bigjohn

I sometimes get nervous. I find smaller crowds are worse and empty rooms. And when I know people, especially if they’ve never seen me play. Knowing someone is coming can sometimes make me nervous in a run up to a gig. Its easier to play to 1000s than to less than a hundred I've found. Most often I forget about all that once were going. I agree with the associated stress too. Others being late or messing about can sometimes get on my wick a bit, which sometimes doesn’t help. Eating properly on the day of the gig is key for me. And not drinking too much the night before. If I do that, The nerves aren’t so jangly and are somewhat part of the fun.

I think I joined a “band” that was just one guy about 12 years or so ago. Still in a band with him. We’ve gone through some drummers and guitarists but been the same lineup for about 8 years. So don’t write them all off!!

It's good advice for life to be honest. Most people just like to be told what to expect, rather than have to think for themselves. That's especially true when you're asking them to think about other people "if only they'd have told me" becomes moot if you do the telling. Unfortunately (or fortunately) it requires you to do the thinking.

I've been in a couple of bands where it was okay to drink at gigs, but not at rehearsals apparently. But okay to bring your missus and turn up late and chat ****. Or restring a guitar. Or numerous other should be infractions but open a beer and it's all "oh that's so unprofessional". Been in a band where it was too much though. Nothing got done. Current band, no-one gives a **** what you do so long as you turn up on time and do what you should in the time allotted. 3 hours. No break.

Yeah, it’s not just stagecraft. It’s about actually being authentic. Which is ironic considering I play in a tribute band. Rehearsing so you can be authentic rather than just learning the numbers.

I like it!

Yeah biscuits are generally neglected. All about sugar levels. I don't understand the clamour for a sit down meal pre-gig. Half a bag of chips and a quick pint I understand. Rehearsals are the same. Light bite and a bit of fruit. I bet most people who say they don't like a beer at rehearsal don't sing. Btw. Forget fig rolls and jaffas. Coop blood orange cookies... wow.

Those 4 or 5 songs would sound amazing though. Unless you've been on the beak.

I dunno. We rehearse at gig volumes. That's not LOUD, but we're no quieter because we're rehearsing. And sitting down is a bit a pet peeve for me. Unless you gig sitting down, in that case you're excused And I hope you take fig rolls to gigs? Otherwise what are they doing there?!! 🤣

Ah cool. I will do. I can't see us rehearsing again until September, which is really where I want to see how it sounds. The studio we use is moving and people are on holiday in between. So no rush either way. There's a chance I might be coming to the NE too. I have a long overdue visit to some friends who live Durham way.

I find it helps if we agree an outline agenda before hand. Be it rehearing a set if we've not played for a while or focussing on particular songs or parts. Turning up with a blank slate is also fine by me if we've not played for a couple of months. Old set lists help to get a train of thought. As far as arriving at rehearsal with all your parts nailed goes... well that depends on what you're going to do with the song. If it's only gonna get played in a blue moon or perhaps only a few times, then yeah, it makes no sense to do it any other way. We've done this for specific requests. If a song is likely to become more of a staple, then we tend (and I prefer) to start with jamming it and listening to it on the PA and focussing more on feel and arrangement to begin with. Playing the notes in the right order at the right time is the easy bit!

Thanks gents. Wasn't there an actual demo head about. Or have I imagined that?

Some nice guitars on show. Covered in blood. 🤡

He’s alright and the drummer’s good. Just soooo booooring

That’s some kinda 60s sunburst jazz

Foals are sooo boring.

Thanks @foxyFuze. My mum lives in Devon, so not unrealistic!

In Nottingham...

Is there still a demo one knocking around in the UK? I'd love to give one of these a try...

Aye, you won't be able to tell the difference, other than the cabs sounding different. One cab would need to be taking 10x the power to sound twice as loud, not 2x.

What amp and bass were you using? Back then as I said, I was using a jazz and tone rolled all up and an Ampeg SVT--IIP. Whenever I tried to get underneath that hump, it was all a bit indistinct, but for that honk, it was great. I play a P through a SVP-Pro now. tone rolled off, much deeper and all beef 🤣. Tbh, I do like to get a bit of high end bass in my monitor mix to help sometimes. Esp in venues where I end up with snare and kick in there too. Back when I using the the 1212L, we were mostly playing venues just a vocal PA and I was often told the bass was loud out front. I always blamed this on my mid heavy guitarists, but I think that 1212L hump was part of the problem. Bit of volume and frequency war which the 1212L isn't gonna lose.

I used to have a 1212L. I liked it, but in the end just couldn't get on with that midrange hump. Probably because I play with two heavy mid range guitarists. I was also playing a Jazz back then too so it was all honk. It sat in the mix alright and I had no problem being heard. I just didn't get on with the hump in the end. Moved it on and bought a Barefaced Big One than downsized that to a Compact. I'm getting very tempted by a Big Twin 2. 😈

Yeah, I just put some La Bella low tension flats on my Jazz. They're really nice. A bit like TIs but not so sticky and rubber bandy. I prefer heavier strings on Ps but I think for Jazzes, they're spot on.