Bluewine
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Posts posted by Bluewine
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1 hour ago, dmccombe7 said:
Nice wee afternoon gig for us with the Glam band at Polmont Bowling Club. Sold Out too.
To be fair it only holds 65 seated. 😂
Organiser was telling us they had a band in last night Sat and it was free entry but only 18 people turned up yet a Sun afternoon ticketed show and it sold out fast with many folks still asking for tickets after selling out.
We have played it 3x before to be fair and it was full.
Audience up for it from first song so that was great to see. Even the songs with no dancers we got a lot of applause and cheers at the end like Ziggy Stardust.
Was very hot and sweaty even with my large fan.
Left the house at 10:45am arriving 12 noon. Start time 3pm - 4pm then 4:30 to 5:45pm. Greggs sandwiches supplied too.
All went well and home by 8pm via chippie.
Used the Sandberg VM4 into Shure wireless and Keeley Comp then Handbox WB-100 and Barefaced 212 cab. Sounded very nice.
Dave
Selling 65 tickets is a big deal to me. Outside of our festival and fair gigs where people pay at the gate to get in, Maple Road does horribly with "pay to get in" gigs. Most are canceled due to low ticket sales.
Actually most ticketed events in my area are for signed national touring bands not local weekend warriors.
Daryl
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3 hours ago, tauzero said:
Last night was at the pub closest to my house - the Gamecock in Birchmoor, about a ten minute walk over the M42 footbridge (but about a five minute drive as you have to go the long way round). We got a whole room with a goodly amount of space but not a very big audience - scraped into double figures. However, they were very very enthusiastic and the landlord wants us back, and a farmer who was there said he'd like to get us in to play in his barn.
Did the room have a staffed bar ?
Daryl
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On 23/08/2025 at 02:46, Paul S said:
I joined a start-up band which went through a couple of personnel changes but the singer - new to bands but actually a good front man - was becoming increasingly difficult. LVS struck deep - he'd had a few promotions at work and started to believe his own PR, treating the rest of the band as lackies. It came to a head at a birthday gig we did. It is well known amongst my friends that I get grumpy if I don't eat regularly. This gig he said we were to help ourselves to the buffet before we started. Kick off time was raidly approaching, no sign of buffet. He lied, said no mention of buffet had ever been made, I got cross and we ended up having a nose to nose just before going on. I may have said a few things about his attitude and, as I recall, finished up threatening to throw him off the fire escape. Never a realistic prospect, what with my bad back and his obesity but there you go. Immediately afterwards he said I had to go, the band fell in with that so I got sacked. They didn't find another bassist. Shortly afterwards the singer left as his wife had a baby, they asked me back, we got another singer. But it was never the same, really.
I don't like it when venues pull the plug on food.
Our Harley Davidson contracts always specify what food and drinks are comped. They are more tham generous.
Daryl
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On 22/08/2025 at 02:54, Marvin said:
It wasn't a band as such as there was no singer and it never got out of the practice room. The guitarist especially was really unpleasant. We auditioned a singer to do originals. Great voice. After she left at the end of the audition the guitarist and drummer slagged her off for being "clueless" in the attempt she made. I pointed out she wasn't a mind reader as they'd not given any guidance as to what they wanted. A few weeks later I was told that the project was on hold as the guitarist had too many family commitments. The dopey pair forgot about social media though. I found out I'd been replaced a few days later on Facebook. I contacted the guitarist and had my longest swear rant at him.
Another band, the singer told us she was leaving after our first gig as she was moving away. We had possibly 2 more gigs before she left which she would do. Next gig, a set list is produced and it's minimal. I said I was concerned there wasn't enough material on it. Was told we'd pad it out with tuning up and talking. I said I thought that was cr@p. All hell broke loose, and ended with me telling them to sod off and I wasn't doing the gig.
From what I can see, most " start up " bands never see their 1st gig. It's very difficult to find people that can fully commit.
Daryl
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Years ago I briefly joined a band because I was desperate to be in a band. I made it to two rehearsals before I realized my mistake. Too far of a commute, I was too old and wrong type of music for me ( metal ). I had to figure out an acceptable reason quitting.
Daryl
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10 hours ago, JPJ said:
So yesterday (Monday) we arrived in Nashville (self-appointed music city). We were amazed wandering down Broadway at 5pm how many bands/duos/trios were playing in the bars - every bar had live music, some having multiple floors of live music and on a Monday. Fast forward to this morning and making the same walk at 11am, same result! Obviously, most if not all are playing for tips only, and you had to feel sorry for those playing to empty or near empty bars. We spotted at least two musicians playing in different groups to yesterday (one bassist was still wearing the same clothes).
Got me wondering how it works out here? Surely you cannot make a living playing for tips only? Do you have to take the early, empty gigs to get later more popular gigs? Are agents involved or does each bar do its own booking? So many questions - you can tell I’m in the second week of vacation and have nothing else to think about 😂Can you make a living on tips? I doubt it. However, I've seen $1,000.00 tip jars more than once.
