peteb

Post for me where possible! I want the engineer to have a reference for how I want the bass to sound out front. If you have a decent amp with a good DI and know how to use your EQ then a decent engineer should be able to reproduce that sound. If a soundman insists on using a pre signal I won't throw any toys out of the pram, but it is generally a bad sign. Usually it means that they are lazy (will give you a generic sound like they did the last guy), arrogant (want to let you know that they can get a better sound than you) or just a bit rubbish! IME there are a lot of cr@p sound engineers out there, even in decent venues or using good PAs. Good ones definitely do need looking after...

[quote name='chasblaisdell' timestamp='1365017606' post='2034262'] Juke joints generated alot of music in the 50's that inspired alot of Englishmen to play lousy blues in the 60's . a .38 in your bass case and a roadie with a shotgun watching your équipment van is inspiring , put's an edge on it . A white guy from London would have the time of his life and probably never play better . [/quote] I take your point, as you say, puts a bit of an edge on a performance! I have played blues gigs in Cumbria, which perhaps gives an insight to what you are talking about…!! Threats of violence aside, ZZ cranked up in a juke joint sounds like a good night out to me…

Being & looking comfortable onstage is the main thing. Having a few stage moves doesn't hurt but the main thing is confidence & looking like you belong on a stage is the main thing! Cultivating a bit of an image is good as well but it doesn’t have to be over the top (especially when you’re playing in the corner of a pub)! I’m not too keen on bands wearing uniforms or who have a ‘dress code’ – I can’t enjoy them for fear that any minute they will break into Mustang Sally, a medley of Motown hits or other such ‘family entertainment’…!

Clown Whores... the lot of you...!

[quote name='tonybassplayer' timestamp='1364854156' post='2031915'] Hi Peteb Heard so much about Italian Tony and met him once but never saw him play however from the comments on facebook from all the local bands etc he was much loved and respected as a bassist and sound engineer. The headstone is a fabulous tribute to a guy who obviously influenced many people. What band are you in Pete ? I used to be in Empress until last year Tony [/quote] I'm in a blues band called Rhythm Zoo at the moment, but it's not locally based (thru the new guitarist Phil Dean comes from Harrogate) and we play up and down the country. I've been in loads of local bands but of the recent ones I suppose that I'm best known for are Spank The Monkey and playing in Paddy Maguire's band a couple of years ago... Tony was quite a character - born in Italy but came over here in his twenties, great slap player but usually played in hard rock bands. I knew him from when he was in my mate's band PLC (now Motus). Makes you think of your own mortality when a mate who is not much older than you gets ill and passes away!

Six months ago Italian Tony, a bass player and sound engineer quite well known around Leeds and surrounding areas, left the building after a yearlong fight against cancer. A few of his mates held a couple of benefit gigs and chipped in to raise money for this gravestone. Hopefully a fitting tribute to a great bass player, colourful character and all round good guy…

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1364808279' post='2030992'] And IMO there's nothing wrong with Newcastle. We play to our most enthusiastic audiences there! [/quote] Nothing wrong with Newcastle at all - always a good 'lively' night out and some of the best audiences in the UK...

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1364806136' post='2030954'] Oh, dear me. I thought he was talking about Denmark. Where in the UK are you? [/quote] If you were asking me, I'm based in West Yorkshire. I know that the OP is in Denmark, the point I was trying to make that mainland Europe seems to be better for live music these days compared to the UK. I'm guessing that the OP likes his blues rock, which seems to be pretty big in Holland judging by the number of gigs that UK based bands of that ilk seem to do over there!

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1364805280' post='2030940'] Fair point, but to be honest I think you've done well to escape a place where '[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]The average Joe wants to find a chick , cut a rug , brawl and get laid with the Stones and ZZ Top covers cranked.' [/font][/color] [/quote] Christ, you're in Newcastle - that seems a pretty good description of a night on the toon with perhaps a slightly different soundtrack!!

