The Admiral

[quote name='Phil Adams' timestamp='1395846257' post='2407060'] I must admit I would prefer to remember Kate as she was. [/quote] Me too, but it's not good for me these days.

Caught the last tour at the MEN (Manchester) which is a notorious graveyard for sound engineers, and it was the best sound I've ever experienced there, and a great gig in general : a fantastic overall experience, with the visuals, and of course the amazing playing. The sour note was the two spray on t shirted, roided up, meathead Welshmen next to me - who threatened to 'do me' if I spilled the 4 pints each they had stacked on the floor in front of them, which required anyone trying to get passed to perform a cat burglar like series of contortions, to avoid their stash. They were shitfaced at 8 pm, and just got more unpleasant as the night went on. Despite my reluctance to reel out the Chaucerian "C word' , it is in this case entirely appropriate a a description of their attitude. I've had less grief (none) at a Motörhead gig full of Angels, who many would think were the last word in threatening. I'll definitely go again to see them, and I agree about the prices and the stadiums, but if it's that or nothing....., and I doubt Geddy's voice would last a 100 date world tour - gigging back to back.

I'm looking at upgrading the pups on a bitsa Strat and I've seen these, with plenty of glowing testimonials on their website, but does anyone have any first hand experience. They aren't expensive - £39 a set, so I am not expecting revelations, but they will be a step up on the stock pups. All feedback welcome, including suggested alternatives. Thanks

Mike responded to an appeal for a couple of gig bags so I could move house without having a bass and Strat unprotected. He provided a Ritter bag, with tags still on it, and a second lighter bag, for a fraction of the value of the Ritter. Well packed, fast delivery, great comms and very generous. Top bloke. Cheers

[quote name='matski' timestamp='1323791360' post='1467102'] Check out this review from 1982 [attachment=95226:satellite bass review.jpg] [/quote] I had one of these! My first bass, bought for £115 - as per the review, and it was a really solid lump of wood. A couple have come up on eBay recently, with pretty adventurous starting prices of £199. Fitted with a decent set of p/ups I would imagine it would sound pretty good - bloody heavy though.

Typed a long post extolling this, and then lost it when the cat sat on the iPad, but - the quick version : * it's a great app, typically thorough and great use of the technology * contains early demos of the songs - just piano and beatbox frequently, do you can hear the gestation to the full recorded version * video interview snippets including Tony Levin playing MM fretless with a pick * full list of all the gear used and loads of photos from the studio * you can even superimpose your face over PGs in the album cover using the iPad camera, and email it or share on social media (should you wish!) * only 69p to upgrade to the full version Loads more you'll find for yourself. https://petergabriel.com/news/

[quote name='oggiesnr' timestamp='1395084685' post='2398520'] I've paid £17 and £30 per hour for lessons. Check that your teacher is actually teaching their primary instrument (ie isn't actually a guitarist who reckons they can play bass). Steve [/quote] Couldn't agree more with this. I had some lessons years ago with a guitarist - who played occasional bass in his band, and therefore felt qualified. I didn't really get much from him in terms of learning and canned it after a few months. I've since picked up more in a few hours from the internet via resources such as Scott's Bass Lessons - and I think primarily because the teacher is actually a real bass player, and isn't just teaching the guitars poor relation (in their mind).

That looks like a behind the scenes shot from The Hobbit : Lee Sklar - the Gandalf of groove!

Donny Hathaway - absolutely fantastic singer and a great keys player too. His daughter is one of the vocal coaches and sings backing on American Idol. They had a guy doing 'Song for you' about 5 years ago, and he made a pretty good fist of it : didn't win of course, far too able an not bubblegum enough, but worth watching : http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cxabseOoVQQ

[quote name='bassace' timestamp='1394106642' post='2387944'] It's three miles down the road from me. The only problem is it's a steep climb from the carpark to the site that nearly killed me last time so I'll either blag entry to the officials' carpark or fork out for a VIP ticket. I think the lineup is OK. It's not always the 'big' acts that give most satisfaction. I've seen Cindi Lauper, Buffy St Marie, Wilko J (amazing), Alison Moyet, Ray Davies, Quo, Waterboys, and lots more. All good -- but Jules a bit played out, surely. [/quote] I'd agree about the unexpected acts being great. I wasn't expecting much from 10cc the other year, but what a superb band and what a canon of material. Graham Gouldman is a great songwriter (nice pale blue Jazz too). I don't know if you have experience of the VIP package at Cornbury, but I shelled out for that the last time I went and it was a waste in my view. The close parking is great, but all the other facilities, and particularly the marquee with sofas, were hopeless, with the seating areas being annexed early doors each day by an extended group of hoorays when I went. They would pitch up mob handed - perhaps 4 families, and one set of parents would stick around and supervise the kids playing on their phones, whilst the others went off for a walk - and anyone else who wanted a seat could basically just f**k off. These are also the people who get upset when someone almost stands on their sleeping 5 year old, who is curled up on a blanket in the middle of a crowd of well lubricated adults, 20 yards from the front of the main stage as the headliners are on. The massive sense of purchased entitlement really pissed me off in the end - although you get to rub shoulders with Jeremy Clarkson and Dom Jolly : interesting to note that he he's obviously wanted ANYBODY to recognise him, just so he could do the 'don't bother me' routine.

