kusee pee

I've gigged and rehearsed with about ten different basses in my current band over hundreds of gigs/sessions. Not one band member or punter has ever noticed the difference 😞😞

My band is coming up to its tenth anniversary with the original members. By far the most important part of getting to ten years has been managing each other. We've had plenty of bust ups and crises but we share a common goal and know it's worth it in the end. Stick at it and do your best to sort it out. A good band is a great part of life. Think of it like a marriage with multiple spouses!

I saw her too. Pretty good but I was so disappointed when she didn't play I Should Be So Lucky. I felt really short changed, like she was embarrassed to play one of her most well-known songs. It's her prerogative but I think at a big show there's almost an obligation to play for the audience and do all the big songs.

Everyone loves a singalong. We play it in B cos I can't reach those damn high BVs! No one notices.

I'm a big fan of the first four albums and Jet's drumming was always lovely and tight. Check out Peasant In The Big Shi*ty for a lovely example.

It was soooooo hot! Midge Ure really suffered, burning hot sun right in his face for the whole set.

Saw them live at the Dartford Festival a couple of months back I think. Was groovy.

If I was just staying at home and intended that to continue then I'd stay with 4 strings as it seems you have more fun with one. I went to 5 when I joined my band as it gave me much greater flexibility to play more songs easily- up the neck rather than down low - and I'm now committed to 5s. I'm a 5 convert nowadays as I think they're more adaptable instruments to a wider range of music but I wouldn't stress over one if I was staying at home and playing for fun - I'd just play what I had most fun with. Edit: it did take me a while to find a 5 that I liked though and certainly string spacing is a factor for slapping a 5 IMO. So maybe try some out and see! HTH

I was a partial fan of the foos but then got the chance to see them live at the London Stadium this year and they were truly epic. All My Life is the perfect set opener and Dave was a top entertainer.

Busted 🤫

Knowledgeable and passionate about synths, witty, droll and hugely successful. He may not be able to plinky plonk like Rick Wakeman but I know which would add more to a band's sound IMO.

A synth legend. As well as playing, he was very creative and also heavily into the production. The sounds he brought to the first two DD albums brought so much atmosphere which allowed the rest of the instruments to shine against a lush background. Probably the hardest spot to fill in a DD tribute IMO.

Saw her at an 80s’ fest last year. I’m a big 80s fan anyway but she was the main draw having never seen her and been a fan of much of her work. She was excellent all round. I’d jump at the chance to see her again.

I’ve a Cirrus 5 NT and it’s brilliant. Powerful, versatile and a lovely neck. I only stopped gigging it due to a Dingwall obsession but I still love how easy it is to play every time I pick it up. Superb bass for the money.

This is an oldy which i had on dvd. I think it’s excellent plus has some super cool 80s style band throughout. Well worth 90mins of your time.

Simple Minds in 1982 or 1983 would have been sublime.

Saw Steel Panther last week. Love those guys, hilarious. Next gig in a couple of weeks is Simple Minds at The Roundhouse, playing their new album in its entirety. Then a bit of a wait til Foo Fighters in the summer.

How could I forget that vital ingredient 👍

I love private gigs. I feel a greater sense of professionalism and desire to put on a great show when you know you have a specific client. It’s also nice knowing someone has chosen you when they could have had any other band. Don’t get me wrong, I love the fun of pubs and a chance to have play to a variety of people who don’t feel an obligation to enjoy - they either like you or they don’t - but given the choice I prefer the private gigs.

Santa bought me tickets to their Shepherds Bush gig . Seen them once before, they’re brilliant.

Can’t help on the bass but what a great group with some great bass playing and guitar work. Almost made me like Richard Jobson.

I totally agree with letting children/beginners playing along to the music that gets them going the most. Enthusiasm and enjoyment will be let drivers in improvement. If I had to throw one bassist at them from my own POV it would be anything by Bernard Edwards. Such awesome groove, bass to the fore and memorable/fun lines.

We've used deps on a number of occasions and I never really enjoy it. Even with our regular dep drummer (who was a session musician for many years, including Level 42 no less!), it's a little nerve wracking as it never feels quite as natural. However, we never want to cancel a gig so we make sure we're as prepared as possible. We've had a couple of just show-and-go deps which is tough but we've rarely had an audience been upset about it as we do our very best to keep it tight and play our socks off no matter what. So I'd say it's worth going for but be prepared to feel different and up your game to maintain standards - for example, with all our deps I tend to babysit closely and play the role of conductor. But we always feel good that the show still went on.