Daryl
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On 17/08/2025 at 06:50, dmccombe7 said:
BLOCKBUSTARZ at Lilliardsedge Caravan Park for the Hot Rods in the Borders weekend. Another great night was had. 3 yrs in a row we've been asked back by the Hot Rods guys which is nice.
2 x 45min sets that ended up a bit longer 9 - 10pm and then 10:15 - 11:30pm.
Very warm on stage, sound wasn't quite perfect but sounded ok out front. We had problems with the drum channels on the desk and decided to just leave them out and play raw along with bass and guitar backline only. Only vocals thru our desk and the venues PA which is always a risky business but it works.
Very busy night, all seats taken with every table full and standing at the back of the hall. Its actually a permanent marquee tent they have. Nice set up but stage is hollow and does create a boom so used my Gramma board last night.
Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.
There is some doubt about whether the Hot Rods will run the event next year but organiser for the Park who books us said she would be happy to have us back next year same time provided the event goes ahead.
Decided to give the Godin bass a run out and it has a wonderfully deep warm P type tone that i have to admit was very nice IMO. It was in PJ mode all night, both pick ups selected.
Godin bass, Shure wireless, Keeley Bassist comp, Mesa TT800 Boogie channel, Mesa SW210/115 cabs. Sandberg VM4 as back up.
Really quite liked that Godin tone tho and its a really nice bass to play with a narrow neck very similar to the VM4 but having that typical old Fender-ish tone it kinda suits the music more than the VM4 which has a modern tone in comparison. I believe Godin had Seymour Duncan produce the pick ups for them.
1.5hrs drive home along quiet country roads made for an easy drive home but my eyes were starting to get tired. Home for 2:30am by the time i unloaded the car, quick coffee and a bit of TV before bed at 3am, back up at 6am with a cat bumping heads with me to get fed.
Today will be a quiet sleepy day.
Dave
Cool backdrop imagery Dave.
Daryl
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1 hour ago, neepheid said:
Played with Nine Lives last night at the Balaclava in Fraserburgh. Pretty good night, was a bit quiet at the start but it filled up during the first half and was nice and busy in the second half. Saturday night is the night to play in Fraserburgh, by my experience, should you ever find yourself playing there. We had a hen party (I think) and a divorce party all in one night. The divorcee in question was well oiled by the time she arrived though - spent half the time on the floor, she'll feel that today!
Also in a new first for my gigging career, I got my bottom spanked by a lady with a miniature tambourine - a new peril when going for a wireless wander! Spanked all the way back to my amp so I was and to give credit where credit is due, her timing was not awful - kept me right anyhow!
I took a highly unprofessional course of action and brought two basses I had been modding and mucking about with this fortnight - the Jet Star with the added Peavey T-40 pickup and the Fazley Hot Rod which recently arrived at Neep HQ and got a pickup change (Tonerider Duke) within an hour and a half of arrival, and copper shielded the night before. What could possibly go wrong? Well, nothing, as it happens. Maybe I'm lucky, or - whisper it - maybe I'm getting half decent at modding basses...
The Fazley Hot Rod in the first half was a joy to play. With no controls to eff around with I could honestly sense the freedom from thinking about it and just enjoyed playing. The Tonerider pickup is a great sounding pickup - lots of output but more than enough low mids to really punch through with quite an aggressive sound. Really happy with it. As for the Jet Star, being wary of a boomy sound from the T-40 pickup neckwards, I hedged my bets at the start of the second half - both pickups on, T-40 in single coil. And it was... OK. Compared to the Fazley in the first half I was having a less good time. Part way through the set, I switched to T-40 pickup only, in series and wow, what a difference. I needn't have worried - the sound was much more satisfying, heavy but not boomy, lots of low end substance but never muddy. Much bettah!
You know what my rig is by now! Which again only needed to be up about a quarter on the master to easily fill the pub with bass.
Very cool basses.
Daryl
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2 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:
We do Mamma Mia in the Glam band and its a nice wee song.
No Matter What by Badfinger is an absolutely cracking song. Enough so that when i first heard it a few yrs back i bought the album based on that song and was not disappointed by them.
Dave
I wish I could hear you guys do No Matter What.
Daryl
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2 minutes ago, Leonard Smalls said:
Here's a little blast of us being all punky at Rebellion recently...
Sounds very good.
Daryl
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We played Capones last night. 7-11.
A little long and late for me. BL called out songs we haven't performed in years. It's a good exercise, keeps you on your toes.
I'd say it was an okay gig. I'm ok if we never go back.
Daryl
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On 13/08/2025 at 18:21, otisblove said:
Hey, everybody.
My name’s Otis. I currently live in Indiana in the United States.
I’ve played guitar since I was 13. I’m 50 now. Really gotten into bass in the last decade.
I have five bass guitars. Here they are in the order I got them:Douglas WVEB violin bass
SX Ursa 1 w/ Fender American Pro II neck and SD Quarter Pound pickups
G&L L2000 Tribute
Fender American Professional II Precision
Danelectro Longhorn
Indiana ,isn't that where the " If Your In A Band " guy is from?
