The Admiral

I've used a set of these for a couple of street parties and they've been great. http://www.gak.co.uk/en/yamaha-stagepas-300/7920?gclid=CI39oO2giL8CFagewwodZGEAjg They are also a really portable solution for an acoustic gig and they are typical Yamaha quality, so if you were thinking of buying, you could do a lot worse. Not £150, but the current GAK deal is great value, but I'd also suggest, it depends what you are running through them : if it's a young DJ wanting to thump out earth moving drum and bass, then that's a non starter, but for background or even sensible levels for some party music, they will be fine I would think. They also hold their value really well, with a second hand set going, with the bag (which is well worth getting), and stands for £275 recently. Also very compact and fit easily into the back of a hatchback.

[quote name='toneknob' timestamp='1402390143' post='2472827'] Thanks for ahem planting the suggestion, I've now got Celebration Day lined up for a listen today. Hard to believe that the gig will be 7 years old in December - I was there, and have brilliant memories of the day. [/quote] That's just rubbing it in! The thing I noticed more than anything was the fun they seemed to be having, which I suspect came from knowing they were well rehearsed and it wasn't a chore, which the first date of a 60 date tour would have been I would imagine. Also, interesting that they also stood so close to each other, with loads of eye contact, unlike a 'stadium' band these days, where they can be 40 yards apart, and if in the round, not even facing one another. Proper old school.

I recorded this on Sky Arts the other week in glorious HD, and watched it in bits over the weekend. I have the Blu Ray, but haven't watched it since buying it when it first came out, and I had forgotten what a great show it was, particularly as a 'one off' - no pressure then! I also appreciated more on a second viewing how Jason Bonham absolutely played his arse off, and that couldn't have been an easy gig on so many levels : expectation, memories of his dad, and the constant and inevitable comparison. Interesting article here from Performing Musician : http://www.performing-musician.com/pm/jun09/articles/techthat.htm You know you are a bit special when your bass tech is Hugh Manson. Pity they can't persuade Robert Plant to do some more shows : http://consequenceofsound.net/2014/06/robert-plant-fires-back-at-jimmy-page-over-led-zeppelin-reunion-criticism/ Perhaps time to dig out your copy and have another watch?

And with a bit of luck you'll get the Rob Trujillo package and get offered $1m to join!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NwvwR_2oBgA

[quote name='BassYerbouti' timestamp='1400084482' post='2450611'] this morning I downloaded a copy of the black album [/quote] I hope you paid for it, or you'll have Lars after you!!

[quote name='megallica' timestamp='1400007950' post='2449899'] I wouldn't have responded but I get a bit fed up by the whole "metal fans are thick as two short planks" stereotype, for me it's right up there with the "bassists are failed guitarists" stereotype.[/quote] There is of course the view that metal musicians are similarly intellectually challenged, yet I think the guys from Metallica have stewarded their brand brilliantly and ruthlessly over the years, which has reflected the fact that they are far from the meat heads many believe them to be. It hasn't always made them popular, although very interesting to note how many people are reassessing their views on the Napster situation, now we inhabit a world where - according to some sources, you need over 4 million plays of a track on Spotify to make US minimum wage. Excellent article here for those who are interested : [url="http://flavorwire.com/407971/does-spotify-prove-that-lars-ulrich-was-right-all-along"]http://flavorwire.co...right-all-along[/url] Metallica are in the process of , (or have, depending on your view), crossing over into the heritage club of bands like the Rolling Stones : they will continue to tour every so often, banging out Enter Sandman and Seek and Destroy, in the same way the Stones roll out Brown Sugar and Satisfaction. What was once edgy and dangerous is now seen as establishment and national treasure status : Mick and his MCC membership seems a long way from the threat to the nations youth he supposedly posed in the 60s, and Metallica are the comfortable face of metal for many : Lars and his art collecting, Kirk's surfing and James' sobriety, and as has been said - a perfect fit for Glastonbury's middle class, middle England version of cool and frisson of rebellion right on-ness. I bet they are great : its what they do, and they'll stick to the hits from the Black Album, so it doesn't scare the non fans too much, although I believe Brian Ferry is on at the same time on one of the other stages, so that's an option.

