paul torch

tailor-made jockeys.

Chris Squire to name but one.

Neck-dive can usually be remedied by using a suede strap.

I've got several things going on. The two main ones are Sub Machine [url="http://soundcloud.com/submachine/spotlight"]http://soundcloud.co...chine/spotlight[/url] and The Beards. Sub Machine have been going for a couple of years now, finding our sound and writing style, ready to start gigging soon (I hope). We're a power trio of 40 somethings influenced by all things rock and the hedonistic years of our 20s and 30s. Take a listen and decide for yourselves. The Beards were formed over twenty years ago with a sixteen year hiatus were I concentrated on DJing and programming. How would you describe us? We started as a three piece and have recently recruited a multi-talented young lad on keys and 2nd guitar, this also benefits us by reducing the average age of the band considerably and having someone to use on promotional material. Psychedelic/prog pop might go someway to describing our sound. Not gigged yet but heading in that direction. My third occasional project is a drums/bass/electronic improv thing with The Beards drummer Gary (Nilp Varagon) and myself (Vince Continental), we call ourselves Trope. A completely experimental format that does allow us to feed into The Beards as well as existing in its own right.

Try status

JJ Burnel John Entwistle Stanley Clarke Peter Hook Lemmy (subject to change)

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1324118337' post='1470923'] The band's been struggling with a song. Realising I was playing the introduction wrong, I changed what I was doing and sent it to the band leader/rhthym guitarist/lead singer (he's a full-time music teacher) to short-cut any further wasted time at the next rehearsal. I then re-worked and simplified the fingering and sent him the amended version. His reply: [color=#0000CD]Those are the same notes but on a different string. So... yeah, it's the same. I'm going to send you a bass fret board template. I think you should label the notes and start thinking about the fretboard in simpler terms. The fifth fret of every string is the same as the string below played open. So instead of playing 5 play 0 on the next string so you needn't use your pinky so much. [/color] [/quote] thanks for that mate, you're a great help

Watching late night TV a few years back and stumbled across The Cure doing a cover of Don't Believe a Word. In an interview with Robert Smith afterwards he said Lizzy where the only band that all members of his current could agree that they'd all been into at some point.

I have switched over to an Epiphone EB0 in the last 12 months. Great to play but wasn't keen on the sound so had to carry out some extensive modding before I was completely happy.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1322587647' post='1453207'] I've always thought the exact opposite - I'm not a musician because I have no real understanding of music theory & cannot read music. [/quote] What do you call someone who plays music?

I can not sight read, doesn't make me not a musician.

some of the turntablists I have worked with in my time both as a DJ and within bands would definitely be considered musicians IMO. Truly creative.

Good news man, keep it up.

I Don't Want Nobody - Randy California. (kind of)

We had a similar situation for a while, we were going to have to say something but fortunately the chap did the decent thing and fell on his sword. I love 3 piece set-ups, there is a clear definition between all the sound sources.

[quote name='Fat Rich' timestamp='1321610422' post='1441082'] Playing at the dusty end of the neck I have this annoying habit of tucking my little finger of my fretting hand under the fingerboard and only fretting with three fingers. I have to make an effort to stop myself doing it, and then when I'm not looking its gone again. I have seen other players do it too but it annoys the hell out of me. [/quote] I tend to do that all the time no matter where on the fretboard. It also annoys me but have never been able to break myself of the habit.

Ordered some a couple of months back, no problems with delivery.

these days I reckon you're better off going to see Space Ritual rather than Hawkwind. I used to feel the same about Calverts spin-offs, Maximum Effect and Krankschaft.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZbosIoSmVg[/media] love the change at 2:40 and 3:30

Sure do remember Here & Now, Keith tha Bass is an awesome player. Twinkle twinkle little star, what you see is what you are. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EOHEqjzGR8"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EOHEqjzGR8[/url]

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1319968458' post='1420528'] Always liked his voice, suits the material perfectly IMO. [/quote] fair-dos. doesn't always work for me though.

What do people think about his vocals though? (Hillage that is, not Allen)

Big fan of all things Gong. My bro' gave me Live Floatin' Anarchy for my 12th birthday and I've never looked back, thanks mate. I've seen Gong in various guises plenty of times over the years, some better than others. Was fortunate enough to meet Mr Hillage a few years back when he was doing his System Seven thing (not a huge fan apart from the first album) at the Wickerman Festival. I was DJing and he asked if he could play a set on our system, I went on after him and was a bit daunted by the task. Met him again at Floating Anarchy 30th anniversary (he was in the audience)and he was quite open to talking about his music and said that he was really keen on getting back to playing with Gong, what do you know next time I saw Gong there he was back with them, excellent. I missed the chance when i wsa younger to see the Steve Hillage band but took my daughter to Lounge on the Farm a few years back where the Steve Hillage band werer warming up for Gong. They did not dissapoint after so many years of waiting.

3 that spring to mind are John Enwistle, Peter Hook and Pete Steele (JJ mentioned earlier). All instantly recognisable. Having said that, they are all players where their sound is very upfront and part of the whole recognisable sound of the band. Most bands don't require this from a bass player. In m y younger days I was always trying to find a sound the would allow my playing to push through as a signature sound for the band, now that I have mellowed with age the tone that I look for is one that melds with the overall sound of the band. That doesn't mean that the bass has to sit in the background, it can still have presence and drive the grooves.

After a rehearsal the other week me and the drummer got asked to jam with these guys who were doing some synth type setup. Rather than get my bass out one of the guys suggested I use and old set of bass pedals that was laying around. I really loved the sound and the way it made me re-think riffs (it only being a single octave). Inspired, when I got home I dug out my old MC-303 which has a good selection of bass sounds and very editable. Not keen on the button style keyboard but have been thinking of including it in my band's setup.