risingson

The current rig. It's heavy but the sound is 100% worth it.

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I usually bridge the channels for most gigs, but it's more than loud enough!

EDIT: sorry for the sideways pics

To most live venues (not all, but most) I'd say the positioning of the band is generally a bit of an afterthought. As for the whole issue of sound limiting, well from what we've encountered as a band before it seems like some dumbass from the health and safety sector of the government has decided that anything constituting even as much as a tap on the floor should be deemed as excessive noise. But there's just no way around it. Just some jerk flexing his muscles in a response from some of the public claiming some venues are too loud.

Worse still, a lot of the limiters haven't been set up properly, and don't give an accurate portrayal of dB levels anyway, making them an even more superfluous attempt at noise control.

We include a bit of a clause in our contract that basically states that 'sound limiters and the band, in the kindest possible way, don't get on', i.e. if you're having a wedding at a venue with a sound limiter then rip it out the wall before we get there otherwise we're going to get our power cut off.

It's the sort of pub where if you did laugh out loud then you're in danger of getting a pool cue smashed over ya head!!

[quote name='skankdelvar' post='422865' date='Mar 2 2009, 03:03 AM']I saw them at Earl's Court a few years ago and the audience had the highest proportion of fit women I've ever seen at a rock gig.[/quote]

I thought that's why everyone who is anyone is in a band? Free booze, nice ladies...

I just got back from a gig where we got requested by some drunk punter to play 'With or Without You'... I laughed to myself, thought of this convo and politely declined

Sorry if my own opinions got out of hand. It's all in good fun!

God, an Aguilar rig being abused by such a poor player What's next? Flea swapping to Fodera?

Bono's performance in my opinion was weak, but the rest of the band were fine.

[quote name='wombatboter' post='422441' date='Mar 1 2009, 04:28 PM']They have a guitarplayer with a unique sound who influenced thousands of other players, they have a good bassplayer who knows his place and has some great basslines (Stories for Boys, Mysterious Ways, etc...), they have a driving drummer who is solid and they have a powerful singer with charisma and something to say. They moved millions of people with more than a couple of great songs...
What's more childish than saying " X sucks...."
Instead of putting down creative people who have succeeded, try to write a good song yourself.[/quote]

I've really got to +1 on this. I of course realise everyone is very much entitled to opinions, but if were to apply the logic of 'frontman = bit of a knob' to everything then you'd have to hate the Beatles, Gun's N Roses, Radiohead etc. I just don't think it should work like that.

[quote name='bassicinstinct' post='422272' date='Mar 1 2009, 11:18 AM']Presumably, when [b]you[/b] put forward the above as "fact", it is simply [b]your[/b] opinion too?

Not sure too many people would want to be "as well looked up to" as U2 - at least not around these parts, although I wouldn't mind 10% of their ill gotten gains.

Still, one man's meat etc. [/quote]

No, that's still my opinion. I think a lot of people round here would like to be part of a successful band with massive success and a great love for their music, which (IMO) is exactly the same thing.

[quote name='Prosebass' post='422244' date='Mar 1 2009, 10:28 AM']Its called free speech. We all reserve the right to slag off whoever we like whether the reasons in your mind are justifiable or not. And you reserve the right to reply.
I think it is great that people speak their mind on these matters and if offense takes place then good. As a great politician once said "Nobody has the right not to be offended"
I don't like U2 , never have
I think Bonio is an arrogant c**t
In his interview with Lauren Laverne he was up his own arse, condescending and sounded pretty ordinary in the songs they did. Even his own band members are very diplomatic in what they say about him.
On Jonathan Ross he went into the crowd and laid across the laps of 3 women , it was creepy and even my Mrs said "who the f*** does he think he is" and that is exactly the question, who the f*** does he think he is ?[/quote]

I was perhaps referring less to Bono's personality and more about their music. I agree free speech is all good, but I think it's too easy slag off a player like Adam Clayton. I don't actually think he's done much wrong in terms of bass playing, unless there's something I've missed?

