mcnach

I'm not sure if it's better or worse than it used to be, but it amazes me how some people (not always the drunk idiots, but sober idiots do it too) feel that band equipment are toys for them to play with. Reaching out for a saxophone on its stand... WHILE we're playing? Yeah, it's happened more than once. When there's not a physical separation we try to delimit our area with monitors etc, but nothing stops some people. There was one bar gig we used to do... I hated the place. The place was cool, actually, and most people were very very good and make the experience enjoyable, the pay was very good and we got a room for the night, good food... It's a small village out on the coast surrounded by nothing, so everybody from the neighbouring areas come in. BUT there's always a handful of idiots that push the limits. There was a woman once who while I was playing kept coming to me, with her younger friend (turned out to be her niece) asking me to let her play my guitar. While we were playing. Did she think we were miming? That's one of the same ones who kept trying to come in and take the saxophone that was on the stand, while the sax player (using another sax) kept fending her off. She ended up taking my hat. Then putting it back on my head. Rinse, repeat. That set was very long... Then when we finished she came and sat next to me while I was sorting out some cables, and took my hat again. I said nothing, just took it back, but I think my face must have shown my feelings, for she looked shocked and I thought she was about to cry, and left and never saw her again... But I can't imagine that playing to people drinking will be idiot-free ever. Bar functions like those are ok as we can still keep some dignity and be reasonable, but the few weddings I've played were stressful and there's an added sense of having to remain ultra polite and happy at all times, and probably more accommodating than usual: you don't want to create any bad feelings on somebody's happy wedding party. It's complicated... the best part of playing live is the people, the worst? The people too.

I don't like sleeves, but the folded cardboard 'cases' are pretty cool and give you an opportunity to add a few pictures, messages, whatever. For example, here's the one we did in 2015:

If you had told me, back in 1985, that someone would say this in 2019 I would have laughed soooooo hard. I still would not call vinyl an 'ascending' format. Yes, it's had a surge of popularity, but I don't think it'll ever become much bigger than it is now. It's pretty 'niche'. I bought a LOT of vinyl in my days, and I'm most definitely not going to go back to it Same with tape. When our singer said we should release our next album on tape I nearly fell off my chair.

nervous?

Good choice. Don't let the cheaper quote fool you, his work is really good.

I'm envious of solo acts when bandmates frustrate me (not often but it happens sometimes). I use it to push myself to do better, and that's why they're still alive, as I successfully control my murderous urges and I am a better calmer person as a result

really pleased to hear that!

I'd try David Wilson in Hexham. I had a body and a neck refinished by him and was very happy with the results, plus David is a great guy. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002025970885

It's a 4 string But it's still awesome!

Hey Steven! I'm glad you're enjoying the bass... and I love the band, sounding good. I didn't expect to hear a bit of ABBA in there

Indeed! That was my bass!

!!!

liked. I hope you recover your fb following quickly and move on to happier times

while I generally enjoy playing in the bands I play in... I am envious of you from time to time!

We sold our 1000 copies of our first CD (released in 2013)... it took us 5 years. Actually, we still have a box, so there's less than 30 left, but close to having sold all). Then in 2015 we released our second. I think we've sold about 200, and given away another 200, roughly. We sell very few online. We sell far more download-only versions. The best place to sell them is at gigs. However we generally forget to bring them which is why so few have been sold. We tried harder with the first one. We're about to release another one, and we're considering not having physical copies. But we really like to have a physical copy, with the artwork etc etc. We may just get a lot fewer made, but the cost barely goes up between ordering 500 or 1000 copies... Commercially, however... we don't find they fly off the shelves exactly, so best if you have a good storage space I think it's still good to have some that you can give away. We want people to listen to us,even if we have to bribe them

again... just negotiate. I'd agree, I would not want to to the gig without some members: the band is X and that's how we play. But a lot of times you may get landlords with concerns... it could be volume, it could be space, it could be a lot of other things. It's a lot more productive to talk to them and negotiate. They have the money, the band needs them more than they need the band (there's no shortage of bands). Talk to them and find a way to make it work, if their concerns can be appeased (which is often the case).

negotiate!

If you manage to squeeze in the same space I don't see why it should be a problem. Good luck negotiating. Sometimes landlords/ladies can be funny/difficult/plain-silly... but it's them who pay so it's best to at least appear like you're working with them. We once brought a 9-piece when they were expecting 5 of us (not sure where they got "5" as we had not played as a 5 piece in years at that stage). It got tricky for a minute, but once we established that yes, we'd make it work with all of us fitting in the space allocated, there was not trouble.

I know you don't intend that to be 100% serious (maybe only 95? ) but the thing with the originals... is yes, it's harder. A lot. But that should not stop anyone from trying if that's what they want to do. It doesn't get much better than getting avenue busy while playing your own songs and having people dance to them and sing back your lyrics while they're dancing. Don't stop yourself just because it's harder.

indeed, pretty different animals

It was quite common. The earlier ones suffered from that, then they changed the glue and said the problem was gone... but it wasn't (my two cabs come from that period). Then they changed both glue and tolex, I believe, and I *hope* they finally got it right.

which is a fortunate thing!

I have never played any of those, no. I jammed along to Superstition once, but that's about it.