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Pretty good stuff! All the best, Nigel

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1323964017' post='1469272'] You can smile all you like mate , that is EXACTLY what happened! Before the invention of the 'gramaphone record', every piece of live music any of us ever heard, even on the radio (which predates recorded music) was played by a bunch of men and women with proper grown up instruments. You would sit in your bedroom in LA and listen to music that was, at that very moment, being played in a studio somewhere in New York. You watch a movie, the music was played by someone in the pit. The world was full of dance bands and musicians that made a living touring 12 months of the year all of the country. The US was chock full of bands and musicians and, for Black folk particularly, it was a prestigious/high status job. The introduction of recording undermined all of that and it was finally killed off by the invention of the microphone which meant that the singer, previously a minor novelty, came to prominence and the bands got smaller and smaller until they all but disappeared (Duke Ellington was the only band leader not to pack in in the late 40s - even Count Basie went down to a 9-piece). Live music was also killed off by the introduction of the 'disco' which, let's face it, is just a bloke playing records. To be a musician - buy an instrument, do 10,000 hours practice and then scrabble for gigs. To run a disco - buy the gear and you're off. [/quote] Good one!

[quote name='mrdreadful' timestamp='1323949944' post='1468981'] Well yes, better to ask a question and be a fool for a minute than not ask and be a fool for a lifetime and all that. Not really a bad day, I just believe that education need not come with a side order of mockery. [/quote] He wasn't mocking, he was straight up.

Bad day, mr dread? There are many very naive people about who make assumptions without checking the details. IMO, only a fool would tell their wife they are getting loads of cash to spend from record company advance before knowing the facts. An advance is basically a loan, an investment. It's not for a f***ing kitchen

[quote name='SteveK' timestamp='1323897211' post='1468568'] The honest answer?..Absolutely! It's increasingly becoming a producer's world, so I would not advise session work as a career path. Having said that... Chris2112 offers some [b]sensible[/b] advice...it's the kind kind of [b]sensible[/b] advice that, as a young, obsessed, single-minded wannabe... I (thankfully) ignored. [b]Not[/b] having your head in the clouds would go some way to explaining why music as a profession is/was not for you. MusicLover20015, I would say, if you're at all swayed by the naysayers in this thread, then music is not for you...however, if you do have your head in the clouds, are obsessed and single-minded, then go for it. [/quote] I like this I think it was The Killers' guitarist who said that he moved to Las Vegas determined to get in or start a great band and succeed as a musician. Asked whether he had a back up plan he said no, and that having one dilutes your determination because you have a choice.

[quote name='EdwardHimself' timestamp='1323890553' post='1468450'] +1 to this. Most university courses are not externally accredited and therefore the uni can basically teach you whatever the hell they want to. They want to have as many students as possible so that they can earn more money and therefore they will put claims about how fantastic your opportunites are after this degree blah blah blah. It's all a load of crap. I certainly wouldn't reccomend going to uni and wasting everyones' money for a degree like art or music, but if you must, then don't expect to get a job at the end of it. Think of it as a nice experience which will allow you to harbour loads of nice memories to get you through 5 decades of burger-flipping [/quote] Hoy! I'm the depressing bastard around here.

[quote name='Chris2112' timestamp='1323890139' post='1468433'] I could be snide and make a comment about how your illiterate posts give me some idea of why you're working as a string plucker these days but I won't. You probably think I'm being mean spirited and a killjoy, I'm not. I'm just giving some real world perspective on this matter, in stark contrast to the usual back-slapping cries of "f*** the jobs market" [/quote] Come on mate, that's a bit crass. You have good points, like most on this thread, it's a fascinating subject, don't get it locked. Threads get locked damn quick at the moment.

[quote name='Chris2112' timestamp='1323889699' post='1468414'] It's harsh, but it's true. I was lucky to be bailed out of university with a 35 year contract for work after my first year, so I never accumulated too much debt. If I were faced with the same decision again, I'd probably not go to uni this time around. I certainly wouldn't go to study something as frivolous as music. [/quote] Music ain't frivolous blud, really. But it's certainly vocational. If you have no passion for it, you are f***ed.

