How was your gig last night?

[tauzero]

Got there after a 90 minute drive. Walked in with bass and speaker stands, and the landlord said "who are you?". "Dirty Roses". "Oh, really sorry, I've double booked you. I'll pay you all the same". So home we all went (not so far for the guitarist and singer, a bit further for the drummer). At least I didn't have to carry all the gear in and out with a gouty foot. But Mrs Zero and Sub Zero had gone out for the evening to celebrate their birthdays (one day apart, 65 and 30 respectively) and I could have joined them, or we could have taken up a panicky last-minute request for a band from a place two miles from my house. Oh well.

[dmccombe7]

10 hours ago, Bluewine said:

 

 

Sounds like a decent gig Dave. And $150.00 is good pay. 

 

Daryl

Used to be more but we now have a permanent PA guy to do all the heavy stuff and we split our fee 6 ways now but it means i'm not lifting all the heavy PA cabs in and out my car for every gig. He turns up in his van and does it all. Sounds better out front too. Lot more professional looking too having your own SE.

Dave.

 

[dmccombe7]

10 hours ago, Bluewine said:

 

Cancelations. I hate them. We had a nice theatre gig coming up, opening for a signed national touring band. The story I got was they don't want a 4 piece band opening.  Our two guitarists are going to open.

 

I'm a little suspicious of the whole thing.

 

Daryl

I don't get that at all. Sounds more like your band are too good to open for them and would show them up.

Dave

[martthebass]

A nice local club for the Glam lads. Was looking forward to a nice packed house but apparently the home crowd was partied out after their club Christmas do last Thursday. Still it ended up filling up to about 75% and we had a decent night in the end. Meeting quite a few people coming down with flu and crossing fingers that we make it through NYE without casualties 😂

[dmccombe7]

1 hour ago, martthebass said:

 Meeting quite a few people coming down with flu and crossing fingers that we make it through NYE without casualties 😂

Oddly enough we were  having the exact same discussion in the changing room yesterday. 😂

Dave 🎅

[Rayman]

I brought out the Meteora last night for our last one of the year, via my regular gigging amp head now, a highly portable TCBQ500 into a house cab. Great sound on stage on off, great job by the sound man. Super loud and nice and clear too.
 

 

 

Good crowd and a great little venue, awesome parking and access, backstage area and kitchen, definitely looking forward to coming back. The Meteora is such a fantastic bass, I need to use it more.

 

 

[Franticsmurf]

Last night was a dep gig for a local band with a big reputation and following - I was chuffed to be asked back after the last dep with them in September. It was a new venue for them that they were hoping to add to the list of regulars so there was a little bit of self imposed pressure for me to get it right, but they're a decent bunch and I didn't feel any pressure from them. It was a local venue to me, too - less than 2 miles away. Since Tuesday's rehearsal with them, they had added 'My Sharona' to the list and all I could do was try to learn the original arrangement and trust their assertion that they played it identically (which they did). 

 

Set up was into a very small space in a raised area surrounded by a waist high glass wall on my left and a wooden railing in front. It was tight, and that meant I had to get my kit in and arranged first before the drums could go in (there being only a narrow gap between the front of the kick drum and the railing). I'd brought my headless Ibanez shorty for just such an eventuality but the glass wall was just low enough that the full sized Sterling had room. I had visions of bending down to adjust an effect and smashing the glass with the headstock but, spoiler alert, it didn't happen. Fortunately, the guitarist was able to squeeze into the space by the back door and although we weren't allowed to block it to prevent people coming in as it was a fire exit, they put a sign out side to direct people to the front door. This gave the singer a little more room. Eventually, the jigsaw puzzle was complete and after a decent soundcheck, we were ready to go. 

 

It was a small pub but the place was packed and it was very hot despite windows being open behind us. We had dancers from the start - all credit to them as they had so little space to strut their stuff. There was quiet a bit of singing along too. There was a great sound on stage and apart from a few minor mistakes on my part, I think I did well as a dep. In fact, the only major problem was the guitarist starting a song in the wrong key - which we all managed to adjust to (even the drummer 😂) . At half time the band was offered several bookings in the pub (I've told them that as a dep, I expect a commission 🙂). By the end of the night the place was bouncing and we had a couple of encores.