I actually made one for a mate of mine who plays in an acoustic Americana trio. He didn't want to have the hassle of a bass drum, but the bottom end needed a bit of thump, so I put one together, incorporating a piezo pick up. He plays snare and plugs the 'thumper' into the PA, which is otherwise just used for vocals. They are just acoustic guitar, fiddle and mandolin - with him on snare and a small crash ride, and it works really well for the up tempo stuff in their set. Clearly it isn't going to cut it in a rock band, and if you really turned it up you could bugger your PA speakers, but it's enough for them and you can shape the thump with a bit of eq on the PA. Simple construction - big enough for his size 11s, two bits of ply, thinner top than bottom, and the piezo silicones under the thinner 'head', with jack in the side of the softwood which separated the two layers. I put some of that 'grip' rubber you can get for stopping stuff sliding about in your boot, or on your dash - on the underside, to stop it moving about on pub floors. Low tech, cheap - very Seasick Steve, and if it gets nicked or broken, its about a fiver to make another one. Or, you could just play bass and drums at the same time like this guy. Great band I saw in Key West about 10 years ago - The Massacoustics, two brothers, and one plays bass by hammering on root notes, whilst playing drums with his right hand and feet. He puts the stick down and plays proper bass throughout the set too, and sings harmony too. Talented buggers : http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq5oEgVwSLM

I'm not sure where I read it, but I believe the double neck was made as a special order for the tour which supported his solo albums, as the band had both a guitar player and bassist, and he took the parts required to reproduce the album. I also recollect that the majority of the band was made up of black musicians (as is borne out by the photo), and I recollect his mum suggesting in something I have read, possibly her book 'My boy', that he enjoyed embracing that cultural aspect of his life, which hitherto, given his upbringing in a virtually 'all white' Ireland in the 1950s, he'd never had the chance to explore. Great book by the way, which Holly Hunter owns the film rights to, and was slated to start filming with her as Phil's mum and Gary Dourdain, from CSI, as Phillip. All gone quiet though, unless anyone knows more?

It will certainly be a different crowd experience to the last time I saw them. A field full of very excited, slightly drunk tousle haired blonde posh girls in Wellies and denim hot pants having a good mosh sounds far more fun than a pit full of sweaty, spotty teenage lads and middle aged balding metal heads.

Just noticed this on the CR website. http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/2014-05-06/your-band-could-play-camden-rocks-just-send-us-a-demo Pretty straightforward - send them a demo!

A throb?

[quote name='Kiwi' timestamp='1398623900' post='2435923'] Bernard Edwards did a gig back at the Budokhan while suffering from...as he put it...the 'Tokyo Flu'. Turned out it was actually pneumonia and he died a day or two later. [/quote] The full story is in Nile Rodgers book : which from memory goes like this : Edwards didn't feel well on the second night and the Japanese doctor wanted him to go to hospital, but he refused, had a vitamin b shot, and went on. He collapsed just before the end of the first set - spark out, and came around in time to finish the song. They then had an interval, and he played the second set from a chair. He went to bed in short order at the hotel, and the front desk rang Rodgers the next day when Edwards wasn't answering his morning call. Nile spent minutes banging on the door, before getting the housekeeper to let him in. Bernard was laying on the sofa, clothed, shoes off, with his hand under his head and his feet up on the end of the sofa. "as soon as I saw him, I knew he was dead". Very sad, and still something which affects Nile Rodgers to this day. Toothache is one thing, but pneumonia is something else - but it's surprising how it can catch up with you. As I write, a neighbours wife is in an induced coma in an overseas hospital, fighting for her life, with pneumonia. She had a 'bit of a cold' when the went away 10 days ago.

