Les

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1419596984' post='2641122'] but did they double up on your bass line during the geetar quiet bits ? [/quote] No, that would have been the kiss of death for an auditionee

Volume.

Gentlemen (and ladies of course) shame on you ! A fellow basplayer needs some likes on his facebook page to foil an imposter band ! (Probably another BC member ) and I think after 212 views and 12 replies there is only me liked his band. Heed the call to arms. [url="https://www.facebook.com/TheAngryBadgers?ref=ts&fref=ts"]https://www.facebook...?ref=ts&fref=ts[/url] we are legion Les

Sort of understand your personal privacy issues but as far as using it to promote a band, privacy is the last thing a band wants. If you need more likes post your link here and it will happen. Les

I've double checked with both the singer and the drummer to make sure it really happened and I've been assured that I did actually have to ask ALL THREE OF THEM TO TURN UP What has happened to the world ?? Surely this messes with the very fabric of space and time ? Bewildered of Wigan

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1418930502' post='2635011'] I bet most people who ever heard that song have no idea what the Katy was. There are people on this website who don't know. [/quote] Me. I don't know

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1418856065' post='2634224'] One of my concerns is dealing with younger musicians that have a limited knowledge in terms of rock and roll history, how it started and evolved into what it is today. Blue [/quote] Well I'm 51 and I've just joined a band where the othe guys are 70 Maybe they think that about me

Age old problem. I do accept that there is a certain amount of volume required to get your sound so get a power soaker or a smaller amp. This is what will happen, he'll be far too loud, so the drummer will start hitting things as hard as he can, you'll turn up cos' you can't hear yourself, your whole show will be ruined by howling feedback as whoever sings will be ragging the monitor system in a desperate attempt to hear themselves. have a friendly word and explain the situation, if he doesn't get the problem sack him immediately. He will ruin the whole playing experience for everyone but himself. By the way we are looking for a guitarist at the minute, tell him not to apply please. Les

On the night via smartphone. Usually multiples for the next year.

Accept your point Pete and can imagine how awkward a blown amp could be, is it really insurmountable ? I'd just chuck the bass through my monitor and struggle for the night. Anyway, taking a spare bass, as in the original post, isn't going to dig you out of a blown up amp.

Fair enough Blue but the OP actually asked do I really NEED a spare bass. In my opinion, and bolstered by your experience the answer is no. Plus it's got to be a bad fail to not be able to fix it, even if there's a delay in the show while it's sorted. And if the bass player doesn't know how guitars work chances are someone else in the band does. I just don't think the reality of the situation warrants it, however it's got to be worth taking one if as you say the heebie geebies cause you discomfort. Les

I ask either on the phone or by email, or whatever the bands preferred method of communication is before I decide to audition or not.

Some of you guys must be doing some great gigs if you feel the need to take spares of things like amps. If disaster eventually befalls me at the Dog and Duck, then it would be once in 30 odd years of gigging. I'll run the gauntlet with those odds. Les

If it helps use them, who cares. I did it ages ago when I got my first classical guitar with no markers at all. Used tippex actually, scraped it off when I didn't need it anymore.. Les

No, you don't need a spare bass.

I'm a die hard MusicMan fan. Never understood the fuss about those Ernie Ball copies though.

[quote name='mrtcat' timestamp='1417645239' post='2622722'] When I went to audition they wanted to do five songs and I can now see the drummer picked them as they're the five he plays best. [/quote] Ahh subterfuge. You have my sympathy. The answer to your original question is yes, I'd leave.

OP, how on earth did you end up in a band with a bad drummer ?