 

I was pleased to have a number of compliments about my playing and my sound from punters and the rest of the band. I have to say that I was really happy with my sound - punchy without being overpowering. Some of the comments back from staff and audience were that the band had a great overall mix without being too loud. The band are very thorough with sound and soundchecks, which clearly pays dividends. 

 

Kit was my Sterling 34HH through the board (MS60b for tuner and noisegate and a synth patch for 'Just Can't Get Enough' >Nux Sculpture compressor >Nux Voodoo Vibe (for Dakota) >Ampeg SCRDI> Sine HPF (set to 40hz)) and into my Peavey Minimax 600 via the FX return. Cabs were 2 1x10" Trace Elliotts. I think I've finally found a bass/board/amp/speaker combination that gets me the sound I've been chasing for years with this line-up. Footwear was, of course, by Skechers. 

 

This was my last scheduled gig for 2025. Next planned excursion is mid January. 

 

 

 

 

[Muzz]

Cancelled. Friday night, turned up to the pub for 7:30pm as agreed with the owner at 11:30am by text, to find 30 or so people still eating and drinking in the band area of the pub. Duty Manager (amazingly, the actual Manager was nowhere to be found) told us they'd had a funeral/wake group come in about four, and they were still there. Apparently there'd been a cancellation text to our BL about 4:30pm, which he hadn't seen.

 

I mean, I get it: that's 30 meals plus probably 120 drinks extra, or pay the band. Turns out they'll be doing both...the BL's furious and he'll be all over them tomorrow.

 

Still, an early night, and we'll get paid (BL's enthusuastically litigious)...eventually.

[Bluewine]

10 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

Used to be more but we now have a permanent PA guy to do all the heavy stuff and we split our fee 6 ways now but it means i'm not lifting all the heavy PA cabs in and out my car for every gig. He turns up in his van and does it all. Sounds better out front too. Lot more professional looking too having your own SE.

Dave.

 

 We also share the luxury of having our own dedicated sound & lights guy.

 

Daryl

[Bluewine]

10 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

I don't get that at all. Sounds more like your band are too good to open for them and would show them up.

Dave

 

I've heard some signed bands are like that. It happened to us before.  We were to open for Samantha Fish and we were cancelled for the same reason. 

 

Daryl

[bassbiscuits]

Just back home from the annual Christmas guitar club concert in my local village hall. Two concerts - one for the younger learners and one for the older more proficient kids. Amazing to see them progress over the years in confidence and musical skills. 

 

I bring the PA, the lights and an extra pair of hands to help with setting up and sorting/tuning etc between performers, as well as donating my bass rig for the evening, being their soundman and guesting on the odd song. 
 

Proper Christmas thing. 
 

Excuse the dull pic but it’s all I managed. 

Edited yesterday at 07:10 by bassbiscuits

[Norris]

Great: we had a fabulous time at the White Hart in Melton, rocked the place out, hot & sweaty.

 

Sad: it's our last gig at the venue because the landlord and landlady are leaving.

 

They can't make the place pay for itself. Sunday evenings always draw a crowd for the entertainment, but they have struggled to get people in on other nights of the week.

 

Anyway we gave them a good send off. I took the smoke machine for a change, which made all the lights look even better. We didn't even keep track of how long we played. The only thing I forgot to do was to take a photo.

[Stub Mandrel]

11 hours ago, bassbiscuits said:

Just back home from the annual Christmas guitar club concert in my local village hall. Two concerts - one for the younger learners and one for the older more proficient kids. Amazing to see them progress over the years in confidence and musical skills. 

 

I bring the PA, the lights and an extra pair of hands to help with setting up and sorting/tuning etc between performers, as well as donating my bass rig for the evening, being their soundman and guesting on the odd song. 
 

Proper Christmas thing. 
 

Excuse the dull pic but it’s all I managed. 

 

 

Looks like the perfect venue for a Christmas concert... must feel odd having anything else there!

