Huw Foster

Scarlet Blue, my first originals band was mostly active between 2002 and 2006, when we recorded our last EP. We've not really been active since 2006 for various reasons, university being the primary one. We do occasionally gig when we're all in the same place though. [url="http://www.myspace.com/scarletblue"]MySpace[/url], [url="http://www.last.fm/music/Scarlet+Blue"]last.fm page[/url]. As for genre... we always described ourselves as alternative rock, but that can be a bit vague. Since starting uni I've been involved in a number of bands. The one that gigs the most is a 9-piece covers band called [url="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=367621448"]The White Keys[/url]. We do funk, soul and a bit of pop. (New demos and website coming very soon!) I can't be bothered listing the others (simply because there's quite a few, not because I don't like them!). I do have a few tracks up on my own [url="http://www.myspace.com/huwfoster"]MySpace[/url], with links to most of the bands I play in. Most of them are singer-songwriters who need a hired hand, I suppose. Although technically I'm not hired, I just go to college with them and they ask nicely.

[quote name='liamcapleton' post='397466' date='Feb 2 2009, 01:24 AM']Mate I'm over in LIPA in Liverpool doing Music in my second year. I know one or two people over in LCM. Hows your course going?[/quote] Hi Liam. I also know one or two people at LIPA, not doing music though. The course is going well! Like I said, I'm in the final year - the route I have taken means I have two majors in performance and a minor in composition. Basically, by this point I get to play bass a hell of a lot, and it's great!

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='394848' date='Jan 29 2009, 07:36 PM']This is the best all-round cab I've ever had and I've had a few in my time It's light, loud, deep and punchy. It has castors too... [/quote] Mmm, I might be interested in something like that. Where'd you get it? And how for how much?

[quote name='bluesparky' post='397892' date='Feb 2 2009, 02:27 PM']i usually spend most of the time keeping an eye on the drummer as he's usually looking at me 'cos he can never remember the songs![/quote] Oh that's all too familiar! Sometimes I need to remind the drummer of the tempo, or even sing the intro to him... Well, that was one particular drummer, but he's better now.

I think I'm always aware of what's going on, sometimes it seems subconscious though. I always hear the drummer and some of the harmony-based instruments, that's all I need most of the time! Horns and vox - pfff, not important!

From [url="http://www.jazzreloaded.com/blog/archives/409"]jazz reloaded[/url] [i]Markbass Effect Pedals - VLE VPF Booster: our popular VLE (Vintage Loudspeaker Emulator) and VPF (Variable Preshape Filter) filters, a clean boost, and a top-quality active DI box all in one; - Yellow Box: top-quality passive DI box; - Compressore: full featured tube compressor with gain, threshold, ratio, attack and decay controls, as well as a built-in active DI; - Distorsore: flexible two-tube distortion with high-pass filter so you can distort only your high frequencies, also with an active DI output; - Octaver: classic analog effect that adds one or two octaves below, with the option to separate your wet and dry outputs; - Chorus/Flanger: top-quality digital signal processing, with a display and a USB port which allows you to modify the parameters of the pedals on your computer to customize the effects the way you like them! - Riverbero: wide range of high-fidelity reverbs that can be fine-tuned on your computer. - Synth: exciting synth-bass tones, also customizable with the included software and USB connection. [/i] I hope I'm not raising my expectations too high, but some of these descriptions sound seriously tasty. When I got to 'USB' I got so excited I think I let out a bit of wee. If the new products do indeed go into production in April, then I think I'll hold out for a Little Mark III, as it's the same price as a LMII but better.

Hello thar. Whilst rehearsing for my end of year recital (last year, in May), I took an iSight video of the entire set. Halfway through we did an arrangement of Billy Cobham's Red Baron. We (as in myself, the guitarist and drummer) have played/recorded different arrangements since then, but I think we've got a good group dynamic going on here. Anyway, less talking, more... video. EDIT: Aaaah I've just been watching it for the first time in ages. Event though it's been less than a year, I'm convinced I can play it a lot better now. Ignore the dodgy tapping, the slightly sloppy unison playing... I stole the opening solo line from Stefan Rademacher in [url="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=aKRCt4FK9Vk"]this version[/url], which is far superior. I'LL ACTUALLY SHUT UP NOW OK BYE.

My brother was already a guitarist, so I had to take up something else by default. I wanted to learn the basslines from Hey Joe and Sunshine of Your Love, so I got interested in playing bass. Tried out the rubbish p-bass copy at school (I think it was a Stagg), and demanded a bass for Christmas (I was 12 at the time). Went to New York that year for Christmas, and got to try out some stuff in Manny's. As I didn't know anything about basses I ended up with an entry-level Ibanez in black, with a precision p-up. I got a slightly better Peavey Fury IV a couple of years later and sold it.

