theplumber

Played one of the last,for me,gigs with my current band in Paisley last night. At the end of the gig when getting paid I had a word with the owner about gigs going forward as this was the last one that the band had in the diary. She told me due to the Fridays falling away,bands letting her down,bands asking too much money(whatever that was...wasn't us!) and a few other factors that the pub would only be putting on 52 live band gigs next year. She said she had been run off her feet recently and had not started booking for next year but would be offering us 2 gigs. She said there was so many bands chasing gigs in her pub.Not what we wanted to hear though she did chuck in that the band could do any of the 4 charity gigs that the pub puts on. The bands get a very small fee for playing and you usually get an hour slot . Played it a couple of times and its not worth the bother due to change overs.etc. She wasn't too happy when she found out that the band lineup was changing as me and the drummer are both leaving at the same time. I explained that the band have just about sorted out replacements which will be as good,if not better than us but she moaned a bit and stated she would have to see videos before she books the band again...fair enough I suppose. A few bar folk have told me this kind of thing has happened and the ''new'' band turns out crap. She then went on to say she though we were not loud enough today and she could only hear one singer! When the singer and keyboard guy came and joined the conversation she did not actually know which one was the singer! When I explained that there is 4 of us singing in the band as we do harmonies she said again...so who is the singer then? Anyway it won't be a worry for me in that band but will have a knock on affect if and when I do join another band. Though after all the ups and downs gig wise recently I am having thoughts of just playing along to records and staying in on a weekend! But this is the second time in a few weeks we have heard the same thing from one of our venues. Another city centre one offered 3 bookings for next year. Again that's down to them and I know some bands will get more depending on how many punters come out to see them.

The local Co-op where I stay in Falkirk is called Scotmid for some reason. Same shop but different name. I stay in Falkirk. The usual rubbish is piped in all day and between songs a voice over guy will tell you about the latest offers in store! I actually worked with the guy in a local radio station years ago who does the voice overs! He also does TV adverts and corporate work as well. Great voice,soothing,calm,friendly. The only thing is I know he was an alcoholic,left his wife for a younger woman then found god.....Still,it doesn't make you a bad person and that's a cracking offer on crisps and nuts!

So me and the wife popped in to the local Farmfoods for a few bit's and bobs. As these wee jaunts go 5 minutes becomes 15 minutes. The music in the back ground was Sweet Surrender by Wet Wet Wet. After I while I noticed that the song was still playing....then it came on again!! I spoke to the guy on the till and he said,yes it's been that way for over an hour and we can't turn it off. Seems it's a remote playout system somewhere and they could only turn it down! Could have been worse I suppose it could have been in B and M where the music is blasted out at disco levels regardless of what cack they have on a loop.....Bing Crosby anyone?? Anyway yes.....I did surrender and we left the shop (well we had to go home at some point! Anyone else been trapped with not so great music ( muzac) playing?

I also seen Aimee Mann live in Glasgow a good few years back.. Wonderful on records but almost put me in a coma as a live gig it's was very boring.. Laid back is an understatement.. 😂

Recently tried to get tickets for Thomas Dolby in Glasgow but as usual did not find out till days before and the gig was sold out. I love Dolby and have seen him live before and was not disappointed! I did notice that the support act for the shows was Martin McAloon...former bass player with Prefab Sprout! I thought..that's a pity I liked Prefab Sprout! A few weeks later on Facebook an advert for some solo gigs from Mr McAloon came up on my Facebook feed and If I had not known who he was I would have been fooled in to thinking that he was indeed the front man for Prefab Sprout going by the pictures and blurb! I decided to have a look on You Tube just to see what was actually on offer......oh dear!! Oh deary me!. No harm to the man as he has some great stories to tell and its maybe an audience with rather than a tribute to Prefab Sprout and his very talented brother but I have to say,sadly.....thank goodness I never went! Anyone else ever been disapointed/had/etc with a live act who may have at one time been...better! (Yes we all get old and I suppose I don't have to earn a crust from music!)

Played two gigs this weekend with my band Ruff Edge. One in McSorleys Glasgow City centre on Friday evening and as usual busy night,great punters and the band went down a storm! I have 3 more gigs to do with this band then I am leaving so it's been nice that the last few weeks have been so good. Nice to end on a high. Contrast with Saturday night in Mavrix.Sports bar in nearby Hamilton. Usual leftovers from watching the football when we start up and it settles in to about 24 punters in the first half. We have a break and start back as a few more punters leave....ends up the last hour playing to 7 folk plus 3 bar staff. This is not the first time this has happened in this pub and before we started we spoke to a guy at the bar who actually plays this pub with his band and say's that's just the way it is with things! Well thankfully I won't be back in that pub. That was our 4th or 5th gig in the place so we gave it a good shot. Sadly and it seems the same for some other pubs we have tried recently,they look after you and the punters that are there say we are the best band that they have seen in the pub. Thankfully they are putting live music on but for how much longer. The band have decided to stick to a few of the better populated venues next year even if it means going out a lot less. I hopefully will be back out gigging after a break but to be honest if I see any of these venues that we have played in there diary it may well put me off!