Don't expect the UK music scene to be as vibrant as the US. Still quite a lot of pub gigs but many places put bands on that really shouldn't. Indie pop rock and classic rock usually in the pubs with other places for other niche markets. Average UK Joe will tend to go to a club and listen to dance music whilst out on the pull, but plenty still prefer rock music of one sort or another! There is a UK blues scene but it is based around festivals and small clubs dotted around the country. Bear in mind this is 'in my experience' and mainly based on the north of England - it will be different in other parts of the country! My impression that there is a very good live music scene in Holland and that it is better in much of mainland Europe...

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1364601519' post='2028852'] I totally agree about the insecurity bit, that's probably why I spend most of my waking life either practicing some element of my playing, or revising my theory. The ego bit is a load of twaddle, I most certainly do not have an ego the size of a small planet. I'm a student at music college in London, and I guess the insecurity bit is true of a lot of the guys there, but few have any sort of ego. They and myself just have the desire to be the best and most creative musician that we can be. I actual believe that ego gets in the way of that. [/quote] I have never known any musician who is any good who hasn't got a healthy ego! That is not so that they are all prima donnas, far from it, but it is the ego that drives you to be the 'best and most creative musician' that you can be. You may be surrounded by a class of practising Zen Bhudist musicians, but that is not my experience...

[quote name='lojo' timestamp='1364582499' post='2028544'] This thread should be retitled "justify why you are in a covers band" [/quote] That's exactly what this thread is about, but why?? I'm mot in a covers band at the moment. I'm playing in a band doing originals and standards to a niche market up and down the country. It's great but we only play about 20 gigs a year and I'm lucky if we break even! I'm in be process of putting a local covers band together with some mates just to have some fun and make a bit of beer / holiday money...!

[quote name='Count Bassy' timestamp='1364327536' post='2024992'] we don't slavishly copy an original note for note. What would be the point in that? [/quote] Because you can learn a lot by learning exactly how a great song (or bassline) is put together! Also, it can be great fun...

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1364496562' post='2027364'] He believes we were brought to this earth billions of years ago by the leader of The Galactic Confederacy, so I'd dispute you there. [/quote] Well there is that of course... To be fair, you could drive a bus thru any religious belief - doesn't stop plenty of good and otherwise intelligent people having faith...

Billy Sheehan talking about writing original material, playing in a covers band and becoming a better bass player (first 3 minutes of the video) - very relevant to this thread: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yglAuOceEPo[/media] As ever. Billy is bang on the money...

This is pretty cool [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FHXNN7daO4&playnext=1&list=PLFC461BC88FEC7BE0&feature=results_video"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FHXNN7daO4&playnext=1&list=PLFC461BC88FEC7BE0&feature=results_video[/url] Or a more conventional ensemble piece [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zhpF8wOARc"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zhpF8wOARc[/url]

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1363968110' post='2020321'] yep, agree... and he was the one that Cowell kicked off his boot camp. Tells you all you need to know about that little racket. [/quote] Surely you are not suggesting that they get rid of anyone who is too talented and may detract attention from the judges??

[quote name='Lowender' timestamp='1364343711' post='2025321'] Questioning one's self is a part of being an artist. Growth is a matter of addressing the flaws but not letting them overcome you. As far as the final outcome, that is perspective and that's always in flux. [/quote] This... To be a good musician you need an ego the size of a small planet to drive you to be as good as you can be, yet you are inevitably led to doubt whether you are as good as you would like to think you are! I'm afraid that insecurity is the natural state for any artist or musician, which is why we get so affected by criticism or indeed praise...

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1364341119' post='2025281'] Also - Bass Central will negotiate heavily on price. Don't believe their list prices! [/quote] That is useful to know!

