dmccombe7

Think i'm at Dreadnought in July with the Glam band too as Xmas you might be busy with your own band. Alan was telling us the band on the Fri night were good. Dave

I tend to learn songs by ear using bass tabs or music. I also like to write out the music in full which helps me remember it in two different ways. I also like to know the songs inside out so that if someone else makes a slight mistake i can keep going and they are more easily able to catch up kinda thing. If someone does make a mistake and others follow i'm more able to adapt as i know the songs really well. To be fair i've been playing same songs for almost 5 yrs in one band and 2 yrs in the other with only minor changes over the years but i practice the full set at home at least once a week and always the afternoon of a gig time permitting. It gives me an air of confidence when playing. I've had situations where i couldn't hear either the vocals or the guitar very well so its paid off knowing the songs really well. I can more or less count the bars in most songs altho i don't actually do that but the notes i make are stamped in my head for instant recall Dave

Was that The Wild Hogs ? Was talking with Alan and Pete and they said it was a great night on Fri too. They've been surprised how many folks are turning up at the Jan gigs as its normally a very quiet month for music venues. Dreadnought is such a well organised venue. Alan and Douglas do a fantastic job with it and they're such nice guys in there from owner, manager, sound engineers to the bar and door staff. Just a great place to play. I always enjoy it in both bands. Got the Xmas Sat gig again for later this year with the Glam band. That's a cracking night out. Dave

Wee pic surfaced from the punk gig last night. Taken by Sound Engineer.

Played one of my fav venues The Dreadnought in Bathgate with Emergency Exit punk covers band. Kick off was 8:30pm and went to get changed 10 mins before. Was only a handful of punters in so we thought we were about to play to our mates and more of a paid rehearsal than a gig but we decided we would just go for it big time. We started our first set and within 10mins the place was busy and everyone was up bopping away to our punk classics. At the break the sound guy came into changing room and asked if we were happy with sound which is always perfect at this venue. We mentioned it being a lot busier than we expected based on how many were in when we started our first song. He then told us that all the other bands start at 9pm and do 2off 45min sets while we start at 8:30pm and play until 11:30 with a 15 min break in middle. People tend to arrive just before 9pm for the bands so they are all rushing about to the bar when they hear the band have started. They get their money's worth from us. A few other punters said the same thing 2.5 hrs of pure punk. You don't get that anywhere else. Few wee mistakes but nothing drastic. Not bad considering we've not played for 8 weeks. Turned out to be a great night and we made a tidy wee sum. Booked again for later in the year too. Manager told us that was a great turn out for a January gig as historically its dead in January after the Xmas and New Years gigs. He was fair pleased with the turn out. Happy Days. The punks are back in 2024. Dave

Why would you want to give that up Pete. ? Many would give an arm and a leg to be playing gigs like yours. Guessing you've been doing it for a while and just time for a change. Dave

Playing heavy has been something i've struggled with over the years as it caused me a lot of finger pain. As i'm getting older i have had to adapt and change the way i play mainly because i'm not getting the time between gigs for my finger tips to recover. Must admit its that Ric clank that i quite like. Dave

Cheers @Dov65 appreciate the offer there but i'm more interested in why you haven't been to my bl**min gigs. Kidding of course. Dave

When did the bridge and truss rod changes come out ? just in case i decide to look at one. Dave

Must admit i prefer the new version with the push/pull tone thing. The modern tone would be more use in my current bands giving the best of both worlds. I do fancy one again but would need to try it first as i only kept the one i had in 80's for about 6mths and got bored with it. Love that shape tho. Dave

Yep i think its much the same in UK for a new one. Maybe they're going down the route of producing less but selling for more. Dave

Go on, just buy one and reduce your GAS levels to 99%. Dave

Looks amazing. Was it a good night. Have to say the first pic you are all looking at your left hand on the necks at the same time. I love seeing band in sync. Dave

I missed that post earlier Daryl. @Lozz196 comment triggered me to go back and have a wee look. Fantastic stage set up plus access from side door. Drum riser too. Very professional. Nice one Dave

I see what you did there Dave

Cheers Andy, just in case i come across a bargain one somewhere on my travels. 👍 Dave

Like the look of the Gibson but you dont see them very often and never a chance to try one before buying it. What is the neck like ? Not a big issue as you tend to get used to almost any neck after a while. Dave

Here's one of me in full costume at our BLOCKBUSTARZ Glam covers night in The Cave in Paisley (near Glasgow) Dave

Gibson bass Andy ? I always thought you were a Yamaha man. How do you find the Gibson compared to Yamahas. Dave

Majority of our jackets are made by the guy who used to make the outfits for Glitter Band many years ago so proper Glam gear we use He's currently putting together a special order one for me. The others have been jackets he made for presentations showing his clothing. He then sells them to us as he's similar size to most of us in the band. Our drummer knew him from his Glitter Band days in the 90's Dave

Me too, i'm always driving so bottled Highland Spring still water for me. Dave

Ticket sales for the Glam band vary according to club but typically £10-£15 with exceptions like £22 at Hogmanay. With regards beer costs that's what i was paying here back in early 1980's. Dave

That's his Alice Cooper look. Dave

Our band members are approx 100 miles apart so travel is something we tend to do. Most are within 2 hrs drive altho Hogmanay drive for our Perth based guitarist was 3 hrs down to Annan. At least the weather was mild altho he had heavy snow the day before but rain washed it away thru the night. We did mention to the agents that if they can arrange another gig that weekend we would be happy to come to some sort of agreement / deal that covered our accommodation costs. One was a festival and we weren't headlining so i was all for the 4hr drive home as middle of summer so daylight up to 11-ish.. Its a tough call tho as i have pets and overnighters are not an ideal option for myself or drummer who has dogs. Dave

Got 24 with Glam band with Xmas Sat gig and Hogmanay gig and about 10 with punk band incl 2 biker rallies. Had a lot of interest from agents in England for Glam band from as far as Brighton to Lincolnshire to Birmingham and Blackpool and waiting to see if anything comes from it. Some weren't aware we were based in Scotland and travel would be an issue for us which would affect the cost. Still a few venues wanted us back in 2024 and still to confirm dates with them. Dave