The Admiral

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1426092979' post='2714314'] Under the law, conscious or unconscious, intended or unintended is of no relevance. [/quote] I realise that, but rather I was looking at it from the point of view of the 'writers' process and not whether the way they had come to the tune had any bearing on the legal argument. I wondered if they had consciously sought to borrow from Marvin Gaye, or had they done so subconsciously - as per the examples given of Ringo Starr and Dave Stewart? It would seem from Thicke's statements referred to above that they were well aware of what they were doing. That said, the points on which this case seems to have hinged, which appear to be a new interpretation of the law, have worrying potential implications. I wonder if Prince ever took any steps regarding Sussudio, by Phil Collins - which sounds remarkably like the Purple ones 1999?

A guy I know went to see them in Glasgow I think and was mightily impressed, and he's a good session guitarist, so they must have been good. Europe however, he described as 'embarrasing', and he left after about 6 songs. I wasn't there, so I clearly can only pass on the feedback, but I'll have to check out the BSR albums now I think.

[quote name='4-string-thing' timestamp='1426071328' post='2713953'] I reckon there could be a couple more in the near future. Is it just me, or does Noel Gallaghers latest sound a bit like Bus Stop by The Hollies? Or that James Bay thing sound very much like Charlie Boy by The Lumineers? [/quote] Bus Stop was written by a 16 year Graham Gouldman (later of 10cc) so we'll wait and see!

Hot on the heels of the decision in favour of Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty, re Sam Smith's track, another expensive day out in court, but this time for Pharell and Robin Thicke over similarities between their hit 'Blurred Lines' and Marvin Gaye's 'Got to give it up'. $7.3m dollars to be precise. It raises an interesting point about whether this is merely unfortunate, and an almost subconscious act - based on listening to years of music, or conscious and deliberate. I've read that Ringo Starr would bring in songs to Beatles sessions and within seconds of him sharing with the band, they would point out that he had borrowed the tune inadvertently from something in the charts recently. Anyone else done this in their own writing : as time goes on it becomes by definition, harder to find a new tune. There is a video at the foot of the item which cuts between the two, and it's quite striking. http://www.theladbible.com/articles/pharrell-williams-and-robin-thicke-have-to-pay-7-3-million-compensation-for-copying-marvin-gaye-song

I've actually got a lot of time for Noel, not least because he's quite prepared to puncture a few over inflated egos with a healthy disregard for people's status. He's also very bright, and has the same forthright view of the world as another bright guy from a tough background - Billy Connolly, who also has a healthy disregard for giving 'respect' to authority. He's also a very good songwriter : the first HFB album was excellent and I'm looking forward to hearing the new one, and the body of work he created on the early Oasis albums is unquestionably 'classic'. He certainly says things for effect sometimes, but that's showbiz, and it's interesting to note that he is one of two people who can still double the sale of magazines by being on the cover : Morrissey being the other. People may not like him, but he's never dull and his interviews always provoke comment.

[quote name='lollington' timestamp='1425841528' post='2711360'] [color=#333333][size=3] [i]"...The remaining 50% of Fee is due immediately prior to Band's Show, but may be made earlier.[/i][/size][/color][color=#333333][size=3] [i]4. [b]Cancellation. [/b]If full payment is not made by the time immediately prior to Band's Show, Show may be cancelled by Band, and Operator may not seek any damages."[/i][/size][/color][color=#333333][size=3] I've nicked a basic live performance contract from the inter webs, there it is above. I've never played a gig whereby payment is more substantial than a few drinks at the bar, but this could become a regular thing for my new band, so I thought I'd do things proper-like. [/size][/color][color=#333333][size=3] The contract above seems fair to me, but as a consumer I'd be happier paying for something after I've had the goods. Just seems a bit strange hunting down a bride or groom and getting them to dish out the dollars before they've had a chance to dance. Having said that, you don't pay for airfare when you get to your destination, so is there a proper way round for cash at gigs?[/size][/color][color=#333333][size=3] Have you any experience when things have worked out in your favour or gone against you when taking payment? Does it rally matter? Cheers[/size][/color] [/quote] Played at a well known venue in Bristol some years ago and the crowd numbered about 6, against a fire limit of 250. I had to track down the promoter to the pub over the road to remind them about the payment we needed - and this was half way through the gig. I would normally have waited until post gig, but I had serious concerns about them doing one and leaving us skint, with hotels and fuel to pay for. They weren't happy, but sometimes it pays to be 6 foot plus and XXL! (Ironically, I'm the least physically confrontational person out, but a no nonsense attitude I find gets it done). For weddings it's always money up front, as in 7 days prior, or, in extreme circumstances, on the day, in cash, but before a note is played. No notes = no notes. Trying to find a pissed best man for the handing over of the cash, at midnight, and whilst he's trying to cop off with one of the bridesmaids, is not a recipe for fun. Especially if he's spent the money on ale - as I have experienced. You've played - they've had what they want, and it's now all uphill to get the fee. If you need to cancel, either get a replacement band if time permits, or, failing that, humble apologies and a full refund is all you can do. No compensation beyond your fee.

A friend of mind has asked me for some top tips re recording, as his lad's band (all 18-19) are going into a 'proper studio' for the first time to do some recording (3 tracks over the weekend) and he wants to make sure they get best value from their hard earned. I've been through the obvious like - tuning, timing, turn up on time with all your kit in good shape, and very well rehearsed and clear on what you are looking to get from the sessions, don't get pissed the night before etc. Anything else? It's a 2 guitars, bass and drums 4 piece - a bit Athlete/Kasabian style and there are pretty good for a gang of youngsters, albeit very inexperienced.

