How was Your rehearsal last morning or night ?

[Stub Mandrel]

We really felt like rehearsal was needed after our last gig. Tonight we focused on the weak points and also  played Alive by Pearl Jam for the first time. Alive is a blast to play.

 

My jazz was sounding awesome, I'd boosted the mids a tiny bit and made sure the gain was high enough for a bit of overdrive. Half way through I realised I hadn't checked the controls on the bass, but they were exactly in my favourite spot - neck full, bridge about 20%.

 

Only point of contention... they all think the bass on Uprising sounds better clean! Have they ever heard actually listened to it?

[Stub Mandrel]

Tried a new rehearsal space with the originals band tonight. Tea, coffee a fridge with milk and cans of pop. Even a packet of choccie buscuits.

 

Played a Warwick Gnome through a ~12" Orange speaker, sounded ok but when I gently boosted middle and cut bass it went very brittle and odd, so I set it back where I found it with a fair bit of bass boost. Gain and master both low.

 

Decent electric drum kit (dodgy cymbal feel apparently) so we could keep volume down. Less space led us to a good sound. 

 

Apologised for going increasingly ott towards the end of a song that starts slow and speeds up,  but that was liked.  It's a three chord fairly slow number (66bpm) so getting more intense and doubling the tempo (bars don't get shorter, we just put in more notes) halfway keeps it interesting.

 

All enjoyed it.

[Stub Mandrel]

Last night (Darren was hiding in the corner).

 

[Marvin]

We didn't practice this week, we started auditioning a new guitarist.

 

It's the first time I've been the other side of the fence, and I was actually quite nervous.

 

Lovely guy, lovely playing. We all found it easy to play with him. Good music theory knowledge (way, way better than my basic understanding). Great sound, he knows how to use the effects he has. I was a little apprehensive when I saw a 212 cab, a Marshall tube power and separate preamp, I thought my hearing was in for a bashing. But no, great tone but at sensible volume... apparently he doesn't do loud. 

 

Think we found a keeper.

[Uncle Rodney]

My current band - I'm in that "shall I stay or shall I go" phase. Over many weeks everyone bar me has openly said "I haven't learnt the new songs"  - which is always an indicator no one is playing their part.

The man who started the band (who found everyone) put an advert up in JMB offering his services after our first meet up (bad move I thought), then he said he wants someone else to do the rehersal bookings... there's more, all saying.. not really gonna happen methinks.

 

Sometimes I wonder, it is best just to lay it out on the table "look guys I don't think this band is really going to happen" - in the past I've try not to be hasty, give a band the chance to evolve and develop, however with experience, as they have all folded it can only be a casual affair.

We started off with a professional musician, he was really good, all the time I was thinking how long before he decides it's a waste of his time and leave, which he did. 

 

Always tricky decision.

[dmccombe7]

Our punk band kind of faded into non-existence. Gigs started to dry up and we ended up playing same places far too often so the audiences were getting less and less. The feel in the band was that there was a lack of interest and eventually we had a band meet and i made my point about the lack of interest and the BL agreed and that was kind of it. We all agreed that it was time to move on. No hard feelings and we all left as friends and still keep in touch via FB.

When its done its done and best to move on but before you do it might be worth having a band meet to find out where everyone else is on it and what and where do they see the band going.

Dave

[Bassman2019]

It went well, actually. Took us a little while to find our groove, but once we settled in things came together nicely. A few bits still need tightening up, but overall it felt like a solid rehearsal and a step in the right direction

[Franticsmurf]

20 hours ago, Uncle Rodney said:

Always tricky decision.

Communication. Have a non-rehearsal band get together and talk it through. Better to get it out in the open and remain friends. 

[MacDaddy]

Royal Blues (originals Americana), at The West Hampstead Arts Club. It was either a bus ride for 3 stops from Kilburn, or a 10 minute walk. What Google maps didn't say is that the walk was uphill 😖 (and it started raining).

We were a support band, second out of three. Soundcheck at 6, so of course we were soundchecking at 6:45 (Showtime 8:15, actually onstage nearer to 8:45).

It's a small venue, 30 punters make the place look full, which was fortunate...

The sound person was great, onstage balance was good, and FOH sounded good according to punters.

The 2 new songs debuted at the previous gig were included and went down well. 

Ibanez UB804 -> Getaria wireless -> DI.

 

Footwear - maroon creepers.

 

 

This was the back of the stage. In front of the drummer and myself was the guitarist, lead vocalist, and 2 backing singers.

[Bluewine]

On 14/11/2025 at 05:05, Marvin said:

We didn't practice this week, we started auditioning a new guitarist.

 

It's the first time I've been the other side of the fence, and I was actually quite nervous.

 

Lovely guy, lovely playing. We all found it easy to play with him. Good music theory knowledge (way, way better than my basic understanding). Great sound, he knows how to use the effects he has. I was a little apprehensive when I saw a 212 cab, a Marshall tube power and separate preamp, I thought my hearing was in for a bashing. But no, great tone but at sensible volume... apparently he doesn't do loud. 

 

Think we found a keeper.

 

Sounds great. However is he an all round fit for the band?

 

We auditioned an excellent guitarist a few years ago. The audition was great. However,  before he left. He said, " I just want to play" then went on about not caring about money and said he'd play for gigs for 50 bucks.

