casapete

We returned to our favourite gig at The Sun Inn Beverley with our acoustic duo ‘Milestone’. Just for a change I thought I’d try using an electric bass instead of an electro acoustic, and was very pleased with the results. Took along my Precision-a-like ( no name replica with Japanese Fender pickup) into my Rumble 100 combo with a touch of level into the PA too via the DI on the amp. Sounded massive, with a few regulars commenting on it. As usual we took requests for the whole 3 sets, and did some great tunes - ‘Don’t fear the reaper’ ‘Whole lotta Rosie’ and ‘Stayin alive’ ( yes really!) amongst many others. The pub was rammed, and we did a couple of encores too. Next gig there is October 13th, so can’t wait! ( Pic below shows we have finally made it into the pub’s ‘window of fame’. ) 😆

To be fair, I thought the weakest vocalist was the first guy on, in the red jacket ( sorry, didn’t catch his name) - sounded a bit too musical theatre for me, and as you say a bit pitchy. The others were good to amazing, especially the lady who sang at the Northern Soul Orchestrated Prom last year. The backing vocalists were okay, but had one or two moments where it sounded like one of them was actually singing some wrong notes. Overall though, I really enjoyed it and just love hearing a big band / orchestra doing such great stuff.

Played on the same bill as them in the 80’s, very cabaret!

Just started watching it - band sound fabulous to me, not sure about the singers though? Just wondering who is in the bass chair? Nailed the Chic stuff on a Stingray, now using a Squier Precision. Trombonist was excellent on ‘I’m coming out’ too, and the drummer is absolutely spot on. Shame that both some lead and backing vocals sound a bit off.

Played at a pub in Scarborough last night with The Alligators. The Tap and Spile is an old pub with two rooms, neither that large but probably around 30 or 40 punters in each. Set up at the end of the lounge with our small PA which was more than adequate. Unusually 3 sets is what they wanted so we obliged, playing around 30 to 40 mins per set. Used my passive P-Lyte into the wonderful Rumble 500 which is my ‘go to’ set up with this band. I’m still new to the band so a few missed turnarounds etc but definitely getting better each gig. We’ve even talked of organising my first rehearsal soon! Finished around 11.30, 50 mile drive on deserted country roads so home around 1pm.

Now there’s a question - which would you rather go to see, Eurovision final or Oasis. Only one way to sort it out - FIGHT!!!!

Absolute daylight robbery. I’m guessing they would argue it’s the same as flights and hotels where demand determines how high the prices go, but why should that be the case? Ticket prices should be set, as the sellers must already know/ expect what the demand is - if not, why try to lure people in to buy at a lower price only to raise them when they try to purchase? I’m also really disappointed that the artists concerned seem to think this business model is fair to their fans - and I’m looking at you Mr Springsteen - I had expected better. 🤨

Tonight at 8.25pm on BBC2 - Disco at the Proms. Should be good, thank goodness for iPlayer as I’m gigging tonight. 😊

In my last band ( playing mainly theatres) I hardly ever needed to touch my amp’s settings from gig to gig. GK1001RB into a GK Neo 410 cab sounded pretty much how I wanted it to sound with no faffing. I think it’s a luxury to be able to have your bass sound in the PA though - this means you don’t have to compromise on your onstage eq to suit the room / band / audience! I’ve recently found a new solution though - it’s the ‘Vintage’ button on my Fender Rumble 500. Once engaged it makes my bass sound exactly how I like it, job done. It’s not usually through the PA, but does fit the 3 piece blues band I’m currently playing with really well. For years I’ve worked with musicians who disappear down various rabbit holes looking for ‘their’ sound, and it has to be said it’s been mainly guitarists! That’s not to say I haven’t been interested in changing my set up, but never got into pedals apart from a Sansamp used for DI duties. For me it’s just finding that magic combination of bass and amplifier and enjoying it.

Nice work! I love a bargain buy that comes right, and also love a Jet Star. I had one of the cheaper versions ( 34 inch scale, bolt on neck, Precision type PU etc) but always fancied one like yours and there don’t seem to be many around. Enjoy!

I’m at The Tap and Spile in Scarborough this Saturday, August 31st with ‘The Alligators’ blues band. Rather low budget promo below, conveniently missing my bass playing predecessor!

Although not a huge fan, I understand the media interest of a reunion. Probably THE defining band of the 90’s for so many people, some good tunes and also notorious squabbles that kept them a fascination for fans and press alike. Despite Noel’s expensive divorce, I still wouldn’t have thought either of the brothers were exactly ‘needing’ the dosh from a tour, but have no doubt been swayed by the numbers involved to decide to give it a go. Interesting that they’ve said there won’t be any TV / film coverage to make attending even more essential for the fans. Heaven knows what the ticket prices will be like, but whatever they are I’m sure they’ll sell out immediately and become the ‘must have’ items of 2025.