Scott Thunes "If you're going to school to learn how to be a musician, you're not learning how to be a rock star, and you're not learning how to be famous. You're learning to play music- that's it! It doesn't mean you get a band, it doesn't mean you hook up with friends ... it doesn't mean dick! You spent $5,000 on school? Great! That means you spent $5,000 on school. Now, get a job. And I don't mean in the musical world-I mean [i]get a job[/i]." My view is that music schools have to make money, they need LOTS of students in order to do this, and LOTS of advertising to get those students. I think a LOT of these students are being sold a dream, and I think a LOT of these students may not have the capability to develop the whole package necessary to get enough work to survive as a musician without a regular job. I think that at the moment, there is only space for the competent, confident and imaginitive players who know how to network, be reliable, nice to be around, have good personal hygiene, know when to keep their gobs shut and play what's required, and get it right very quickly and save the studio or artist time and money. I don't know if that's true, but that's what I really feel. Most work is got by word of mouth and connections. Just ONE good job could lead to another and another. The biggest asset you will have as a musician wanting to get gigs and sessions is trust and praise from the trustworthy and praiseworthy. All I know is I would hate the life of a session musician. That's why I have a day job and play with bands and musicians who make music I love. If one of these artists break, I'll have to decide what to do next.

[quote name='urb' timestamp='1323876422' post='1468120'] I think he's good and I think it's dangerous to dismiss someone who's only been around for five minutes - give the guy a chance to develop - he's got a lot of good ideas even if you don't necessarily like them. Anyone who is being hailed as the 'future' of anything is almost always the victim of a journalist desperate to 'get there first' and break a new artist... like I said don't believe the hype - well it's obvious you guys don't - just be careful you don't knee-jerk yourselves too far into reverse... [/quote] Words to be heeded.

I actually really wanted to like this album. You should read the interview with him in BP. You'd think he was the second bloody coming from the piece. Then I heard it and wondered if it was the same thing they were talking about.

[quote name='Wolverinebass' timestamp='1323872733' post='1468069'] Without meaning to sound any thicker than I actually am, is the above statement [i]not[/i] saying it's crap?!! [/quote]

I'd just like to say that I didn't say it was total crap, just that it bored the sh*t out of me, and that I find it of little merit.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1323867211' post='1467926'] I'm always interested when it comes to things bass, so I'm sitting here listening to Thundercat. Future of bass? Well if you were listening in 1966, but Prog Rock covered all this ground 35 years ago. This guy isn't even original let alone the future of anything! That's 5 mins of my life I'll never get back!! [/quote] Quite

Thanks for all your help with this, guys, appreciated I ended up getting Warwick Black Label stainless, I have avoided stainless for over a decade. I have to say, they are really nice! Sort of a Rotosound vibe with a lot of depth, while not being crap. I'm happy with them, and no more dead strings.

Bass Player Magazine had him on the cover last month, and the Guardian had Brainfeeder (with a photo of him, The Gaslamp Killer and Flying Lotus) on the cover of the Guardian Guide a couple of weeks ago, they also noted it's been said he is the future of bass, and clearly thought what Brainfeeder are doing is incredibly innovative. I heard some of Thundercat's album the other day, 'The Golden Age of the Apoclypse', he's a very, very clever bassist, no doubt, and revered in high circles, mates with Hadrien Feraud, Stanley Clark, et al, but the music bored the sh*t out of me. I just can't see any real merit in it. Can you? [url="http://www.brainfeedersite.com/2011/08/21/thundercat-the-golden-age-of-apocalypse-stream/"]http://www.brainfeedersite.com/2011/08/21/thundercat-the-golden-age-of-apocalypse-stream/[/url]

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1323709452' post='1466101'] You need to get out more, mate ... [/quote] I did

My first REALLY good bass was a Warwick Corvette $$, but I sold it because I'm a tart who like new shiny things to dribble over and stare at. After a long journey buying and selling all sorts of basses like a fool, I am now back with Warwick. They are beautifully built, the necks have the right dimensions for me and have 24 superbly fitted bell brass frets (and I love the feel of Ovangkol and ebony), active circuitry, pickups in the place I like them for thumb resting, great sounds, great ergonomics, totally reliable. My bass has to look great for stage as well as be a great player, I have a chrome finish Streamer which looks amazing. I did have to go on that journey though. I am proud to play it, and I feel completely at home with it. It is the ONE. I also have a Hohner Headless cricket bat as a backup because they are also very well built, sound great, same neck dimensions as the Warwick, ative circuitry, totally reliable and I love its portability and tuning stability.

[quote name='Slipperydick' timestamp='1323714959' post='1466197'] I had a bout a couple of years ago, but as it happened I left the band I was with, the enforced rest cured it. but see your GP and make sure thats what it is. Some GPs will offer you an injection that cures it, but I bottled out as I'd heard its painful. [/quote] They are normally corticosteriod injections to reduce inflammation.

