jamesbass116

My 4 piece band (Vox/Gtr & BVs/Bass & BVs/Drums & BVs) uses pre recorded backing track/sequences we made to fill out the parts we can't do in songs. Stuff like second guitar/keys/percussion/horns. We're pushing to get into the mainstream so 4 piece is the perfect "look". If that's the kind of backing track you're talking about then there's no problem with it if, like you said, it's done well! Frankly I strongly disagree with what some of the other people are saying in this thread, because sometimes having the extra people "brought in" can really upset the balance and image of a band. We used to have a keys player and while he was the best I've ever heard and will soon be one of the most sought after in the UK, we chucked him out cos he upset the balance. Maybe for festival/arena gigs we'll bring in extra everything, but we're not gonna do that for gigs around shoreditch etc on all the venue's tiny stages... It just isn't practical. So we'll just stick with our high quality sequences that DO make the songs sound better. No offence to the other guys (everyone's allowed their opinions) but I really don't think they "get" the effort that has to go into playing live and adding lots of extra instruments. Especially for a mainstream band where everything has to be clean and shiny. People need to understand that the only time aux instruments are really used anyway is for the bigger gigs because it's rarely practical for them to be used all the time in the smaller venues around London. I know I'd rather see 4 guys enjoying themselves and still playing their songs completely live apart from a few keys/horn parts than god knows how many people crammed onto stages just for it to be "authentic". That's such a prudish and snobby way of looking at live music. Live music is constantly developing and people need to come to terms with that.

[quote name='pierreganseman' timestamp='1380532235' post='2226526'] Now the mob mentality of this forum. As soon as you go against a topic and offer a different alternative opinion, X amount of people make every effort to destroy what you said. I guess Simon and I and some others should have said "go to wunjo and don't go to Gallery"... lol what ever.... and yes every one is ok to have an opinion [/quote] I simply and light-heartedly pointed out a contradiction in your original statement. Tbh, I as well as others, couldn't really care less who goes where as long as where people go suits [b]their[/b] needs. I said where I like, others have said where they like. I think it's great if people like the Gallery. I know a lot of friends who swear by it. I prefer Wunjo's though. No big deal... Different strokes for different folks.. This is supposed to be a thread about Denmark Street and subsequently Wunjos growing presence there, not some kind of pathetic turf war. /rant

[quote name='pierreganseman' timestamp='1380236534' post='2222809'] [b]I have nothing bad to say about wunjo though, they have useless and boring gear in my opinion,[/b] but the customer service was always nice [/quote] ummm...??? haha

99% Certain this is a scam. I get messages similar to this pretty much weekly in my youtube inbox.

I saw them when they supported Tower Of Power at KOKO Camden recently... Got to be honest, I was more impressed with them than I was with TOP! Unbelievably tight and powerful band with some stonking good tunes. I love their new EP too!

No offense to the Gallery because I know a lot of people who go there religiously, but I do have to say it was their lack of interest in treating me like a respectable customer that led me to Wunjo's in the first place! (Then again I am only 20, so maybe I came across as the kind of guy who doesn't have a spare £1500 lying about for a US Deluxe Fender... )

I absolutely love Wunjo's new dominance over Denmark Street. I'm not surprised they're spreading out so much as they have excellent, friendly service in all of their stores! I've become quite well acquainted with Tom, the main guy in the Bass Centre, since buying my US Deluxe last September. He was brilliant with helping me find and get what I was after! I'm pretty sure he also recognises every face that comes back in to the store and he's always willing to recommend I try out some basses he thinks I might fancy. Absolutely top guy. The same can be said for the rest of the staff there too! They're all willing to have a chat and actually INTERACT with customers, unlike some of the sarcastic, smarmy people that worked there before the Wunjo's days... I hope one day they buy out the whole street so we can just get it over with and rename it Wunjo's Street. They're singlehandedly bringing back the reputation that Denmark Street deserves: Amazing, tolerant and friendly service. (DISCLAIMER: I haven't been hired by Wunjo's to post this review! I'm just a genuine admirer of the great job they're doing )