[quote name='NJE' post='421755' date='Feb 28 2009, 03:31 PM']THANK GOD! after so many years of thinking this band are completely useless I have found a whole bunch of people who think the same. Drastically overrated and just goes to show that expensive gear and good sound engineering does not make good musicians/bands.[/quote]

...in your opinion. I doubt many people on this site will ever be part of a band as well looked up too as U2, and I mean that in the kindest possible way. They're great songwriters, like them or not. I'm not a fan at all, but it does get my wick a bit when people put forward something as fact when it is simply their own opinion.

I also don't think it's remotely fair to slag Adam Clayton off whatsoever, or his choice of gear, or his technique. Technical credibility has nothing to do with anything if you're part of a band that you're happy in, have written timeless songs with and have made a friggin' fortune with. I'd prefer to be him than Richard Bona, that's for sure.

Both, but 90% fingers.

[quote name='silddx' post='421829' date='Feb 28 2009, 06:07 PM']Some geezer at one of our gigs a while ago said any bassist playing with a pick is not worthy of the name and shouldn't be let near a stage.[/quote]

Two words for that misinformed tw*t... Anthony Jackson.

I might be interested in a swap for my Jazz if it's the right colour combo

PM'ed anyways!

Warm, rich, fat... basically, all the things I want to be when I'm older

Get listening to Anthony Jackson (Chaka Khan), Louis Johnson (i.e. 'Off the Wall', Michael Jackson), Randy Hope Taylor (Incognito), Paul Jackson (Herbie Hancock), Rocco Prestia (Tower of Power), Meshell Ndegeocello, Prince's bass playing, Stuart Zender and Paul Turner (Jamiroquai), Freddie Washington (Michael Jackson, Patrice Rushen, Steely Dan), Bernard Edwards (Sister Sledge, Chic). They've all got the technique down... also for a more old-skool funk feel, Bernard Odum, Sweets Sherrell, (James Brown), George Porter Jr. (The Meters), Bobby Watson (Rufus).

People think funk is all about the slapping, but it really isn't, it's more of a feel thing and choice of rhythm. It's definitely not something that can be taught, but if you listen to the players that funk really well then you get a better idea of how to really sit in the funk pocket! In the mean while check this out:

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFcpBB4Yy_M"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFcpBB4Yy_M[/url]

I love Anthony Jackson. He always struck me as a little arrogant and pompous in interviews, but he really does blow your mind seven ways from Sunday when you hear him play. I like him when he just sits on the groove as well, his choice of notes and clean technique are just a complete testament to his brilliance.

Phil Lynott for definite. I'd like to see someone put out a Louis Johnson signature bass, but I don't know what would be special about it!

[quote name='Huwberry' post='418070' date='Feb 24 2009, 02:11 AM']I quite enjoy Zender's playing, but I hate his tone at times. His legion of fanboys (mostly posting on youtube videos it seems) also annoy me to no end - they treat him like some sort of deity, and make every effort to undermine the accomplished players who have replaced him in Jamiroquai. The phrase 'get over it' springs to mind.

Well, I'm going to say something downright blasphemous - Paul Turner is far and away my favourite Jamiroquai bassist for his impeccable groove and tasteful playing. Yes, Zender was great in that band, but you must admit the current incarnation are tight as hell, and no doubt plenty of that is to do with Paul.

Actually, can he do no wrong? I'd say so![/quote]

I'm probably one of those fanboys

Zender was (and still is) a great bass player, what I like about his tone is that he's one of the few bassists I can think of that actually sound like themselves instead of just another bass player. Most of his sound is the result of heavy studio compression, but live his sound was epic (for the most).

Nick Fyffe wasn't a bad player, but he definitely wasn't the best either.

