jamesbass116

[quote name='charliethornton' timestamp='1348739597' post='1817499'] Hey man, been a couple of times! You going next Wednesday? [/quote] Oh really? Nice! What did you think of it? Yeah man, depending on various rehearsals and stuff I'll be around for Wednesday!

Sewage Jam every Other thursday night at the Priory Tavern in Kilburn, London. It's run by the third years at my uni. Incredible musicians! They play a lot of funk/jazz/soul tunes. They have a Spotify playlist if you wanna check out the stuff you can usually jam over.

My band played at Troy Bar in Hoxton last night. Unbelievable musicians there the whole night including the house band. The standard was out of this world! We played a few of our own tunes just to promote ourselves. We did quite well apart from out terrible guitarist ruining our songs with a disgusting distortion effect. He was on the way out anyway...

[quote name='SteveK' timestamp='1348420832' post='1813427'] And if a boy band were auditioning for a bass player... assuming similar "musical experience" and ability, who do you suppose would be more likely to get the gig? You, at 19 years... or me, at 57? That's showbiz Thankfully, the music world isn't just full of boy bands. [/quote] Good point! There's a lot of the industry that really does rely on image as well. Which a fair few guitarists in my band have found out the hard way simply because they don't look the part or actually have been accused of looking 'old' which I found harsh. You could always look into joining one of those man-bands!

[quote name='Doddy' timestamp='1348419591' post='1813412'] My first thought is 'so what?'. If you have the right attitude and your playing is up to scratch then you shouldn't have any problems. When I was younger I had people pull their faces at gigs at first,but they soon change their attitude when they find out that you can handle the gig.Likewise,in shops most guys will be cool with you if you talk to them and show that you know what yo are talking about and are friendly....and keep your ego in check. Just out of interest,who did you play with at the Albert Hall? [/quote] I just find it rude and obnoxious that people can turn their noses up at someone without even giving them a chance is all. The phrase never judge a book by its cover springs to mind. I get what you mean though completely. I'd never go out to prove a point that I'm not an idiot with no professionalism or manners, I just feel as if people automatically assume that's what I'm like! Well I've played at the Albert Hall with various orchestras (County Youth Orchestra etc..) and through my local youth music organisation. I play French Horn as well so I've had the privilege of playing all over London in great venues. I've only ever played my bass at the Royal Albert Hall twice, which was a few years ago! They were basically variety concerts for charity organised with my local music organisation and various schools, theatre groups and dancers. I was part of a select few providing the music.

[quote name='Spike Vincent' timestamp='1348399189' post='1813088'] Whilst not meaning to sound like a disrespectful old git, exactly how much experience can you have at the age of 19? [/quote] Well... A fair amount actually. And not just pub gigs. I've played at the Royal Albert hall, O2 Academy and tons of clubs as well as wedding venues and the like. Without sounding arrogant, the standard has always been extremely high. Like Lowdowner said, the quality of the experience matters more than quantity, and I'd like to think for the most part (except for my occasional bad nights!) that if one of my bands are asked to do a gig we'd do it to a very high quality!

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1348388953' post='1812895'] They aren't looking down on you because you are 19, they are looking down on you because you dress stupid, and can't grow a beard, and are probably on their lawn, like all the other young people. [/quote] Haha! Well I can't argue with that... Their lawns are just so good for hanging out and doing drug deals on though! ... Thanks for the replies as well everyone! It's interesting to see that older people also have to deal with the same situations but with the roles swapped around. There's also been some great advice on here as well. Stuff which I'll definitely take into account to make myself more 'thick skinned'.

I've done a fair bit of music work in my 19 years on this earth... I've got function gigs up the wazoo and regular gigs with 3 bands including one with serious label interest. However, despite all this I've come across so much ignorance towards me from certain people simply because I'm a 'kid'. I could act as professionally and friendly as possible to someone yet still be treated like I'm trying to use my bass headstock as a pacifier. I don't and never will understand this mindset at all. I can guarantee there are a lot of people twice/three times my age with far less playing experience that will be given regular and friendly service in music shops, or treated with respect at a gig etc... I'm sure I'm not the only one who's come across this in their lives. Has anyone ever experienced something similar? If so what was it? Or, if you've never been involved in something like this, how would you react if you had been? Now this is by no means a rant, nor am I trying to incite any kind of hateful retorts. This is simply meant to be a discussion on an issue of ageism in correlation to the perception of musical experience.

I recently chatted on the phone with Tom in the Wunjos Bass Centre. Managed to sort out an unbelievable deal for a Fender US Deluxe 5er! Ever since Wunjo's took over that shop I've been amazed at the turnaround from the ghastly bass cellar. All the people who work there like Tom and Laurence are just so great and friendly and always willing to work out a deal. I recommend people go and browse around and speak to the guys. Great atmosphere and great store. Long live Wunjo's basses!

signed sealed delivered by stevie OR.. Start me up by the stones.

[quote name='mentalextra' timestamp='1338308566' post='1672511'] I can't find the prices, are they expensive. I need half a dozen! [/quote] I bought mine for around £15. I'd definitely recommend them, top quality stuff.

Some live videos from the debut gig of me and my friend's (the drummer's) latest project #Bounce http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNLa9zTLhKc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQezvf_M2R4

[quote name='Chris2112' timestamp='1336673586' post='1649359'] Nice little solo there, he's a very skilled player no doubt. Can't write a tune to save his life, if his albums are anything to go by. They bore me to tears. Aphex Twin on the other hand... [/quote] They're pretty intense sometimes. He has too much of a mathematical approach to songs, quite a lot of production going on. He is a hell of a musican though.

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1336664082' post='1649165'] IIRC, they started out in the cellar. Then they moved upstairs and everybody said "Why are you called the Bass Cellar when you're on the ground floor? Is it a pun? Hallo? Hallo? Can you see me?". Now they seem to have moved back to the cellar. Life goes on. [/quote] Life does indeed go on. I can't believe I actually missed this out but there was one controversy in the bass cellar the other day. I was talking to a beginner who was looking for a good solid bass that could last him for a while. Naturally I recommended a squier vintage modified jazz. I know for a fact these are quality instruments for the price. Shop clerk seemed to have other ideas. Recommended him a ghastly spector bass, and despite the young guy wanting to keep playing the jazz, the assistant forced the spector on him and he ended up buying it. Oh well. c'est la vie. que sera sera and all that jazz.

I went to denmark street the other day after buying some manuscript paper from Foyles round the corner. I went into the store where the bass cellar (Literally now a cellar full of basses) is situated. It turns out I'm currently after an American P bass. Went in there told them what I do, what gear I have and what I want to get, they let me try whatever I wanted! Same happened in Wunjo's, AND in the vintage guitar store. Tried a 63 P bass that I was frustratingly short of money for. Maybe I caught them on a good day because I do know what the staff are normally like..