Here's my latest bass cover! A bit of the deviation from the norm of the styles I normally do but I'm pretty chuffed with how it ended up coming out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyBu6ry9h7o

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1370982415' post='2108354'] Very nice, great tone you've got there for this too. Your playing is certainly tidier than your room! [/quote] haha! Thanks! Let's say that the mess helps inspire me... (We'll ignore the fact I'm a typical uni student that can't be bothered to clear up after himself )

Had some time in between end of uni and gigging/session work so I thought I'd focus on a few more vids... Here's my latest. Hope you enjoy it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktRizGoNVcE

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1367882138' post='2070698'] How do the Jazz 5er play? What do you think of it? I've always liked the idea of a non-coffee table 5 [/quote] Sorry for the late reply! I don't really come on here much nowadays... I've had terrible experiences with 5 strings in the past, but since buying the US Deluxe it's been my main bass! Unbelievable feel and tone. Exactly what I want out of a bass [quote name='Huw Foster' timestamp='1370424829' post='2100523'] Great phrasing and feel! [/quote] Thanks a lot Huw!

Here's my latest video! I felt inspired to do a Beyoncé tune after seeing her live at the O2 Arena on Monday.. Hope you enjoy it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXxlG_XV-Vo

[quote name='4 Strings' timestamp='1366875314' post='2058276'] I think you've got great feel, love the little passing and grace notes. Hope you're in a good band and not keeping all this to yourself. If I had any comment, and it's only a personal thing, I reckon almost all this could all played in the first position, going up strings rather than up the fret board. Anything above the fifth fret isn't for real men! Much better than I am anyway, and I'd probably been playing for 10 years before you were born! [/quote] Thanks for the feedback and the compliments! It's really appreciated. I'm playing around London in a few bands of various styles quite a lot so I'm definitely getting myself out there, which is really fun. Trust me, 5th fret and below is definitely my favourite place to be.. haha. Some of the moving up the neck rather than staying in position was a conscious decision just because of the tone I wanted to get. So I was pretty aware of what I was doing and why!

Here's my latest bass video! Kind of a bit so-so about it. I don't feel a proud as I did my last one but I don't think I did badly... haha! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Dvc8mYMvTQ

Here's my latest cover... Runaway by Jamiroquai. Hope you enjoy it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfk_L_X9uyM

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1365099577' post='2035395'] This is bloody brilliant ! Seriously catchy and commercial stuff with teen appeal . The whole sound is incredibly professional and slick . You should be getting this seen by A&R people . You already sound like a signed band that had some help developing its' sound . I'm impressed . [/quote] Thanks a lot! We're very lucky in that our singer is a pro songwriter who does songwriting sessions with a lot of up and coming pop/hip hop guys in the UK. We've had a few labels sniffing round us but hopefully this year we can really push for something big!

This is my bands latest video... We should've been shooting a proper narrative video for a new song last weekend but we were left high and dry by our videographer! Anyway.. Hope you enjoy this for the time being! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOis2IfwGCg

Here's the first cover video I've done in collaboration with my friend, who is a very talented drummer! Hope you enjoy! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgkKLChZAE0

Pino is my biggest influence as a bass player. I lean more towards his RnB/Neo Soul work because that's more the style I play in bands and projects, but all of his playing I just find incredible and appropriate for the musical situation. Here's some tracks off of José James's album 'No Beginning No End' that he played on. I understand this may not be to everyones taste but I think his playing on this album is great and I recommend it not just for the playing but for José James' brilliant songwriting. Pino featured on all of the tracks, co-wrote one and produced the album too! Amazing musician... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWLCFPBie_g[/media] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLFzdcWVZjo[/media]

Here's my latest video.. Playing a tune called Trouble by José James. If you've never heard him before check his stuff out! [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWRugtpvpDE[/media]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1361963999' post='1993611'] Excellent job ! Really enjoyed that and really admire your playing skills , makes me want to pick my bass and learn some Jamerson lines . [/quote] Thanks! That really means a lot

Me playing a good old James Jamerson bassline... Let me know what you think! [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsGaCLq_FdA[/media]

Here are some pics of my new US Deluxe 5 String. Sorry about the large images!