dmccombe7

Are you sure you aint still wearing those 7" boots. You're still a good foot taller than the guitarist. Band sounds excellent and hopefuly you'll be taking this on a full UK tour. I've seen a few tributes to of Rock, Story of the Guitar kind of shows in Motherwell Concert / Theatre Hall and this would pull a good crowd i reckon Gary. Dave

Think you'll find Magnum are huge amongst the rock fraternity. They were well liked musically with almost everyone i knew in 80's I wouldn't underestimate the interest you'll find in a tribute to them. Dave

Is that you doubling up on Sax there as well. Band sounds 1st class.

I have mates in various tribute bands Talk of the Devil Ozzy tribute, Hysteria Def Lep tribute, Hot Love Trex tribute. They don't make huge amounts of money but a lot of that will be down to their agents not getting the good gigs. Some of them have played the large festivals and tell me the money isn't great. Obviously it depends a lot on who you are being a tribute to and how close you are to the originals. The AC.DC tribute act mentioned above seem to be doing exceptionally well and that's by far the best i've heard any tribute do. All credit to them they must be helluva good. I've done a Friends of Deep Purple tribute band and it was great fun doing the songs i grew up with all those years ago but the money was ok but no more than most rock cover bands. There's always work out there for good tribute bands so i'd go for it and just enjoy it for what it is. As long as you are having fun with it then its good news in my book. Dave

Think our band has an open outlook too. Usually something isn't quite right we'll finish the song and go back to whatever isn't quite right. Everyone seems to know what that is tho but its usually done in a humourous way and never seems to offend if someone picks you up on something or other. Our previous keys player couldn't quite hack that approach and took it too personally and left. Our new keys guy has so far been open to suggestions and ideas and is upfront in asking if what he's doing is ok.He's only had one rehearsal so far but very promising. Many of our covers don't have keys so he likes the input from us on how best to tackle those particular songs. I think there are ways to approach different people tho so its horses for courses really. This is the first band i've been in that everyone has a similar attitude to learning new songs and getting the fine detail sorted too Its actually quite a relief to do a new song at rehearsal and find positive comments along with minor issues. I wish everyone could experience this and know what its like to be in a band where everyone thinks the same. Dave

AHA but you could look at this in another way :- you are one of the common denominators alng with GF. Makes you think now

Aha so that's the reason for staying with the band. Understand your predicament but can't you and your GF find a better band or slowly replace the lazy ones until you have what you need. The problem there is that once you've gathered first class musicians around you it means you are now the weaker link and could get kicked out by them Dave

That's a bit extreme. You should never play slides in Zep songs. Tsk tsk tsk. Seriously though that's taking it too far for any band and i you did the right thing and moved on. Dave

Some pubs up here still have some good DJ's where you'll get a good mix of rock and some punk thrown in occasionally. Anything with a bit of energy usually goes down well. A lot of the bike festivals i attend have pretty good DJ's blasting out some real classics like Smoke On the Water. You just can't help but enjoy that song when you hear it loud at a bike festival with a beer in your hand. If i'm honest tho i'm quite happy with a DJ provided its energetic enjoyable music and only an occasional more chart type song but i don't go out much these days. Dave

I obviously don't know your circumstances but are there other opportunities in your area to join another band or form a new band with guys that share or equal your own commitment. I'd really struggle with that attitude long term so you have my sympathy. Dave

I tend to agree with you altho if its a DJ playing good rock music that i like then i'd be ok with that but not the usual chart pop music that i just find too boring and samey. Dave

I'd have to say that's more CBA syndrome and not sure how you get around people not really giving a s**t. For me that suggests people not really taking the band seriously and rehearsals are more a social event than a meeting to polish of the finishing touches. I've been in bands with guys like that and i struggled with them. Last time I was the new guy and it took a short while for me to get up to speed with their existing set before moving on to new songs which is when i first started to notice the lack of commitment. Have to say the band folded as guitarist running it decided he had enough of them and packed it in. No point in staying with them after that. Funny part is they continued and eventually guitarist came back and since his return he sacked the 2 that were slacking and replaced them. Wanted me to come back and replace the existing bass player too but i was already in a new band. Dave

Yep spot on Paul that's how we've done most of our songs. Where different endings are done we pick the one we feel most comfortable with or usually the version that comes naturally but we'll try them all to make sure we are happy. Dave

If someone suggests a song its probably the first thing i ask. What version ? You could get them to send the version they want to learn to all band members. Pretty easy to do that these days with modern technology. Dave

Got this album for Xmas and quite enjoying it.

Someone needs to lead the band and tell them what version. Take the lead Dave and dictate to them see how you get on. Otherwise the person suggesting a new song dictates what version. Dave

I saw a youtube VID of Neil playing this at an open air gig using his Kramer bass and the tone was sublime. Crystal clear and so easy to hear his fills. He jas admitted on here that he ad-libs a bit when playing it live so the fills aren't always the same but they are all exceptional and just great when you get the famous ones just right. Dave

where do you draw the line in reproducing the exact original as i play fingerstyle and many of the original bands i cover used a pick. I can use my index finger or thumb as a pick but i'm far more comfortable using fingerstyle and unless stipulated by other band members i'll stick with what i prefer. Perhaps that's just taking things to extreme and more what a tribute band might consider. Dave

4th - 26th January was the given delivery for mine. Dave

I can relate to so many of your points its funny to read it all laid out. To be fair i've not come across the clique of musicians that busk it or wing it as that's not really my scene but the rest is brilliant observation and well put together comments. Liking that. Dave

I've been in bands where someone was a little weaker than others and i enjoyed it because we all worked towards making the best of what we had. It can take a little more work and a little longer to get to gigging status but if its fun and enjoyable i stick with it. As long as everyone is putting in the same or similar effort i'd be ok with that altho these days i'm more used to a level of playing and commitment similar to my own. I guess that's maybe because as the age group i play with we have all gained a fair bit of experience and know our instruments quite well. That's one of the benefits of being a more mature player Love that Pro Tools comment Dave

You enjoyed it. It was fun. Job done and that's what its all about for me. Well done and many thanks for keeping us posted on how you are doing. I'm enjoying the updates and progress. Cheers Dave

Had to go and listen to that song. I'm guessing its Lenny Kravitz. I know the song but never really listened to it much but i hear the little quiet bass run before the solo. Nice song to play too. Dave

That's the 1st time i've seen the A on a bass tab.