Cat Burrito

For the first time in over two years, and the third time since 1990, I reunited with 60% of my original band from Sixth Form. Everyone has massively mellowed with age and it was worth the trek from North Wiltshire to Southampton. I confidently took lead vocals on a couple and it stands out as a highlight of my year. 
 

I’m one half of Deadlight Dance, Wiltshire’s darkest boy band! I guess we’d be filed under 80s goth. Nick and I met in a Sixth Form goth band in 1989. We did our first gig together and have been friends for over 35yrs now. Here’s a one minute showreel of our greatest hits. 
 

Deadlight formed over lockdown as we thought we’d have a jam when restrictions eased, to see if we could play the old songs properly. It just grew. We decided to write together and wound up signed to Ray Records with an album out. Last count, we’d been streamed in 75 countries. I appreciate it’s not rivalling the big bands but it’s not bad for two old mates just having a jam when the restrictions ease! 
 

As to the question of originals or covers, we do both. We booked an old Saxon Church (is there such a thing as a new Saxon Church?) in 2023 and recorded a covers album of the songs that first inspired us. We made a short film about it. 
 

 
We can go out as the “full” band with our backing tracks we wrote or chuck some quirky folk instruments into the back of the car and go out acoustic style. I did the numbers on gigs and it really varies. It’s usually at least 20 a year but it has been much higher. We get gigs whenever the Batphone rings. 

We use a lot of (gentle) humour and pride ourselves on our between song chat. Our music is quite dark so it offsets that. We also don't play the same songs in the same way in the same order, which is my pet hate as a player - so I am sure some of the audience get bored too! 

At the last gig, the PA died ahead of the encore so we jumped into the middle of the crowd with acoustic instruments and played up close and personal. That definitely went down well. 

We had nothing to do with the poster but delighted to be fundraising for Wiltshire Air Ambulance and knowing the bands on the bill, honoured to be headlining such a great collection of local talent. 

33 minutes ago, mikebass456 said:

Is it the Goldtone model? Been having a quick look on that Google thing, and that's about the only one I can find for sale here in Blighty.....🤔

Yep, it seems pretty much the only model in mainstream production. Bizarrely D'Addario seen to be the main Monticello string maker and the strings don't fit. 

I have done it, edited and unlocked

3 hours ago, AlexDelores said:

Is that an 8 string bass?

It's a Mandocello but I do tend to play it like an 8 string bass. 

We played the fabulous Richard Jefferies Museum in Swindon. A beautiful setting with what I thought was a respectable crowd. I flew back from Spain yesterday so we hadn’t really rehearsed. I think we have it in the bank though. A varied crowd from 3-87yrs old and the under 10s all helped us pack up. Luckily, the other half of my duo is a teacher so he was able to coordinate them so we had no breakages! 
 

Everyone was super friendly and it was certainly one of the more memorable gigs. 
 

19 hours ago, SpondonBassed said:

 

The bass in the vid is the Hohner B2A.

Ah, I thought that it might be the Hohner as it doesn’t have the Spirit logo. I remember those well. I wanted the style rather than the exact one. I believe the Spirit basses are wood too and I must confess I always prefer passive, simply because a flat battery is one more thing to go wrong. It makes sense that the Hohner would be superior as you aren’t paying for the name. 

Growing up in the 80s, I always hated the whole idea of what we called cricket bat basses. I remember seeing Bill Wyman and Tina Weymouth with them but it was never enough to swing it for me. 
 

As I have gone through my playing career, I have met loads of owners who swear by them. Then over lockdown, I became obsessed with this video…

https://youtu.be/wjv_KI4BTaM?si=mYxweEJPccEeAoaL

I thought it might pass but I found myself wanting one. I thought it might pass but it’s the “never say never” one I thought I would never own. The guitarist from my duo bought the Steinberger Spirit guitar so I ordered the bass a couple of months back. It came today.

