Swarbs

In the good old days I used to value open string playing as it allowed you to smoke a bit of your fag with your left hand (then push it back under the E string between the nut and machine head). My old precision has burn marks on the headstock where the fags burned too far down). I've always found that open strings are harder to damp and can ring out louder than fretted. I had an old Burns bass with a zero fret, but it didn't make much of a difference.

Hey, Remember that you're auditioning them too ! Just cherry pick a few songs that you can play well, and tell them to play along. You'll soon get a feel if it's the right band for you, and how much you'll be able to get away with later (with the songs you struggle with). When you're in, avoid the tough songs as long as you can whilst learning a simplified version of them. Then use you're simplified version, and make the excuses like I've had so many songs to learn just not had time to sit down and bottom this one. Work out who the laziest member of the band is and buddy up, they'll stick up for you later when you've still not learned that freaky bass line. Once you're about 80% with the set, the band should ease off with the intense observation and evaluation of you're playing and just get back into doing their own things. Keep practicing and remember to keep telling the band and yourself 'less is more'.

Yeah, Loads of sympathy, but bear in mind that you were being paid to entertain in a Pub, where the audience often have the cheeky habit of having a few scoops, sometimes too many. What happens next goes with the territory, expect it to happen ! Expect people to be drinking, which can lead to drunkenness, misbehaviour and violence. Expect some drink to be spilt and maybe blood too. Expect the audience to be at best , mildly appreciative of your efforts, then go crazy for more when you’ve finished. Expect to get paid at the end of night however well you performed. Personally I don’t understand why you need thousands of pounds worth of gear to play pubs, and why do you need 2 basses on stage ? To double your risk of damage ! I’ve done about 500 gigs and broken a string once, that’s it, never had a problem with a bass on stage other than that. My pub gig rig stands me at about £250 incl. old jap p- bass copy, old Trace head and 15inch cab. (No silly pedals - I play with drums, 2 guitars, sax and harmonica, no special effects pedals can cut through that lot). No one in the audience or the rest of the band has ever complained about the sound, tone or volume. I’ve got better gear but I don’t see the point of using it for Pub gigs… other than for posing I don’t see the point. As for the Grubby guy, that’s his local pub, he’ll probably be there most nights, trying to have a good time, begging the landlord not to re-book your band ! Could be the next Bez…..