Norris

I must be really boring using the same kit every gig 😂 Sunday afternoon/evening at the White Hart in Melton Mowbray. It was a little bit quiet, possibly due to the Grand Prix, possibly due to being very close to Leicestershire schools breaking up for the summer. Still, we had a decent crowd, plenty of dancing and pointing phone cameras - although not by me because I forgot. Sir Duke was much better for its 2nd (and 3rd!) outing. We also had some great feedback - "How on earth do you make that sound with just 3 of you?" made me smile. Then this morning from a chap that comes to see us a lot, talking about our Mackie SRM450s which only have the vocals going through them, the rest just backline... "Morning Danny, great gig yesterday. Just again realised how perfect your PA setup is. When you first started, I thought it could do with being a bit louder, Ian said what a perfect sound. Later on I went to the toilet, I listened right from the back of the room for one song. I could hear every note and vocals were absolutely crystal clear. And it was still loud enough. Have to say it now, but even in the barn at Barkby, with all Micks expensive gear it wasn't such a nice sound. The harmonies just somehow didn't seem as good. A fantastic job of entertaining us last night as always, let the boys know! Take care." Always nice to hear that kind of thing, especially as we only ever do a line check. The landlord was telling us about a recent band that took 4 hours to do a sound check - sod that!!! 😄

Just back from a sports and social club over in Nuneaton about 12 miles away. There were quite a few in, which made for a good evening, and a bit of dancing in the last set. We've played there before but I think there were a few more in this time. The guitarist had a bit of an off night, making some silly mistakes in songs we've played loads of times. However we were pleasantly surprised at how well Sir Duke came together after just learning our bits at home and then playing it together for the first time in the gig. I love playing with such talented guys. I love the painted back wall. The usual Stingish bass into GT-6B (operated by burgundy suede Converse one-stars) into Fender Rumble v3 500 combo. Passable cheese and onion batch (we ventured from our native cob-eating Leicester into batch-eating Nuneaton) from the bar - only £1.50 - bargain

Sir Duke. Somehow I've never got around to learning it before. It does shift along a bit! 😂 I'm playing it 3 semitones down so the singist can hit the notes, but on a semitone drop-tuned 5-string. So it's in A as far as I'm concerned (I hope!)

The Prodigy were freaking awesome. Did a quick text round of the lads and the guitarist was oggling Olivia Rodrigo prancing around in her basque rather than watching the rawking on the Other Stage. Their light show was nearly as good as the set I bought from Thomann! Franz Ferdinand were great. Scissor Sisters were absolutely fabulous - what a show! Snow Patrol were... um, Snow Patrol. I'm currently catching up on Gary Numan and really enjoying it. But not as much as watching the crowd that doesn't seem to get him and are wondering why he hasn't done Are Friends Electric? yet. He's got a great rock goth vibe going on with his band I have loads of stuff to catch up on. Ezra Collective are top of the list. My lad was watching them earlier and they sounded really good.

We used to drink and play in our youth. It took a while to realise that it was highly likely that it didn't sound as good as we thought it did. A couple of shandies now, or often a lime & soda - and I know my playing is as good as it gets

I had the same with a Fender US Jazz. It's the only bass I've ever sold on, but my mate who bought it off me loves it. I've not played J basses since, sticking to Ps or MMs

It's like some people just don't get it. If you don't do something to create a bit of a vibe then a venue will stagnate and die. Then they will be out of a job. Miserable, undeserving, a-holes! We had quite the opposite tonight when the lady that booked us brought us the money at the end of the night and told us we were on more money next time! We didn't ask for more - it was thrust upon us. The place had been redecorated since last time we played - they are investing and it seems to be thriving. Anyway... Conservative clubs. A few years ago it was jacket and tie. Ladies might even bring along their silver shoes for a bit of ballroom dancing. Woe be tied to anyone who sat in someone else's regular seat. Well that was back in the 80s. I'm glad to say the political party clubs that have survived have needed to adapt, modernise and be appealing, especially to a younger crowd. Hence we were playing at the "Conny" club tonight, lots of younger people there. I think we pulled in probably 40% of the crowd. 20 years of playing together and making sure you post gigs up on Facebook pays off, as well as plugging the QR code that I created. It certainly helps us get rebooked. I forgot to take any photos. You've seen it before though if you've read my previous posts. "Stingish" bass, GT-6B, Fender Rumble v3 500, purple suede Gazelles. I wasn't sure if I liked our sound at first. It grew on me though as we knitted together (and got slightly louder/hit a nice balance). The recent decor has changed the sound of the room, but probably for the better. I just hope the loos are next on their list for some attention as they could do with it

The show must go on! Whatever it takes. You got the job done. Oh to be 20 and fighting fit again 😂

Great video. I streamed it to the tv + surround and it sounded really good. You're so cool you're glacial 😁

Just caught up on English Teacher, Wet Leg, Supergrass, Blossoms - all fabulous and thoroughly enjoyed them. Are The 1975 just a bit overhyped and whiny though? Each to their own I guess 😂

A good strap can help a lot. Personally I have used a Comfort Strapp for years and really wouldn't use anything else. You'll probably want a long or extra-long one though. I don't know who they measured them against but even long is borderline too short for me (I'm 5'9")

Party in the Barn. This was a ticket do with hog roast included. I'll try to be cheery about, despite missing Iron Maiden (my wife and son said they were fantastic!) So we actually had a really good gig. Nice to be working with a sound guy we knew and it sounded great. It was darned hot and humid though so I'm glad I took my fan. There were about 300 people there, around 200 of them that dragged their tables out of the barn to where there was a very slight breeze. It wasn't exactly the freshest of air though being a working farm 😂 A long, hot night but plenty of dancing. The Rumble was only just ticking over as on stage monitor as everything was through the PA

It seems that I have finally succumbed to the cold that Mrs Norris has been sporting for a week or more. Soapy throat, sneezing, snot. It'll be a long night of paracetamol and adrenaline. To cap it all, I got two tickets for Iron Maiden baby - before I realised this is one gig that couldn't be moved or avoided. Mrs Norris is dutifully depping for me at Maiden with my son while I go off to spend a very long night playing in a barn (setting off just before 5pm - got 45 mins to drink my cuppa then go). It's a ticket do with hired PA, sound guy, etc. I told her to get me a tour T shirt though.

Gigs in the diary! This comes down to the usual question of how much everyone wants to/can commit to the band. Which band takes priority when a member is double booked? If you take a booking will they all honour it? Will they tell you when dates become unavailable? Adult conversation time 😀

So do I, which is why I have an app on my tablet and a Bluetooth connected bike. I'm always trying to beat my time or trying to overtake someone or trying not to be overtaken. It takes your mind off the tedium. It's like when I was younger I hated running (still do), but put a map and compass in my hands and I was actually quite good at orienteering as it turned out - 3rd in the county for my age class one year