I haven’t bought a bass in a long time and my first impression is that it is heavy for what it is (but light, given that there isn’t much of it). It could use a bit of a set up, although the bottom strings are good. There’s a lot of tone variation and I am looking forward to the whole matching vibe with my duo. 
 

I don’t think it will ever be my favourite but for something to muck around with, I anticipate it’ll be a lot of fun. 

1 hour ago, Al Krow said:

 

I'll happily forgo a fancy holiday for a lovely bass I will treasure for a life time... Each to their own eh?

Absolutely each to their own, yes. Just to be clear though I was not setting any conditions on bass ownership. If someone has an expensive / rare / irreplaceable bass that they don't want to take out, it is a decision entirely for them. I'm just thinking if I don't play something (home or live), I personally can't justify keeping it - I don't have the spare cash. And sadly, my holidays aren't even fancy! 😸

I tend to rotate my basses so whether playing at home, recording or gigging, each one gets treated the same. I can't justify having nice kit if it isn't getting used. An unused bass is a holiday that I can't go on because the money is tied up in an unused instrument. 

I was at Forever Now yesterday in Milton Keynes  and can't have been the only Basschat member? I saw Kraftwerk, Death Cult, Billy Idol, Jesus and Mary Chain, the Damned, PIL, Johnny Marr, Psychedelic Furs, Chameleons, She Wants Revenge and Berlin. A promising rebrand of the US Cruel World festival that had a few teething problems but on balance, showed promise. 

I fly back from Spain the day before so back with a bang! 

When I was young, you had your band and that was it. Getting into my 30s, I realised a lot of people had a few different projects on the go. I wound up doing the same and would regularly be in 3 bands at once. It peaked around 2019 where I was in six bands. However, being in a band means you put the work in. You show up on time, learn your parts and commit. I operated first come first served with bookings and actually having clashes was rarely an issue. Equally, you have to be gracious about people depping for you, if you are playing in a few groups.

I've just gone the other way and currently have my duo that is pretty regular and just one band that is more of a recording project that do a few gigs a year at most. I was definitely becoming guilty of not saying no to things but I actually think if you aren't learning the songs, it's quite rude. Rehearsal is to learn to play as a band, not for the ones who are thinly stretched to be taught the songs, especially if they then forget them for next time. People have different levels of enthusiasm and offer different levels of commitment. However, there has to be a common minimum standard and if players are not meeting this, something needs to give. 

I was 5 stone overweight in 2009 and amongst other things, getting cancer was my wakeup call. I was mid 30s and just not looking after myself. I lost the 5 stone through getting active and watching what I eat and bar an occasional fluctuation of less than a stone, have kept it off for over 15yrs now. Being a live performer is a huge motivation for that. 

Don't be in competition with anyone other than versions of yourself - goals should be realistic and there is always someone fitter / stronger. My shoulder is knackered, my feet play me up and I am clearly feeling my age some days but watching what I eat and staying active help. I recommend some sort of weight resistance for anyone getting older. Pre-Covid, I was mid-late 40s and doing big tours around Europe, keeping up. Don't be a hero, go for lighter basses and lighter amps - it's a lot easier now than when I started playing and amps weighed about the same as a small car. Also, in a band setting, if you can't carry the kit, make sure you step up in other ways (like driving) so people can see you are doing your bit. Older band mates usually don't mind stepping up to cover the areas others struggle with. It's give and take when you work with decent people. 

7 hours ago, Desbass said:

I listened to the acoustic version first then the electric one. The electric version is fantastic and such a cracking video! I listened to it a few times and the re-visited the acoustic version. My mind started filing in the drums and other parts from the electric version and it seemed to make the acoustic version go to a different level. Excellent song and well played. Loved it! 

Thank you for taking the time - pleased it paid off 🙏

1 hour ago, dmccombe7 said:

Are the electric shows still a duo rather than a full band ?

Just wondering how you create that fuller effect on the songs. I'm guessing some backing tracks ?

