Nicko

I was surprised to see Grammy nominations for Cage the Elephant. Great band who seem more well known in the US. I also love The Wombats who are bigger in Oz than here I think. Do Maximo Park count as obscure?

[quote name='addictedtobass' timestamp='1486922272' post='3235549'] true enough buddy. but i have done most things that float my boat. i suppose what i wanted to hear was "it happens to me " but not the case. i will take a break i think, 20 + hrs a week minimum in practice would eventually get boring i suppose. think i need to get to the point where i am having to fight myself off of playing my basses to get hungry for it again. oh well back to the flower arranging. lol [/quote] I'm not surprised you are losing your mojo practicing 20 hours a week. I barely practice anything outside of a band context. I learn new songs, I play with the band and occasionally I'll try new techniques.

Done. I wish we had more manufacturers who were active on BC.

We do Little Monster in a 2 x guitar, 1 x bass set up. Took lot of time to get it right, and we all love playing it. But, to be honest, it always bombs so we will probably drop it. We did consider replacing it with Figure it Out but I just think the band are a bit too obscure to get a good reaction.

[quote name='Rich' timestamp='1486896639' post='3235273'] SRV - Little Wing [/quote] Absolutely not. SRV does Jimi by trying too hard?

I use a markbass blackline 250 with the 102P 4 ohm cab and no FoH suppport. Its plenty loud enough for anything classed as a pub gig. Last night I played a social club which I guess would seat 300 people and the amp was set about no 3. We are a 5 piece rock outfit with a reasonably loud drummer who is not mic'd. I think the set up is stupidly loud considering, and I love the sound (though some won't)

I've always foud DV247 to be more like a shop. Call them, get advice, order online. My preferece however is always to go to a proper shop. The price of an item might be cheaper online, but we'll all be sorry when there is only an online option.

Last night was a private party. The punter asked if we could play 9-10 and then 11 til midnight which was odd. Great venue with a proper stage and lighting. It was in a social club, and when we got there the remains (pardon the expression) of a wake from the afternoon were still hanging around. They never really left! The first set was OK a few people joned in the singing and danced. It emptied out a bit before the second set, but the crowd were really into it. Probably the most responsive crowd we've ever had right from the first number. We got loads of positive comments and overall it was a great night. Thi fighting didn't start until we'd finished strippng down.

[quote name='solo4652' timestamp='1486675778' post='3233831'] How about Jimi Hendrix's flat: [url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34647637"]http://www.bbc.co.uk...t-arts-34647637[/url] [/quote] Its not very big, and of course half of its devoted to Handel

The musical museum in Brentford

I Second That Emotion - Japan

[quote name='Fred Leicester' timestamp='1486671111' post='3233762'] Jimi Hendrix - Like A Rolling Stone (on the live at Monterey album) [/quote] My favourite piece of recorded guitar, period.

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1486571290' post='3232895'] The website is good, it's got all the right content. The gigs page with one gig might be counter productive. I don't think the image of the band works. I realise a lot of covers bands just wear random t-shirts and jeans/shorts but if you're struggling to get gigs, sharpening up the image would probably help. I watched the video for "are you gonna go my way" because it's the only one of the 3 I can stand (sorry). At the very start, the singer introduces the song, but doesn't seem very confident. After it's kicked in, everything seems good, but the sound quality is not great. It sounds like one side of a stereo mic was pushed against a cushion or something? So I would sharpen up the image, get an unpaid gig somewhere (anywhere), get a mate with a go pro to film it, and give the front man some coke. [/quote] We are trying to get some better recordings/video but its chicken and egg of course. We go pro'd the whole of the last gig and none of the footage was usable (too grainy). I've posted elsewhere about performance and already had a word with the band about energy on stage.

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1486580856' post='3233025'] yep, I hate it when a band looks like they've just walked off the street. Jeans and T shirts is a poor effort IMO of course, especially from a front man [/quote] So what is appropriate for a band paying pubs? I appreciate a function band will have a more defined/coordinated look, but wouldn't stage gear seem a bit OTT for playing the Dog and Duck?

Here's a link to the website. Constructive criticism welcome. [url="https://www.fireflyrock.com/"]https://www.fireflyrock.com/[/url]

Personally I tried the Chinese Squier VM 70s P against the F branded Mex options they had in the shop and the Squier won hands down. However when we have our free trade deal with the US we will all be able to buy US made custom shop instruments on a trip over the pond and save ourselves a few quid because we won't have to pay import duty. In fact the Donald loves us so much he might even make them free to us Brits with an executive order requiring retailers to waive any right to ownership when serving us.

[quote name='HengistPod' timestamp='1486135805' post='3229529'] +1 for trouser-flapping. It was how I always described my sound when I had a 2x15 sitting horizontally on the floor with a Trace 4x10 on top of it. There's nothing like moving air. [/quote] That adjective is used for something else in my house

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1486135501' post='3229523'] Have you got a Lemonrock page? [/quote] Yes. That too. Getting reviews on it is difficult. I requested that our FB followers go on an post a review and we had 20 odd likes on FB for the comment and no review on Lemon.

