toneknob

American prog-jam band Umphrey's McGee are playing at the Brooklyn Bowl somewhere in the O2 Dome this week - three shows, Thursday-Friday. Support comes from two brilliant UK bands, Godsticks (Thursday) and Syd Arthur (Friday, Saturday). Umphreys's are busy headlining festivals in the USA and have just announced their epic five night New Year's run which will sell out in milliseconds. Much like other bands from the same genre, they're unknown here - and tickets for their Brooklyn Bowl run have just been reduced to a two-for-one offer for all three nights - [url="https://tickets.axs.com/eventShopperV3UK.html?wr=b16626f0-4d91-4466-933a-76dde45279a5&skin=bbl&utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=brooklyn_bowl_london_2014_1&utm_content=Secret+Gig"]https://tickets.axs....tent=Secret+Gig[/url] Here's a couple of clips of songs that got me into the band: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J6HKcfb32Q[/media] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYYFw24Gn9E[/media] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B1vJpOn1so[/media]

"When live, play at the high end of the neck on the heavier strings, unless you're using a compressor, this will be noticeably louder, and lean back while you're at it" I need to work on my leaning back.

[quote name='Horizontalste' timestamp='1402417080' post='2473280'] It's those square fifty watt things that make those horrible squealing noises [/quote] Oh one of those, terrible things, shouldn't be allowed.

What's a squeeler box?

[quote name='The Admiral' timestamp='1402412860' post='2473200'] That's just rubbing it in! The thing I noticed more than anything was the fun they seemed to be having, which I suspect came from knowing they were well rehearsed and it wasn't a chore, which the first date of a 60 date tour would have been I would imagine. Also, interesting that they also stood so close to each other, with loads of eye contact, unlike a 'stadium' band these days, where they can be 40 yards apart, and if in the round, not even facing one another. Proper old school. [/quote] Hah - great minds think alike: http://basschat.co.uk/topic/186689-led-zeppelin-reunion-concert-movie-premiere/page__view__findpost__p__1840321

[quote name='The Admiral' timestamp='1402352290' post='2472646'] Perhaps time to dig out your copy and have another watch? [/quote] Thanks for ahem planting the suggestion, I've now got Celebration Day lined up for a listen today. Hard to believe that the gig will be 7 years old in December - I was there, and have brilliant memories of the day.

And the Lets Go Crazy from Manchester... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMABC22tfwg[/media] Bass solo approx 2m23s.

[quote name='maldy' timestamp='1402340623' post='2472455'] I would have loved to have seen these. What were the band like? I like the idea of a more stripped back band as a change from his previous bands. [/quote] Really good! I've seen Prince before twice, once at the O2 in 2007 during his month's tenure there, and having consulted the history books the other time was 1988 at Wembley for a Lovesexy gig, of course I was very young then. The band was Prince on guitar and occasional keys, then the three-piece 3rd Eye Girl on guitar, bass and drums, and another keyboard player for most of the gig. Also, another keys player was clearly visible in the sound/lights desk area for the closing numbers. My favourite numbers were U Got The Look, Kiss, Sign O' The Times, Hot Thing, 1999 and some of the instrumental jams (it's a bit of a blur tbh). A criticism I've had of previous gigs is that he's likely to do just a verse and chorus of a "hit", then segue into the next song. Much less of this at the Roundhouse, in fact the only time it happened and was jarringly obvious was When Doves Cry into Sign O The Times. In fact the wife said "huh? It's all gone a bit Jive Bunny" at this point. The bassist Ida Neilsen was just right for the band, and played the old material just right, I'm not familiar with the new stuff so can't comment. The instrumental jams later in the set were really cool, especially compared to similar at the O2 gigs which lacked dynamics and went on a bit. The opening number Let's Go Crazy was slowed down to a bluesy jam, and she did a great solo with some lovely barmy effects going on. She's also known as Bassida and Ida Funkhouser, so google around for more info. Here she is doing a demo for TC Electronics. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VKUs4lfsHs[/media]

[quote name='Sean' timestamp='1402136188' post='2470300'] Cool. How about emailing them today to let them know to wait in their car until the previous guy has left? Is that reasonable? [/quote] Yeah that's fine. Also, maybe post a week ago so you've got time to sort all this out. Otherwise, good luck with it!

I'd put in a contingency between each guitarist to send one off before the next one arrives. Then you get a little discussion/note taking/sobbing time between each, and less chance for awkward "oh hi yeah just wait a sec while the previous guy packs up" moments.

Brilliant show last night. Setlist here: http://www.princevault.com/index.php/04_June,_2014-2 (and the earlier show, http://www.princevault.com/index.php/04_June,_2014-1).

I'm in for the 9.30pm show. It'll be interesting to see if the teatime show finishes on time and they get everyone out... Just seen this: https://twitter.com/TomWhitwell/status/474235221014245377/photo/1 - it looks like the queue for the first show is heading down Chalk Farm Rd and into Morrison's petrol station

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1401894855' post='2467993'] It varies from tree to tree [/quote] Maybe he should go to a different branch

Two shows tomorrow night at the Roundhouse: http://www.roundhouse.org.uk/whats-on/2014/prince-and-3rd-eye-girl/

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1401357304' post='2462711'] Not everyone has Excel. 1. I don't have any use for spreadsheet software therefore I don't have it 2. It costs money. If someone else wants me to use it then they'll need to buy me a copy. [/quote] Open Office is free and compatible, and is what I use at home.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1401355451' post='2462669'] Only works if everyone has a copy of Excel though. [/quote] Yeah, true. Like a Google Calendar only works for people with web browsers I suppose.

I've got an excel spreadsheet shared in Dropbox. Again, it works perfectly if everyone uses it.

[quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1400536868' post='2454851'] Could be either the Alesis Air FX or Air Synth [url="http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan01/articles/alesisair.asp"]http://www.soundonso...s/alesisair.asp[/url] [url="http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/mar03/articles/alesisairsynth.asp"]http://www.soundonso...sisairsynth.asp[/url] [/quote] Cor. Well Jean-Michel.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1400524779' post='2454665'] Really enjoyed the Eno/Hyde tracks. To my mind shades of "Here Come The Warm Jets" mixed with Freur. For me, Eno is always more interesting when he's actually composing and playing rather than just "producing". [/quote] What's the thing he's playing with his right hand? The Electro-boob. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgdLBgsfYaE

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1400510666' post='2454472'] Just realised St. Vincent are playing the amazing Sage venue in Newcastle...definitely going to try and get tickets ASAP! [/quote] Yep, I'm in for the Roundhouse gig as well. I listened to the StV/David Byrne album when it came out and it didn't do anything for me. Gave it another listen last week, still nothing. the new StV album just keeps getting better though. Odd, given I'm a huge Talking Heads fan. Curiously, the same happened with the recent-ish David Byrne/Brian Eno album.

St Vincent, brilliant - not seen her/them before, loved it. The Tuesday night live version of Digital Witness was better than the Friday night version as well. Delightfully barmy. And the best synth bass I've heard in ages. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmnhY9Smj3M[/media] Ffwd through Kasabian. What about the new Brian Eno thing? Not quite what I expected.

Survey done. Video watched. There's a nice bit of squeezebox in there.

Here's the Guardian's review of the second night at the Scala http://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/may/08/snarky-puppy-scala-london-review

Handy KP3 vs Kaossilator Pro comparison: http://www.synthtopia.com/content/2010/03/10/kaossilator-pro-vs-kaoss-pad-3-comparison/