Have to admit i do love the idea of the acoustic Goth songs. Mandocello sounds fantastic on the songs i've heard you use it.

Its just so different from the norm we hear.

Dave

Yeah, backing tracks of us are on an iPad for electric shows. The dual mandocello is lovely and it works well with mandolin too. And bass. We added the guitar to mix it up further, which is funny as it is usually that in reverse. Looking forward to August as we are playing acoustic shows with our original drummer from 35yrs ago. 

38 minutes ago, dmccombe7 said:

Think i prefer the full electric version on this one guys. Its more filling, more happening and seems to fit this particular song better but both great versions.

Dave

I / we tend to agree. We put this version together pretty quickly as a way to sneak our own stuff in that format but I'm sure it will evolve. Most of the pubs around here tend to prefer acoustic acts, hence us developing that side of things. We usually have more mandocello / mandolin instrumentation but have added guitar to a couple recently. I'm pleased to say a fair few of the shows coming up are electric so it'll be fun to play electric live shows. I think we have 5 electric shows for 2025 coming up and 8 acoustic shows. so far. 

This is from last Sunday's show. I hesitated setting this iPhone recording to live online but for a phone recording, it's reasonable and I am guilty of overthinking sometimes! It's one of the three songs in our set that I play guitar on. Nick is on the Mandocello and I think his vocal is great. 

If anyone is really keen, you can compare it to our electric original version. We love playing electric but a lot of local bookings tend to be acoustic.

Fun fact but I did a session on one of these around 1999/2000 with Paul Weller's old bass player producing and I always swore it was one of the best bass sounds I ever had. The old 90s Danelectro basses are really decent. GLWTS. 

Last night saw my duo return to The Blue Boar in Aldbourne. What's been a good regular venue will sadly be ending soon. The current landlady / landlord are retiring and the local gossip is that they are trying to get out the contract early. Our show was moved back a week due to other music activity in the village and I think that hurt our audience as I had a lot of people who were coming who suddenly weren't. This was my local until we moved and I have been out of the loop. 

When we arrived the clientele seemed much younger than normal. The barman said afterwards that he thought being goth would mean we were very metal which to me summed up what an awkward fit we've always been on the local music scene. We set up and the younger crowd gradually left. 

Prior to going on, we had an audience of my wife, my stepson and a guy who'd added me on social media a while ago and I didn't know him! However, we were getting paid and I learned that the pub is open so sporadically at the moment that recent shows haven't been well attended across all acts. A genuine shame.

The twist was that we played really well. I was on mandocello for most of the first set, finishing on the bass (my trusty long scale Hofner Verythin). The second set was three on guitar for me and the remainder all on the mandolin. My step son has Down Syndrome and stole the show by shouting "yes!" when I announced that we'd be taking a break in a moment. It was funny! He's a big supporter of the band as amongst other things, he really likes Nick (my musical other half). 

Thankfully it started to fill up a fair bit during the second set and a good night was had by all. Honourable mention must go to Nick's 87yr old mum, who apparently ironed our backdrop for us! I'd have done it myself, had I known it was bothering her! 

Just now, Cat Burrito said:

None were showing when I posted, as I checked the queue. A short strap was showing awaiting approval just now, which I have approved, but there are no others. 

And now the strings have appeared which I have approved but they literally just showed up. Not sure why there was a delay.

4 hours ago, ambient said:

 

I erm…….have a couple awaiting approval at the moment…..hint, hint 🤣.

None were showing when I posted, as I checked the queue. A short strap was showing awaiting approval just now, which I have approved, but there are no others. 

1 hour ago, ambient said:

 

I’m having issues getting my ads approved. One this last week took 3 or 4 days before it was given approval. 

Personally I check the approval queue every time I visit Basschat. Occasionally life gets in the way and I am not here every day (particularly weekends). I did approve one the other day that was, ahem, a bit vintage but usually we’re pretty quick.