Billy Apple

[quote name='thunderbird13' timestamp='1333549705' post='1603387'] Right so which one is first to start a NMA tribute band [/quote] New New Model Army

[quote name='Linus27' timestamp='1333549384' post='1603374'] Thanks everyone. Feel pretty deflated but oh well, onwards and upwards as they say [/quote] Bad luck, mate. They took over a week to get back to me, and when I got the email, I felt pretty deflated too. I think that the folk on this forum who auditioned would all be of a standard to do the job very well, but it's not just about bass playing, it's all about the X factor stuff too, the kind of things you cannot prepare for, outside of being yourself. The band will recognise the right person when they see them, and I should imagine, with the time they are taking, the right person will get the job, but it certainly wont hinge on bass playing. The audition process they used is not a kind one, and can never show you in your entirety, but it's their show, and that's what they chose to do. I got used to this during my career as an actor, walking off the street, and someone saying 'right, do Hamlet!'. It's not easy, and it takes balls. But, did it, you did, and for that much respect.

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1333472705' post='1602281'] Get yerself over to the 'double entendres' thread! [/quote] Ooh, yes, Matron. And I consider myself good and spanked! ..... And best of luck for Linus27

[quote name='i play in N #' timestamp='1333404651' post='1601379'] hehe yeah, but you just warmed her up for the bigger boys [/quote] Ooh, Harsh! Anyway, anyone who took the time to apply and those who got a bigger stab at this, is a big boy in my book. Remember, it's not the size of your instrument, but how you twang it!

I was just thinking, the one's who've auditioned all played through the same rig, secretly, but at different times. Is this not dissimilar to us all having a 'liason' with the same lady? If this is the case, I'm figuring that I was first, so therefore you lot stir my Ampeg custard

I was a huge NMA fan, clogs, kit bag, hitched to all the gigs, the whole lot. I tried to get in the band when Jason 'Moose' Harris left, and Nelson got the job. But, life moved on, and I hung up my clogs around '92-'93. I've seen them a hand-full of times in the intervening years. I couldn't help shed a tear when I heard the news that their drummer Rob Heaton had died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 45. He was the nicest guy you could hope to meet, and I've had the pleasure of sharing a beer with him, along with Stuart Morrow, the original NMA bass player, on a summers day on a green in Bradford. Treasured memories. When I heard the bass position was open, I thought I'd pass on it, Nelson is a great talent and I thought myself not up to scratch any-more. I let go of my fears and demons and emailed them a few weeks past. In the mean-time I put out feelers for a tutor, and thru BC met the wonderful Mr Jake Newman. With Jakes help, I started work on a handful of songs that I thought they could ask for in an audition. They got back to me asking for video's of me playing, and some pictures. I sent them 'White-Coats' and 'Today Is A Good Day'. On the strength of these I was asked to audition for them last Thursday at their studios in Bradford. I had a week to learn three songs, 'Island', 'Nothing Dies Easy' and 'Get Me Out', plus BVox. None of these had been in the batch I'd been working on, so I had my work cut out. Once again I had the invaluable help of Jake Newman. I pitched up in Bradford last week, and it was a tough call. We ran through the songs, and I gave it all I could. The audition was with the full band, and I was playing thru a SVT Classic head and 810 cab. It sounded awesome. They thanked me for my time, and said they'd let me know. Yesterday I got an email from them thanking me, but, alas I'm not going to be the one. I can't deny being a little heart-broken, but did feel I was punching a little above my weight. I also gained much admiration for Nelsons playing, he will be a tough act to follow. I've ruminated about posting the videos of my playing, when I watch them, all I see are the mistakes, but for anyone who is interested, here you go.... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwkTQHu4Yro"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwkTQHu4Yro[/url] [font=arial, sans-serif][size=3] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlilm9FNF6M"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlilm9FNF6M[/url][/size][/font] I can't begin to tell you how cool it would've been to tell the boss to stick his job, but it was not meant to be. Also big thanks must go to Mr Jake Newman. However, on Thursday 22nd of March 2012, from 3 to 3.30pm in Bradford, I was the bass player for New Model Army

Have to post a little thank you for Jake. One of my all time favourite groups, New Model Army, have been looking for a new bass player. I thought I'd give it a shot. Jake helped me get the chops together to make a show-reel to send them, and on the strength of that I was offered an audition. Jake helped me work on three very different songs in a short space of time. Had the audition with the full band last week in Bradford. Alas I'm not the guy who will carry the torch, but I would've never got as far as I did without Jakes help. Thank you very much, Jake. Best wishes to you and your family.