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1364176376' post='2022884'] Submission No1 Zappa's Zoot Allures, the massively neglected Scott Thunes on bass. He deserves study, a real romantic bassist, his note choices are beautiful, his phrasing, his timing ... [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUhRBq8UiL0[/media] [/quote] [color=#222222]That brings back memories![/color] [color=#222222]I believe that is from the 'Does Humour Belong In Music' video - I used to have it on VHS but it disappeared several house moves, not to mention several years ago. It was often the essential viewing on many nights when we got back from the pub[/color][color=#222222]...[/color] [color=#222222]Scott Thunes is undoubtedly a very good bass player, but that's a given for anyone in Zappa's band - Chad Wackerman is hardly a slouch on drums either! [/color] [color=#222222]Personally, I don't see Thunes as a phenomenal talent like Steve Vai or Terry Bozzio, to use obvious examples of Zappa alumni. I think that possibly some people see his rather challenging personality as some sign of unrecognised genius, whereas many who actually played him regarded him as a bit of a sociopath who was the reason for the demise of one of the greatest bands ever![/color]

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1364230791' post='2023546'] Covers, I have decided, can be a soul destroying exercise. I thought I'd give it a go this week. Turn up for an 'audition', only got asked to learn two songs, not difficult. AND GUESS WHAT?!!? That's right, I was the only one who'd learnt them. Don't why I waste my freakin' time!!! AND, the supposed originals band I joined are mutating into a covers band. BUT, a lazy covers band where you guess what the chord progression is, because you can't be bothered to learn the songs, maybe sing 2 of the 4 verses, chuck in a chorus, if you remember, and then spend most of the 10mins you're playing the song to allow the guitarist to use it as an excuse to fret w***. And the songs they choose, how dull!!! [/quote] If you're playing with a band full of muppets, it doesn't matter if they're play covers or original material...!

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1363946682' post='2019856'] I keep on reading here about there being less venues available for bands to play, but in reality I'm simply not seeing it. Maybe it's a covers band thing? [/quote] IME the problem seems to be that established pub gigs close down as the landlord is struggling to make live music pay. In their place there are many other pubs starting putting bands on, generally because they are struggling and desperate for anything that will get people in. Often they are totally unsuitable as a venue and the landlord is clueless about how to promote live music or what is required to put on bands on. The offshoot of this can be the emergence of music pubs that can't attract a crowd, expect to pay bands peanuts (thereby getting bands who can't get gigs elsewhere) and the punters who do go to these places being put of going to see live music in pubs...

I got up with a band a while ago and they handed me a Ibanez Soundgear bass - very light with a extremely low action. They sound good, well made and you could probably pick one up s/h - may be worth checking out Beyond that, perhaps you might have a lesson with a good teacher just to check that your technique isn't causing you any problems. For a start it sounds like you are wearing the bass too high, which can cause problems with elbows, back, wrist, etc. Also, you really should go and see a doctor and sort out the cyst in your wrist! Also, hitting the gym and concentrating on exercises to [color=#222222]strengthen your core muscles will do wonders for your back (helped me a lot)...[/color]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1363775037' post='2017258'] That's just it, isn't it? Sorry to say, most people can't tell the difference between their arses and a hole in the ground. And what's worse is they don't want to know, either. [/cynic] [/quote] [color=#222222]I don't necessarily agree – there are plenty of plenty of gigs where the audience can tell the difference between a good band and a cr*p one! [/color] [color=#222222]A good band will get a good appreciative reaction whereas a poor ones will die on its ar*se…[/color] [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1363779423' post='2017379'] I've got one of these on Saturday! But , those bastards will get 110% from us whether they react or not. We get a lot of gigs from people who have seen us play. A long time ago , I was in a very good band whose attitude was, "We don't need to bother if the audience doesn't". I had a lot of arguments about this. My line was always, "If you don't want to play for the audience play for [u]me[/u]". A mate of mine has a mental picture of the Albert Hall in front of him every time he plays. And plays like he's there. I play like Clapton’s in the audience, and he's looking for a bass player. Silly mind games but if your body's at the Dog and Duck and your mind's playing the Live Aid main stage you've got to be giving a good performance. [/quote] Even with the worse audience, there are bound to be someone who will appreciate what you do and become a fan if you put in a good performance. So you play the gig for that person...

[quote name='Dr.Dave' timestamp='1363797552' post='2017841'] Professional musicians aren't being mentioned much - what about them ? Most , I imagine , play whatever pays the bills - using their particular skills to enhance a project whether they love the music or not. Maybe they get asked to do an album of covers - what are they supposed to say 'I don't do covers , it's beneath me' ? [/quote] This is my understanding as well...