casapete

Just back from seeing Tommy Blaize at Ilkley Kings Hall. Am guessing not many folk on here may know Tommy - he’s one of the singers in The Dave Arch Band who perform each week on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. Certainly one of the best singers I’ve seen in a long time, he has worked with so many other people ( Stevie Wonder, Amy Winehouse, Queen, Diana Ross, Beach Boys ) and also plays piano, guitar and ukulele! A great selection of songs with truly amazing vocals and piano playing, and a few stories too. Cracking gig, highly recommended if it’s your bag.

In my old function band we had a 3 piece brass section, some of whom were teachers and couldn’t always make the gigs so we got used to having a fair few deps in. If the gigs were in London we’d have deps who could only do the gig if near a tube station, and they would turn up already dressed in a dinner suit carrying their instrument. No mic or music stand etc, and would never help with anything other than just playing the notes. They’d be off like a shot after the last song too - became quite funny really. Had some great players though, absolute pros who probably gigged most nights. When we were doing 3 or 4 sets during long days at weddings, we would change our stagewear. We had some pretty loud suits for the evening sets, and when having them made we thought we’d better get a spare for any deps. As most of the brass guys were often shall we say on the more generous side, the dep suit was made as an XXL. I shall never forget doing a society wedding in Ireland with the dep trumpet player (5 feet 6 tall and skinny as anything) dressed in this suit, looked like we had a schoolboy standing in. A few days afterwards we saw him playing with a band on Later with Jools Holland, looking very cool and hip. Could have made a fortune if we’d had some pics of him playing with us.

Started my final run of gigs last night with The ELO Experience at Milton Keynes Theatre. As you’d expect, a large modern theatre with great staff, load in and backstage facilities. It has a capacity of 1400, think we had just over 1000 people in so felt quite full. We haven’t played for 3 weeks, so were all a bit on edge hoping we would be okay. Didn’t start well at soundcheck with a few tech issues, but with the help of our guys we got it sorted eventually. We were just leaving the theatre to find somewhere to eat and bumped into Warwick Davis passing by -nice bloke and a favourite of our lighting maestro Rob who got a selfie. The gig went well, lively audience in good voice. We all got through it without any major problems, although I was quite tired. 170 mile drive back home as the gig was a stand alone, have been having a quiet day today.

I use a stool just like this one, works well and the guitar stand bit is very handy. Most of the acoustic duo’s gigs I do are seated, although some do get to that point where standing may be more appropriate.

You could then stand up for the key changes, Westlife style!

I’d say if none of the band members mind then just do it - am sure they appreciate you being there whether seated or not. Possibly set up closer to the drummer so at least there are two musicians roughly the same height?

Not sure Mick - Gerry did mention Rory a couple of times, and from what we were chatting about in the restaurant before the gig I’d say he still has immense respect for him.

Yup, we get this sometimes. A nice gesture which doesn’t go unappreciated. The OP’s venue sounded like they would never do this though, if they’re trying to underpay bands due to their drinks sales. Wonder if they try it on with tradespeople - ‘sorry mate, can only give you half the money for fixing our plumbing as it’s been a bit quiet today’?

I was too Paul! An absolutely lovely bloke though, really grounded and funny. He likes a glass of wine too….

Wonder if they’d taken more than expected on the bar they then would have paid you extra? Absolute tw*ts.

Just got back from seeing Band of Friends at Howden Shire Hall. A friend of mine asked if I could supply Gerry McAvoy with a bass rig for the gig, so I took him my GK800RB and a 4x10 to go with an Ashdown 1x15 that was there. The band are based in Europe ( Gerry lives in France), and they were only doing two UK gigs so wasn’t worth them bringing their backline over. My friend Ian Bolder ( Trevor’s brother) brought along a Fender Vibrolux for the guitarist to use, so all good. After the soundcheck we all went for drinks and some Italian food, and was great listening to Gerry’s stories. I told him last time I saw him play was with Rory Gallagher at Hull City Hall in June 1974. I was 16 and due to take my Maths O level ( GCSE) the next day. My mum told me I should stay in and revise, but I convinced her I was up to speed and went to the gig, which was ace. I got an ‘unclassified’ grade in the exam, so I blame Gerry for my lack of qualifications! Gerry was great again tonight. He was using his 63 Precision and it sounded mint. Shame there was only around a half capacity crowd, but the band still performed 100%. Cracking gig!

I think types of Asian bread ( naan etc) served with curry etc are completely different from the exotic pizzas mentioned on here . Pizza is by definition ( for me anyway) a doughy base topped with a tomato sauce and mozzarella, and then adorned with various other items. I dislike pizza without the tomato/mozzarella combo, and those with toppings that any proud Italian would refrain from eating. Blimey, people will be having curry sauce with fish&chips next - oh, wait a minute………😆

Tonight on BBC4 at 9pm - Marvin Gaye Live at Montreux 1980

That was one of the first 45 rpm records I bought, haven’t heard it in ages. On Deram records IIRC.

The music shop my teenage self used to hang around in during the early/mid 70's meant I used to pick up useful tips that I've never forgotten. Some were probably bollocks, but many have stuck with me. I remember making speaker leads from the orange cable that came with many Black and Decker type products. The good thing was that you couldn't mistake them for guitar leads which back then were mostly black (or coiled!). Still got some somewhere.

Agreed, although even back then we knew that using guitar leads for connecting speakers wasn't a good idea.

How awful for you. My sincere condolences to you and your family.

@Chienmortbb on here is good for cables. Look for those with good quality cable ( Van Damme , Sommer etc) and Neutrik connectors. IMO avoid stuff like cheaper Fender, Planet Waves, and pay a bit more for good stuff - if looked after they will last years.

I think there isn’t a ‘standard’ policy i.e. all insurers will vary in what they will or won’t insure so best to check. Mine covers stuff that isn’t being used to make a living, but not items which are for instance. Just like motor insurance for musicians, it’s a complicated scenario.

The Toploader version was actually a cover -previously a hit in the early 70’s for King Harvest in the US, with the original being recorded by Boffalongo . Both of these had fade outs too! I don’t mind the song, Toploader version. In my function band it always went down well when we did it. I can think of a lot worse. 😊

This ^^^ I have cover for my gigging instruments, and have my stuff I don’t gig with down as named items on my home insurance. Works fine for me, although ( as is the norm with any insurance cover) be sure to check all the small print.

On Saturday I’m going to see ‘Band of Friends’ featuring Gerry McAvoy on bass. Saw him with Rory Gallagher in the mid 70’s, so hope it will be an interesting evening.

Thanks Rob, but we are currently using a Yamaha EMX512SC mixer amp which gives out 2x500 watts. The cabs are Bose tops and some bass bins. We’d be looking at something at least that output again, possibly class D powered cabs such as RCF / QSC etc. I have an Allen and Heath mixer with FX that we could use with them. You could maybe try listing your Fender PA on here?

Cheers, will do.