Bluewine

On 16/12/2025 at 17:43, Stub Mandrel said:

I've got loads of Sunday afternoon gigs lined up for '26. They are great - don't interfere with my social life or work!

I love outside Sunday afternoon gigs.

Daryl

3 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

Last nights gig with BLOCKBUSTARZ Glam covers band in Cambusnethan Miners Club. Was sold out with 200+ tickets sold. Not an empty seat in the hall. It was crammed full.

Mostly women in the audience and a mixed age group too. Looked like a few Xmas party groups in.

Dancing from the first song all thru the full show. One pair of dancers dressed for the occasion were literally dancing every song of a 2.5hr show. They were on their feet more than us. 🤩

The atmosphere was literally electric and it makes you feel better and put more into the show. The singer was on top form with his audience participation. Not bad considering he drove there straight from work.

We had so many people chapping our dressing room door to have a chat and thank us for a fantastic night. Was quite over-whelming but still nice to hear.

Sound was incredible from our Sound Engineer And PA guy who is now our new permanent 6th band member.

People that saw us there 2 yrs ago said the sound was much more full this time around and you could hear the difference between backline and full PA use.

Feed back was sensational with many requests for contact details with the venue wanting to book for next Xmas too. Another woman that asked if we would play the club she manages as she was so impressed by the band and the show. This was a club i played back in early 80's. Similar sized Club too. She's adamant she'll have us booked for 2026 and was so complimentary. And she made a point of telling me she was teetotal and sober so that sounds promising. Will see what else comes out of it all.

Tonight at The Dreadnought so hopefully will see the same reaction from the audience tonight. We're already booked in for next Xmas so no worries there. Think this is 4yrs in a row so far we've played the Sat before Xmas.

My usual gear Sandberg MarloweDK - Shure GLXD wireless - Bassist Comp - Handbox WB-100 - BF 212 cab. 

Dave

You're lucky Dave. Gigs like that for us are far and few in between. 

Daryl

19 hours ago, Mudpup said:

Folded my band of 15 years up last December for a variety of reasons - here's a few....

 

The death of my Dad meant that body offered to step in and do the bookings or promo work whilst i spent 3 months of weekends finalising everything.

The singer/guitarist was inacapable of learning any new songs on his own and coming to rehearsals with them semi prepared, that was driving me nuts.  

 

 

I've seen this before and I wonder if sometimes it's more won't learn new material rather than incapable.

I stopped suggesting new songs years ago. 

Daryl

4 hours ago, steantval said:

Why do people like your drummer, singer and guitarist bother to be part of bands (very busy lives) there surely has to be a good degree of time commitment to make any band work, especially if you are gigging.

I think when bands are auditioning amongst other questions, how much have you gigged in the last few years and tell us a little about your overall gigging experience.  Some of these guys want to be in bands but run when a 2 or 3 gig weekend comes up. My point, some guys don't understand how tough it is to commit to a gigging band 

Daryl

On 15/12/2025 at 22:03, Bluewine said:

Our drummer has turned down seven good 2026 gigs in a row. We don't know why. BL called me for input on how we move forward.

 

There's no easy answer, he was great with backing vocals and a great

" pocket" drummer.. I guess he didn't like playing with us.

 

We have two dep drummers to cover all the bookings.

 

I know that finding a full time permanent replacement would be too much of a challenge.  I suggest we find another dep drummer we can put in rotation. 

 

I know a guy that I think would be good, but I don't really know him. I think he does a lot of depping. We can offer good gigs with good pay.

 

I'm afraid to reach out to him. I keep thinking, what if we bring him in and he turns out to be a " flake ". That would be on me.

 

Daryl

We send out new gig announcements via messenger to confirm availability.  I noticed yesterday our drummer is no longer included. 

Daryl

7 hours ago, TimR said:

 

Talk to him and talk to the band. 

 

Your current drummer is already appearing to become a flake. You're not going to lose anything. 

I'm working on getting my nerve up to contact him.

Daryl

9 hours ago, Sean said:

Daryl, is that ASAT the same as an L2000 but just a different body or is there some unique ASAT-ness to it?

 

It's a 1994 with a Telecaster body style with an active pre-amp. I don't know much about the L2000 but I think they're pretty much the same bass.

