How was your gig last night?

[woodyratm]

3 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

What made you decide to go with a pick rather than fingerstyle. Just curious as i've struggled with that issue over 40 yrs but always remained fingers.

Usually guitarists that wanted me to use a pick because that's what they do 😂

Looks like it was a good gig and nice looking J bass too.

Dave

Tbh, I recorded with a pick just because it fitted better in our mix. Tried in practice and sounded alright.. but that was with the Status. But tried it with the jazz and it fitted crazy well. 
 

I still feel much more comfortable with my fingers though! 

[ezbass]

1 hour ago, dmccombe7 said:

One of my mates did similar thing with Games Without Frontiers. His band are called Anchorage Alaska. Worth a look if a Gabriel fan.

Dave

Here's the track for Don't Give Up, no video  

 

Fretless in the choruses and outro.

Edited Sunday at 14:43 by ezbass

[Norris]

5 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

We definitely need some vids of this set up @Norris sounds like a good fun night based on your playing technique description.

Dave

I would take absolutely nothing from my technique! It involves quite a lot of looking at the dots on the side of the neck and playing fretboard twister to get a finger in the right place 😂

 

5 hours ago, woodyratm said:

 

Great bass stance!

[Greg Edwards69]

Back at the Cow & Telescope last night, one of our favourite haunts. 

 

Bit of a mixed one. I had developed a cold with a cough a day or so before and had a weak voice before playing.  It was totally shot by the time we finished - good job I was only singing backing vocals.

 

We really struggled with sound as well. We pulled up the the previously saved mix and it sounded muddy, a dull - like blanket over the speakers. And the bass drum mic was ringing badly. I couldn't work out what had changed. So during soundcheck, I ended up pulling a load of ≈100hz out of the bass drum mic, pulling low mids out of the mix and adding a bit of presence. It sounded better and good enough to get through the gig. But it wasn't until we got to the second or third song in the first set that I realised the frequencies around F# were getting rather excited, but it was too late by then and just had to muddle through until the break when I could look up the exact problem frequencies, (92.5hz and 185hz) and notch them out.

 

Started out second set and the problem was still there but not as bad. No-one in the audience seemed to be bothered, but it was bugging the hell out of me. Just as we started the the third song in our second  set I noticed the hpf switch on the DXR12 in front of me was set to off i.e. full range. I should be set at 100hz, so I quickly flicked it over and the problem disappeared!

 

Oh well, lesson learned.  I usually check the volume setting on the speakers as these usually move during packing and setting up, but I never thought to check the switches.  I quickly checked the other one and that as 120hz. So both of them were wrong.

 

Annoyingly, I remembered this morning that our mixer has a feedback filter that we've not tried using yet - we've barely scratched the surface of what it can do.  So we really need to investigate this feature and learn how to use it properly. I probably would have cured this issue instantly.

 

Otherwise, it was a good night. Some of the regulars, some friends, some who had come especially too see us and a big birthday party who wanted to have a good old boogie, which always livens up the atmosphere.

 

I was done by the end of the night though. Not feeling 100% took it out of me. But I was glad I packed some vocal zones and a hip flask of single malt.

[dmccombe7]

3 hours ago, ezbass said:

Here's the track for Don't Give Up, no video  

 

Fretless in the choruses and outro.

Again so nice. You guys have a great sound together.

Dave

[KingPrawn]

Another top night of Ska classics in a little boozer in Bromsgrove. This is just so much fun. 

Crap clip but you get the idea

 

 

[neepheid]

Weekend report time!

 

On Friday night, playing with Nine Lives at O'Donoghues in Aberdeen.  A late one - 11pm-2am, and just as well because it was dead when we arrived to set up, not a soul in the place.  Ooft.  First half had quite the "paid rehearsal" feel about it, but it did start to fill up towards the end of the first half and into the second it was a damn sight better.  Curiously, at the break, this lassie came up to us, told us that she was on a work's night out, complimented us as a band (thanks!) then asked for our autographs!  Only the drummer and I were around at that time, but we played along and briefly felt more important than we actually are, lol.

 

Gear was Sire D5, then Squier Jag H (with Ibanez CAP double humbucker) into the usual Markbass ISO Standard bass player's rig...

 

 

But soft!  There's more!  This afternoon, we played outside on the back of a lorry at the Ellon Gala.  Second year we've done it, nice to be asked back.  It's a freebie - for the community, innit?  Makes me feel a little less mercenary.  Supposed to be playing at 4pm, well did a monsoon not chuck itself at the earth around 2pm?  We had to close the side tarp of the trailer, and feared the worst for the gig from a health and safety perspective.  Thankfully it rained itself out and the sun eventually burned through the clouds.  By the time we started, it was glorious again - god bless the Scottish weather, schizo as it is!

 

 

As you can see, gear was a delectable G&L Tribute SB-2 into the most boring bass rig in human history.

 

Noise making evidence...

 

 

[StingRayBoy42]

8 minutes ago, neepheid said:

Weekend report time!