Great news. Enjoy!

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1332686200' post='1591592'] That is someone who is lucky to be in one piece. [/quote] Proper Karate dude is our JJ

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1331312070' post='1571280'] To me, it doesn't matter one Jota. [/quote] Tries to make Laverda joke, fails, but notices nod to the meanest triple ever built.

Congratulations on your purchases. My GT200 head weighs [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]26.5kg, or 58.4lbs in old money. Andrew at Matamp said the new GT's have different (heavier) transformers, and a bit of a bigger box too... Oooh, me back![/font][/color]

Wal is a contrition of Waller, so is pronounced Wol. From Lakland's site.. [left]Q. How do you pronounce Lakland? Lake-land or Lackland?[/left] [left][size=4][color=#000000][font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]A. Lakland is pronounced Lake-land with a long first A (note the symbol over the A in our logo). The name comes from a combination of Dan Lakin and original partner Hugh McFarland. LAKin plus mcfarLAND equals Lakland.[/font][/color][/size][/left]

Ixnay on the lappingsay

[quote name='apa' timestamp='1331066500' post='1567215'] Here you go [url="http://garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassmanual/setupmanual.html"]http://garywillis.co...etupmanual.html[/url] A [/quote] That's a good site. Nice and simple for the likes of me. Thanks for the post.

[quote name='ped' timestamp='1331031606' post='1566461'] I'm speaking to BGM this week so I'll get dibs on a table early. Probably have some free stuff, some merch, a bass or two and a cattle prod to scare off Dood when he overstays his welcome. Perhaps also a laptop so we can force people to sign up on the spot. Or else. ped [/quote] +1. I think a BC stand would be a good idea.

Thank for putting these up, guys

Saw him on Saturday too, I thought he was looking in pretty good shape for the years. The bass must keep you young and vibrant! Hats off to Mr F.

[quote name='Eggy' timestamp='1330852208' post='1563653'] Tony Butler - Was my favourite, what a great guy, endorse his belief of encouraging kids to play. Also he showed that to get a good sound a £300 guitar can do it just as well as a £2000 one. (Ashdown stack prob helped tho'). Again he all about the feel and grove of the song. Enjoyed his drone string thing and have tried that already. Drone a E and played E pentatonics over it, same for A and D. Not sure how a G would work will try that later. [/quote] +1 on that. I think there is a lot to be said for simplicity, feeling and less is more. I was dissapointed that there was not a Q&A for Tony, maybe they ran out of time?

[quote name='webby' timestamp='1330979316' post='1565800'] So, it's pretty pointless then these days? It's there for authenticity's sake, especially on the Classic Vibe bass pictured, yeah? [/quote] Yes. I've got one on mine, but many were taken off and chucked away, along with the ashtrays (hence them being used as...)

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1330977795' post='1565758'] That's a finger-pull. The idea was that you rested the palm of your hand on the "ashtray" (the chrome pickup cover), lodged your fingers against the finger-pull, and then played with your thumb just over the end of the fretboard. Not many people were still playing like that by the end of the 60's, so eventually Fender ditched the finger-pull and introduced the thumb-rest instead. [/quote] This

[quote name='Eggy' timestamp='1330882833' post='1564310'] +1 on the volume issues, did not bump into any BCers as do not know anyone although I did spot a pair of DMs on a T shirt way up a queue I was in. [/quote] Aye, that coulda been me.. If there was a bog-brush hair cut on top, you could be able to claim your £5.