[quote name='velvetkevorkian' timestamp='1323711462' post='1466121'] I've had tendinitis in my hands and arms in the past (and still have to manage it)- the biggest things that made a difference for me were 1: making sure my technique was OK (I was holding my fretting thumb in a stupid position) and keeping my arms and shoulders relaxed- for me doing nothing but playing bass and using the computer was the killer for this, and my shoulders and arms were very tight, which manifested itself as pain lower in the arm and hand on both sides. Recommend seeing a physiotherapist and possibly getting some kind of deep muscle massage. [/quote] Friction in the tendon sheaths = inflammation = more friction = more inflammation, etc. Deep muscle massage won't help tendons mate. Always get a correct diagnosis before any treatment.

Tennis elbow is from impact usually, and results in tiny tears in the tendons around the elbow and inflammation and resultant pain around the outside of the elbow. You won't be able to hold a kettle of water, or extend the fingers outwards against resistance. Rest is the treatment. How do you know you have tennis elbow?

[quote name='Monckyman' timestamp='1323693039' post='1465804'] Tis a good idea,but as above, maybe a subsection for Pub/take your own P.A and Venue with in house FOH and engineer. As ever, photos say a lot more than words can. [/quote] Very good point! I've never played anywhere that didn't have a PA so hadn't really thought of that. Thanks. Also, I did take a few pics of the Silver Bullet but they came out too dark to be much use.

[quote name='gary mac' timestamp='1323448335' post='1463574'] Tonight 9 pm kick off I'm on the subs bench and probably playing the second set and encore, if we get one! [/quote] So glad Sam's back in the ring mate!

[b]Venue Name: Silver Bullet[/b] [b]Date and Day Played At: 10/12/2011 Saturday Night[/b] [b]Venue Type: Pub Venue[/b] [b]Capacity: 100 or so[/b] [b]Venue Address: 5 Station Place, Finsbury Park, London N4 2DH[/b] [b]Venue Website: http://www.thesilverbullet.co.uk/[/b] [b]Location: North London[/b] [b]Parking: Not at venue, some local parking in the evening[/b] [b]Public Transport: Right outside Finsbury Park tube Bus Station exit, Victoria LIne tube, Dead easy to get to.[/b] [b]Stage Size: 15 ft wide, 7ft deep[/b] [b]Stage Monitoring: 2x stage front wedges, 2x flying (good, but no drum side fill)[/b] [b]Stage Lighting: Fair, not very colourful, but bright enough.[/b] [b]Dressing Room?: No[/b] [b]Gear Storage?: Yes, a very small room near stage.[/b] [b]Toilet Cleanliness: Just about passable[/b] [b]House Drum Kit?: There was tonight[/b] [b]Drum Kit miced?: Kick and snare[/b] [b]House Amplification?: A Fender tweed twin, may no be the venue's. Best to check.[/b] [b]Keyboard Stands? No[/b] [b]Enough Mics and DI Boxes?: Yes [/b] [b]Enough Desk Channels?: Yes [/b][b](we needed 9)[/b] [b]Separate Monitor Mix?: No[/b] [b]Stage Sound Quality: Very good, clear, immersive, loud.[/b] [b]FoH Sound Quality: Good, clear, loud[/b] [b]Sound Engineer Professionalism: Top notch, he was excellent![/b] [b]Did you enjoy playing there?: Very much so. Nice crowd.[/b] Any other comments?: The place was full of good natured Gooners post-match drinking when we arrived, some were clearly interested in the music.

I'm not sure this has been done on BC, let me know if it has. I thought venue reviews by members who have played somewhere could be very useful for info if you are about to gig there. It needs to be easily searchable. How about this format, any other suggestions? We could probably do something similar for promoters too perhaps? Maybe this should be a subforum like the BC Member Feedback subforum? And search the subforum for a venue before posting your review? I'll chuck a few up later on. [b]Venue Name:[/b] [b]Date and Day Played At:[/b] [b]Venue Type: [/b] [b]Capacity:[/b] [b]Venue Address:[/b] [b]Venue Website:[/b] [b]Location:[/b] [b]Parking:[/b] [b]Public Transport:[/b] [b]Stage Size:[/b] [b]Stage Monitoring:[/b] [b]Stage Lighting:[/b] [b]Dressing Room?:[/b] [b]Gear Storage?:[/b] [b]Toilet Cleanliness:[/b] [b]House Drum Kit?:[/b] [b]Drum Kit miced?[/b] [b]House Amplification?:[/b] [b]Keyboard Stands?[/b] [b]Enough Mics and DI Boxes?:[/b] [b]Enough Desk Channels?:[/b] [b]Separate Monitor Mix?:[/b] [b]Stage Sound Quality:[/b] [b]FoH Sound Quality:[/b] [b]Sound Engineer Professionalism:[/b] [b]Did you enjoy playing there?:[/b] [b]Any other comments?:[/b]