casapete

I'm playing at our regular gig in Scarborough. Normally finish at 8pm, but bringing our last set forward so those who want to can scurry off home to catch the kick-off. And no, I won't be listening to the match on the drive home.

I think the point is that if the audience(s) don't like it then the gigs will soon dry up? * If that's the case them maybe stick to rehearsing for your own enjoyment etc? * Of course if they do like it then everyone's happy ....... 😄

I don’t move around like Flea but not always a standing still guy either, and never had an issue in over 45 years with Grolsch type washers or the Dunlop Lok Strap washers. As you point out there will always be exceptions that prove the rule. I’ve been in bands where people have had Straplocks fail too, c’est la vie. 🙂

Same for me - my 63 P bass means unfortunately too much to me to risk losing it on such events. Festivals in particular always a worry, that’s why this weekend I’ll be taking a P-Lyte along to one such event. ( I do use the 63 but only when I can keep it close at all times.) Always wondered if I was being over protective with it when touring theatres. Then a few years back a name US band was playing Hull City Hall, and after soundcheck went out to grab food before the gig. When they came back all the guitars had been filched, and they only managed to do the gig with stuff borrowed from local musos. My band had an opportunist nick our iPad from the FOH desk at a gig in Essex once, and no staff at the theatre noticed why he was there before the show.

I’m playing with blues band The Alligators this Saturday at the Burton Agnes Jazz and Blues Festival. Situated in the Yorkshire Wolds, Burton Agnes Hall is an Elizabethan Manor House. The festival is an annual event and this will be it’s 17th year. http://burtonagnes.com

I agree - also from my experience I can make a neater job of the windings using my string winder than I can just doing it without. Got mine years ago after seeing one being used in a music shop ( remember those? ). Also good with bass restrings but even more useful with guitars ( again IME). With slotted tuners I can do my bass in probably 5 mins using the winder, so a no brainer for me. ( Which reminds me, better go and put some new strings on today, got a big gig at the weekend.)

Played our now monthly gig at the wonderful Sun Inn in Beverley. ( Milestone acoustic duo) It was Armed Forces day in the town, so instead of the usual acoustic guitarist who plays before us, they had booked a female singer ( with tracks) to do some wartime songs - Vera Lynn / swing stuff. Unfortunately this didn’t appear to be what the regulars wanted, so by the time we arrived to set up (an hour later than usual) most of them had departed. Anyway, we cracked on with our usual request format, and did 3x40 min sets. Had some great requests, including one from a couple who had just got engaged and asked for ’Stuck in the middle’ which got a laugh. Hardest songs of the day ( for me ) were a fast version of swing standard ‘Cheek to cheek’, (so many chords!) and then also a request for some Mark Knopfler stuff, so we played ‘Why worry’, which is a beautiful song written with the Everly Brothers in mind. It has a tricky count in a few places, but we managed it okay and you could have heard a pin drop in the room. Finished the gig with a singalong during Bowie’s ‘Starman’, the audience helping out with the ‘na-nas’ on the outro. Had a couple of booking enquiries after we’d played, so still a useful gig!

I’ve had the D’Addario winder / snipper combo for years and it still works spot on. Great thing which makes string changes a doddle.

Starman Milestone (Acoustic duo) The Sun Inn, Beverley Ibanez acoustic bass into the PA

I think your stance is entirely reasonable As soon as your agreed time playing with the band is over then you should be able to leave with all that’s yours, or the monetary equivalent anyway.

But surely that’s part of their appeal for many people?

When I first used them, certainly round here at least Grolsch wasn’t that popular! Fortunately I liked it enough to supply me and some pals with the washers.

Absolutely this ^^^ Beats me why folk mess with strap locks - the expense, faff, etc. I’ve never had a Grolsch washer fail yet, in well over 30 years 😊

I agree, although I would say that it is acceptable if the description / photos in the listing weren't being completely honest. I can never see the point of being economical with the truth like this, as you'll always get found out. I've walked away a couple of times when the item being sold doesn't meet the condition stated. Good honest photos are always a big tick.

Hope you enjoy the band Trevor. I departed a couple of months ago, but my replacement Tom is a fabulous player so they should be on top form. Played Hampton Pool with them a couple of times and always a good night, just hope the weather is kind! Cheers, Pete.

As I said it’s been mainly theatres that we’ve experienced this with, and some ‘arenas’ too. You wouldn’t believe what theatres try and get away with charging now ( not just for merch but a myriad of other stuff) - it’s as if they’re trying to make up for losses incurred during Covid shutdown. I’m sure the more grass roots type of gigs are far more reasonable with bands wanting to sell merch, realising for some it’s a vital source of income. More than once we declined selling merch when crazy charges suddenly appeared with no previous mention in the terms agreed. Wouldn’t have been worth bothering with TBH.

Also probably worth checking if the venues you are planning to sell your merch at want a cut of your takings. Theatres nearly always do this, as do arenas! The cut can range from 10 to 25% from my experience, so allow for this in your costings & check with venues before jumping in.

We watched Paloma Faith last night. Mrs CP used to be a fan before Paloma went a bit off piste. Glad to report PF was back on form yesterday, still a great voice and what looked like the same band she’s had for years, including Andrea Goldsworthy rocking a nice looking blonde Precision with gold scratchplate. Also a plethora of backing vocalists made it all sound rather good & gospel-ly in places. Not everyone’s cup of tea I’m sure, but just nice to hear someone singing good songs really well. Ditto Jessie Ware. 🙂

I’ve got tickets to see the ‘Northern Soul Orchestrated’ tour in November. Basically the same line up as seen on BBC4 Northern Soul Proms from the RAH. Also confirmed that the wonderful Steve Pearce will again be in the bass chair - can’t wait!

Me neither. I’m quite surprised how her voice is in such a low register, and she seems to be struggling when things go up higher - the last tune ‘From this moment’ also seemed like it was being mimed too?

I reckon it is, along with BV’s too. 😆

Especially on this song where he’s nowhere near the keyboards.

Foxy Lady by Jimi Hendrix. Band was The Alligators ( as a dep ) Played as an encore in The Tiger at Beeford - private event. 96 Fender Precision Lyte into a GK800RB /Loud 4x10 cab