Len_derby

Currently in two trios. 3300 & 3300

Nice position to be in, a choice of three! Just a few thoughts. Are they in any other bands? Commitment issues. Are they likely to stick around if you invest your time in them ? Some people never seem to stick a band for more than 6 months. Any transport issues? The carless drummer is an annoying sub-species. Depending on the kind of venues you may play at, can they play quietly when it's required?

Good old Mick! Still doing the business at least once every week. Although he is looking increasingly frail and like he hasn’t seen daylight for years.

As an owner of a Roland Micro Cube I'm not sure that you'd get the volume you need. I'm unfamiliar with how a serpent sounds but when I was a band with an accordion player and soprano sax the battery Roland didn't really cut it. If you're anywhere near Derby you're very welcome to borrow it and have a try. The folk/baroque scene is unknown to me, but would turning up with an electric bass guitar result in cries of 'Judas'? 😄

Yep. Pretty universal I think. Just last week I watched a pub band whose bass player just couldn't stop himself playing on the verse of All Right Now. Sounded pants to me. Maybe not to most of the audience though, I don't know. Are we being too picky?

For me a lot of the pleasure using (especially gigging) cheaper stuff is being relaxed about it getting scratched/broken/lost/stolen.

Just a heads up, this beauty will soon be on its way to Hawaii but Swift Lite Bass #001 will be at the East Mids Bass Bash on the 4th of May.

I'll second this. Back in the day, didn't the drummer for Chicago play wearing old-school 'cans'?

Wonderful. Congratulations on 002!

I have a principle of never mentioning I'm in a band unless. a. There's a reasonable chance it will turn into a gig opportunity. For example a promoter or venue manager b. There's a reasonable chance they'll come to a gig or buy a cd. Eg "I love the blues..." i find people who tell you they're in a band when you haven't even asked or are talking about music fairly cringe-worthy. But that's just me. Other ways of living are equally valid 🙂

The Craig Charles Funk and Soul show on R6 Music usually has some grooving organ sounds. Personaliy I'm a fan of Jonny Henderson who plays with the Matt Schofield band. I'm not sure if it's a Hammond he plays, but it sounds good to me. He also does the bass for the band these days via pedals. A bit of a shame from a bass-player's point of view. But, given the level of gigs they play, one less member to pay probably makes the band more of a viable outfit.

She's been a collaborator with Nick Cave, which is good enough for me.

Similar message if you're near Derby. All the best, and welcome home 😉

Lots of sound advice given. I don't think anyone has talked about weight/size of any any new rig you might buy. You might have unlimited use of your own car or van, or maybe not. You might be happy and able to carry big heavy stuff around, or maybe not. I might be over-cautious but I think anything that can't be kept out of sight in a car boot is asking for trouble. Oooo the joys of having a wedge to spend on new gear 😄

My best purchase of the year was my Swift Lite bass made by our own @Andyjr1515. The worst (not that I had much to spend after buying the above) was a replacement Jack-to-Jack lead. Two days after buying it I found the one I'd 'lost'. It's an age thing. 😂

BB Blackdog. A Derbyshire steam-punk band led by Dale Rowles, who is a member here and also a fellow Bass Relay veteran. Side note - I saw Deaf School at York University in '78. Fun times.

Running a band that way is, in some circumstances, a legitimate and normal one. For example, orchestras via the conductor. It probably happens in brass bands too. Is the band successful and does it sound good? If so, you could say that he's 'right'. In which case, you've got to decide whether the working methods suit you and act accordingly. Alternatively, if the band is poo-pants - well, what are you doing still being there?

I found the same with the punk-folk scene. Genre-specific fans tend to be very loyal and supportive of their scene. I've dropped out of it now. One of the main reasons was that I got fed-up of festivals. The gigs are out there!

It isn't mentioned in your post whether you play in a band or not. For me, I have a bad streak of procrastination and I'd probably never pick up a bass if I didn't feel the pressure of an up-coming gig or rehearsal. Playing with other people, especially people better than me, is a real driver for improvement.

I bet it smelt nice too. Unlike some of the venues we all play sometimes 😉

Just so folk know what's being dragged along, I'll be bringing the following. My Swift Lite bass made by our own Andyjr1515. A Phil Jones Bass Cub combo in case we need it. My cheapo bass uke' for a bit of light relief.

Sadly, nowhere close to me this time but have a great time. If you have the time or inclination I'm sure a lot of us would love to read a diary/report of how it went. Good luck!

I'd say, go for either - but be upfront about it and tell them why. If you hide anything it'll only one back and bite you later. Playing your parts competently is not all that's required to be a successful band member. Turn up time, have reliable gear and generally don't be a a**hole. It always surprises me how people don't get that. Anyway, good luck! I hope it works for you.

Ah, so you've played the Hairy Dog in Derby! But, to be fair, it's sadly the case in lots of venues. I put it down mainly to 'fashion'

Yes indeed. I shall be taking the beauty along.