 

On Friday night, playing with Nine Lives at O'Donoghues in Aberdeen.  A late one - 11pm-2am, and just as well because it was dead when we arrived to set up, not a soul in the place.  Ooft.  First half had quite the "paid rehearsal" feel about it, but it did start to fill up towards the end of the first half and into the second it was a damn sight better.  Curiously, at the break, this lassie came up to us, told us that she was on a work's night out, complimented us as a band (thanks!) then asked for our autographs!  Only the drummer and I were around at that time, but we played along and briefly felt more important than we actually are, lol.

 

Gear was Sire D5, then Squier Jag H (with Ibanez CAP double humbucker) into the usual Markbass ISO Standard bass player's rig...

 

 

But soft!  There's more!  This afternoon, we played outside on the back of a lorry at the Ellon Gala.  Second year we've done it, nice to be asked back.  It's a freebie - for the community, innit?  Makes me feel a little less mercenary.  Supposed to be playing at 4pm, well did a monsoon not chuck itself at the earth around 2pm?  We had to close the side tarp of the trailer, and feared the worst for the gig from a health and safety perspective.  Thankfully it rained itself out and the sun eventually burned through the clouds.  By the time we started, it was glorious again - god bless the Scottish weather, schizo as it is!

 

 

As you can see, gear was a delectable G&L Tribute SB-2 into the most boring bass rig in human history.

 

Noise making evidence...

 

 

LOVE the personalised pedalboard!

[Stub Mandrel]

9 minutes ago, neepheid said:

 

 

 

5* OOMPH rating.

[neepheid]

1 minute ago, StingRayBoy42 said:

LOVE the personalised pedalboard!

 

I live in fear of an email from Moog's legal department on a daily basis...

 

[StingRayBoy42]

Just now, neepheid said:

 

I live in fear of an email from Moog's legal department on a daily basis...

 

I'm from Moog's legal department and you're nicked, sunshine.

[neepheid]

8 minutes ago, StingRayBoy42 said:

I'm from Moog's legal department and you're nicked, sunshine.

 

Parody?

[Bluewine]

On 28/05/2025 at 20:57, Bluewine said:

We have an acoustic gig this Saturday. 

 

Daryl

 

 

Hi Guys,

 

This was our second outside gig and the weather was great.

 

Bad news, before we played I tripped walking down two flights of stairs and I fell. All I remember after that was people trying to help me up. I twisted my ankle really bad. I played the gig sitting down.

 

I'm hoping it's not serious.  My goal is to be able to leave the house by this Wednesday. I don't want to have to go to the clinic.

 

We played well but I was disappointed in the turn out.

 

For all you seniors and pensioners,  don't fall.

 

Daryl 

[casapete]

Second two gigs out of 4 for me this week.

 

Saturday night the duo played for a small birthday party in York city centre. The venue was an

upmarket restaurant’s first floor function room. Combined with restricted vehicle access, no lift

in the venue and the area teaming with people out for the evening , this made for quite a 

challenging load in and out. Still, we got set up early and then had a drink or two sitting outside

watching the endless amount of people going by, including many hen parties in various states 

of intoxication. Fortunately we had a bar tab ( and a meal )supplied by the booker, as the prices

were quite hefty.

The gig went well, played a number of requests and even had a guest clarinetist! The grandson

of the birthday boy asked if he could play ‘Stranger on the shore’, so we backed him. He was only

around 9 years old, and played well. Of course he went down better than us…. 😆 Used my little 

Ibanez short scale electro acoustic, perfect for the job. Home by around 1 am, absolutely knackered. 
 

Sunday night was our regular monthly gig at The Sun Inn, Beverley. Pretty full for most of the gig,

and some great requests including ‘I guess that’s why they call it the blues’ and ‘Friday I’m in love’.

We drew the line at doing a Beautiful South song though, as one of the band’s original singers

was in the audience! I used a Sire U5 short scale into my Rumble 500, and was happy with how

it fared. A guy came up and gave us each a decent tip at the end too, really unexpected. 
Next gig this coming Wednesday, and then a week or so off. 
 

 

[neepheid]

1 hour ago, Bluewine said:

 

 

Hi Guys,

 

This was our second outside gig and the weather was great.

 

Bad news, before we played I tripped walking down two flights of stairs and I fell. All I remember after that was people trying to help me up. I twisted my ankle really bad. I played the gig sitting down.

 

I'm hoping it's not serious.  My goal is to be able to leave the house by this Wednesday. I don't want to have to go to the clinic.

 

We played well but I was disappointed in the turn out.

 

For all you seniors and pensioners,  don't fall.

 

Daryl 

 

Aw no!  Hope you heal up quick, mate!

[Lozz196]

Yeah get better soon @Bluewine

[dmccombe7]

57 minutes ago, casapete said:

Second two gigs out of 4 for me this week.

 

Saturday night the duo played for a small birthday party in York city centre. The venue was an

upmarket restaurant’s first floor function room. Combined with restricted vehicle access, no lift

in the venue and the area teaming with people out for the evening , this made for quite a 

challenging load in and out. Still, we got set up early and then had a drink or two sitting outside

watching the endless amount of people going by, including many hen parties in various states 

of intoxication. Fortunately we had a bar tab ( and a meal )supplied by the booker, as the prices

were quite hefty.

