Skinnyman

I thoroughly enjoyed it. Whilst I knew bits of the story, I didn’t know a lot of the detail. It seemed to me to focus more on the man, his demons and the events that shaped his character rather than, as these things often are, a straight runs down of his discography with a few key milestones thrown in. As a result, I thought it gave me a new context and I’ve since spent a very pleasant weekend listening to old material with new ears.

Like many, I’ve played in bands with a stupidly loud drummer and correspondingly stupidly loud guitarists (ironically, since I left my last band, they’ve apparently learned that louder isn’t always better from the punters’ perspective and they’re now trying hard to get volumes under control - but I digress...). I used to ride a motorbike and was well used to foam plugs of various sorts but found that they didn’t work for me when playing - too remote and too hard to hear myself. After reading other threads on here, I got the ACS plugs and, unlike some, had a good experience with getting the mounds taken in Boots (the chemists, not the footwear). I initially got the 17s which worked well once I’d got used to them but I still had that sense of “distance” that I’d got from foam plugs, albeit to a lesser degree. After a period of getting used to them, I swapped the 17s for 10s and found them perfect. Enough noise comes through to stay involved but not that much that I can’t think properly. I wouldn’t gig (or rehearse) without them. I find them much more comfortable to wear than any of the foam ones I used to use on the bike and well worth the investment. Now that I’m between bands, I’ve put the 17s back in and use them as ear protection when I’m shooting clays.

Did this ever get resolved?

I’m glad to see that this didn’t make it across to clutter up the new site

Thanks for the interest everyone but the seat is now taken.

Most of the guys are based in Stevenage and gigs are Stevenage, Hertford, up the A1 as far as Sandy and down the A1 towards Hemel and St Albans

And that's exactly the kind of delicious confusion that will fit right in! 😀😳

I'm retiring at the end of the year and moving up to Lincolnshire. Whilst I won't be sad to leave the rat race behind, I will miss the guys in the band - probably the nicest bunch of people I've ever come across. They've been playing together for around three years and I joined a couple of years ago. Collectively, we're not the best musicians in the world but we do have a good time and generally manage to get a pub rocking. This year has been full on and we've been turning gigs down as we try and keep some time for family/friends/stuff. Ideally, we like to do a couple of gigs a month although it's worked out more than that this year. Next year has over 20 in the diary already with a few to be added once the venues confirm. About the band? A five piece. Two guitars, drums, bass and female singer. We rehearse every couple of weeks and we have built up a good repertoire which we try and cycle through regularly. We play a fair bit of rock and roll, the usual pub fare (sex on fire, summer of 69, etc) and then a mix of stuff - country, rock, pop. All sorts really. That eclectic mix seems to work well for us and we get a lot of repeat bookings, especially from the social clubs. I've said that I'll carry on until New Year and then we'll aim to bring someone in. Of course, if someone is available before that then we can start the transition early 😀 . The guys (and gal) in the band are all very easy going. There's no leader as such and it all works pretty well. I'm putting out feelers on here to see if anyone's interested but you should be aware that the guys will be quite selective. I think they'll look for the right personality and someone who'll fit in rather than outright musical ability. So, the ideal candidate will be in their 40s or 50s (or older), have a relaxed attitude and be open to playing a range of material. if that's you then drop me a PM. I'm sorry if this has dragged on a bit but these guys are my friends. I don't want to leave them but I must - and so I want to find someone who will fit in well. Thanks for bearing with me.....

Finally, this thread seems to have run its course. Oh, hang on....

I started with ER17s and then swapped the filters to 10s. It took a while to get used to them and that initial feeling of being a bit,...... distant but that went after a couple of gigs and now love them t bits. Comfy all night and no ringing in the ears when we're finished. Best thing I ever bought

Welcome. I have found this place to be an amazing source of knowledge, encouragement and enthusiasm. Whatever you want to know, someone will be able to tell you. (I was in Whitehaven only last week and you live in a beautiful part of the world!)

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1498063330' post='3322320'] Oh, yes..! Excellent..! Holly good, sir..! [/quote] Quite. Berry good indeed

Can I just congratulate everyone for the admirable restraint shown in this topic given the title?

[quote name='Lw.' timestamp='1480934128' post='3188090'] I haven't seen many pub level bands bringing spare basses/guitars, extras for different tuning yes but not just spares - how often are you seeing this? If you're seeing this a lot I would have thought it's because people seeming have more disposable income to spend on toys than they did in years gone by rather than the age of the actual musicians. I'd say it's different for wedding/corporate bands though, but I think that's because they're providing a different service & should rightfully come more prepared. [/quote] I work on the basis that if im being paid to play - even if it's "just" a pub - then I need to act as professionally as possible. That means turning up on time, being sober, being rehearsed and generally trying to deliver the service that's been paid for. I could take spare strings but it's just easier to take a cheap bass as a backup.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1497906949' post='3321288'] Boxing clever, eh..? [/quote] More of a privet joke really

[quote name='mep' timestamp='1497904757' post='3321261'] I thought the log was in Yew 2. [/quote] No. That's the Hedge

Just wondering if the recent warm weather has helped resolve this or whether the log is still in dire straits? And if the log is in Dire Straits, which instrument does he play?

Isn't it about time we stopped resurrecting this thread and let it slip quietly into memory....?

Interesting, thanks. I might try the app first then and see how I get on. Like you, I'm after something that feels more like a traditional desk so it's worth knowing that the Mackie didn't work for you in that way - and I guess that means all the control surfaces will be broadly similar....