everything is very expensive, and you'd actually save money by ordering from the States and paying shipping and import taxes. Plus, as you've found out, there's hardly anything in stock. Still really nice stuff though. [/quote] I don't get them either, for the reasons you state above.

[quote name='wriggers' timestamp='1342775407' post='1740669'] Love Transglobal Underground! When are you playing near Bradford? [/quote] Thanks mate. This gig is a TGU satellite band (they have many!), but it's the founder members Tim and Hami, with TUUP, me and Larry (Tim's bro) and Ingrid (Doreen Thobekile's daughter) on vocal. Not sure when TGU themselves are playing near Bradford but keep an eye open as they do all sorts of stuff all over the world. They are playing the Main Stage at Solfest (Cumbria) in August though, about 100 miles from you [url="http://www.solfest.org.uk/"]http://www.solfest.org.uk/[/url] [url="http://www.transglobalunderground.net/"]www.transglobalunderground.net[/url] Cheers Nx

[quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1341171426' post='1714709'] Most underrated and utterly brilliant guitar player ever, Olga from the toy dolls.... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbVShjnMoBs[/media] [/quote] He is indeed a very good player.