Combed20

We were opening a festival, so we cleard off stage as quickly as possible (really grinds my gears when a band hangs around on stage after their set, with no consideration for the band next on stage) and stored our gear. We have a new album out, so we went to the merch table so see if we could flog a few cd's and shirts. After that we I enjoyed an alcohol free Guiness and enjoyed a couple of bands, before joining my family on holiday.

Last night we (Public Service Announcement) opened the Undercover Festival at the Holroyd in Guildford. Set time was 6.10, so we fully expected to play to an empty venue - wrong! Great crowd which just got stronger through the 30 min set. Great stage sound, and the band played a really tight. We gave a really good account of ourselves, feedback from the crowd was superb and we sold a good amount of copies of the new album. Very happy band this morning!

Can I ask what the app was, please @King Tut

When my band were looking for a new drummer, one potentially applicant was a big distance away. Our solution was to find a rehearsal room mid way. Meant everyone would have a roughly 50min journey. Would have been worth it for the right person.

Thanks for all the replies. I previously looked at sumup, but the band don't have a business account, so sumup wouldn't work for us. I do a lot if the 'office' stuff for the band, and loathe the thought of setting us up as a business in my name and add more 'work' - but I don't think it'd improve sales.

Thanks, that's really useful. One further question - will I need to open a band bank account to use it?

Hi all Looking for peoples thoughts on investing in a card machine for merch sales. Can they be linked to a personal account? - or do we need to open a band bank account? Do these increase sales enough to nullify the fee's you incur? All thoughts/experiences greatly recieved

Friday 8th, we (Public Service Announcement) played the Queens Head in Aylesbury. We have played there once before and it was a great evening - we were really looking forward to it. We would be providing backline and promoter supplying PA/Soundperson. A couple of days before the gig promoted messaged us to ask if we could supply the mic's and stands. This set alarm bells ringing. We also then saw online that a second band has been added to the event... The gig came, and as expected, there was the most basic vocal PA, only 2 monitors and no sound person. Vocals only through the PA (I normally like some kick drum in my monitor) and no monitor for the drummer meant this wouldn't be the easiest gig - but we've had worse. Once we completed soundcheck, the second band took the stage. A anarcho-punk band made up of three 15 year olds who hadn't thought to bring any amps or ask us if we could kit share. Just some cymbals and gutiars. Ordinarily, I'd refuse to loan my gear in this situation. I'm happy to kit share if arranged in advance, but my thoery is if you haven't the manners to arrange in advance, how do I know you have the manners to respect my equipment?? Anyway, we were all young once, so I plugged up my little Warwick gnome, and let their bass player use that. Once they finished we set up, and as we were about to go in, former England football player Stuart Pearce came in. We knew he was planning to come, but part of me hoped he wouldn't show once we realised the sound wouldn't be great. Anyway, we did our best - and the crowd loved it. At the end of the day, we can't really ask for any more. Mr Pearce came to say hello at the end - unfortunately, we were unable to get a band pic with him. Next time...

Mine top 5 artists were 1 Skids 2 Motörhead 3 The Damned 4 Alice Cooper 5 UK Subs First time it hasn't been Motorhead at no.1 Shocked UK subs are in top 5!!

Two gigs with Public Service Announcement this weekend. Saturday night was at the Trinity Bar, Harrow. Originally, we would be opening the show, followed Damage UK (who organised the event) and headlined by Eddie Roxy and the Adjacent Kings. Unfortunately Eddie Roxy had to cancel, so Red Anger joined the bill as opener and Damage UK headlined. Venue had an Ashdown combo to use and knowing bands play upstairs, I decided to use house rig as frankly, I couldn't be arsed to lug my rig up stairs! Something in me said to have my little Warwick gnome in my bag and my Orange SP212 cab in the boot - just in case. Good job I did, as arrived at venue to find the house rig wasnt working. Back up rig sounded great. Onstage sound was definitely one of the best we've had. All thee bands played well to a very receptive, but small crowd. Not sure the line up change at fault or just a slow night. I find originals gigs really can be hit and miss attendance wise. Drive home was just 30 mins, so home well before midnight Sunday we headed down to a rainy, windy Brighton for the Punk 4 the homeless gig at the Pipeline. We had a 5pm slot. We parked in a multi story and then three of us lugged guitar, bass, pedal boards, cable bags, mic stand, cymbal bag across Brighton in search for venue. Why we didn't pull up outside venue, drop off gear and then park, I don't know... We got to venue in time to rest our achy arms and enjoy a pint while we waited for the drummer, who'd headed down earlier with his wife. We waited, and waited and waited and then we got nervous, and then we got anxious. As the band on before us finished their and started to pack up, in he strolled, looking a drowned rat. He wiped the rain of his glasses so he could see, took his wet coat off and rushed to the stage.... House rig was an Ampeg head through an Ashdown 4x10. Sounded great! Wish I noted what model the head was - not that I have need or money for any more gear. we played really well and went down a storm. Calls for a encore which we had time to fulfill and some great moshing from the younger audience at the front. We then grabbed a beer and enjoyed Watching Rage DC before lugging the gear back through the now dark streets in the wind and the rain, loaded the car and then sat in the traffic jam on the M25 And exhausting weekend. Loved every minute