[quote name='redbandit599' timestamp='1398699980' post='2436717'] I quite like Little Sister [/quote] It allows you to have a go at the eponymous tunes by, Elvis, Stevie Ray Vaughan or Steve Earle too. The SRV could be a great opening number - if that is your kind of thing of course. Might not be metal enough for you, although I am sure it could be worked up much heavier. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3woPVQExDsQ

For those enamoured of Noel's wit and forthright views, this is well worth checking out. He's a very sharp bloke, as is evidenced here : http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/player/Noel-Gallagher/9267/Interview.html

Little Sister

[quote name='noelk27' timestamp='1398630221' post='2436041'] Oasis wouldn't get anywhere near close to generating £500 million gross from a reunion tour. The Police reunion tour generate circa $350 million, and in the process became the seventh biggest grossing tour recorded. That was 2007/08, crossing over with Oasis in its heyday, when it played its longest tour, a tour which failed to break the $100 million mark. And taking into account £500 million is $840 million, that would be $100 million higher than the highest grossing tour ever recorded (staged by U2). [/quote] No question the numbers don't add up. As I said, paper talk, and the one who needs it the least is Noël, although the "it might never happen again" factor might actually increase the take beyond even what they earned at their height.

I'm guessing people will have heard about this rumour : http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/oasis-for-glastonbury-2014-reunion-rumours-reignited-following-liam-gallaghers-cryptic-twitter-post-9285204.html It's gone from a few whispers to a rumoured £500m world tour in pretty short order. Paper talk of course. That aside, I can see why Liam might possibly want to do it, as without the publishing cash his brother enjoys, he might be running low - but why would Noël want to step back into what is effectively becoming a nostalgia act - 20 years on from Britpop? Maybe there is unfinished business? Maybe it's all just a wind up?

[quote name='BobVbass' timestamp='1388302427' post='2320502'] Status Quo 1969-1976 Blackfoot Electric Light Orchestra Frank Sinatra's Orchestra Madison Square Gardens 1974 [/quote] Nice to see Blackfoot getting a mention - a hugely underrated band IMHO. ELO might require a tight perm, which would make taking the gig a tough call surely?

Please tell me it was someone from BC who won the eBay auction tonight for a nice looking natural finish P bass, in need of new strings (spares or repair in the mind of the seller, based on the description) at £13.06!!!! Item no : 271433323529

The interview is great, and I thought it was particularly interesting that he took issue with the guy who was clearly looking for Nile to agree with him about those who 'can't play properly' (studio nerdy kids with computers), not being valid in the musical process. His book is excellent : well written, honest, frank and entertaining. He's lived a full and fascinating life, and his insights into the music biz and the disco scene in the 70s and 80s are great - a real sense of the excess and hedonism, in the days before AIDS. He's clearly a very sharp guy, and he's always made a point of taking care of business - something I suspect he learned on the NY scene when he was working as a backing musician. He didn't have the luxury of going straight to the mega bucks, and consequently has had the sense to make sure all his royalties are in order, and his copyrights protected : I won't spoil the story, but the anecdote about the 'friends' of the Sugarhill Gang's label paying a call to the studio is telling. He seems to be enjoying a real renaissance, and it hope it continues, along with his remission from cancer.

Don't know if anyone has seen this, but I must admit I don't get it, and it made me very uncomfortable watching the guy do his stuff. I may be in the minority, but I see nothing wrong with beaten up guitars, when the beating is genuine - but as someone who is very careful with instruments : I take my watch off when playing, just in case, and no big belt buckles or zips - just to avoid scratches, I can't grasp why anyone would actually pay someone to whack their expensive guitar with a chisel/ file and take a polishing wheel to the finish to 'wear it off'. Surely the mojo is 'earned' through gigging etc, not by whacking it with a bit of metal? Maybe it's an age and upbringing thing? As a kid we didn't have a lot of cash, and expensive items were to be cherished and looked after. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=l1eA5_4gyQw Interested in views.

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1395934062' post='2408154'] good on you Bassnut. i love the thought of music inspiring people. i think your mates are/were wrong. Nile Rodger's is one of the greats. a great interview with the master can be seen here. i get so much from what he says. i like him because he's a great thinker. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXcAt5Dxshs[/media] [/quote] Have you read his book?

Went to see one of those 80s package tours recently, with Go West, Hue and Cry, and the The Christians. I'd forgotten how good some of The Christians stuff is : http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M7_zfivvmwU