Cat Burrito

This is a short film we made for a piece of music to showcase a post punk / goth duo. Nick and I did a band back in Sixth Form with 3 others and whilst staying friends over more than three decades, over lockdown I started digging all those old records out again. We've been doing Cure / Sisters type stuff at open mics on folk instruments but writing more synth heavy originals too. He has a hell of a voice (he was originally the guitarist back in '89 / '90) but this segment is instrumental. I'm playing a bass vi rather than a conventional bass guitar. We shot this on iPhones and recorded it on GarageBand. A bit niche but we like it.

Can you remember any details of the old account? I'm sure an admin could reset it for you. A previous username would be helpful.

Welcome to the Orange family! That rubber mat should fix it. I had a look on EBay and found an Orange one (colour, not brand!)

So my best mate from school was returning from Atanta, GA to the UK and it would have been rude not to get him to reunite onstage with me for the first time since 1990. We'd recently gotten the drummer to do the same and although I couldn't get 4 schedules to match, he joined my duo for our first live performance in 32yrs. He's long stopped playing but plays a bit of ukulele so I sent him some videos and chord patterns. When we arrived at the venue, the PA guy hadn't shown up and the barman was particularly useless. However, I went on a charm offensive and he agreed we could do the songs unplugged. Nick the singer had a VERY powerful voice and I used his mandocello. History was made, albeit a history that won't matter too much to anyone not in the below picture. Hopefully my friend will be back next year and we'll aim to get the whole band back out of retirement. (if anyone is curious, the legs behind me belong to the promoter who insisted on busking along with us).

I tried to get Zilla to do one for me back in 2019. He literally stopped emailing me about half way through, having started every email with an apology. I always wondered why he went quiet and assume reading this, the not having the tools comment was the reason. I kept all my comms patient and couldn't work out what the issue was. In the end I bought the AD200B but it was a shame as there would definitely be a market for this.

I think shallowness is great in moderation. It's the same thing with pepper!

Thanks Dave. It's been my main bass since late 2016. it's on a few albums now and went from being my main bass in one band to my default in most bands. Rics can be hard work but I find this one (my second time of Ric ownership) to be a good fit. It's the s model so no binding and dots rather than inlays on the fretboard. I added the black pickguard and TRC. Plus the strings are neon red, which is lost in a world of moody black and white photos! The photographer took a better shot of it from the weekend here.

I took the train up to London to play the Lexington, in what was a UK debut show for my main 3 piece. Network Rail prices have shot up and the journey was the usual hard effort. The onstage sound was not great and we struggled as a band to hit our stride. The footage I have seen was much more forgiving and a few people came up and commented which made the whole experience better. Our drummer and his girlfriend offered to take us back to Paddington but the drummer had been drinking so he dropped us 0.7 miles from our destination. We got the train with seconds to spare, purely because it was delayed. Up mega early for a First Aid at work course and definitely feeling like I had a late one. Outside the venue. Onstage

I was in Camden a lot in the mid 90s and I would say the Thunderbird isn't wrong. The Musicman and both Fender P / J were the most popular generally in any Britpop band but generally it was just classic / iconic instruments. A BC Rich would be the wrong look but there were certainly Rics, Gibsons and Hofners too. Later day Oasis were using the non reverse T-bird and I am sure I remember bands like Elastica with Thunderbirds at times. The Firebird guitar equivalent certainly cropped up a lot. Unless someone in your band is really cracking the whip, I don't see it as an issue. Especially as you have said you love the bass.

For me it would Sami Yaffa who made his name in Hanoi Rocks back in the 80s. He's solidly played since 1980 without running the risk of getting mobbed in the supermarket. He went on to play in LA band Jetboy in the late 80s, did a cool little band called Demolition 23 in the early 90s, has had his own ventures, played with Joan Jett for a while and then wound up in the reformed New York Dolls. He's currently playing with Michael Monroe and just put out an autobiography and solo album. I like the fact he's had variety, stayed grounded and always had cool kit. Personally speaking I wouldn't be chomping at the bit to play with either Joan Jett or Jetboy but to play with Hanoi or the Dolls would more than allow me to take the rough with the smooth. For any ideas of playing with big bands, I think there is a lot to be said for the ability to go for a quiet pint with your Dad occasionally.

My father spent the late 5os / early 60s playing around Southampton / Portsmouth / Gosport area and after 34yrs of playing, I finally got to play in Southampton. The drummer from my first ever band turned 50 and invited my duo to play his birthday. We were joined by our old drummer for a few songs, marking only the second time we have played together since 1990. I also depped for his sister on bass as she did a couple of Creedence Clearwater Revival covers and I spent 6yrs in a CCR tribute.

I fly around the stage! I'm 50 next year and can't seem to calm down. I do a lot of cardio to keep in shape but my left shoulder is starting to feel it now. Probably best described my bass playing father in law who having seen me said "good but a bit posey". I asked if he meant me or the band in general. He thought for a moment and replied "well yeah, the band too, I suppose!"

Squier / Sqiure - I just wanna play base! 😸

I prefer them to "unboxing". In my day it was called "opening" and the whole thing makes me feel at least 20yrs older than my actual age.

Ah, I see! I just clicked the original EBay. I'd just assumed it was one of the cheaper ones. I guess you can get people guessing here or the other two options are 1) ask the seller to provide evidence that it is original or 2) ask Rickenbacker. At that price (or best offer) I would want the real deal too!

The EBay ones invariably are fakes. I have a black TRC on my 4003s and I like it - it doesn't bother me in the slightest that it might be a fake. The bass is real and that's what matters. I have the originals stored away but I can't see me selling the bass.

Good players who say they don't practice are not strictly speaking being honest. You HAVE to practice at some point or you won't get better.

Cheers @Lozz196, There most certainly is. I believe it is out around mid to late August when we go out on your with Electric Boys. I will be sure to let you know. 👍

The debut release from Slyder Smith & the Oblivion Kids is out today. We shot this video out in Ibiza where we debuted live last month. The drummer & I will be featured more in the next few videos but my bass (Ric through an old 70s Bassman) is right up there in the mix. Check it out!

This year I put together a pedal board for my mandolin and used the cheapest pedals I could find. It was a funding decision, rather than spend months buying the best pedal. I got some old firewood, cut it to size, painted it and added some velcro I had laying around. The most expensive pedal was £20. We're playing 80s alternative stuff in that band and I am delighted with how good it sounds. So yeah, agree 100%.

Stevie Nicks once said "cocaine wasn't a problem for this band until it became a problem". I think the same applies for alcohol. I work with 4 people across two bands who could be described as functioning alcoholics. For me, I won't go on having more than a second pint. I've done gigs having had more and they don't work well for me. I am lucky in that alcohol has never been a problem for me. On a big session, I only ever manage a few pints at best. I'm just not very hardcore and eternally grateful that this is the case for me.

I'm like Uncle Albert when it comes to medals! 😸

All local though? 😏 I have a few UK and European tours coming up though for the redemption.... same band each night though!

Not the Swan? The singer from one of my bands lives there and I was surprised how good a scene there is there.