blue

[quote name='Rich' timestamp='1438210598' post='2832655'] In the same way that [i]you[/i] don't speak for all 'real' Musicians. [/quote] No, however, I say, I do speak for all Yankee musicians that do this for a living at the bar band level. Blue

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1438210264' post='2832649'] I thought the Hard days night film was boringly awful. Nice tunes though. [/quote] It's considered a work of art by many historians and movie critics. If you think it was awful it just means you didn't get it. Blue.

[quote name='TheKcrimsonKing' timestamp='1438205599' post='2832602'] I think the internet age is the new Golden age of music, and the that level of quality and experimentation in music has never been higher, Time marches on, art in tow, but the Beatles really started a phenomenon in the 60s', I still feel their effect even if most of their music doesn't resonate with me. [/quote] If you hear the sound of an electric guitar your hearing The Beatles in one way or the other. I always say, if you were not 9 to maybe 12 years old in 1964, you probable missed The Beatles phenomenon. Blue

[quote name='Damonjames' timestamp='1438204992' post='2832595'] I am envious of you Blue. Not only have you made a career of being a musician, but you can remember a time (I mean this in a nice way!) when it all still lay ahead for music, while the Beatles set the stage from which to launch, there were EPIC bands that followed. My formative years (mid teens) saw the (in my humble opinion) pinnacle of the industry reached, with album sales and album production quality reaching never seen before levels (and shed loads of cash to go with it) I am referring to the early 90's. Since then we have seen a steady decline in both the quality and quantity of new artist come through, and just wonder what lays ahead for us? I know I can keep playing the stuff I know and love for my remaining years, but I would love to be stopped dead in my tracks by a new artist bringing something new to market. [/quote] Not that the business was ever really great for musicians. I'm pretty insightful and know that even The Beatles and The Stones got "played" by the business. However the reason we will never see icons like James Brown, Mick Jagger, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin ect.. because at least back then record companies spent time and money to develop those artist. That doesn't happen any more. Blue

[quote name='Oscar South' timestamp='1438200369' post='2832536'] Art's role in society is to inspire. Society evolves, and so does art. [/quote] Agreed! Blue

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1438197261' post='2832509'] I'd actually say good musicians don't play dives... as they don't need to but I can see that might be a tad contentious.. but then generalisations are all a bit crap as well. Do I play less that salubrious pubs and venues.. I'm sure I do but I also think if it is worth doing it is worth doing properly. I'm not doing a gig for gigs sake...that is for sure. Others might not think that way. Another pet hate... Beer festivals that don't supply P.A and lights and crew for multiple bills and also think they can get away with pub rates [/quote] Greg is a great guitarist and he plays dives here in Milwaukee, I've done some double bills with him. I think what you mean is the good musicians you know don't play dives. You don't speak for all good or great Musicians. [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSDfERKBst8"]https://www.youtube....h?v=WSDfERKBst8[/url] Guess we have a different attitude. See you at Wembly, LOL Blue

[quote name='UglyDog' timestamp='1438196889' post='2832504'] Au contraire. Real musicians play [i]music[/i]. You don't have to play in a shithole to qualify as 'real'. [/quote] Come to Milwaukee, I can show you some cool sh*t holes and some not so cool sh*t holes. Over here at the bar level, if the LL can pay your fee, you play. For those that don't need the money, stay at home and play with the kids. I'll take the money. Blue

[size=4][font=Arial]I have notices over the past year that generational issues come up and make for a lot of confusing discussion and misunderstandings.[/font][/size] [size=4][font=Arial]For some of us, ok me. I was 9 or 10 years old when i saw The Beatles perform to 70 million Yanks on February 9th, 1964. We heard and saw something completely new that made all the sense in the world at the right age. That Monday February 10th, 1964, millions of parents including mine went out and bought drums, and electric basses and key boards for a whole generation of "baby boomers". And Garage bands could be heard from every street corner.[/font][/size] [size=4][font=Arial]When we heard the beat, saw the hair, the cool clothes and how women reacted, many of us new what we wanted to do with our lives. A few weeks later we all went out to see the United Artist feature film "A Hard Days Night". That only made what I wanted to do even clearer.[/font][/size] [size=4][font=Arial]My point, some of us were just born at a time that gave us wisdom and a perspective on rock that future generations would not have. I am certain it's why I'm gigging more than ever at 61 and that the same magic is there for me that was there 50 years ago.[/font][/size] [size=4][font=Arial]But that's just me.[/font][/size] [size=4][font=Arial]Much Respect[/font][/size] [size=4][font=Arial]Blue[/font][/size]