Music Man Stingray 4. I've had it since Dec 06. I'm not sure whether or not the previous owner bought it new, but according to the serial no. it would have been built circa 1995. I've tried to be kind to it, but it's got the odd scratch here and there. I've also put some ludicrous 'hot pink' DR strings on it recently, so it looks a bit ridiculous right now. The only thing that looks ridiculous in this photo however, is the caveman playing it*. Recently I've been giving my Schecter 5 a bit more attention, as it's a bit more suitable for function band stuff. The Stingray is still my favourite though. I fookin' LOVE it! [size=1]*I'm on the Popular Music Studies degree at Leeds College of Music. The above photo is from my end of second year ensemble performance. We all had to play in two bands of various genres, one of which was funk. Somehow we decided we would take on a different persona, in a similar vein to Parliament/Funkadelic. However, unlike Parliament/Funkadelic, instead of purporting to be from space, we were from prehistoric times, and wrote dodgy funk tunes accordingly.[/size]

Q: What's the difference between a rock guitarist and a jazz guitarist? A: A rock guitarist plays 3 chords to a thousand people, whilst a jazz guitarist plays a thousand chords to 3 people. [b]ARF ARF![/b] [size=1]That's my constructive contribution to this debate. Sorry if it's already been said. I should also add that I am neither for nor against jazz as a whole genre. There's some that I like and some that I don't.[/size]

[quote name='bubinga5' post='396612' date='Feb 1 2009, 05:40 AM'] [url="http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY033jfPoNk&feature=related"]http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY033jfPoNk&...feature=related[/url] it doesnt get any more in the pocket than this, she even slides out of the pocket to give it a lazy funk feel if you listen carefully..Awsome!!!!!!!! This Celinder shes playing was for sale here not long ago i think. I love noodling, but there is nothing like the groove..[/quote] That lazy feel and tone reminded me of this filthy stuff: Then I looked it up and realised it was also Meshell. DUHH!

Paul Turner is the shiiiiiz.

[quote name='josh3184' post='393833' date='Jan 28 2009, 05:10 PM']what the hell is klezmer?[/quote] It's traditional Jewish music. Was trying to make a joke, albeit a very bad one. Although I would like to try playing a bit, it seems like a good laugh, what with all the accelerando and ting. [quote name='rOB' post='393959' date='Jan 28 2009, 07:17 PM']welcome, Leeds does indeed rule, I agree with Josh. Which lap dancing club has jazz in it? that sounds like a combination of 2 awesome things.[/quote] It was quite a sw***y place. However, we lost the residency quite suddenly when we turned up at the club one night to find it closed, with a notice on the door saying it was being repossessed for lack of rent payment. I think they sorted that out, but they wouldn't answer our calls after that and we gave up chasing after them. Shame, it was a neat £50 a night. EDIT: Haha, I tried to say s-w-a-n-k-y and the profanity filter got it.

Currently doing this lot for a function band: Jamiroquai - Little L Beyoncé - Deja Vu Jaco Pastorius - Come On, Come Over Jackson 5 - I Want You Back Amy Winehouse - Rehab Ray Charles - Shake A Tail Feather

Colin Edwin of Porcupine Tree. Awesome band, very understated yet solid player.

[quote name='timloudon' post='392873' date='Jan 27 2009, 04:24 PM']Ha! You suck Huw, I'm the best competition you ever had![/quote] I'm not sure what to make of this Loudon. I didn't say it was a matter of ability, it's just market saturation, or lack thereof. [quote name='bilbo230763' post='392883' date='Jan 27 2009, 04:33 PM']He plays jazz, he plays jazz.....(sweating)...[/quote] Ooer. Is that positive sweating? I hope you're not getting too excited. Besides, I don't play that much jazz. I'm much more interested in pop/rock/funk/prog/metal/klezmer. THANKS FOR THE WELCOMES GUYS! I'm excited to be here.

Hi thar. My name is Huw, I'm a music student based in Leeds (although originally from London). I've been playing bass since December 2000, before that I was taught piano and trumpet. I'm currently in my third and final year on the Popular Music Studies (BA) at Leeds College of Music, trying not to think about the 'real world' that awaits when I'm done in the summer. I've had plenty of playing experience - I had my own band back home which was active from 2002 until 2006, although we still gig occasionally. Upon the move to Leeds I almost immediately found myself playing trio/quartet jazz in a lapdancing club til 3am two nights a week, which was an interesting departure to say the least. These days most of my income is sourced from a 9-piece soul/funk/pop covers band, although it's still early days and we don't do nearly as many functions as we'd like. I'm also involved with countless ensembles in and around college as there's not many bassists at LCM, so the competition isn't too tough! Before I tell you my life story, I'll simply leave you with some of my gear. My main bass is a MM Stingray in sunburst with black pickguard, rosewood fretboard. I love it to bits. I'm not sure exactly how old it is (there's probably a serial no. somewhere on it but I haven't bothered looking), but the fella who sold it to me said he bought it new 12 or so years ago (that was in 2006). He also told me he'd played it on a Peel session, which isn't bad! I recently got a Schecter Stiletto Custom-5, as I needed something with more variation in sounds to the Stingray, as well as the fifth string. I quite like it! I don't have nearly as many effects as I'd like. Mostly I use a Boss bass distortion (which is OK), and occasionally I get to bring out my EHX Micro Synth, but only very occasionally as it's a bit unhinged and doesn't have many applications. I also have a slightly broken Russian Big Muff which is great for pure dirt. As for amplification, I've got a Peavey 1x15 combo which I dislike more and more with each gig. I really want a MarkBass rig since using one at a gig, although I think I'd just have to get the head for now (probably a LMII). And that's partially why I registered here! I'll stop talking now. Huw