Cat Burrito

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14 minutes ago, Rich said:

Having read this, I've realised that my signature is/was possibly a bijou bit on the, errm shall we say substantial side, so I've truncated it a bit. 

II think the paranoia set in - I edited mine too (although it was small font with spaces). I never know the etiquette with such things. 😸

First one of 2024 for me and it was at my local boozer, The Blue Boar (of Dr. Who Pertwee era "The Daemons" fame). Two hours of acoustic 80s alternative / goth from my duo. I started off on the mandocello before moving onto mandolin for our first set. I actually started the second set on my partner's acoustic guitar, for a new cover of Bronski Beat's Smalltown Boy (slowed down and vocally dropped a few octaves!) before finishing up on my Squier Bass VI. The last instrument got a lot of comments and it's certainly something I want to explore more in 2024. We also found an old smoke machine so made use of that to great effect! It's only been three weeks but it's great to be back! 

I think on the originals circuit, it is pretty standard to ask about favourite bands when joining / auditioning. Occasionally, this is dressed up as "influences" but really they just want to check you will fit and not pull the band in a different direction. As said, in covers bands, it matters less as you are usually aiming to play like the recording.

I don't think I have ever asked any musician friends about influences but I am always interested in what friends are listening to. For years I have answered that question across webzines, radio and old school fanzines. Mainly it gets asked by disinterested interviewers who are only asking because it is a fairly typical question that you can ask band members. For me, it's whether I like a band mates playing. I'm not massively interested in a list of approved players. 

First show of 2024 and it's where the '71 Dr Who episode "The Daemons" was filmed. Two hours of goth covers on folk instruments.

1 hour ago, SumOne said:

I guess he's not big on palm muting?

I'm definitely from the old school Paul Simonon / Peter Hook era but there comes a point where it just gets silly. And this is beyond that! 

On 03/01/2024 at 15:29, Cliff Edge said:

Never had a problem with my wedding ring. 

I had loads of problems with my first wedding ring. They just weren't bass related! 😸

I think Beedster nailed it with the first comment. It sounds like a clash of styles rather than a personal thing, and this demonstrates that a great folk voice doesn't necessarily mean it'll work in a rock band (& vice versa). 

Any feedback that isn't glowing always risks offending. At work we used to use the "feedback sandwich" also known as the "stinky poo sandwich" where you say something positive, tell them the bit they don't like and then end on a positive. For example, you have a fantastic voice / presence but you are not right for this project but we're sure you'd be a great addition to a more folk based act. That kind of thing. I've recently heard that this technique can mean they only listen to the good bit but I generally find it effective enough to use it in all aspects of my life.

Back in the 90s, I had to fire a manager who had the thickest skin. It took three visits with me starting out tactfully, before ending with me having to be quite rude as he wasn't getting blunt comments like "You're fired, we don't need your services", only for him to reply and him saying "so see you at rehearsal on Monday" 

I've never been fired in 35yrs of playing but my first band technically fired me by splitting the band and reforming without me. A long time ago and we're all friends now but it was a pretty mean thing to do. We were just kids and I had committed the cardinal sin of spending too much time with my then girlfriend. Looking back now, I would have binned me too but maybe with a bit more tact and class. Thankfully we're all older and wiser now. Best of luck with it. 

I too feel that the OP sets the scene but I couldn't see anything about the feelings / suggested resolution for his role in this scenario - so it is harder to give a definitive answer. If you are unhappy about it and it isn't clear what you are supposed to do while the keyboard player plays bass, it's a potential problem. If you can play something else and / or it's part led by your encouragement, then great. 

In my current duo I have actually suggested that my partner plays bass on a recording next year. We've also had one of my students get up and play bass at a gig (actively encouraged by me). No dramas. However, I did an album session for a singer songwriter recently who spent half the session saying "I play bass too". When I calmly said "what do you need me for then?" and "play on your own album", I got a look of shock and panic. I wasn't offended, I just didn't see why he kept feeling the need to say it and use me for the session.

As a multi-instrumentalist who plays with one of my oldest and best friends, it comes down to good communications and being respectful to one another. None of us here are making our millions so it has to be fun and I feel anyone in a band should be made to feel valued if they are to stay.

Best of luck in getting it resolved to a satisfactory conclusion. 

Last two shows of 2023 happened for Deadlight Dance (admittedly we probably don't look like we get many Xmas bookings on paper). We played The Swan in Wantage on Friday; an electric show with me on bass. The next night we played The Beehive in Swindon; an acoustic show with me on mandocello and mandolin. A mix of originals and a few covers by our influences - Bauhaus, The Cure, Sisters of Mercy, The Cult. Friday saw us gate crash an office Xmas party which saw the dancefloor rammed to our take on Bela Lugosi's Dead (not bad for Oxfordshire in 2023 - and 34yrs this week since Nick and I first played that live at our first ever gig!) and Saturday we were praised for our witty onstage banter - I think we're more Carry On Screaming than The Shining! 

Collection only, Wimbledon Common 😸

I had a couple of band things coming up this week but I lost my amazing Mum after a very long illness on Tuesday. I was with her when she died peacefully. I hoped I would be up for a new open mic at the pub down the road that my friend is running but figured I would take things a day at a time. My bandmate came over yesterday to run through our songs. To be honest, I welcomed the distraction. We worked up a version of Boys Don't Cry, which I remember buying the 7" single on holiday with Mum back in '86. Obviously I dedicated this to her from the stage. I think we did about 8 or 9 songs and I mostly played on my 8 string mandocello. 