Daryl

7 hours ago, Franticsmurf said:

This year has seen me get a few good depping roles in decent local bands. They've been on personal recommendations, too, which makes me feel great. Working with new musicians and learning new songs that I would never have looked at otherwise has given my musical self confidence a boost. If I'm honest it's also renewed my enthusiasm for playing in general, which was sagging a little. An added extra is that with the dep roles I've gone back to using backline and I've managed to get a consistent sound that I'm really happy with, and that the bands have complimented me on (as if I designed the TE cabs and Ampeg SCRDI that I'm using to get it 😂). While DI into the desk for my main band makes sense (there are 13 of us and we usually play large venues), I am enjoying the thump directly behind me. 

Our band is pretty well known locally and I think people know who I am.  I never get any calls to play with other bands. You're very lucky.

Daryl2

6 hours ago, Russ said:

ISo I've gone back to my nice old Lag and Ovation acoustics. 

 

My hopes for 2026 are relatively high, but I'm cautious.

I like those Ovation acoustics. 

Daryl

Our drummer has turned down seven good 2026 gigs in a row. We don't know why. BL called me for input on how we move forward.

There's no easy answer, he was great with backing vocals and a great

" pocket" drummer.. I guess he didn't like playing with us.

We have two dep drummers to cover all the bookings.

I know that finding a full time permanent replacement would be too much of a challenge.  I suggest we find another dep drummer we can put in rotation. 

I know a guy that I think would be good, but I don't really know him. I think he does a lot of depping. We can offer good gigs with good pay.

I'm afraid to reach out to him. I keep thinking, what if we bring him in and he turns out to be a " flake ". That would be on me.

Daryl

8 hours ago, 12stringbassist said:

We played a club near Bolton for the fourth time. The Concert Sec there lives in the 1960's and puts some real clunge on. He's been ignoring my whatsapp messages about next year. He came up to me before went on and tauntingly reminded me that I had gone up to him and shown him a fake Rickenbacker the last time we played. I had two with me that night, plus a P Bass. He wouldn't have it that the Ric I brought last time was real. It was a 2002 4003FG and it was on my stand. He very grudgingly admitted it was real.

We always get told what a breath of fresh air we are when we play there. We went on played our two spots, went down like heroes with a 1.05 second spot with dancers throughout.

 

 

When he came to pay us at the end, I reminded him that he hadn't responded to my Whatsapp messages and laughingly said that I thought he'd died. He told us that though he really likes us we aren't right for the club. Some people left. Like they do when it's cold and dark out and not far off Christmas, etc.. I remined polite and cheerful, as we aren't short of work. Instead of losing my sheet, I just said, we will go down far better than some of the acts you've booked up to June next year.  You should've seen his face. Permanent worry-lines forming. He was beyond horrified and demanded to know which ones would frighten their punters and clear the place. I was too much of a gentleman to tell him.

I'm on your side of this 12 String. 

We had a nice on going gig at a popular club. They went the way if the Saturday night cover party bands which left us out. We were not longer a fit for the club. And we really weren't. 

Daryl

Please share any specific band updates and issues you're dealing with. We all deal with similar issues. This might be good thread to share issues and solutions  

Daryl

10 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

I don't get that at all. Sounds more like your band are too good to open for them and would show them up.

Dave

I've heard some signed bands are like that. It happened to us before.  We were to open for Samantha Fish and we were cancelled for the same reason. 

Daryl

10 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

Used to be more but we now have a permanent PA guy to do all the heavy stuff and we split our fee 6 ways now but it means i'm not lifting all the heavy PA cabs in and out my car for every gig. He turns up in his van and does it all. Sounds better out front too. Lot more professional looking too having your own SE.

Dave.

 

 We also share the luxury of having our own dedicated sound & lights guy.

Daryl

8 hours ago, neepheid said:

How is my gig tonight?  Cancelled - singer's got the flu.  Baws.  Oh well, one of my mates is coming round for a few drams instead.  Evening, saved!

Cancelations. I hate them. We had a nice theatre gig coming up, opening for a signed national touring band. The story I got was they don't want a 4 piece band opening.  Our two guitarists are going to open.

I'm a little suspicious of the whole thing.

Daryl

1 hour ago, dmccombe7 said:

Well our afternoon gig started off with a 90min drive.

On arrival drummer and PA guy were already set up so that was a bonus.

Doors open 1pm, nobody there, no queue, no-one in the hallway outside. Oh well we'll still go for it at 2pm. Paid rehearsal.

Then 2 people appeared at 1:15pm and then some more and by 1:30pm the organiser asked us to push it back but PA guy had a hire on at night so we said only by 30mins as we had a gig later that night. Wee white lie but at 2pm it started to get busier. By the time we went on at 2:30pm we had around 50-60 folks but its a big venue so it didn't look overly busy but they were all up for a great party afternoon. 