Wow, every day’s a school day!

It was recorded for Motown and released on their West Coast based label MoWest, on the album ‘Chameleon’. The band were actually signed to Motown from 1972 for a couple of years. I’m listening to a lot of Northern soul at the moment, and’The Night’ is one of those songs I can just listen to over and over - a brilliant song / performance with that ace bass line.

Well spotted! My guitarist mate loves old Peavey combos, and think this was a Bandit - it sounded great. The steel player uses a Peavey Session 500, which was the industry standard for steelies for a long time. 250 very clean watts into a 15 inch Black Widow, bombproof construction. Weighs over 80lbs though, so he brings it in himself! ( though maybe not for much longer).

Bit of an odd one for me last night, depping at a local club in a 3 piece band - and I was the guitarist! Big club in East Hull with the last resident band. Used their amp ( a variety of VoxAC30) which wasn’t great so wish I’d taken my Fender 65 Deluxe but never mind. Got there at 7pm, the room already full of punters. Couple of old friends on bass and drums, so great to see them. We basically played before and in between the bingo and the main act, a duo from Bradford doing soul stuff with backing tracks. Finished by 11.15, got paid & home around midnight so an okay evening for me. Made me realise how much I prefer playing bass though ( despite this being my 2nd guitar gig in 2 months! ). Whilst I enjoy playing a variety of places, I also couldn’t play social clubs regularly - started out doing them nearly 50 years ago and they’re still broadly the same if last night was an indication. Couldn’t be further apart from playing theatres which I’ve been used to for the last 15 years. Still, a gig’s a gig! 😄 (Photo added - am playing a 54 / 40th Anniversary Strat into some AC30 house amp.)

Some great stuff on Sky Arts ( Freeview channel 36) tonight - Hitsville : The Making of Motown at 7.30pm, followed by Mr Dynamite : The Rise of James Brown at 9.30pm.

I've heard a few similar comments from Embassy owners. What is strange is the Embassy looks like a short scale but is a regular 34 inch job, whilst the Thunderbird is the same scale length but looks longer!

One of the first gigs I ever attended was Wishbone Ash at Hull City Hall in the early 70’s. Martin Turner was playing a Thunderbird and remember it sounding amazing.

Been playing with Dave on and off for a long time, he’s a gem of a player. Also great on acoustic guitar, mandolin and banjo - he calls himself a string wrangler! Yeh, he has. Sometimes forgets which instrument ( steel or guitar ) he plays on some songs which cracks us up. Annoyingly he’s so good on both that he can blag it too! It’s just a shame I don’t get to gig with him more regularly. Amazingly another of my friends also plays pedal steel, as well as other stuff. I’ve known both guys for around 50 years now, so been blessed with some lovely steel sounds for decades. Both have met BJ Cole and rate him highly, and also know Gerry Hogan who used to gig with Albert Lee.

Thunderbirds are regular long scale basses (34 inch) but do feel longer due to their design. I’ve tried a few and could never understand how some people get on with them, same with a Gibson Firebird guitar I once owned. The neck just seems so long and unwieldy, but maybe it’s just me. I’ve never tried anything boutique or very top end, always preferring more ‘traditional’ basses that reflect my more errr…basic style of playing. 😆

Played at a birthday party this week in Oughtibridge near Sheffield with our (very) occasional country band ‘The Fork Handles’. A 4 piece outfit up of myself on bass, my best mate on guitar, and old friends on guitar/pedal steel and drums. We all sing lead & harmony vocals. The venue was ‘The Pheasant’, a lovely old pub owned by an old friend ( who used to run the cafe in Hull where our acoustic duo first performed). Bit of an awkward room to set up in (long and thin) with us at one end and the bar down one side, but we managed to get there early and soundcheck so got it sounding okay. Previous gigs with the band have often ended up being too loud but this time we all managed to keep it under control and subsequently all the better for it. Fairly standard country rock tunes got people dancing in the first set, and by the second one most of the audience were up. All over too soon, but overall a great gig. Made me appreciate how much I enjoy having a pedal steel player in the line up - Dave Holley is a great musician, and no slouch on a Telecaster too! No pics of the band playing (unless some surface from the guests) , but obligatory shots taken during set up. I used my Precision Lyte into a Rumble 500 combo, perfect for this gig.