Daryl ( Wisconsin )
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5 hours ago, Geek99 said:
That’s not actually saying much
alternatively you could be saying that we are mostly older than God.:)
Interesting. It seems like members that post regularly on the " How Was Your Gig Last Night" thread seem to be around my age (71). Consequently our histories and experiences have many similarities. I have more in common with you guys than my bandmates that are 35 years younger than me.
It's no secret that my gigging experiences here in the States parallel many of you guys.
Daryl
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18 hours ago, peteb said:
Dunno about that, some people will complain about anything!
Obviously, I prefer playing the bigger, better gigs but I'm perfectly happy to play bars as well. Sometimes the bad gigs can be fun in a perverse way and provide you with the best stories!
I think some of it for us is simply a few bad bookings. There are some gigs that aren't a good match for us.
I have a tough time playing to people that have no interest in us. However, I'll take the blame, we booked it.
Daryl
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11 hours ago, Geek99 said:
You’re welcome here
we have lots of US members and it’s much nicer here than TalkBass
I think the bass chat community is a lot more mature than talk bass.
Daryl
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11 hours ago, BassAdder60 said:
I’m in a similar situation today after packing it all in and then missing playing bass
I jam once a month also rock covers and it’s a blast and less pressure, more like a social occasion !
We have said if we found a singer ( unlikely ) we could do a few gigs such as festivals or support but not the regular pub circuit where rock seems to have died on its feet !
If my band was still playing bar gigs regularly it would be tough on me. Over here the bar/pub band scene is also dieing at a rapid place.
We probably don't gig as much as we use to. However the gigs we do are premium, and fun to do.
I really think it's those bad gigs that cause guys to stop. I never hear complaints about the good gigs.
Daryl
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2 hours ago, peteb said:
Yea, of course there is!
It's really the lowest level of fame, a bit of recognition because someone has seen you on stage. I was in a couple of bands that were quite well known locally several decades ago. When I went into a pub, quite often someone would recognise me. Later on, I would meet someone through work and it would turn out that they used to be a fan of a band I was in. To this day, people will come up to me in pubs and start talking to me as if they know me. I will chat away for a bit, always referring them as 'mate' or whatever, then after they've gone the person I'm with will ask 'Who's that'? Of course, I've no idea, but generally they will have seen me play over the years and probably talked to me after a gig one time.
It's no big thing - it's not like someone genuinely famous walking into a bar and everyone trying to work out if its really them. I imagine that real fame may become a bit tiresome after a while, but the odd person vaguely recognising you because they used to like a band you were in several years ago is cool.
Yes, very true. I've been the bass player for Maple Road since 2009. I've been out gigging in the Milwaukee WI area most weekends for 16 years.
Daryl
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On 07/08/2025 at 11:38, Steve Browning said:
You may have to take issue with Mr Fender about that one! 🙂
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On 07/08/2025 at 09:07, snorkie635 said:
SM58 mics - yes, I do
Why don't you like 58s. Aren't they still the industry standard?
Daryl
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I guess I can throw a couple out there.
1.Synth bass pedals
2.Knock off basses
3. 4 hour gigs
Daryl
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On 11/08/2025 at 04:06, Sean said:
If it's not a band where you can have a sensible discussion about things like volume, then it's not a band to be associated with.
Agreed 100%.
Daryl
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On 11/08/2025 at 10:58, asingardenof said:
During soundcheck everything sounded OK but the on-stage sound during the gig was very hit and miss .
Seems like that's the way it is most of the time for me. Of course I can hear my bass and vocals when nobody else is playing. Why don't these sound guys come on stage when your actually into the set with their tablets and chrome books and and check the stage sound then ?
Daryl
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On 10/08/2025 at 13:01, Sean said:
You look remarkably good for 71, Daryl. My old man has that thing going on too. he's 88 going 68.
Anyway, to answer the question.
I've always done it. It's a part of what I am. Not bass per se but playing live music in a band with other people. Bass is #1, though.
Basschat is a source of inspiration, trying new gear, buying and selling, listening to new music, it all feeds the monster and gets me back out there.
This year has been a series of steep learning curves with so many areas of bass, it's what makes me get out of bed.
I think Bass Chat has to be the best community for sharing experiences, history and stories.
There is apart of me that's a little superficial. I like being shuttled to a stage in a new transport van. I like it when a stranger wants to engage me in conversation just because I was playing on stage with a band. Last week I was recognized by two strangers. Once was at a Foreigner concert, " your that Maple Road guy" and he gave me a thumbs up. The second time was at the local Aldi store and an older women gave me a " Hey Maple Road ". Isn't there a little of this in all of us?
Daryl
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1 hour ago, Stub Mandrel said:
That's what we call a shower in Wales 😁
Wow! We had cars floating down the street, flooded basements and backed up sewers
Daryl
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How was your gig last night?
in General Discussion
Posted
Nice subs and mains
Daryl