Yes thinking that. I will have a look around and see if anyone is looking. I have some dep work coming up with another band so that will keep my hand in. Stopping on 1st November and have cancelled some gigs in and around that time to let us wind down. The band intend to carry on and already taking bookings for next year so hopefully the right folk come along. Who knows maybe in about 6 months I may get a call asking me back lol

Yes getting the gigs was pretty easy and yes now that we have tried some of the so called lesser gigs it does seem a better idea to stick to the decent ones. I don't rely on the gigs for money. I am retired so doing 50 plus gigs a year is fine with me. The fact is that we are all in our 60's and our keyboard player has decided that he will not change the set that the band has been doing for over 7 years. Or should I say he can't!. At times,and he does admit himself that he struggles with our set as it is at times. It's classic rock so it does not really matter to the punters as we shift around a lot anyway,what we play. If we added some new songs they would be at least 30 years old anyway! Our drummer is leaving as well. He has been playing in the band over 7 years and I think he is a fantastic drummer,great singer and really nice guy! I can't imagine playing with a differant drummer in that band. They have tried out a new bass player and drummer which has not worked out due to them not really putting the work in to the songs for the audition! I suppose it's hard and I should know. It took me at least a couple of months practice with the band before I got out gigging! There are other issues which I won't go in to so it's better I bail out and leave what has been a great band or me. No falling out and we have agreed an ending date which is 1st November.

Been playing with current band for over two years. Great guys,decent songs and the band is super tight! Recently found myself daydreaming or something like that during gigs! Most gigs we do and currently this year it numbers over 50 from Jan through to Dec,are well attended and we tend to go over well and have punters come to see us from other venues. But in making the numbers up and keeping us busy I have booked a few pubs that just don't seem to have enough folk in to make a decent night. I know....paid practise and all that! But after storming a city centre venue and having a brilliant night we end up in gigs in the suberbs playing to folk who are standing with their backs to the band,watching 4 televisions or playing pool.....tumbleweed blowing between tunes lol. At first we took it on the chin but after a recent gig with at one point 4 folk in the pub I started thing I might be better off going for a walk on a Saturday night! In fact there are maybe more folk out on my local canal path than in some of the venues! It had been pointed out by members of the band that if we don't turn out and support these venues that thankfully at least try and put on music it may well an ever decreasing spiral of gigs going forward! Anyone else in similar situation? I put my notice in 3 weeks ago and will be having a meeting with the guys at the break today to arrange a date to finish with the band. The drummer is also going. The funny thing is that yesterday we played a well know Glasgow City centre venue in the afternoon and it was brilliant! The band on top form! Looking to bail out in about 8 weeks time . Did enjoy being off the last 3 weeks and it did revive me somewhat so maybe 3 to 6 months off might be a good idea and start looking for something else in the spring. There are a number of other reasons to stop,not just the gig situation....no new songs in the set for over two years,no one else from the band booking the gigs or looking for new venues and the usual.....Can we not do so many gigs,can we not go out in the winter,etc etc....moaning over! Run out of steam!!

Tried out a Fender Nate Mendel in Merchant City Music Glasgow a while back. Terrible neck. Fret sprout everywhere! I mentioned it to the salesman who said yes a few mexican made Fenders have been like that recently. We will get our tech guy to sort it out before it goes out the door! I had just purchased a second hand Squier Classic Vibe for £200 and it was loads better in every way! By the way I wasn't going to buy the Nate Medel bass anyway.....it's too expensive and I am skint/too tight!!

Superb news mate! Loving mine as well! maybe I should have kept both lol!!!

Sorry to hear Steve Harley has passed away. Loved the early Cockney Rebel stuff.

Yes during the day is murder. We manage to get parked in and around The Swan ok anytime but things are changing. Back in Glasgow next weekend at Mc Sorleys and that will be a laugh!!

Out in Paisley last night with Ruff Edge. We played in The Old Swan ,Paisley and although not packed we had a cracking night with good banter and feedback from the punters. Always made to feel welcome at this venue. Great load in at the front and we were able to leave our cars outside the pub unlike a couple of weeks back on a Saturday afternoon when the wardens were out and some poor sod got a ticket (not us lol)

Before the divorce.....