It was my time venturing out socially and I am pleased I gently pushed myself. I have another big band project on Tuesday and this was a dummy run for that. I think I passed with flying colours... although I have the worst hangover today! I'm not looking for sympathy, I am forever grateful that I had a truly inspirational mother. Happy to take sympathy for the self inflicted hangover. I think I'll reign it in when I get past the next couple of weeks. 

1988. Two friends and I got jobs (paper rounds) and saved up for two guitars and a bass. We formed the band before we had the instruments! Every day I remind myself that gratitude is not being 15yrs old in the era of YouTube! 

To the best of my knowledge, the other two haven't actively played in over 30 years. 

I tend to dress the same on and off stage but I go to Tescos dressed like I am playing a gig. I'm probably the other way around in that I have two or three more toned down outfits for work (essentially my main look dialled back about 30%). 

I spent ten years playing with a band called Case Hardin who did a lot on the UK Americana scene. I played on three albums, all of which were critically acclaimed. From memory PM was Uncut magazine's Roots album of the month. We got on CBS TV in America and toured the UK a bit. Having left it all behind, I manage to look back fondly without wanting to play that style anymore. I assume the albums are on Spotify still. The last record "Colours Simple" was my favourite and the 8 minute opener "Poets Corner" was a personal favourite. 

I bought all these cheap online and they were all surprisingly good. All from Amazon / EBay and less than a year old. They've been out to a handful of open mics but I wound up using the Boss stuff. They've mostly sat on a pedalboard on top of a shelf. All in good condition but they do all have velcro on the underside. £3 postage per pedal (if buying more than one, assume £1 extra for postage so 2 for £4 p&p)

Vivlex Tuner - £12 plus £3 postage

Kmise Chorus - £15 plus £3 postage

Donner Fuzz pedal - £15 plus £3 postage

Iset Delay £15 plus £3 postage

All were amazing for the money. I believe all are less than a year old from new and in decent condition. I used them with bass, mandolin and mandocello and they were surprisingly versatile. I usually post on the same working day as receiving payment (depending on time). PayPal is best or bank transfer. Cash on collection too if anyone is old school. Check my feedback thread and buy with confidence. 

Offered for sale is my long scale (34") Gretsch G5440LSB in beautiful Orange finish. Korean made in the Inchon factory back in April 2012, it looks brand new! I bought it in 2020 at the height of lockdown and it was pretty obvious that the previous owner had barely touched it. As it happens, I've used it on a couple of studio sessions but I don't believe I ever took it out to a show. I bought the fitted Gretsch case to go with it (I like to do things properly). The reality is that it is in my spare room and not going out like my other basses. 

I had it professionally set up and put flatwound strings on it. These seem to be going upward of a £1k these days without the case but I tend to price to sell so I am looking at £850. I'm between Swindon and Newbury BUT if you want it posted, I'd look to do that with Royal Mail for an extra £35 for UK mainland postage and packing. I am afraid I won't entertain posting overseas as it gets too expensive. 

Anyone is welcome to come over and try before they buy. It was one of my dream basses but the reality is that I can't afford to have such a quality item sat around not being used. No trades as I have everything I need right now. Feel free to search out my feedback thread to see that I'm fair / not a serial killer and thanks for looking.

As much as I love this, I have a small Boss board that I've been using for open mic so this has been on top of a cupboard for months. It needs to go. 

My goth duo did an acoustic showcase in Calne, Wiltshire last night. Some really good acts on the bill and we played well, pulling a few in ourselves, in what was effectively new territory for us. A bass free show; I was on mandocello and mandolin. 

I'm sure most of us do. That and time. I was branching out and expanding my playing a lot over lockdown, playing different genres to challenge myself but I'm back to focusing on what I like now. Again, probably like most older musicians, I have a range of tastes so I don't find the limitations too constricting. I think if I had spent 35 years listening to one genre it would be more problematic. 

3 minutes ago, Leonard Smalls said:

Acoustic Bauhaus in the pub!

I'd definitely be up for that... A pint of Butty Bach with a Kick In The Eye!

 They got "Bela Lugosi's Dead" performed on two mandocellos and "She's in Parties" on a bass and a mandocello.... hopefully better than a kick in the eye, so to speak!?!

A couple of the locals complain about us "turning the pub into a youth club" - considering Nick and I are both 50yrs old, I am tempted to use that quote promotionally! 

Great fun with a welcome return to my local pub. A bad start in that 1) I managed to forget my mic stand and 2) we showed up to two musicians thinking it was open mic night and telling us that we had five songs! Luckily we were able to explain that it was OUR show and they got a booking of their own. 

Two hours of acoustic gothic tunes, ranging The Cult, The Cure, Bauhaus, Sisters of Mercy, Fields of the Nephilim and the, un, Monster Mash finale! Oh and a couple of our own, for good measure. We're back there in January. 

52 minutes ago, Bassman1974 said:

If you previously had an extensive collection, what made you decide to whittle it down to a few less, and what instruments did you keep?

Divorce 🤯 I went from 30 to just two Squiers! No regrets.

Now I am back up to a sizeable but reduced collection. The Squier stage of my life was seriously brilliant and I am not precious about kit these days. I have stuff because I can but I wouldn't be upset to reduce it again. 

This Sunday in the Wiltshire village of Aldbourne (as featured in Dr. Who's 1971 The Daemons)

Bought an Octave pedal from Andy. Very decent chap to deal with. Another textbook Basschat transaction. 

7 hours ago, Bluewine said:

Man, I'm loving that double cutaway bass.

 

Blue

It's a Hofner long scale Verythin. I bought it new in 2016 and it's been all around Europe and maybe 6 tours of the UK. Probably one of my cheaper but most used basses.