 

We decided not to go with him. He didn't fit the band model. We don't want the guy that will gig for 50 bucks. There are other bands where that mind set would be a better fit. We're also not looking for the guy that just wants to play .

 

If we were to bring in a new band member and if he/she asked me how to fit in, here’s my answer.

 

1. We don't rehearse, so don't broach the topic.

2. Don't make song suggestions.

3. Don't make any type of musical suggestions. 

4. Show up on time for sound checks with working gear.

5. Have decent improvisation skills.

6. Be interactive with us on stage.

 

What to expect.

1. You'll perform with pro sound and lights.

2. You'll have at least  one gig per week.

3. You won't have to play late night bar gigs.

4. You will be paid in cash prior to every gig.

5. You'll make more money than what your use to.

6. Nobody will comment or make suggestions about your volume, tone or playing.

 

We're not for everyone,  however our band model has worked for close to 20 years.

 

Daryl

Edited 2 hours ago by Bluewine

[Lozz196]

Great advice there Daryl, really sets out how the band operates and would be great guidance in helping a prospective new member decide if the band was for them or not.

[Bluewine]

10 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

Great advice there Daryl, really sets out how the band operates and would be great guidance in helping a prospective new member decide if the band was for them or not.

 

 

Thanks Lozz,

 

I realize it sounds a bit harsh, but it is what it is. We're certainly not for everyone and we've had guys turn us down because of how we operate. New songs and musical ideas come from the BL, not band members. 

 

Daryl

[Bluewine]

19 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

Great advice there Daryl, really sets out how the band operates and would be great guidance in helping a prospective new member decide if the band was for them or not.

 

How many bands find out after the fact that a guy wasn't a fit because nothing was laid out before him. A complete understanding of what a potential new member is looking for in a band and what we require. 

 

Daryl

[dmccombe7]

37 minutes ago, Bluewine said:

 

Sounds great. However is he an all round fit for the band?

 

We auditioned an excellent guitarist a few years ago. The audition was great. However,  before he left. He said, " I just want to play" then went on about not caring about money and said he'd play for gigs for 50 bucks.

 

We decided not to go with him. He didn't fit the band model. We don't want the guy that will gig for 50 bucks. There are other bands where that mind set would be a better fit. We're also not looking for the guy that just wants to play .

 

If we were to bring in a new band member and if he/she asked me how to fit in, here’s my answer.

 

1. We don't rehearse, so don't broach the topic.

2. Don't make song suggestions.

3. Don't make any type of musical suggestions. 

4. Show up on time for sound checks with working gear.

5. Have decent improvisation skills.

6. Be interactive with us on stage.

 

What to expect.

1. You'll perform with pro sound and lights.

2. You'll have at least  one gig per week.

3. You won't have to play late night bar gigs.

4. You will be paid in cash prior to every gig.

5. You'll make more money than what your use to.

6. Nobody will comment or make suggestions about your volume, tone or playing.

 

We're not for everyone,  however our band model has worked for close to 20 years.

 

Daryl

Well that would certainly rule me out of any auditions on several points Daryl but whatever works is good.😂

Its funny how different bands have different ideas on doing things.

The one that jumps out most and i'm very curious about is "you'll be paid in cash PRIOR to every gig". We don't get paid until we finsih the gig altho sometimes people pay us as soon as we arrive or at half time. 

Are the venues paying you upfront ?

I've never heard of this before.

Dave

[dmccombe7]

23 minutes ago, Bluewine said:

 

 

Thanks Lozz,

 

I realize it sounds a bit harsh, but it is what it is. We're certainly not for everyone and we've had guys turn us down because of how we operate. New songs and musical ideas come from the BL, not band members. 

 

Daryl

So who is the BL in the band Daryl. ? and how did they become BL. ?

Dave

[Bluewine]

1 minute ago, dmccombe7 said:

So who is the BL in the band Daryl. ? and how did they become BL. ?

Dave

 

Dave, Jenny is band leader, her husband is our manager. They started the band back in 2007, might have been 2005. Their concept and idea.

 

Daryl

[Bluewine]

40 minutes ago, dmccombe7 said:

Well that would certainly rule me out of any auditions on several points Daryl but whatever works is good.😂

Its funny how different bands have different ideas on doing things.

The one that jumps out most and i'm very curious about is "you'll be paid in cash PRIOR to every gig". We don't get paid until we finsih the gig altho sometimes people pay us as soon as we arrive or at half time. 

Are the venues paying you upfront ?

I've never heard of this before.

Dave

 

Dave,Some venues like Harley might pay them by direct deposit a month prior to the gig.The BL and Band Manager pay us with their own money. I'm sure this is very rare. It's really very nice. I'm always handed a pay envelope when I get in the van. 

 

Dave, it's kind of cool. I've played in bands in the past who handled money very poorly. 

 

Here's a sad story. I was actually in sort of a Glam band in the early 2000s. We played Shank Hall in Milwaukee ( referenced in the 1st Spinal Tap movie ). We took in $900.00 in cash. The BL didn't pay any of us and he kept all the money . The band broke up a few days later.

 

Dary

Edited 55 minutes ago by Bluewine