I am on the mailing list for a number of festivals, and the latest announcement email has turned up this morning, from Cornbury. I've been a couple of times, but not for the last 3 years and in the past the bill has been pretty good, with the first year I went being a particular highlight : Eric Bibb, Toots and the Maytals, The Beat, Tom Baxter, Joe Bonnamassa, KT Tunstall and Crowded House etc. I stopped going after it got very expensive and having to battle with the local hooray Henry's and their Fortnums hampers and Sherpa needing family encampments 30 yards from the stage became too tedious. Obviously one mans crap bill is another's dream day, but it seems to me that the bills for these smaller festivals are becoming weaker all the time. I know it's a certain demographic they appeal to, and Cornbury (aka 'Poshstock') particularly, is a bit mainstream and genteel by necessity, but it feels pretty weak for £170 for a weekend ticket - or maybe it's me? I'm told that the bigger acts will sign exclusivity clauses with the larger festivals, so once Glastonbury, V Festival, Reading etc. have hoovered up the big names it's a small pond of possibilities, but I'd be interested in what others think of this bill? http://www.cornburyfestival.com/tickets/

[quote name='Mudpup' timestamp='1393084368' post='2376041'] We do Sandman - it always goes down a storm. Great to watch a 50+ year old audience headnbanging to it and then pogoing to Pretty Vacant at the end of the set! [/quote] I've always had a soft spot for Blitzkrieg - the Metallica cover version, and I was at this very gig! http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FC7RWplIfdY

[quote name='Mudpup' timestamp='1393084368' post='2376041'] We do Sandman - it always goes down a storm. Great to watch a 50+ year old audience headnbanging to it and then pogoing to Pretty Vacant at the end of the set! [/quote] I've always had a soft spot for Blitzkrieg - the Metallica cover version, and I was at this very gig! http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FC7RWplIfdY

[quote name='Mudpup' timestamp='1393084368' post='2376041'] We do Sandman - it always goes down a storm. Great to watch a 50+ year old audience headnbanging to it and then pogoing to Pretty Vacant at the end of the set! [/quote] I've always had a soft spot for Blitzkrieg - the Metallica cover version : http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fdW8j6udwHA

Alphabetical list of cheeses : http://www.cheese.com/alphabetical/ Abbot's Gold Come on bear Devon Blue Emmental as anything Idaho Goatster Babybel Bottom Rollers Jindi Brie Mask a Pony I'll leave the N to Z section to you.

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1392594980' post='2370548'] I'd say if the band were told when and how long to play, and they stuck to this brief then they were acting professionally. As already been said, its not unusual, and normally out of the bands control unless the band are putting the gig on and calling the shots. Im really not sure why this thread is titled as it is, as there is nothing to show the band weren't acting professionally, just that the OP had to leave and missed their second set and feels cheated (IMO). [/quote] Having investigated this a little more with a close friend of the band, I understand that the timings etc were all within their control, and they just had to be mindful of the end time. It's not a pub by the way, the venue is a large purpose built hall, with bar facilities, which host weddings etc, so normal pub/ landlord issues were not an issue. My point about 'professionalism' was really that in my view, a break between sets should be 20 minutes max, maybe 30 at a stretch for a relaxed charity gig, but any more seems counter productive, as you have got the crowd warmed up and into it, and then they go cold, before you start again. Just my view, but I would have worked backwards from the desired end time and gone on later, with a twenty minute break between sets. Better to have a later start time - and a solo support act perhaps, than the 40 plus minute break - which showed no sign of ending, when I left. I would be unhappy about this if I had paid for a ticket - perhaps a broad definition of playing professionally - and that is a reasonable carry over in thought process to my mind. Also, they had 250 potential clients in the room - they are clearly an ideal act for a 40th/50th, and whether you are being paid, or not, and whether it's to 10 people of a thousand, I think any show should have the same standards.

