EssexBuccaneer

I was reminded why I seldom read these lists after hunting twice for Nicko McBrain (assuming that I must have missed him first time around)

Hi all, some advice would be appreciated. When being paid for gigs, we don’t take a share each, but the money is ‘the Bands’ for use on a PA, lighting, consumables etc. Our gigs have so far been cash-in-hand with the guitarist looking after the money in his safe at home. However we’re playing a gig soon who will pay us electronically via concur - as such we’re thinking about setting up a band bank account. Has anyone experience with this? Does one person control the account and act as treasurer? Are you all signatories to the account? Are there fees for a multiple person account? Anything else we need to know?

Just back from tonight’s rehearsal. Whiskey In The Jar (Metallica version) went faultlessly so it’s slotting straight in the set. Played some stuff we’ve not touched for a while, but it all came together right away. All ready for our first gig of the year next week. It’s been a slog having 4 months without playing to an audience but such is life for a new band, I guess.

The drummer is indeed human. I’ve yet to find a human capable of keeping perfect time, 100% of the time. The drummer is basically an unreliable metronome. And the rest of the band follow it.

Imagine you’re playing, in time to a metronome that’s out of sight behind you. No flashy lights on this one to keep time with(!) Then randomly I sneak in and gradually up the tempo of the metronome, bit by bit. What is going to happen to your playing?

I promise you they can.

If the drummer speeds up or slows down, the rest of the band as a rule of thumb will speed up or slow down accordingly. And if you’re rigidly sticking to tempo whilst the rest of the band speeds up around you, who is going to look like the problem to an audience?

The drummer controls *everything*. If he can’t, it’s time to get one who can.

Venue specific, but I’m also prone to wander around and amongst the crowd as well!

Steinberger L series. I don’t care how revolutionary you tell me they are. Ugly as sin.

“Well, perhaps I’m mistaken. I might not have *quite* found my sound just yet…”

Some of the greatest guitarists and bass players around are self taught and have little theoretical knowledge - Steve Harris springs to mind. i never learned theory. I wish I did, and I’ve tried the ‘for dummies’ book but ditched it very early on. When I want to create something I’ll hum it in my head and figure it out from there. Is that common? I have no idea, but it works for me.

No! Couldn’t find any that were ‘right’. The search continues 🤣

And you’d probably have failed in your efforts. It’s notoriously hard to win a case like that.

I got them from Amazon on a whim 🤣 I love the look, the bass is black with chrome hardware - if I get on with the neon strings I may put black hardware on the bass.

I got a set of Neon Green’s that arrived today. A bit buzzy, but well soon fix that. Not had a chance to try them out properly yet, that’ll come at rehearsal. Love the look of them 😎

I can appreciate the frustration of mistakes, but if anyone in my band turned up at rehearsal with the intention of ‘knocking us into shape’ then I’d imagine they’d be looking for a new band, sharpish. The crowd enjoyed it, job done. Make a metal note of mistakes and work on those sections in rehearsal, without ego. Everyone makes mistakes.

Has anyone built one of these? https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_bassguitar_kit_pstyle.htm I’m contemplating buying one, and installing decent pups and pots (assuming the kit ones are naff). Am a bit concerned about the finish though - painting isn’t my strong suit, so maybe a nice varnish/stain.

I’ve got my Orange Crush 100 in my bass corner, with my basses on a nearby stand for quick access. Nice set of cans for quiet practice. Tend to plug in my wireless and get going in a few moments. I tend not to use my pedals for home practice - only for rehearsal and (obvs) gigs.

I *may* have just submitted a tripadvisor review…

“No problem, we’ll tell everyone on social media what a sh**house operation you are, and use our contacts to make sure that all the bands in the area know it as well. By the way, you still owe us the agreed amount”

Wow. I can’t imagine the emotions involved there. I’m blown away by your strength. I’m so very sorry for your loss

Last night something was….off. Can’t put my finger on it. We played our first set (60 mins), then twiddled with some of the newer material ready for a gig in May, but I dunno, the whole night lacked *something*. Even watching the videos back today it sounds half-hearted. Bizarre.

The frankly laughable unbranded pickups on this project reached the point of irritation at rehearsal last week, as the bass was *so* much quieter than my other basses. So with a little help from next day delivery I was quickly able to get my hands on some Fender noiseless pups. Despite being a less then stellar solderer, it’s all working fine and packs a lot more punch. I also threw on some black beauties and am wondering what to do next. Perhaps some new tuners…

Dull is subjective. It’s a plodding, low energy song. I don’t despise Queen (whilst also not being a fan) - they have far better songs to choose IMO.