People just kept coming in even during the 2nd set folks were still arriving. I think we must have managed about 80 people for 2nd set.

Dancers on most songs and full floor for the last 4-5 songs so that was good.

Turned out quite an enjoyable afternoon and £150 quid in my pocket so that was nice.

Stopped for an Indian takeaway on way home too.

Now i'm sitting watching Mr Mercedes on Netflix with a full satisfied tummy. Diet finishes tomorrow. Target reached last week at 12st. but i'm gagging for a wee dram after tomorrow.

Usual gear for me.

Sandberg MarloweDK - Shure GLXD - Keeley Bassist comp - HB WB-100 - BF212 cab. 

 

Dave

Sounds like a decent gig Dave. And $150.00 is good pay. 

Daryl

On 08/12/2025 at 17:55, Dad3353 said:

 

Wireless Pack Holder...

MM4-BLK

 

Deluxe Wireless Pack Holders...

MM14-BLK

Thanks Dave

Daryl

3 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

I bought the Levy transmitter pouch that fits on your strap. Great thing.

Dave

I like that Dave. Can I order one from any of the major providers?

Daryl

1 hour ago, dmccombe7 said:

I've now converted our guitarist to the same Shure GLXD floor pedal version as myself and he's loving the freedom and not falling over cables with his platform shoes.

Wouldn't be without mine now.

Dave

I'm finally using my Line 6 G-30 correctly.  I use to keep my transmitter in my front pants pocket.  Now I have a strong peice of velcro on the back of my guitar strap and on the back of the transmitter. 

Daryl

On 07/12/2025 at 03:14, dmccombe7 said:

 

Usual gear Sandberg MarloweDK because its Xmasy looking in red and white - Shure GXLD wireless - 

Dave

Dave, your one of the only guys I know that performs wireless.  I've been going wireless for atleast 20 years.

I love the freedom of wireless. 

Daryl

8 hours ago, Cat Burrito said:

My final show of 2025 was also a debut at Devizes’ White Bear, a famously haunted 15th century coach house. Dubbed as “The White Bear before Christmas”, our visuals guy had declined doing a Jack Skellington type poster design due to copyright. I admire his principles. Having lost our other regular payer, I had high hopes to make this a good show. 
 

 

The vibe was very friendly and our hard push across all of our social media platforms paid off. Loads of familiar faces showed up. I did a walk around prior to going on, giving out band badges. I was playing mandocello, my Precision bass, mandolin and guitar. 
 

We decided to dress extra smart to make it more of an event. Nick’s legendary 86yr old mum came down to support us (again) and told me afterwards that we just get better. The landlady was extremely happy and said the whole pub was blown away, even the people in the back bar that I wasn’t convinced we’d win over. 
 

We have a couple of super fans who have been to the last few shows who showed up. It looks like we’re back for our 2026 album launch in the spring. A definite success. 

I like those jackets.

Daryl

31 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

 

Looks a chilled place.

 

It's like playing a house party.

Daryl

13 minutes ago, theplumber said:

Played with our 9 piece 60's band SHOUT! Last night in a pub called The Spateston Inn in Johnston just outside Glasgow. Busy night with punters and a Christmas night out from a local supermarket! The guitarist thought it was very funny seeing them in their ''civies'' and was tempted to go up and ask where the bacon was....We just about fitted in and lucky for us our keyboard lad was given the night of to see Madness  (The band not the illness!!) So....8 band members stuck in a corner whilst the resident DJ had much more room and plenty of tables! He played for about and hour,we did an hour then were off for another hour! Far too long a break and we had to endure ear shattering techno (down with the kids man!) music! Good night had by all,nice buffet I recommend the egg sarnies!

The band looks great and sounds great.

Daryl

23 minutes ago, dmccombe7 said:

That's an odd set up there Daryl. Its like someone's house. 🤩

Dave 🎅

Dave, It is someone's house. There is a huge bar when you enter the place. It's our 4th time playing there. People love it because you bring your own booze and save money. It's a very lucrative gig for us .

Daryl

8 hours ago, 12stringbassist said:

Last night we played in Heath Charnock between Bolton and Chorley.
A brilliant landlady and nice crowd.
One of the punters gave us a £30 tip and the landlady did too.

We gave this song a second outing. Played for the first time on Friday...
 

 

Nice one !

Daryl