Marc S

Yes, that was my first thought too. What a great and interesting find. Only thing is, if you track him down and he says "Thanks for returning the bass.... here's your £20 reward" 😉

Am I ready to give up? No way. I'll tell you why this is, and bearing in mind, like everyone else, I've had the usual run of let-downs, other musicians unreliability, bad venues / venue owners etc.... I started playing in the early 80's and grew to love playing the bass. I was in a couple of bands - we were all young and had dreams of a future where we would enjoy some unspecified level of "success". But after just a few years, myself and bandmates had moved away, got married, had kids and put our instruments down..... Years on, and by chance, my ex wife gave my teenage son a bass for Christmas. That sparked something in me. I picked up the bass I'd kept in a case under the bed. I couldn't remember much or get my fingers working properly - but it was fun to work out baselines again, and do so with my son. Years later, and I rediscovered the buzz I get from playing music and see and hear people dancing, singing along and just enjoying live music. I love live music myself, and I have rediscovered the joy of playing.... after an absence of almost 25 years. I've had lots of good gigs, and many brilliant gigs. I've met loads of great friends through live music, and since I started my second musical journey, I have never looked back. I cannot now ever envisage a time when I no longer play. And I continue to really enjoy playing.... and long may that continue. Apologies for the long reply - but that's how I feel, and I hope that everyone thinking of quitting, or has a change of heart - maybe even take a short break and try a different style or genre?

Lights out - UFO

Oooh so difficult to add just a few players to that list - as I'm typing this, even more of my own personal "legends" to add JJ Burnel Paul Gray (Damned / Hot Rods) (These are the 2 who got me into the sound of the bass) Andy Rourke (RIP) - hugely underrated IMO Tina Weymouth Bootsy Collins Steve Harris And on upright - Danny Thompson EDIT: Apologies, I can't do such a list without mentioning Peter Hook (Whose book "Unknown Pleasures" I cannot recommend enough)

Just adding this re the Peavey Minimax

I was more than happy with my MB EVO1 dual channel head, but I found myself in need of a small, lightweight amp head too. On searching YouTube reviews, I decided to take a punt on a Peavey MiniMax 600 head. When I got it and plugged it in, I was blown away by the range of tones from it. The "punch", Mid shift" and "bright" boost buttons are all really useful in shaping tone and boosting some frequencies, and the "Kosmos" switch really adds lots of "oomph". It's a really warm sound, and it's an amazingly powerful head for something so tiny. There is a bit of fan noise - but not too much IMHO. Of course, you'll have to be confident that your speakers will be able to handle the output. It's 600W RMS at 4 ohms, and I'm not sure what it is at 8 ohms (but maybe around 350W). Shame you're not a bit closer - you'd be welcome to pop over for a cuppa, and to try it out, with a range of speakers (plus of course, your own). If anyone nearer you has one - I'd say ask them nicely if you could try it, and take some nice biscuits Also, this head is well within your price range, brand new. EDIT at £327 for a brand new 600w head - I think it's a steal. I now use this head all the time, and when I need 2 separate channels, I use my Stanley Clarke Acoustic preamp to give me 2 separate EQ's. Good luck with your search https://www.bax-shop.co.uk/bass-guitar-amp-head/peavey-minimax-600-bass-amp-head?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=surfaces&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=18337210968&utm_term=&adgroup=141287010396&creative=621842242755&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA35urBhDCARIsAOU7QwkyfovbbKmr11my6pGseebGQki35l7pvHgOI4S6qWVosUoqnsFIOG0aAjXsEALw_wcB

Oooh. I feel I need to add this one too. The writer / singer wasn't someone who I paid too much attention to at the time - but this song became synonymous with the era. And it's such a great tune. Terence Trent D'Arby - Sign Your Name Across My Heart

My own favourite on the subject of Love - Joy Division And I never thought anyone else could cover it, and do it justice. Happy to say I was wrong - June Tabor & Oyster Band

I chose not to, as I thought someone else might wish to mention it And what a great song that is btw

And my own favourite on this subject - "Road to hell" by Chris Rea (yes, I too have been stuck in a jam on the M25).

Absolutely stunning track this. Lyrically, it is brilliant, especially considering Sandy was only in her 20's when she wrote it. I hadn't noticed the drumming in particular, but the playing on this song is understated, yet there's more to it when you listen carefully. I like Ashley's bass sound too - but Sandy's voice is just amazing.

Alcohol; Milk & alcohol Red red wine Streams of Whiskey Tennessee whiskey Tequila Happy hour Design for life (we only want to get drunk) Boys from the county Hell (lend me ten pounds and I'll buy you a drink) Edit: hmm, do I now need a beer? 😉

Though she lives not too far away, I hadn't been aware of Cerys until I saw her at Cambridge Folk Festival. She was absolutely brilliant, and I will be looking out for opportunities to see her again. One chance came up a while back... but typically, I was gigging that night. Thanks for posting this @Old Man Riva- you have reminded me to search what she's up to.

I've seen him quite a few times over the years - but this being his 40th anniversary tour, I decided to go see Billy Bragg at the Tramshed in Cardiff last night. There was showing of a documentary film before he came on, and I enjoyed that. Billy was joined by 2 superb musicians (one on mandolin, guitar & slide guitar, the other on keys). So glad I went - he was absolutely on top form. Always makes me laugh, and yet think of serious matters at the same time. For an encore, he played his debut mini album "Lifes a riot" on the old guitar it was recorded on. Excellent evening 😀