[12stringbassist]

We played a club near Bolton for the fourth time. The Concert Sec there lives in the 1960's and puts some real clunge on. He's been ignoring my whatsapp messages about next year. He came up to me before went on and tauntingly reminded me that I had gone up to him and shown him a fake Rickenbacker the last time we played. I had two with me that night, plus a P Bass. He wouldn't have it that the Ric I brought last time was real. It was a 2002 4003FG and it was on my stand. He very grudgingly admitted it was real.

We always get told what a breath of fresh air we are when we play there. We went on played our two spots, went down like heroes with a 1.05 second spot with dancers throughout.

 

 

When he came to pay us at the end, I reminded him that he hadn't responded to my Whatsapp messages and laughingly said that I thought he'd died. He told us that though he really likes us we aren't right for the club. Some people left. Like they do when it's cold and dark out and not far off Christmas, etc.. I remined polite and cheerful, as we aren't short of work. Instead of losing my sheet, I just said, we will go down far better than some of the acts you've booked up to June next year.  You should've seen his face. Permanent worry-lines forming. He was beyond horrified and demanded to know which ones would frighten their punters and clear the place. I was too much of a gentleman to tell him.

Edited yesterday at 12:56 by 12stringbassist

[bassbiscuits]

4 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

 

 

Looks like the perfect venue for a Christmas concert... must feel odd having anything else there!

Yeah it’s got a definite “stable” vibe on that pic! I’ve only been there for the guitar Christmas shows but yeah maybe it doubles up as a gazebo in the summer….

[cheddatom]

On 14/12/2025 at 11:16, Rayman said:

I brought out the Meteora last night for our last one of the year, via my regular gigging amp head now, a highly portable TCBQ500 into a house cab. Great sound on stage on off, great job by the sound man. Super loud and nice and clear too.
 

 

 

Good crowd and a great little venue, awesome parking and access, backstage area and kitchen, definitely looking forward to coming back. The Meteora is such a fantastic bass, I need to use it more.

 

 

 

Hah, just realised this is my venue Riff Factory! I love your set mate, great band!

[Bluewine]

8 hours ago, 12stringbassist said:

We played a club near Bolton for the fourth time. The Concert Sec there lives in the 1960's and puts some real clunge on. He's been ignoring my whatsapp messages about next year. He came up to me before went on and tauntingly reminded me that I had gone up to him and shown him a fake Rickenbacker the last time we played. I had two with me that night, plus a P Bass. He wouldn't have it that the Ric I brought last time was real. It was a 2002 4003FG and it was on my stand. He very grudgingly admitted it was real.

We always get told what a breath of fresh air we are when we play there. We went on played our two spots, went down like heroes with a 1.05 second spot with dancers throughout.

 

 

When he came to pay us at the end, I reminded him that he hadn't responded to my Whatsapp messages and laughingly said that I thought he'd died. He told us that though he really likes us we aren't right for the club. Some people left. Like they do when it's cold and dark out and not far off Christmas, etc.. I remined polite and cheerful, as we aren't short of work. Instead of losing my sheet, I just said, we will go down far better than some of the acts you've booked up to June next year.  You should've seen his face. Permanent worry-lines forming. He was beyond horrified and demanded to know which ones would frighten their punters and clear the place. I was too much of a gentleman to tell him.

 

I'm on your side of this 12 String. 

 

We had a nice on going gig at a popular club. They went the way if the Saturday night cover party bands which left us out. We were not longer a fit for the club. And we really weren't. 

 

Daryl

[martthebass]

On 13/12/2025 at 20:51, dmccombe7 said:

Nope it appears but when i click to play it goes into a fault that Faceache are currently working on. Had this with quite a few things now including our own band links.

Dave

Sorry mate, works at my end…..never did understand the machinations of FB though 

[Muzz]

19 hours ago, 12stringbassist said:

We played a club near Bolton for the fourth time. The Concert Sec there lives in the 1960's and puts some real clunge on. He's been ignoring my whatsapp messages about next year. He came up to me before went on and tauntingly reminded me that I had gone up to him and shown him a fake Rickenbacker the last time we played. I had two with me that night, plus a P Bass. He wouldn't have it that the Ric I brought last time was real. It was a 2002 4003FG and it was on my stand. He very grudgingly admitted it was real.