Andy has put my band on a few times now - jolly good bloke!

King Billy Rock Bar in Northampton last night. Split the bill with Voodoo Radio. Played with my full rig, Orange Bass Butler through Orange LBT and Orange 2x10 and 2x12 cabs. Crowd wasn't as big as we hoped, but we went down well and Landlady said we'd be welcome back next year. Managed to race through 16 tracks in 50 mins. Bloody knackered today.

Steve did the sound last night. I made sure to let him know ( and thsnk him) it was best in stage sound I've had. He was brilliant last night.

I'm in PSA - Public Service Announcement. Have you played there @Lozz196 ?

Excellent evening at Friars Inn in Hemel Hempsted. Clint has thrown everything possible to turn this pub into a venue - and it shows's. Backline is provided, so I just plugged in my bass and bass butler into venues amp and was good to go. Stage sound was best I've ever had - could hear absolutely everything. We were paid the second we walked through door, each given a generous amount of drink vouchers and we were also fed - we've never been looked after so well. We were support to XSLF (who were brilliant). We went down very well, didn't sell a huge amount of merch, but signed a few set lists and event posters which was a compliment to be asked, but signing things for people weirds me out!

Fantastic gig for us. The bands first trip to Aylesbury - home town of our guitarist, so very well attended. Venue (I believe) is fairly new. Called The Petri Dish, It's a rennovated shop on the high street, but done really well. We play originals, but to pad out to the requested 60min set, we added a few covers. One of them being Staring at the Rude Boys. We found out a couple of hours before doors open Ruts DC guitarist Leigh Haggarty would be in attendence. Cue squeaky bum. I played my Nate Mendel P bass through and Orange Bass Butler through my Little Bass Thing effect return through Orange 2x10 & 2x12. Great venue, great sound, great crows, great night.

What area are you?

I really enjoyed that, thanks for sharing. I only fonished reading his book last week, so great timing

We played the Birds Nest in Deptford last night. In the lead up, I was getting some anxiety over the thought of driving from Buckinghamshire to South London. It did take almost 2.5 hours, but the journey was nowhere near as bad as expected. It was my first gig with my new Orange Bass Butler pedal. It sounded fantastic. Need to rework my pedal board and get the tuner pedal back. The clip on tuner is nowhere near as good. The band didn't play too well, but we went down a storm. If we go back, I'll use my back up guitar- there was beer and bodies flying around the front. Drive home was a swift 67mins, and was a dream in comparrison. I was woken up early by my kids this morning, no doubt I'll crash this afternoon...

I'm in Public Service Announcement (PSA). You missed a good night. Free entry and the place was rammed.

Punk Birthday gig in Hemel last night. Suprisingly well attened considering the Acton lot also had a birthday Bash, The wingmen were in London and Dropkick Murphys were at Wembley. The guys running it are putting a huge eeffortto turn this pub into a venue. Stage sound was really hardwork, stage monitors were either feeding back humming or feeding back making it very hard tohear the other members, but we went down well with the crowd. Sound man is new and he is re-doing everything next week and it will be easier next time. Bands were fed with a mountain of pizza and loads of free drink. Never been looked after so well. Looking forward to play there again in April when we'll be support XSLF

I'm doing a gig next week and the TE 715X is available as house backline. I normally bring my own rig, but wondering if I can plug my Orange LBT into the speak bypassing the TE head. Looking online I see a speakon socket on the back... Thanks in adv

First gig of the year last night at The Fighting pink torpedos in Kingston. Used my Orange LBT head and venues GK cab. Lots of compliment over my tone, which was much appreciated. I've been thinking about swapping out my sansamp VT Bass DI for an Orange Bass Butler, but all the compliments are now making think maybe I should just save my money and stick with what I have...

Rehearsal and gigging is my social life! Like you, I have to enjoy the company of the other members. If rehearsing and gigging isn't fun, it's time for me to move on....