arthurhenry

It's starting to feel like perhaps we as musicians have a social responsibility to cancel gigs ourselves. Should we be encouraging gatherings of people? I suspect pretty soon everything will be off indefinitely (the rest of the year, at least?) anyway.

I dig it.

Me too...

If smaller social gatherings such as pub gigs are prohibited and we are effectively prevented by law from doing our job, will there be some means by which we can recover the lost income? If not would it be legitimate to add up the lost earnings and deduct it from profit on the next tax return?

But you may be served by someone who was hugging, shaking hands and spitting at a gig the night before.

Apparently it may be only indoor gatherings of 4000+ which will be cancelled. If you go to shops and touch door handles, or are close to people who do, why have any extra concerns about a gig?

Dudda, dudda dut, dut, "My Corona".

I too noted this when I saw FC a couple of years ago. Peggy's a great player.

I think the most important thing is to not plug the bass in.

For me, the most important thing about gigging is the benefit to me as a musician. Yes, I enjoy an enthusiastic audience, being with my band mates, using my gear and earning money - ultimately though, improving my musical ability and gaining as much live experience as I can, are the real reasons I continue to do it. Therefore, I always see a benefit to a 'bad night' and I would always rather be out playing somewhere regardless of the 'quality' of the gig, than not be playing. I've found that band mates through the years have often not shared this view and would rather avoid certain gigs, or even offer to pack up and home if it's going to be a quiet night. I have a long list of all the gigs I've done and if I removed all the 'bad' ones, I'd have about a third of the live experience that I do have. It's all valuable to me and adds to a long body of work. Does anyone else on Basschat think in a similar way?

How many O' levels have you got?

It's worth pointing out that the clip posted is from a regular jam night hosted at a club in LA. Well known musicians often played and everyone had to stick to the rules of "no pedals, just get up, plug in and play". It's a fun jam, mistakes and wrong turns included; It's not supposed to be a polished, rehearsed performance.

A lovely tribute from Doane Perry, which casts some light on how Neil dealt with his illness: Doane Perry 11 hrs Neil Ellwood Peart - 9/12/52 - 1/7/20 I want to thank all the people who have so kindly written, texted, posted or called regarding Neil's passing. Like so many, this has completely undone me and I haven't quite known where to start. I am working on something more substantial to be posted in the future when things have settled a little for everyone. During the last three and a half years, Neil faced this brutal, aggressive brain cancer bravely, philosophically and with his customary humor, sometimes light and occasionally dark - all very characteristic of him, even given the serious situation and the odds handed to him at the time of the diagnosis and subsequent surgery. But he fought it. By his own request for privacy, few people knew, but his understandable response to this news in no way excludes or diminishes ALL of those who also knew him, worked with him or loved and admired him from up close, or at a distance. His tenacious approach to life served him well during these last years and although he primarily kept his own counsel, he retained his dignity, compassion, understanding and his deeply inquisitive nature, which never deserted him. Remarkably, considering the severity of his condition (glioblastoma) and through the resulting aftermath, he really had no pain. This was always my first question when I saw him. “Any pain?” I asked. “No pain”, came the reply. What a blessing that was. We were all grateful for that. For every one of us who loved him, near and far, this is a loss that is difficult and impossible to summarize in a few short paragraphs. The outpouring of love, respect and appreciation from every imaginable quarter for this extraordinary, singular talent and beautiful man with a mind like no one I have ever met, is touching beyond words. To those that had to guard and hold on to this information closely for three and a half years, for obvious and protective reasons; his wife Carrie, daughter Olivia, his loving family, band, colleagues and friends, they have my undying admiration. You know who you are. Apart from his deeply gifted, genius talent and prolific output, which he brilliantly displayed through music, lyric and prose writing and that staggering storehouse of knowledge across an array of subjects in multiple fields, he remained a kind, gentle, considerate and modest soul and a consummate gentleman… as well as an extraordinary friend. If you were his friend, you knew it and he understood how to be the best friend that you could ever hope to have. I think I speak for all, known and unknown to him, to say he will be deeply missed, eternally loved, appreciated and remembered for his many invaluable contributions to music, art and the written word. That will be forever celebrated. Despite what he knew and we knew which was inevitable, I believe there is some sense of relief that this long, difficult odyssey has finally ended. Thank you my dear friend, for passing this way. We are all richer for your presence and light in our lives. 🙏💙🙏 Doane Perry - January 16th, 2020

Rush ended in the most appropriate and dignified way and although this is a huge shock, I'm thankful that Neil's illness was not made public, which I'm sure would have been the last thing he wanted. I feel terrible for his young daughter in particular.

I've seen a few bands who purport to be classic rock bands including songs by the above bands in their sets. Presumably the bands have agreed that such songs, rightly or wrongly, fall under their definition of classic rock. In my observation, bands who set out to play strictly Classic Rock covers find that they struggle to get many gigs and to maintain audience interest when they do play. Invariably they start adding the likes of Stereophonics, Chili Peppers and Green Day to their repertoire. Snobby people like me balk at this inauthenticity, but the punters seem to like it.

There's only one flight of steps at the back of the Inn on the Wye in Goodrich, Herefordshire, however, each step is approx 3 inches high and the same deep, making it a nightmare to carry heavy gear up and down.

Have done that one many times. You forgot to mention the three flights of steps and the stink from the back of the Chinese restaurant in the corridor.

Yes! Was thinking of adding this one myself. At least they provide a PA and food, though the gig itself it can be hit and miss.

Perhaps the other players were familiar with the band and aware of their set, or had researched it. With a knowledge of 1000s of songs and a few decades live playing experience, I'd happily turn up and be confident that a gig's worth of material could be compiled. It helps if the other musicians in the band are willing to busk some simple stuff, or quickly recap some stuff that you know too.

"Daddy, whenever I hear a song, I find myself picking out what the bass is doing. It's sort of ingrained in my brain." That's good parenting! Clearly practising directly below her bedroom is having a beneficial effect.

Play it the way you play. It's a line, a piece of music with notes. Play the notes in time, in tune with groove. Job done.

No they don't. Iron Maiden are not sponsoring West Ham.

Thunderstruck

It should be noted that this is "a new kit" which the club are offering for sale. I don't think Maiden are sponsoring West Ham, or that the team will be wearing this kit for matches.