Cat Burrito

Whenever I emailed Orange, they were always really helpful. Worth a go.

I saw they were looking Lozz. Sounds cool. Sometimes it is nice to go back.

Q - What separates your band from the other bands in the areas you work in? A - a mix of playing originals (we do covers too), playing darker / gothic songs and our instrumentation. Q - What do you have that others don't? A - There’s some real talent around here but I think it’s our overall package. Q - If you were pitching your band to a prospect, what would be your bast selling point. A- We’re good at what we do, we’re easy to work with and we manage to take our music seriously without taking ourselves too seriously as people. Q - You can also add in areas where you think your band struggles. A - Just being too left field for what is a rural county. We’re flexible but fairly uncompromising.

Sounds like a nightmare @BigRedX. I meant contact you afterwards. Luckily we’re used to playing in a more acoustic style too so we had a serviceable plan B. That’s a really top tip on the EQ though. I did think the soundman looked a bit young and new to it all.

That makes sense. I nearly messaged you as I know you have more experience with backing tracks. It was frustrating but we worked around it. We aimed to research it and come back better informed. That makes sense. My theory (as someone who isn't into tech) was that Nick's iPad is ancient and the desk wasn't reading it. We used my more modern one at the next gig and there was no problem. I'll pass your answer on to Nick from the group as I really don't want that happening again.

I have the solid black one, a black / grey leopard print one and the white version of your one on the left. All 3" style. I should do a photo sometime too.

Folk'd About were great fun. I really enjoyed watching the other bands and pretty much everyone made a point of supporting each other. It was an odd venue to show up to. When we first walked through the bar, I thought we might need chicken wire but the people in the back room was really friendly. To be fair, although we definitely got checked out walking through the main bar, everyone was cool. Hope you have a great show.

See below... & I don't own any heavy basses. Unfortunately, my shoulder is just knackered! I am impressed - indeed it is. 269 is on all my basses. It was the number given to a cow that was destined to be killed but was liberated. 269 went on to live a long and healthy life.

I was delighted to play a charity fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Society in Salisbury at the weekend. Having lost my Mum to Alzheimer’s, it wasn’t one I had to think twice over! A great lineup of bands - 7 acts who for the most part all supported each other. It was a really friendly atmosphere and we played really well. Our mid placed billing was definitely the golden hour and it is absolutely a contender for my gig of the year, so far. We played electric, mostly original gothic tunes. Here’s a pic, courtesy of John Armstrong, of me heading up the dusty end to channel my inner Peter Hook.

I never got my name in lights but more than happy with chalk! We had our headline at The Vic in Swindon. We’d been weeks in rehearsal and our soundcheck had us struck by the curse of backing tracks. For some reason we had a virtually non-existent kick drum and barely audible count ins, coupled with ear bleedingly loud keyboard washes! Rather than try and dissect the problem, we hastily rewrote the set to come up with a stripped back set. The Rickenbacker sounded immense through my Blackstar U700 head and 4x10. That head continues to excel in all situations. The crowd walked a line between modest but respectable (original goth music in Swindon on a school night perhaps isn’t the easiest of sells). Despite the initial woes of soundcheck, a fantastic night. I was even complimented on my singing voice - something I have been working hard on for the last couple of years 🎉

Looking forward to our electric headline show in Swindon this Thursday, along with our fantastic handpicked special guest. Free entry.

As part of Record Store Day, I played a church in my hometown. Not only did it mark 12 months of me being alcohol free but it marked the first time I played a venue that my Dad had played. No, we're not religious but it amazes me that in 37yrs of playing, it hasn't happened already. I had friends come over from Wales and down from Yorkshire and we were on it throughout. The playback confirmed it. It was promoting my friend Rich Davies and his band The Dissidents. Got to use my Blackstar head and cab with my trusty Ric 4003s. It sounded immense.

I think the tragedy of the modern world is that the average member of the public wants music for free but won't bat an eyelid overpaying for a coffee. When it comes to charity shows and the overused word of "exposure", it is interesting that the band is the first thing to be eliminated from being paid. People are not showing up to watch the person on the door or the person serving them. Throughout the 90s, I don't think I did any paid gigs. It was either a free gig or the minimal payment went into the band. Fast forward to now and my duo has done a few paid shows - all our money goes back into the band. We've also done freebies and open mic. I need to see us getting something, be it genuine exposure or just the opportunity to play a decent stage. I think for bands who write their own music, the standards shift. I wouldn't do a covers or tribute show for free because I would expect it to be of a standard where we got paid. Playing in my originals duo, it is more niche so I am alive to venues struggling. That said, I think many promoters could sometimes try harder. A couple of drinks and a meal isn't costing pub prices and things like collections for the band, covering fuel etc should all be used more widely. Musicians and their friends often spend the evening in the venue paying full price for drinks etc. I'm nearly 12 months alcohol free and the costs still build. Ultimately though, I would never criticise any band member for their choice to either purely play for fun or only demand paid shows. Your band, your rules.