Stub Mandrel

I found a 'weekend warrior' course in Nottingham... no longer running. It was five or six rehearsals each a week apart, then a gig with each of six 'bands' doing 30 minutes. Got me back into the game and three of us started a band, which is still going under a new name after I moved away. Transformed my life getting back into playing.

It's something I've been considering. I have two powerpoint projectors and something along the lines of what @rushbo suggests would fit our vibe. But yes like @Franticsmurf says, for most of our venues placing the projector seems unworkable

Two bands. The three piece blues band's secret weapon is an insanely talented young guitarist, the drummer and I have played with Alex long enough to have a sort of telepathy so we can improvise while staying really tight. Basically, if blues rock fans see us once, they come back Unfortunately, Al is also in a breaking indie band (playing Isle of Wight this year...) that are busy and getting busier. The other band is a bit different. We are all in two bands and have nothing to prove. We play songs we like (anyone can veto a song) and don't shy away from stretching ourselves. Our schtick is ckasdic rock, but we have an eclectic set list with songs people now but don't expect. Sex Bomb and Devil Woman, alongside Pressur and Time and War Pigs. We try really hard to be professional. We polish our songs, work hard on our sound, have lights, a banner, an image, cool posters, lots of humour and play with attitude.

That's the risk! I have my Japanese Star Wars stormtrooper t-shirt to wear!

With a different pickguard shape the Bronco could have been a Musicmaster

Quite a casualty rate... "This isn't rock and roll, this is genocide!"

Spent a loooong evening with two mates. Was expecting to try out my baselines to a few of their songs but ended up laying down four tracks in garageband. Then I recorded bass, rhythm and lead for one of my own songs while lyrics were written for it! A drummer is lined up too!

Pic from last night

Not what I would choose for myself, but when you mentioned uncoloured power with good eq options this is what came to mind. I’ve only played with one once and it had a great, detailed sound.

Last minute Bluesfire gig for the Ex's Club after a private party cancelled. For only a day's notice and against the boxing we had good numbers. Our normal sound guy (guitarist's dad) is in Indonesia so we used a club tops with one sub, and guitarist mixed using a huge Behringer desk. Sound was great. Apparently my bass sounded much better (usually I have to boost my rig as the PA is just muddy bottom end). A very good bass player I know turned up with mates on a stag night (the guy was wearing a Spice Girl union jack dress with very wayward rubber cleavage...) Soon became apparent at least three were bass players... no pressure! Drummer launched into The Hunter after instead of Walk in My Shadow. I confused Spoonful with Crossroads 🤣 We haven't played since January but somehow we hit that spot where the arrangements are loose but we sounded really tight. Lots of fun and do glad we got that gig in.

That really does look like a fun gig to play. 80's flashback!

My brother reports he had a great gig for a Harley Davidson club in Llandovery last night. It's a long journey so the band had a wet night of camping instead of driving back!

Only got this sorted lunchtime today...

After we lost an upcoming gig a few weeks ago, I was panicing a bit. The one band has secured three plus a few promises/backup lists and I got a gig for the other band tomorrow. Now just hope the mass of messages (about 40) I sent out doesn't bring a tidal wave of offers!

For £70-90 you could buy a harley benton kit with an oversize, unshaped headstock and a bonus box of bits that are mostly surprisingly serviceable and a very light, unfinished body.

Good Jazz bands do. I've seen established ones with long reputations that don't...

Leave the first one out? A popular trick.

Is there some imperative for shortening it?

I pay no fees. The recipient takes a tiny % hit.

On the other hand, I save around £30 a month by using PayPal business to pay international suppliers, they get paid instantly instead of after potentially weeks (or moths in the case of Australia (where normal payments fail more often than succeed) or America (where many people have banks that don't accept international payments(!))

The letter says what I'd expect. I can't see any reason why the legislation would place an onerous burden on Basschat.

Not possible to get to London that early on a Sunday

Jaco re-incarnated on Sax!