Paul Turner is AMAZING, I got to meet him a couple of weeks ago and watch him do a masterclass, and he's got serious groove and technique. I got to pick his brains afterwards and he said that he felt tremendous pressure trying to fill in for Zender because he's got such a big fan base. I think he's done an amazing job... the one thing he did say is that after feeling all the pressure of trying to sound like someone else, he feels now that he can just sound like himself, favouring passive Fenders for the most to get what he likes from playing with Jamiroquai. He also expressed his feelings about 5 strings, and how he's only found a couple of 5's that sounded as good as his 4's (apart from his Alleva-Copollo, which he said sounds amazing).

[quote name='timloudon' post='417750' date='Feb 23 2009, 07:36 PM']Well... do you really want to be professionally or personally involved with people like that?[/quote]

Exactly, we've made a few people angry in the past but our 'demands' (if you can call them that) are incredibly reasonable. We're not there to cause problems for potential employers, we're there to make it easy for them, but it 100% works both ways. If they want to take us for a ride or try or shaft us, then they're not worth dealing with, and we're unlikely to go back to them.

[quote]we got money, and they lost TV, furniture etc and no one messed with us again. Some clubs don’t book us as we warned them after trying to sort things amicably. We still work and we do get paid!
Business is business! Be nice, be reasonable but if the going gets tough, mean what you say and go all the way[/quote]

I think you might be my personal hero

[quote name='Cantdosleepy' post='417431' date='Feb 23 2009, 02:07 PM']Never read anyone on here ever bag on Mani or Peter Hook. The occiasional 'not my cup of tea' but that's as far as anyone's gone.

I've definitely read criticisms of Enthwistle here.[/quote]

Really weird you mention Mani, I was going to bring him up. Great player

[quote]Having listened to a lot of Coldplay, none of the basslines stand out to me as amazing. Have I missed something???[/quote]

Probably not. Why does a bass line have to be amazing? Can't it just be 'enough'?

[quote]we had a choice of taking the door or a flat rate.[/quote]

That's not how it should work really. You've got to be mercenary about how you sell yourself to pubs. You tell a pub how much money you usually go out for, and if they argue with your price (as long as it's a reasonable one), then you politely thank them anyway and look for a different gig somewhere else. It's not worth your time trying to get blood out of a stone.

There was a guy a while ago who booked us for his pub. At the start of the night, in some half-baked attempt to prove his authority, told us that if we didn't bring a crowd then he wouldn't be paying us. We said fine, not a problem... promptly started to pack the gear up and got the van started, and told him that if there was the slightest chance he wouldn't pay us then like hell we're playing the gig for him. He immediately changed his tune after we asked for the money up front there and then if he wanted us to stay.

It may seem like you're getting high and mighty approaching money like this, but at the end of the day you're only trying to make a living. As long as you're putting on a high quality show for people to watch and act professionally and friendly to the people paying you, then you should not for one second be in any doubt that you've earned your cash. Anywhere that will treat you like you described isn't worth your business.

I'd agree with everyone on this page so far on the players they've listed. Pino is amazing, and it goes without saying that Chuck Rainey is a genius. Same for Willie Weeks. But... I really like Guy Berryman from Coldplay, he can do no wrong in my eyes... say what you want about the band, but can you argue with his bass lines?

There's loads of bass players I love, I think the whole idea of people slagging off the likes of Flea or Pastorius is such a redundant argument, simply because it serves only to anger other people who like these sort of players. You can state stuff as fact but ultimately, it's only your opinion... IMO

They helped me out a lot with the new bass amp when I got it when I was last down there, and were generally very helpful all round. Want to get back there soon and look for a new bass

I think they're absolutely superb, what a great idea. I know when I was younger I would have killed to have had one of these basses. There are a lot of kids and adults alike out there that look to Flea for inspiration, the very notion that he cares enough to put his name to something that is a.) usable as a bass for beginner and intermediate players, b.) insanely flashy and c.) with the guarantee that Flea plays one of these basses himself now, is admirable. Those who are commenting on the cheap look of the bass... you've missed the point completely (not everyone can afford a Fodera now, can they?). I say best of luck to him!

Our drummer went to Hitsville, he's a massive Motown fan. He said that if you clap inside the reverb chamber, the resonance is instantly recognisable as Motown reverb.