EssexBuccaneer

So my anagram was meant to be here anytime from today to Monday. Except my order has been updated and now expected IN SEPTEMBER 🤨

2 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

Some rehearsals are more chilled than others...
 

Looks like a rehearsal at the height of COVID

4 hours ago, SH73 said:

Maiden in a few hours , cannot wait. 

Same 😀

Phew! That was tough one at the South Benfleet Social club. Intensely hot, even massive fans and iced water could only do so much. The audience were appreciative but I think the heat was wearing on them too! Lots of applause but very little dancing. We’re back there on August 16th and a few people said they’re coming back to see us again, so that’s always nice to hear.

We played well, some of my regular mistakes were ironed out, so pleased overall. Best part of the night was a cool shower when I got home!

We had a try out of Electric Six ‘Gay Bar’ tonight - nailed first time as you’d expect from such a simple ditty. We’re planning on putting it in as a cheeky little encore on Saturday.

32 minutes ago, Big Bass Man said:

I might pop down to PMT Leeds over the weekend. Maybe it’s just certain stores that are affected? It’s super sad. 

According to reports, all 11 stores and online have gone. Stock has been sold to Gear4Music 

I bought my Anagram a few days ago, it’ll be with me in the first week of July 😮.

I’m certain it’ll be worth the wait though, we’re looking at going ampless in the next year, and this looks perfect for my needs.

We have one song that uses all our elements and also doesn’t appear in our regular set (that’s key to the soundcheck). It has vox, backing, all instruments and the drummer’s FX pad.

We tell the audience we’re gonna have a quick sound check, play the intro, a verse, a chorus then end it. Then tell the audience we’ll be back in ‘x’ mins. 
 

I have a wander out front while we’re playing the verse to gauge everything then nip back on stage for BV in the chorus.

This has been an interesting read. My covers (pub) band won’t play for free except for a couple of regular charities we play annually.
 

We want to arrange a gig in Reading sharing the bill with a guy from work’s band, but we’re in Essex and Reading is obviously quite a trot for us. The first venue we spoke to said ‘we don’t pay bands, but can give you beer and sandwiches all night’ 🤐

We use some backing for synths/samples etc. For some songs it’s essential - born in the USA is an example. We’re have one guitarist, one bass, one drummer, and a singest.

Don’t like the things we do? You’re free to leave the pub 😊

Immigrant song. It’s not totally defeated me because I’m not giving up, but the runs are *so* quick!

We played The Chadwell Arms, which is becoming something of a regular joint. The landlord now greets us with handshakes and hugs, and the punters are very friendly from the moment we walk in. 
Last night was a mixed bag - we went down a storm, with loads of singing along, rapturous applause and a double encore. We debuted ‘free Fallin’ and I brought an old custom bass out of retirement as a one-off.

The down side? Our singer has a new ladyfriend, and he was in full-on showman mode (presumably for her). He upped the rockstar act, which went down well, but the distraction caused him to miss a couple of cues, come in too early, or too late, and generally be a bit mistake-laden.

I loved the positive reaction, but I’m too much of a perfectionist to overlook the errors. Must do better.

Not sure if this is the right thread but I got a call asking em to join another band yesterday. A ‘proper’ punk band, pistols, clash etc. 26-30 gigs a year, established on the scene.

Sadly I just can’t commit to a second band, with work, college, family time etc, it would just be too much.

If you’re in Essex and like the sound of it, drop me a DM and I’ll put you in touch with the singer.

We played a 40th b’day party last night. Had punters up dancing from the first song - that’s a new and novel experience, so we enjoyed that. Except we later learned it was because the do started about 2.5 hours before we set up, and they were already well and truly lubricated with booze. By the second set, the families with young kids had gone home, and the remaining punters had largely passed out/thrown up or were harassing the pub staff.

Total mess of a night - even though we played well. Not a family we’ll be working for again.

On 26/11/2024 at 17:45, chris_b said:

Leland Sklar said in an interview that he'll play the bass that the songs require, but if he has to play one note below E he'll use a 5 string bass for the whole show, because he's not going to switch basses on stage.

 

Pretty much my thoughts. I don't see the point in switching basses around (even less point in retuning mid set) when I've got one instrument that covers all formats. If there's a 4 string song that really doesn't require the B string then I'll just play it on the upper 4 strings. I also play several songs on 2 strings and one song that that only requires the E string. As I say, it's a good to have one instrument that covers all requirements.

I’ll switch basses mid-gig because I refuse to tune on-stage. Horses for courses 😀

3 hours ago, Hellzero said:

That said, if we all put another tenner in the kitty, we'll reach another level.

 

Who's in ?

Gladly!

Not the same, but I have another niche hobby alongside bass - I fiddle around with RC cars and trucks. Yesterday I went to a radio control shop in Rochester. I was stunned at how little the staff cared, also the poor stock and general mess in the shop.

You’d think in an hobby with such passionate, geeky fans, the staff would have a similar level of enthusiasm and actually *want* to engage, chat and help their customers. Sadly it seems the opposite all too often.

This thread has absolutely warmed the cockles. I welled up trying to tell Mrs Buccaneer about it. I’m blaming my age, must be getting soft. I threw a few pennies in the pot, wish I could do more.

BC community, you are awesome. I’ve been a member of many forums on many topics in my life, and none are this amazing 

Great gig on Saturday night at The Chadwell arms, which is become a regular haunt of ours, now. The small crowd were singing and dancing from the off. I knew we’d cracked it when one older chap who’d been nodding along throughout the first set gradually edged closer, and by the mid point of set 2 was belting along with us and full-on dancing! 4 encore songs(!) was a first as well. 
 

Absolutely over the moon!

Our Encore is Rage Against The Maching ‘Killing In The Name’ where I take a wander out into the crowd (and climb a table if one is handy). Is one of the highlights of my night!

Horses for courses, I s’pose 😆

7 hours ago, BigRedX said:

 

 

Also based on my experience, I'm still not convinced that covers gigs pay as well for the time effort and general expenses that need to be put in compared with a well organised originals band.

I suspect that your experience is far from the norm.

4 minutes ago, SH73 said:

Iron Maiden June2025, Déjà Vu

Also Iron Maiden, at The London Stadium.

If you want to be in a band, you need a PA - so digging one’s heels in and saying ‘I’m not paying’ is unlikely to prove worthwhile or popular. 
 

However in this situation it’s different, with an already (presumably) decent PA that doesn’t need an upgrade. I’d be happy putting it to a band vote and if it’s deemed unnecessary then it doesn’t get bought.

I’m always bemused by the pickles that some get into with shares of PA’s, and I own this and you own that, and you can buy me out etc etc.

A PA, once bought (by band earnings ideally) is a sunk cost. Write it off.

A long journey down to Fordingbridge yesterday to play the Hart of Martin mini festival thing. Had a good laugh, a couple of huge brain farts, so far from my best performance ever, but we enjoyed ourselves. Second year we’ve made the journey but probably won’t do it next year - just too much driving for the small crowd and little or no money.  

2 minutes ago, Beedster said:

 

But…….

 

He’d have been constantly compared to Chester and found wanting?

Everything I’ve seen in n socials said they should have got the guy from the tribute act (Hybrid Theory?) because he can replicate Chester.

I think they’ve found a sound replacement. They’re not trying to replace Chester, they’re starting a new era.