One of these. Simple, classic, does the job - no fuss, no gimmicks, no ludicrous number of knobs, and the correct number of strings : http://www.fendercustomshop.com/series/artist/dusty-hill-signature-precision-bass-maple-fingerboard-black/

[quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1425033193' post='2703122'] The Frog and Twat [/quote] Don't want to derail a serious thread, by may I just say, that's a pub I'd love to have a drink in..... and watch a band!

Very cool, and if you can keep up the basic maintenance (cleaning the heads) it will give you years of service I'm sure. Great bits of tech aren't they, and how much more sexy is that than a black box with buttons and flashing LEDs? Congrats.

For those who like a bit of KIlling Joke, I wanted to flag up the new documentary - The death and resurrection show, which had a showing and Q&A at the BFI last night to great reviews. https://whatson.bfi.org.uk/Online/default.asp?BOparam::WScontent::loadArticle::permalink=deathandresurrectionshow A friend of mine is the producer, and it's taken 12 years to get it over the line. It features interviews with a huge range of musicians and industry types, and has been a real labour of love for all concerned. They are hoping for a cinema release, albeit possibly limited, but it may be showing near you this summer.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1424074910' post='2692116'] I wouldn't feel too bad. From the look of his new album cover, I don't think he does embarrassment. [/quote] Too much Game of a Thrones I suspect.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1412635400' post='2570723'] The basic storyline of 'tortured geniuses' producing great work together before all falling out with each other is so common that it might almost be a requirement for big successful bands. [/quote] Except Motley Crüe?

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1423957925' post='2691006'] Supersize Me was scary and interesting. [/quote] I have a friend who features on the soundtrack and it's been a good friend to him, having been so popular. He won't be buying his own island anytime soon, but it just shows the value of royalties if a film goes viral.

[quote name='Nicko' timestamp='1424019879' post='2691606'] Last Night a DJ Saved My Life, 12" version [/quote] Are you trying to tell us all something?

No, it's not a lost Peter Gabriel album, but rather a thread inspired by the 'Classic Albums you should hear thread'. One of the ones which came up was the unlikely background music of choice of an old goth girlfriend, if we were 'spending the evening on the sofa' shall we say : The The - Soul Mining Norris then chipped in on the same thread with an album with similar happy memories for him : Thomas Dolby - The golden age of wireless. I though it might be interesting to explore some of the other ecelectic choices from the BC collectives amorous past. Given that a good percentage of 30 something's will have been conceived to Sade, or Luther Vandross, what were the more left field choices........?

For what it's worth. I've got a big bag in my garage of unsold merchandise from an old band, and the problem was the diversity of offerings. It's mostly small t shirts, ladies skinny fit t shirts and ladies spaghetti strap vests. My top tip would be to go for unisex cut shirts and make sure you have plenty of big sizes. We always sold the XXL and XL early doors, and if your fan base is likely to be the wrong side of 40, there are plenty of us with waist sizes now which used to be our chest sizes when we were 18. And if you have the capacity to carry one of those fold out display boards, I found it was agood idea to get that out and up before the band set up, as anybody coming in early can check out the merch even before the band play. We always found it meant we sold loads of tees and CDs after the first set. Also, you can never have enough sharpies for signing CDs, and the silver ones write well on black shirts.

[quote name='scalpy' timestamp='1423925456' post='2690432'] 20 feet from stardom's on there, loved that. The muscle shoals doc left me with a lump in my throat on more than one occasion, great watch. Will watch the eagles one asap. [/quote] 20 feet from stardom was fascinating and had some incredible examples of how life can take so many paths, not least the beautiful and talented woman who sang backing for the Rolling Stones, dated Jagger and appeared in Playboy, but knocked it on the head to become a high school English teacher.

[quote name='Low End Bee' timestamp='1423500571' post='2685574'] That's not fair. There's a bit of stylistic variety in their reportoire. They are all **** songs though. [/quote] I'll happily take Chad Kroeger's $60m in returning for people cally my band and songs sh*t! I caught them live in Manchester a few years ago, and they put on a great show. It's a bit formulaic, but then how many band have a 'sound' that just gets repeated? Unless youve seen The Pet Shop Boys live you haven't experienced tedium : their set was basically West End Girls, and the others - the 2 songs they have.

A couple of good ones I've come across recently : Muscle Shoals - which, as the title suggests, tells the story of the famous studios and the players/owners, and The Story of the Eagles (I think that's the title). Blimey, what an eye opener, and there is clearly still a lot of bad feeling in the extended membership, but none of it helped by too much touring, and similar amounts of Booze and cocaine. Makes you realise what a remarkable back catalogue they have though, and Joe Walsh is worth watching alone - disjointed rambling anecdotes, but some razor sharp playing.

[quote name='iconic' timestamp='1423879598' post='2690110'] The The's Soul Mining.....played loud in a very dark room as per the instructions. [/quote] I used to go out, back in the dark ages, with a goth girl who loved that album, and would play it as the background of choice to.... Well, I am sure you can imagine. Hardly Luther Vandross or Sade, but it was either that or The Smiths - and Morrissey has never floated my boat I must say. Ahhhh..... Happy days. She was as mad as cheese to by the way, but by turns exhilarating and exasperating to be around.

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1423812462' post='2689219'] I love CSN , particularly Stills, but I struggle with the track "teach your children" as David Crosby gave away his son, I know it was written by Nash. [/quote] And I've never quite recovered from seeing Rod, Jane and Freddy cover it on Rainbow one random lunchtime years ago!

One from the bookshelf. There is a price list in the back for amps and you could have bought a Trace 1008 8 x 10 combo (!) for £974.

This just in...... http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/celebrity/kanye-quits-music-to-focus-on-being-a-twat-2015021095240

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1423766708' post='2688854'] Déjà Vu by Crosby Stills Nash and Young. Every track a winner. [/quote] +1 : great album and the harmonies are just sublime.