I think the rule of thumb for us that play for a living is, if the LL of a dive can pay your fee, you play and you play your arse off. lol Blue

[quote name='Old Man Riva' timestamp='1438089761' post='2831542'] That was the problem with the programme... they weren't clear to what they were referring to when talking about rock 'n' roll - was it the original sound, the spirit, the look, the attitude etc. I think Eric Burdon would see anything that didn't sound like Chuck Berry or Little Richard as not being rock 'n' roll.. whereas the programme featured Foo Fighters, Noel Gallagher and the Young Fathers as "rock 'n' roll". [/quote] I agree with Eric. Blue

[quote name='tauzero' timestamp='1438088213' post='2831517'] I'm unclear about the subject of the question. Rock and roll as in Teds with a supertanker of hair gel on doing strange dances in blue suede shoes, or rock and roll as in rock, the all-encompassing popular (and loud) beat combo music? While Minus Zero doesn't go to the pub to watch bands (not even us), he does have an iPhone full to overflowing with music, of the modern rock variety (eg. Slipknot and Lacuna Coil) and he's been to a couple of festivals. The youth of today are still listening, it's more that they don't go down the pub but choose to stay in playing on their PlayBoxes and xStation 3s. [/quote] Agreed but rock doesn't happen on Youtube or on an iPhone. Doesn't matter, I don't think the younger generations know what "Rock" is , no matter how you define it. You'll never convince me they do. Blue

[quote name='KK Jale' timestamp='1438127773' post='2831982'] I play dives One regular gig of ours changes landlords every six months or less. The punters get worse and worse. A while ago, a drunk coked-up tosser started poking his fingers in the keyboard player's face. Our driver (big, but about 70) warns him off. Punter goes to glass him. Sax player steps out and nuts the drunk, who goes down like a sack of spuds. Locals drag him out by the heels and gaily throw him on a garden table. Another night, when thank goodness a different band was playing, there was a traveller fight, and it ended with every window being done, from the outside, with cobblestones. I loathe this kind of stuff, but you're generally ok in the band. It's more often a sh*t sound that pisses me off [/quote] Can't say I've experienced anything like that. When playing a dive; 1. I'm an independent contractor, hired help and I act like it.I'm not a punter. 2. I don't make eye contact with anyone except band members 3. I don't go up to the bar, I make an arrangement for the barmaid to bring my club soda w/ lime twist to me 3. Stay focused and burn through the sets, sometimes it ends up being a fun night. I'm just saying, for me, after 50 years, gigging rock & roll is still magical. I never grew tired of doing this. It's just as much fun if not more at 61 as it was when I was 12 years old. Not many of you can say that,mainly because you have other interests. I don't! You might wonder about the pics I post. They are 2 different gigs I play. I am just as comfortable walking out on the festival stage pictured on the left as the floor in the bar pictured on the right. Blue

Amps are going sound different for many different reasons, from the size of the room, height of the ceiling, how many people are in the room to where the amp is placed on stage to where your standing. My point, buy the amp you like, I don't think it will make a difference. Blue

[quote name='RichyJ' timestamp='1438071551' post='2831277'] Completely agree, some of the most fun gigs I've ever done have been in the back end of nowhere. Hell I am from the back end of nowhere who am I to say I'm too good to play My local hehe. I've seen bands play 'dives' that just get on with it and have a laugh and I've seen bands play that think they are too good to be there, the later never goes down well and I very rarely see any problems happen for bands that treat these places like normal gigs. [/quote] Yes, you have to separate yourself from your exterior surroundings. your there with your band, you have 3 sets of material ready to go be a pro play and get into it. So what if you have to play on the wrong side of the tracks a few times. Your getting paid and there are guys out there that want to gig but cant get a gig anywhere. "Real musicians play dives" Blue

[quote name='martthebass' timestamp='1438099658' post='2831648'] I think I've got to the stage where I go quality rather than quantity of gigs. I don't care if the place is a palace or a dive, if it has a good vibe I'm happy to play it. If it's on the rough side then the Limelight J gets used though, I don't think a few more dents would harm its appearance. If I was doing this for the money then I'm sure my attitude would be different though.... [/quote] We play fairs, festivals , bars and clubs of all shapes and sizes. Another thing thing for guys like me that do this for a living. There are bands out there playing high profile gigs with pro lights and sound that are getting paid less then you would at the corner bar. Blue

