ubit

I was on holiday many years ago with an old girlfriend of mine. We were in the Dominican Republic and every evening when everyone was eating a couple of guys with acoustic guitars would come round and serenade couples in turn. They would play a traditional soppy tune first but always followed up with a sneaky Little Rock tune. When they came to us one night they played Plush. It was superb. Later I spoke to them and they told me they played in a full rock band in the capital. I planned to go out to catch them but we were advised that we shouldn't leave the complex. I often wonder what became of them.

Depends on your level of depravity.

Nah, dropping down never works

Like a fine whisky. poured through a hoors knickers.

I have tried one twice in my life. Once years ago when the strings were most likely dead. I was underwhelmed as I was expecting the Geddy clank. I had another go in Guitar Guitar a couple of years back and I loved it. Quite unusual to what I was used to (Fenders, Spector, Gibson, Sandberg) but I felt that I could easily get used to it and the strings were nice and fresh so I could get the full range of tone. What put me off was the ridiculous price tag, so I declined.

I was just about to say, Prog Rock has developed quite a long way from the epic 70’s Hammond organ type offerings. Tool, Perfect circle and Porcupine tree showing that it can move with the times.

I too would love to hate gigging as my job means I can’t even plan rehearsals never mind gigs. it’s a great shame when music is my life. I love listening to it. I love playing it and I love having loads of lovely guitars. I hate the thought of selling them off.

Personally I reckon they will return but it will definitely be a while. I just think they are so massively popular that they have to continue. How many bands have endured the loss of a major member but have risen from the fire and returned to gigging?

We played Losing my Religion for years and it was recently I heard the bass track on its own and I realised I had been playing it wrong all these years. I picked it up purely by listening to the cd and playing along with it. It fitted but I was surprised how many differences there were in the proper bass line.

Seeing the Foo Fighters live is an experience. The energy and crowd rapport are second to none.

Every now and then a celebrity dies that actually affects you. I love the Foo's and Taylor is a really big part of their sound and image. I am genuinely sad about this.

I am genuinely shocked and saddened to hear that the charismatic drummer from the Foo Fighters has died at aged 50. That is no age these days.

Quite a good analogy but splendid restaurants tend to be out of most peoples price range. Certainly to frequent often. Personally I hate fast food but it's popular because its cheap and easily available. I enjoy eating out at finer establishments but I can't do it every week, or even every month, much as I would like to. The music you are referring to is ok but it's objectionable as music is down to taste. You might think it's superb and worthy of anyones collection but others may not agree. This is where it gets hard. Getting something that lots of people like and want to pay money for.

I realise that is a generalisation but most people think verse, chorus, verse, chorus bridge/solo, chorus, chorus is the classic way to write a song.

I used to swap between fingers and pick for certain songs. I never touched a thing. I just was aware that I got a cleaner attack with the pick.

I look forward to hearing some examples of your good songs.

I will guess that everyone of us on here knows the formula for writing a song. Anyone can write a song. Its writing a good song that's hard. otherwise everyone would have hits on their hands. There is no shortage of decent original songs out there but ones that people will buy in quantity?

You see this is the thing. You were with a guy who could write songs. How many musicians are out there who are riding on the coat tails of someone who can write decent material that people like? I'm not saying these people are not talented but there's a difference between being decent on your instrument and having the gift of creativity.

We did integrate our songs with the covers. It was only two or three of our own that we played all night. We used to say up here if you play originals no one is interested. Down in the city if you play covers no one is interested. City crowds tend to like original bands more and they can build a following. When you are faced with the Dog and Duck every Friday you have no choice but to play what they want.

This is the problem that faces lots of bands. We tried playing some of our own songs many years ago in our set but people were not interested. We even cut a demo and put a tape out (showing my age) and we sold about 30, mostly to people we knew. They shouted for the covers and we resigned ourselves to the fact that we were not going to make it playing originals. Yes they were probably not great songs but being able to write catchy songs that people instantly like is difficult. You either have it or you don't. I wrote a heap of lyrics that I think are pretty good and gave them to our guitarist but he came up with a flat zero in musical accompaniment.

Scottish traditional music

Quite novel.....ready, steady.....go!