kusee pee

[quote name='Luulox' timestamp='1471334904' post='3112140'] Duran Duran song, last chance on the stairs. [/quote] On the stairway. Good choice. Brilliant bassline and my favourite ever song.

It's a good point about the 'autopilot'. There's been a few times when I've had to jump in on lead vocals when our singer's forgotten the words and I've found that I've just gone full-belt into the vocal and just let the bass get on with itself. Surprised myself that it normally comes out fine!

I'm a fan of quite a lot of U2 but also can't stand some of their overblown posturing nonsense. But their great work is often held up by the basslines. They are exactly what the songs need to allow the guitar the space to create the atmosphere. I've no idea if Adam Clayton could play complicated stuff but I'm sure it wouldn't add to the songs. With Mark King, he is an exceptional player and I'm a fan of much of his playing. It fits perfectly with the rest of the band, particularly in the early days. The only time I'd not like a bassist's playing would be where the bass detracts from the song or works against the other instruments. Can't think of an example off the top of my head. But neither AC or MK fall into that category so their playing is cool with me.

Great thread. Indeed, so many great basslines and super production. A couple here: https://youtu.be/1Wz_9dVJ-Ew https://youtu.be/A_sY2rjxq6M I just wish I could persuade my band to add them to the set...

Good advice so far. Practise bit by bit and work out how the rhythms of the bass and the vocal fit together. I used to think I couldn't do it. Now, I can do pretty much any vocal part with practise. It will come together!

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1470343513' post='3105415'] I want to work!!! Opportunity duly taken, was just doubting my motives for going for it. I like money... [/quote] Glad you're going for it! Make the songs your own and enjoy!

Depends if you get your fun more from the music you play or how the audience responds. We play largely bland stuff from my point of view but when it gets a crowd up, dancing and happy then it's all worth it in my book. In an ideal world, I'd be playing early 80s new romantic dance grooves to a wild audience but the latter rarely seems to be drawn to the former. And it's the latter that is needed to let me play bass live on a regular basis.

A superb talent indeed. When I got my first fretless, I remember playing Halloween from Quiet Life endless times trying to nail it. His work on that album plus Tin Drum was truly outstanding. I've always put those albums above Gentlemen Take Polaroids as the bass mix was more prominent to my ears. That said, the outro to the title track of that album was always so cool for the bass. Oh, and Cantonese Boy from Tin Drum was awesome too. And while we're at it, there's a lot of great work on the first two Japan albums (eg Suburban Berlin) but it's not quite as nuanced.

[quote name='Graham' timestamp='1469385030' post='3097899'] Last night wasn't great, it's a band myself and the guitarist from our main band play in from time to time, but we've not done a gig in the best part of a year. So, between not playing these songs live for a while, the heat and humidity, having to drag all the gear up two narrow flights of stairs and having done about six hours of driving that day, we made a few daft mistakes. The guitarist and I weren't too pleased with the performance, but the party (30th birthday party for the singer's sister) were happy, so okay I guess. [/quote] After many years, it still amazes me how bad I think a gig has gone but how great the audience thought it was! There seems to be little correlation between the two.

Our wedding gig last night was dominated by the dreaded decibel meter, unfortunately. We triggered it during the first track and from then on had to be on constant watch. No way to bypass it. However, the crowd didn't seem to mind and it caused some fun banter.

Yeah, great track from a great band. Billy Mackenzie was an impressive vocalist.

Thanks, loved that. JT's so cool he doesn't even press his own pedals 😎

We only ever play what will get the audience going. There's virtually nothing in our typical set that gets me going musically but if it gets the audience going then that's what brings the fun for me. And the bookings! On the odd occasion that we get something in which I can enjoy the bassline for its own sake then it's a bonus. After many years of regular gigging we still find it surprisingly hard to pick new songs that will fill the dancefloor - sometimes it's the ones you least expect.

An outstanding bassist and one who can sing over complicated bass lines too.

While we're on the subject of my favourite band 👍, gotta throw in Sweat In Bullet as another wonderful bassline. Also, Hunter And The Hunted is a simple but effective line. NGD is also made special by the tremendously subtle guitar work of Charlie Burchill.

I'd agree with starting with NGD. A number of great lines which drive the songs. Colours Fly And Catherine Wheel is a good example. Then go to Sons And Fascination/Sister Feelings Call for more of the same. Sparkle In The Rain has some good lines too - eg White Hot Day - but, as has been said, the mix keeps the bass hidden. I'm not sure if Derek used Vigiers until after he left SM for the first time. He certainly used them through his Propaganda days and then on his return to SM in the late 90s. I'm lucky enough to have bought one of his Vigiers from him, the lovely blue 5 string he's playing here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rk3o7G1LjqE&feature=share

Love a rowdy crowd, by far the best gigs. We seek venues where both the crowd and us can go wild. Enjoy it!

When playing at Guildfest a few years ago, we took the time to watch Peter Andre. I was also very impressed with his band. Great musicians and good dance groove.

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1463210212' post='3049485'] Finished on 3rd attempt. I got confused when it asked what keys you can play in. If you don't read (which wasn't asked) you can play in any key with equal proficiency. What confused me here was did the questioner appreciate this? I think the OP may not have thought about this. [/quote] Exactly the same for me.

Done. Look forward to the results

Controversially, I have really got into Jessie J's voice. Some of her material isn't the best but her voice is utterly marvellous with phenomenal control and versatility. Seen her live a couple of times and she doesn't disappoint. http://youtu.be/xc0YCkjyzQ8

Once we went IEM, there was never any way we'd go back. The benefits of personal mixes and ear protection are totally worth it in my opinion. We gig pubs, parties, weddings. We have a backline of bass and guitar amp but they are put through front-of-house and only provide a little on-stage output. I would never go back. When we have deps, we provide a wedge monitor for them if they wish or they can bring some headphones and have an ear mix. I would suggest going for it as the benefits are so great and the only downsides, for me, are the initial costs.

Buyer's Remorse is a horrible feeling. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buyer%27s_remorse I had a massive bout of it a couple of weeks ago after having put down a deposit on a car. The car was great but it was a lot of money, even though it was a bargain compared to the market and I'd long hankered after it. A day later and I'd backed out, lost (some) of the deposit but the relief was huge. Buyer's Remorse is very common.

[quote name='fleabag' timestamp='1453660922' post='2961526'] Yeah it was a bit nasty IMO, too. [/quote] Just for clarification, I didn't write the track 😛

As has been said, so many amazing albums to choose from. My mainstream choices would be: Duran Duran - Rio Simple Minds - New Gold Dream Both had the combination of great musicianship, quality production, top tunes and real subtlety which rewards repeated listening. My more obscure choices would be: The Ward Brothers - Madness Of It All Fiction Factory - Throw The Wharped Wheel Out Both have the same qualities as my mainstream choices but just happened to sell somewhat less.