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1417293350' post='2618968'] Les, this is a tough situation and any of us can end up in this predicament. As you know I am not a[i] " I don't need the money type of guy"[/i] I'm a [i]" I need the money type of guy"[/i]. Bookings for my band have been good for the past 3 years, however that could end, just a matter of when. Les, I think it depends on if your a guy that likes the cash from gigs. The band I saw you pictured in looked very bookable. what happened? Have you considered scouting out the agency type cover bands and sticking to 1 heavily booked band and does that interest you? Are you in 3 bands now or was that arrangement to start in January 2015? Again, how guys manage 3 paid gigging bands is a mystery to me. Thing is, if I have to chose one gig over the other, there is a good chance one band will cancel their gig, thus taking money out of another guys pocket and i don't want to do that to anyone and I don't want it done to me either. Blue [/quote] It's not my main income Blue but yes, I expect to be paid so all money adds up and is obviousley useful. The band you saw pictured is very bookable, but we can only do 2 a month now. In reality after the blood sweat and tears to get to such a position I feel a bit betrayed. Would be happy to be in one band as long as it wanted to gig enough. The 3 band thing starts in January. So band 1 2 gigs a month (pretty much all in the diary for next year now), band 2 1 or 2 as and when, no pressure it's a sideline for all of us, band 3 3 a month. Seems workable from here but I suppose time will tell. Pete is much more of a whore than me This was the ad I placed, I feel it was fairly honest about my availability and my desires. Do you guys agree ??? [i][b]Bass player available (sort of)[/b] Hi I'm 51 very experienced, competent and can sing. Also electric upright bass if required. I'm already in a successful pub covers band but due to various factors we can only gig twice a month so I'm looking for a band that wants to do about 2 a month to fill the gaps.. I realise multiple bands can sometimes be a nightmare with gigs (and I'm against it in principle) but my band is booked till September next year and it won't be long before the year is booked up so there will be no arguments over diaries as the dates that are free are free, and there is plenty of space. Any genre considered, the only proviso is that you must be gigging or very close to it, I'm not really looking for a start up. Thanks for looking Les[/i]

[quote name='Lynottfan' timestamp='1417290855' post='2618939'] You Sir are a brave man, I did this for a very short time, couldn't really get on with it, as at some point it will cause a problem and you let some one down, the first come first served rule is a good way to go (except for a pro...etc) I do wish you luck, from what you have posted there is a good deal of room to be flexible, but be prepared for fall out, its inevitable at some point. [/quote] Thanks. Yes fallouts may be on the horizon but I'm going to make sure I have the moral highground by being bang on with my diary and notifying instantly when a date is taken. Band #1's rebookings are done on the night via smartphone so if someone from one of the other bands is sat there thinking " I'll email that gig I've just taken to Les, ooh no, hang on, I'll have a cup of tea instead and do it in the morning", well, what can I say ? I will eamail/cross off the google calendar there and then.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1417283170' post='2618854'] The only way I can see multiple bands working is if none of the bands gig very much. Most gigs are on Friday and Saturday nights. i can't imagine there wouldn't be conflicts. blue [/quote] Agreed Blue, if you read my original post that's the very scenario that's being forced on me so I'm looking to pad my diary out.

[quote name='Kevin Dean' timestamp='1417210088' post='2618335'] I certainly couldn't change the key of a lot of bass lines on the spot & I don't have a clue what charts are ? Up until now I've had about 6 weeks notice of the set & the key changes . [/quote] You'll suss it Kevin. Unless you're depping changing keys on the spot won't crop up a lot. Does happen at rehearsals when the singer realises he/she can't actually pull it off in the copy key but then you are all in the same boat. I had a bit of a nightmare at my audition yesterday doing a song I've done for years in my current band in a different key, I think because it's one I do the harmonies in I've very much comitted it to a muscle memory kind of affair.

[quote name='Kevin Dean' timestamp='1417184121' post='2617918'] How do you find remembering so many set lists ? or do you sight read ? [/quote] Sadly I don't read, wish I did. Reading would be unaceptable in all 3 of these performance scenario's anyway. Although I'm sure I'll have some notes taped to my monitor for the first few gigs. As to your 1st question I'll have to let you know in January

There are loads of dedicated kick mic's and yes it will go through your PA otherwise there doesn't seem much point in micing it. This is a science and a headache. One thing I would say is experiment with placement before you go running to the eq on the desk, you can alter so much on the drum by by altering where you position the mic. Good luck Les

Sound advice, thanks all. I'm not a pro, we're talking 3 semi pro bands here. I've spent 3 and a half years moulding and beating my current band into a good unit that's in demand but one member has decided he only wants to do 2 a month now. The only upside of this is we are now pretty booked up next year with our 2 gig "allowance" so it's not so much of a free for all as those dates are in the diary to be worked around. Band 2 is a sideline band for all of us so 1 or 2 gigs a month is acceptable to all. Band 3 which I landed yesterday know the score and say they are happy to do 3 a month, although they are doing 6 in November. I'm convinced this is workable and like you've all said meticulous diary keeping is the way. Band 1 and 2 operate by Google calendar, with 1 weak link in each band I'm afraid, band 3 just doesn't feel like they could operate one. I have every confidence in my diary keeping, it's the others that worry me. And I totally agree that once a gig is in it's in, no juggling allowed. Les