The gig went well, played a number of requests and even had a guest clarinetist! The grandson

of the birthday boy asked if he could play ‘Stranger on the shore’, so we backed him. He was only

around 9 years old, and played well. Of course he went down better than us…. 😆 Used my little 

Ibanez short scale electro acoustic, perfect for the job. Home by around 1 am, absolutely knackered. 
 

Sunday night was our regular monthly gig at The Sun Inn, Beverley. Pretty full for most of the gig,

and some great requests including ‘I guess that’s why they call it the blues’ and ‘Friday I’m in love’.

We drew the line at doing a Beautiful South song though, as one of the band’s original singers

was in the audience! I used a Sire U5 short scale into my Rumble 500, and was happy with how

it fared. A guy came up and gave us each a decent tip at the end too, really unexpected. 
Next gig this coming Wednesday, and then a week or so off. 
 

 

Jings that's posh looking Pete.

Dave

[dmccombe7]

2 hours ago, Bluewine said:

 

 

Hi Guys,

 

This was our second outside gig and the weather was great.

 

Bad news, before we played I tripped walking down two flights of stairs and I fell. All I remember after that was people trying to help me up. I twisted my ankle really bad. I played the gig sitting down.

 

I'm hoping it's not serious.  My goal is to be able to leave the house by this Wednesday. I don't want to have to go to the clinic.

 

We played well but I was disappointed in the turn out.

 

For all you seniors and pensioners,  don't fall.

 

Daryl 

Hope all is ok Daryl.

At our age we need to be more careful mate. 😂

Have you considered one of these ? 🤣

Dave

Edited 22 hours ago by dmccombe7

[casapete]

16 minutes ago, dmccombe7 said:

Jings that's posh looking Pete.

Dave

It was quite flash Dave, and the prices reflected it too! Staff were great though, couldn’t do enough to help. 
I do love the variety of our gigs - Saturday night posh city restaurant, Sunday great local music pub etc.

[dmccombe7]

35 minutes ago, casapete said:

It was quite flash Dave, and the prices reflected it too! Staff were great though, couldn’t do enough to help. 
I do love the variety of our gigs - Saturday night posh city restaurant, Sunday great local music pub etc.

TBH i'd love to visit that venue and enjoy the food and the entertainment. Pity its a bit far away tho.

Dave

[mikebass456]

Have only ever done birthday parties recently with the punk covers band - very lively!

Wedding gigs however, have done previously with other bands and have found them a bit too 'stiff' to enjoy. 

Usually playing support to the disco.....

[Jackroadkill]

15 hours ago, neepheid said:

 

I live in fear of an email from Moog's legal department on a daily basis...

 

 

Tell 'em you haven't used their umlaut so it's okay.

 

 

[Bluewine]

11 hours ago, casapete said:

Second two gigs out of 4 for me this week.

 

Saturday night the duo played for a small birthday party in York city centre. The venue was an

upmarket restaurant’s first floor function room. Combined with restricted vehicle access, no lift

in the venue and the area teaming with people out for the evening , this made for quite a 

challenging load in and out. Still, we got set up early and then had a drink or two sitting outside

watching the endless amount of people going by, including many hen parties in various states 

of intoxication. Fortunately we had a bar tab ( and a meal )supplied by the booker, as the prices

were quite hefty.

The gig went well, played a number of requests and even had a guest clarinetist! The grandson

of the birthday boy asked if he could play ‘Stranger on the shore’, so we backed him. He was only

around 9 years old, and played well. Of course he went down better than us…. 😆 Used my little 

Ibanez short scale electro acoustic, perfect for the job. Home by around 1 am, absolutely knackered. 
 

Sunday night was our regular monthly gig at The Sun Inn, Beverley. Pretty full for most of the gig,

and some great requests including ‘I guess that’s why they call it the blues’ and ‘Friday I’m in love’.

We drew the line at doing a Beautiful South song though, as one of the band’s original singers

was in the audience! I used a Sire U5 short scale into my Rumble 500, and was happy with how

it fared. A guy came up and gave us each a decent tip at the end too, really unexpected. 
Next gig this coming Wednesday, and then a week or so off. 
 

 

 

That's cool Pete. That's a nice schedule.You have a lot of work. I hope we have more bookings in June than May.

 

Daryl

Edited 11 hours ago by Bluewine

[Bluewine]

10 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

Hope all is ok Daryl.

At our age we need to be more careful mate. 😂

Have you considered one of these ? 🤣

Dave

 

Not yet Dave,

 

I'm not out of the woods yet. However I'm hoping I

" doge a bullet " this time. I was able to walk to my mail box this afternoon. 

 

And yes, I have to be careful.  I can't be walking around absent minded and aimlessly,  hoping a fan might want to talk to me. Lol

 

Daryl

Edited 11 hours ago by Bluewine

[Bluewine]

11 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

Jings that's posh looking Pete.

Dave

 

That place looks " fancy". I'm jealous. 

 

Daryl