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1486129700' post='3229453'] I'm a professional salesman, done it for many years. Steve is right to some degree. You need someone to go out and meet the landlords or club managers etc but it needs to be the right person. Steve says "gobby", what you actually need is someone with the confidence, to do the meetings with a stranger, not necessarily "gobby". It's very easy to fall into the trap of going round loads of places and spout out a practiced script of: "Hello, I'm Wayne, I'm in a covers band, we play AC/DC, Stones, etc etc, etc, We're better than most others round her and we're getting started, when do you have a night free that we can do a night for you?... pause for breath." The problem with this is Wayne, bless him, hasn't asked any questions. A good salesman listens more than speaks. (God gave you 1 mouth and 2 ears, and there's a reason for this. You don't learn as much through talking.) Go into see the manager: [b]Wayne: [/b]Hi I'm Wayne, I'm with XYZ Band, we're just getting started in the area, we think we're good, but I wonder, can you help me please if you have 5 mins? (Folk are naturally helpful, they don't think they want to be sold to, but they like to help) [b]Manger:[/b] No, I'm up to my neck in it. [b]Wayne[/b]: OK I can appreciate that, when would be a good time? - Get an appointment. Or [b]Manager[/b]: Yeah, sure. What can I do? [b]Wayne[/b]; Well I know there are a number of bands about and I see you do live music. If you were looking for a new band, what would you like to see in that band? What sort of music? [b]Manager[/b]: - Now he tells you what you need to know. [b]Wayne[/b]: OK, cool. Just out of interest, of the bands you have here, mentioning no names, are there anythings they do, or don't do that you like, or don't like? I guess, what I'm really asking is what is it in a band that, for you makes the whole deal work well for you and The Kings Arms? [b]Manager[/b]: - Now he tells you more of what you need to know. [b]Wayne[/b]: Cool, That's really helpful. Many thanks. We're a band that does that kind if music, and we can make sure we don't get-loaded / $h@gg the bar staff / play too loud, as we have our own limiter etc.. delete as appropriate. If we were able to deliver what you want, when would your next available night be? [b]Manager[/b]: well we're now booking for April 2026.... [b]Wayne[/b]; Cool, we should be ready about then, can I give you some info, with our web page/ Farcebook / Lemonrock / Soundcloud... ? Hopefully that should work better than spouting and getting nowhere. Good luck [/quote] Looks like a plan. Thanks

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1486128221' post='3229436'] IMHO you need collateral Do you have a Facebook page/web site? Do you have photos of you playing to the happy dancing (drinking) masses? A well produced demo along with live recordings is the best closer once you have your foot in the door..... Explain to the venue how hosting you is going to make the venue money... [/quote] Yes, we have FB and Website with studio recorded demo and some live footage. Explaining how we will make them money is the difficult bit - we hardly have a loyal following because you can't build one of those without gigs. Chicken. Egg.

[quote name='mikel' timestamp='1486127542' post='3229427'] Perhaps its because you have played so few gigs, you have no reputation for venues to latch onto? The so called inferior band you mention are out there, playing, and I presume getting repeat gigs, so they cant be that bad. If you think your band is so good why not offer a venue you really want to play in a free gig. I know its goes against the grain but If you are really struggling and fear the band may split then drastic action is required. Do you have a live recording you can give to venues to show what the band sounds like? One done live at rehearsal would do. [/quote] Yes, I think it is because we cant get to play we have no reputation. The inferior band and us had a trial at a local place, they weren't booked, we were for August. I'm not sure they are getting repeat gigs, but seem to have a gift for getting their foot in the door at least. That was a free play as the venue has a good rep but the booking is a long way off obviously. Theres a couple of live vids on the website, although the sound quality is not great. We're currently recording all our practice sessions and will post some of that on the website too.

[quote name='Monkey Steve' timestamp='1486127481' post='3229426'] what sort of stuff are you playing (originals, covers, genre, etc) and what have you tried? My own experience is that you need someone to take on the manager/promoter side of things - ideally someone who has the gift of the gab (usually the singer, and being gobby does tend to come with their territory) and will happily spend an evening ringing and e-mailing places and chatting to them about why your band is exactly what they need. All the bands I've been in that have struggled to get gigs suffered from a lack of anyone who was good at that, and the ones that have got regular gigs always had one person who was great at it. [/quote] Covers, mainly 90s and 00s stuff. Seems none of us are good at this kind of thing though.

I know its been done before, but the band is getting increasingly frustrated by or inability to get bookings. I think we played 4 or 5 gigs last year, plus one private party. We are booked for another party next week (same punter) and then have nothing until August (another repeat booking). More frustratingly we have a friend who's band is, frankly, not very good and they get bookings all the time at the places that we have been trying to get into. Contrary to other threads here there are plenty of places around us that have live music. We've all given it a try and none of us are coming up with anything. Ideas welcomed.

[quote name='Graham' timestamp='1485861329' post='3227207'] Both Fender and Musicman seem to struggle with this, when G&L, who have a much smaller share of the market, can offer you a whole range of colours on a make to order item, it makes you wonder why Fender can't. [/quote] This is exactly my point. Henry Ford's idea that you can have any colour as long as its black is a bit outdated. People have been saying Fender are mass produced - they may be but what would it cost to have a few proper colours as an option. If no one wanted them the dealers wouldn't order and the worst that would happen is they would end up with some surplus paint. They could always send the surplus paint to Mexico. According to Wki they make about 400 guitars a day, so "mass produced" needs to be taken in context. By comparison VW make about as many cars in a day as Fender make guitars in a year.

I suppose that should really read colors, 'cos I'm talking about the USA range. These only appear to be available in black, white, burst and something they describe as olive which looks like its surplus paint from the old vauxhall factory. The white and green come with a mint colour pickguard which would look bad on its own, and even worse on the body colours. As I don't like burst that would mean another black bass. Surely we deserve better than this?