cybertect

I live in a small terrace house so usually it’s an NUX Mighty Plug Pro + a pair of headphone (closed back FIIO FT1 if Mrs C has the telly on or open back Sennheiser HD660S otherwise)

I was sure GAK in Brighton used carry a limited range of Sire basses, but they seem to have stopped. Andertons have been showing most Sire P basses as out of stock for many months now, even when they have been getting new models in. I was wanting to try a natural finish P7 since early Spring but they never had any. They have one white P8 and a couple of P10s right now and I think that’s it for right hander basses. Thomann appeared to have fewer supply issues over the summer (or perhaps just larger stock in their warehouse) but that has changed a bit when I look now. Same with BAX in the Netherlands and musique-shop in France that I had been keeping an eye on. I’ve a suspicion that anything up to 14 weeks availability may be why the OP is looking here, in part at least.

I have considered this myself on previous occasions, but I figured the latency would be a killer for VPN applications 🥸

Off with Mrs C to the Forum in Kentish Town tomorrow night to see The Lightning Seeds, which will be the second time we have seen them this year No idea who/if any support might be; it appears to be a closely guarded secret

Last night I saw Soft Machine at my local venue, The Sound Lounge in Sutton, south London Great show, great crowd, amongst whom I bumped into Tom who runs the bass dept at Wunjo on Denmark Street, which was a pleasant surprise. Fred Thelonious Baker on bass

Also, import duty from the EU for stringed musical instruments such as bass guitars is 2%, not 4% Commodity Code 920290 https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/subheadings/9202900000-80?day=25&month=11&year=2024

Just to be picky about the sequencing, you need to add VAT after calculating duty and shipping. e.g. (ignoring any separate charge for handling customs paperwork) Bass: £1000 Shipping: £50 Duty: £40 Ex VAT total £1090 VAT @ 20%: £218 Total inc VAT: £1308

Saturday night was Nada Surf at Islington Assembly Hall (not Islington Academy as listed on the tour T-Shirt I purchased 🙃) Support was provided ably by a Norwich band named Other Half. Apparently, Matthew Caws had been out shopping in Norwich for a present for one of his young kids, got talking to the person at the counter in the shop, discovered they were in a band... So, now he's made an appearance on a track on their new album and booked them as the support act for Nada Surf on this tour. As their lead singer said in front of the crowd 'We're used to playing to thirty people!' I'm now investigating their back catalogue on Bandcamp. 🙂 Nada Surf were excellent as I have come to expect. A good mix of songs from the new album and older favourites. At the end of the encore, Matthew went completely unplugged with an acoustic guitar and no amplification, and engaged the whole auditorium to sing along gently to The Blizzard of '77 from their 2002 album, Let Go. It was a beautiful way to finish a gig.

So following Phil Manzanera on Thursday, on Friday night Mrs C and headed up the Northern Line to Camden to see Squeeze at The Roundhouse They were totally on the top of their game. Glenn Tilbrook appeared to be having the time of his life and in conversation with them afterward, even the ShowSec staff really enjoyed the gig!

When carrying your pint from the bar to the mosh, it’s easy to miss your step in the gloom at the bottom the stairs and spill a few drops on the floor to add more stickiness. Don't ask me how I know 😀 Sounds like that should be a very good gig 😎 I shall be up the road seeing Squeeze at The Roundhouse

Phil Manzanera of Roxy Music, talking about his life and times last night with Paul Sexton at the Sound Lounge in Sutton, south London. His Les Paul was played for our entertainment also 🙂

Quite an exciting end to the week is planned... Thursday - Phil Manzanera appearing at a venue about 10 mins walk from my house in south London,. He's talking about his new book with music writer Paul Sexton, but some music is also promised. 🙂 Friday - Squeeze at the Roundhouse Saturday - Nada Surf at Islington Assembly Hall

I will be seeing Squeeze at The Roundhouse in London on Friday. Definitely not my first time though 😀

Topical article by Graeme Thomson in the Guardian today https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/nov/15/we-cant-all-retire-because-someone-died-the-new-bands-honouring-the-spirit-of-old-ones-from-talk-talk-to-thin-lizzy Also, after reading the piece I am now most intrigued to listen to what Mark Hollis' son, Charlie is doing

Hit me up if you're playing in London and we might work something out 😃 FWIW this is the kind of thing I do when I have a 'proper' camera with me