We always get told what a breath of fresh air we are when we play there. We went on played our two spots, went down like heroes with a 1.05 second spot with dancers throughout.

 

When he came to pay us at the end, I reminded him that he hadn't responded to my Whatsapp messages and laughingly said that I thought he'd died. He told us that though he really likes us we aren't right for the club. Some people left. Like they do when it's cold and dark out and not far off Christmas, etc.. I remined polite and cheerful, as we aren't short of work. Instead of losing my sheet, I just said, we will go down far better than some of the acts you've booked up to June next year.  You should've seen his face. Permanent worry-lines forming. He was beyond horrified and demanded to know which ones would frighten their punters and clear the place. I was too much of a gentleman to tell him.

Ahhh, Dobbies...one of those dinosaur venues with a power-mad Conc.Sec. and everything*...you can get a reaction out of the crowd, but with pliers and gritted teeth. For the majority who don't know the place but will know many similar (still), there's total silence** for the bingo but they talk through your first set unless (metaphorically) grabbed by the collar, and the general vibe from the management is 'Why can't you be Matt Munroe? I liked him.'

 

Last time we were there I gave Herr Conc. Sec. the hairdryer because as soon as we'd finished some fool on their side hit the smoke machine onstage about eight or ten times as we were packing down, it was four feet deep and you literally couldn't see the floor, I nearly walked off the edge. I lost 75% of my sheet, went to his table and gave him a bollocking, he tried to laugh it off till I pointed out if someone did fall on (or worse, off) the stage he'd be hearing from lawyers (and I'd taken pictures) about breaching H&S, and he shut up. We haven't heard back from them, but to be honest it's no loss.

 

* Where you're referred to as 'The Turn'...

** The sort of silence only encountered in the bleak chill of deep space or Northern Club Bingo sessions, it's uncanny, unnerving and something I think CERN should have a look at...

[borntohang]

I'm glad I did my time on the no-talc-on-the-dancefloor circuit because it was An Education, as they say, but I don't miss it. Wall to wall stonefaces waiting for the bingo during set one, and then a mass exodus after the meat raffle so you play set two to the bar staff and maybe any students home for the weekend.

 

In fairness I'd have left too: we were shite. Bandleader had a clapped out van, a "everyone knows Sweet Home Alabama, we'll busk it!" approach towards the setlist, and not much else. Oh happy days!

[martthebass]

Ahhhh...the complexities and beauty of club land in the North.

 

I'd say we do about 70% of our gigs in WMCs now though the differential in 'pay' between them and pubs is not what it was.  Unfortunately there are still a number of the 'bingo comes first' outfits, and I still scratch my head at why they pay out for a band....though a sizable number are now opting to cheaper solo/duo backing track jobs to cut down costs.  While these can be a disappointing gig they have their moments, though Gladis and Wilf rushing off a quarter into the last spot to catch the last bus can be unnerving - I've never understood the rigid set times that put us on too late when this is a factor.  These sort of places seem to be dying on their arses with closures every week and implosions of the committees due to finances/reducing footfall.

 

Conversely some WMCs are still thriving, do less or no bingo type activity and concentrate on good entertainment.  We love these places and try and support as best we can.

Edited 2 hours ago by martthebass

[Muzz]

I'd also say that any business where the clientele age averages more than 65 is on the slide without new blood anyway...

Edited 2 hours ago by Muzz

[Len_derby]

1 hour ago, Muzz said:

I'd also say that any business where the clientele age averages more than 65 is on the slide without new blood anyway...

oh dear, poor old Basschat, the future isn’t looking bright …😂

Edited 30 minutes ago by Len_derby

[Stub Mandrel]

Here's an example of a club that does it right. One thing they do is allow promoters to puit on gigs in 'the Hall'. In the last few months we've had Focus and Curved Air (not tributes).

I've got five gigs there across three bands next year. It's a brilliant place to play.