[quote name='UglyDog' timestamp='1438096751' post='2831605'] I look at it this way.[list=1] [*]I'm not doing this for a living, just for enjoyment. So I can afford to be picky about where I play. [*]I do not want to play dives, toilets, drug-dens or sh*t-holes. [*]So I don't. [/list] [/quote] Fair enough, your really not in the game. You play when and wherever it fancies you. Blue

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1437819949' post='2829264'] glad it wasn't just me then, I am getting on in years but I do try and avoid "it's not like it used to be" statement[/quote] Even though it's not like it use to be I also try and stay away from that statement to. I do wish some of the younger folks has a better idea and insight to how things were back in the 60s and 70s. Blue

[quote name='danny-79' timestamp='1435657086' post='2810964'] I'm looking to upgrade the Boss Overdrive pedal what would you suggest? I want something similar but crisper, less muddy, more drive with sharper definition that will work well with the VT Bass. Thanks for reading an I look forward to hearing your suggestions [url="http://s1014.photobucket.com/user/01952danny-79/media/PT%20Nano%20Mk2%204%20-%20Copy.jpg.html"][/url] [/quote] I haven't checked out many pics of members boards, however, Dude, your board is effing CLEAN! Blue

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1438036633' post='2831176'] I recently replaced my Boss Overdrive with a Dr. Soloman Bass Overdrive. The Boss never worked for me, too many little dials and the thing was just problematic. The Soloman OD is a nice simple OD that works, $69.00. Blue [/quote] [quote name='danny-79' timestamp='1435657086' post='2810964'] I'm looking to upgrade the Boss Overdrive pedal what would you suggest? I want something similar but crisper, less muddy, more drive with sharper definition that will work well with the VT Bass. Thanks for reading an I look forward to hearing your suggestions [/quote] I recently replaced my Boss Overdrive with a Dr. Soloman Bass Overdrive. The Boss never worked for me, too many little dials and the thing was just problematic. The Soloman OD is a nice simple OD that works, $69.00. Blue

I like the idea of the bass VI. I think and especially for the pick style of rock play I employ it could really kick arse. I am not sure my idea and the bass VI would work with my current band. And since that band is significant source of income I'll have to sit on it for a while. Blue

We had a corporate gig last weekend and we have another coming up this weekend with really good pay ( 2K for 2 hours ). Unfortunately the folks that show up at these events are there because they feel obligated and for the food. Yeah, dives can be rough but also a lot of fun. You will never hear the " I'm to good to Play dives " line from me. Just doesn't make sense. Blue

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1437940902' post='2830261'] I think you'd be surprised. Most pros I know would take any gig that pays. [/quote] Agreed, same thing over here. This business is tough at all levels you would be surprised how many Pros end up playing dives and even famous bands playing at significant discounts. And it's not always economics, some Pros have a personal connection with dives and like playing them. Blue

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1437924338' post='2830028'] Don't ask a pro to play those gigs.. see what answer you'll get..!! [/quote] Over here it would be yes. Must be different in England, we have some of the best musicians in town that still end up playing dives. Guitar hero Greg Koch is one of them. Again, there are pros that had hit records in the 70s playing dives over here. They may not be as popular as they once were, but they are still Pros. Blue

[quote name='Norris' timestamp='1437810169' post='2829160'] In the last 30 odd years I've played in some pretty rough places but the band has never had any trouble. It's not always the "dives" where trouble kicks off - they tend to have the local "heavies" that step in to control anybody that gets out of order. The worst incident I've ever seen was actually at a fairly posh wedding - an altercation between the groom's father and his other son that involved police, ambulances and us not getting paid until 6 weeks later! [/quote] You know your right, now that I think about it. The one place we play I'm thinking about handle all the incidents internally. I think the owners feel getting the Police involved can make things worse. Blue

[quote name='The Admiral' timestamp='1437808688' post='2829153'] You've been on here too long Blue, you are starting to spell correctly! Arse, not ass. That and the Union Jack t shirt, you'll be drinking tea and moaning about the weather in no time. [/quote] I know, and I'm destined for a visit to England. Blue