Stub Mandrel

I saw the Ghost-queue in Birmingham on Sunday and they were explaining how everyone would get their phones bagged. The Hawkwind gig was pretty good, people mostly just took the odd snapshot so no sea of videoing phones.

I asked Scott and he said they don't like Sadowsky basses because they are shite. Joke...

Just found this video of their opening song, the only played off the new album! A pretty mellow introduction. Then Traveller of Time and Space off the previous one.

Hawkwind at a sold out at Birmingham Symphony Hall last night. They really are at the top of their game and played several tracks I've never or rarely heard live before. Felt totally fresh with a 90% new setlist but utterly awesome. Dave Brock was in great form on vocals, keyboard and guitar... he's 83 now! The support band, Cornish-language psychedelic folkrockers Hanterhir were very good too.

Our drummer went to that and enjoyed it.

That will be you at bottom left by midnight...

Apparently, Pete told Zak he was only researching alternative drummers for a book.

We have the same, we've had a few glitches... mostly slow updating. Took me ages to realise adding events on Outlook doesn't send the changes to Google grr!

Going to be helping out a band whose bassist is expermenting with moving to keys (pressure!) Mostly songs I know (or thought I knew!)

I'm 62. Apparently 60 is the age where bits start to wear out or fall off... We played the Exchange last night, valleys pub very appreciative of the sort of classic rock we play. Virtually empty when we started but a good few people came in when we started playing. Were they lurking outside? It eas never as busy as usual (had people gone to town/events gorcEaster?) But at least they were appreciative. Two new tunes were Uprising and New Sensation. Got a great sound using Joyo XVI (octaver), mojo mojo and 1980s Ibanez Chorus for Uprising. i used the brassmaster for one or two tracks, it sounds ott on its own but when we are all playing it seems to mellow. Big wait for our next gig so we were discussing a strategy for bookings. With us all in two bands, we need to double check the diary then contact all our previous venues ... plus we plan to self promote a ticketed two-band night. Chesp tickets to ensure decent numbers.

I've got a couple, might try one at rehearsal.

Cheap source of a neck and hardware for a project...

Wow, no way I could cope with that! My brother (who is an insanely good guitarist) had his trapezoid removed. Fortunately his doctor is also a guitarist and gave the specialist specific guidance. Even so he was out of circulation for six months and still feels it is recovering. He's eight years younger than me and started on steroid injections way before I had any symptoms. His was made worse by extreme mountain biking, including competition downhilling. I think my less severe biking didn't help...

Interesting, I 've been working against arthritis in my thumb for several years and that's something I've just started looking at. Meanwhile boswellia and/or ibuprofen can get me through the worst times, plus daily glucosamine & chondroitin.

Would a red or white towel do the job?

I think bridges often get lost as they fall off if a skin splits. I don't know how long a skin lasts but a century seems unlikely. I've ordered a wildly oversize skin as apparently that makes fitting easier. Last time I did one was about forty years ago... hmm on reflection, I've probably been 'restoring' this one for nearer 35 years...

I'm sure it will be great. I first saw them around Choose Your Masques (the gig on the Coded Languages live album), then many times up to the early 90s. Black Sword was a highlight - I was at the Hammersmith gig on the live album too! Seen them again several times since 2018 and they are right back on form.

Di Marzio 5-string banjo strings... ok? But I've also bought a bridge and a wire hoop to cut down to size. I will be ordering a skin too, all for a 100 year old John Grey & sons Dulccetta zither banjo. It's taken me over 20 years to repair some cracks and extra holes... Do these all count as consumables?

A different world...

My evil brother kerps asking me why I haven't got a bass vi yet as it's 'the obviouscgap in your collection'. Apparently a Harley Benton is best as it hasn't got a 'tremelo bridge'. He says.

Hawkwind on Sunday. They are so good these days, totally unexpected second flush of creativity with assured and confident performances.

I saw them with Fish twice, back in the 80s, including the epic Reading '83 set. Then on my birthday in 2021, with Steve Hogarth. I was given the ticket as a present and thoroughly enjoyed it.

I’d love to be in a pre 1974 Gong tribute band. If I was good enough... 😬

Fun pub venue on Saturday. Probably one of the most appreciate audiences for classic rock we will find.