[quote name='NoirBass' timestamp='1392537499' post='2369698'] Obviously I don't know the band you speak of, but in my experience its usually the venue that decide how long and at what times you play. It seems a common misconception that the band have any say in this whatsoever. We're often asked for several encores, but can't because the venue has a strict timings and curfew for the live music. So we always end the last set early and play a couple of encores to keep the punters happy. Also we often say to the audience that 'We'll be back in a minute' so as to keep as many people drinking and in the venue as possible. Depending on venue the breaks can be anything from 10 minutes to an hour. Chances are the venue asked the band to finish just before closing time and that the band were waiting to go on to maximise the bars takings, after all thats (in the eyes of the landlord) what they are there for! [/quote] Cross post with mine : All good points/questions - They have a late licence, but it's an out and out regular music place, and I spoke to the owner - who I know well - as I left, and he was also wondering what they were up it as he thinks they are great and has got them gigs when people book his function room and ask if he knows any good bands for a 50th.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1392533456' post='2369687'] How long were the band asked to play for? Was it their decision? [/quote] Good question, and the answer is that I don't know, but the venue is an out and out music place, and it was heaving, with many people there because they are friends or fans of the band. I can't imagine they would have had any issues doing 2 hours - barring not having the material ready. That said, the 'new guys' have been in the band for quite some time and they rehearse every week, and gig most weekends (which is why the other blokes left - they couldn't 't commit to the time, particularly taking holiday days to drive to distant Friday night gigs), the material is all pretty standard stuff, and they can all clearly play well, so I wouldn't expect it to be lack of material. Good bass player too - played with a pick, and great tone.

Mrs A and I were invited to see a band at a local venue tonight - a fundraiser for a cancer charity, free entry, money in the bucket for the charity. The band are a very popular covers band, who play a lot of weddings and parties, and travel sometimes hundreds of miles to do so I believe. Tonight was their first big gig (250 plus punters), following the departure of the second guitarist and bass player, so the new guys they had recruited were under a bit of pressure. We arrived at 8, to an empty room, which filled steadily, with background music playing, until it was very busy at 9. Ten past, no band. Twenty past, no band - crowd drinking and lots of chatter. Half past, they finally came on, and kicked into a good set ( a bit indie rock for my tastes, but the punters were enjoying it) which culminated with Sweet Child of Mine before the break, and interestingly, the heavier track had far more people up dancing : they were really up for it. They then stopped "for a short break" - at ten past ten. At ten forty five they were still all drinking and chatting to their friends, whilst the background music played, but sadly, our friends, who were driving, has to get home - so that was us gone too. I just don't understand this mentality - they are all good players, have good gear and were pretty tight - but they had just got the crowd going, and then downed tools to have a few drinks and lap up the plaudits for set 1 it seemed. I have no idea if they would say this, but so many guys I know play in covers bands, and get pissed off with "not being taken seriously" as musicians, yet tonight's band did something that no professional act would do : go and see Springsteen for example, and you'll get at least 2 and a half, and probably 3+ hours for your money. I know they were doing it for nowt (because the singer and drummer both lost parents to cancer it seems), but it was clear from the grumbling at the bar they no one could understand why they had stopped at all, let alone for nearly 40 minutes by the time I left. Is if me, or is this just poor showmanship, and shows a lack of 'professionalism'? Good band - I wanted to see more, but couldn't wait for them.

[quote name='Clarky72' timestamp='1391676038' post='2359923'] That's Duran for you. Their live versions of songs constantly evolve. Prime case, Wild Boys & Hungry Like The Wolf... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOojXCzWNBk http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhBV7KJCxlI [/quote] Is that a Kubicki Factor?

I remember seeing a documentary which followed the recording of The Power Station project, which featured JT, and he talked about the fact that never really considered himself a musician, and had no idea what gear he used, he just turned up and plugged into what the crew had provided. Also, regarding e PS album, of an evening, after everyone else had gone, he would sit with Bernard Edwards, who was producing, and get him to show him how to play all the Chic stuff - just the two of them. A short clip - JT looks about 12! http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=14kXaX5D6Ng&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D14kXaX5D6Ng

[quote name='Lord Sausage' timestamp='1373386878' post='2136998'] 80's great pop bass lines. http://youtu.be/pIgZ7gMze7A [/quote] Deon Estus being the man responsible - who apparently had lessons from James Jamerson! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deon_Estus

[quote name='The fasting showman' timestamp='1391364522' post='2356267'] I recall a mate at school sent off for it (circa '82) from a Bell's ad in the Exchange and Mart. Wish I still had a copy, 'Making Music' magazine (A5 sized) was the other source of out of reach gear to read about. [/quote] I've still got some copies of Making Music on my bookshelves. I wonder what happened to it - subsumed into another mag I presume? I'll have them out and scan som pages.