BrunoBass

Depeche Mode. I was 16 in 1985, I'm 47 now and I still love them. Their music developed at the same pace as my music tastes matured; I loved their early electropop stuff in 1981 when I wad 12 by the time I was in my late teens/early twenties and had got into darker, heavier sounds they were right there too, with albums like Violator, Ultra etc. They're a long way now from what I listen to regularly now (and not a bass guitar in site!) but I still love them, and my band play a rocked up version of Personal Jesus in our live set.

...just opened in Banbury. Pretty handy for me as I live there. I look forward to giving them a try. https://robertsinstrumentrepairs.com/

Incredibly impressive virtuosity and technique. I have huge respect for VW and his ilk, the talent and dedication to reach such levels of musicianship is truly awesome. Do I want to listen to it? No. Bores me to tears.

There are some great suggestions here. I'm a big fan of The Blue Nile, and tend to regard them as being pretty much uncoverable. However I think Rab Noakes' version of The Downtown Lights is staggering. https://youtu.be/eMF_0LVN3lo Also, Frank Turner's version of Springsteen's Thunder Road, which I have to say (braces self for flack...) I actually prefer to the original. https://youtu.be/805kmeqmH3I

[quote name='the hand of john curley' timestamp='1471597935' post='3114271'] What bass is he using in the ten tonne skeleton clip ? [/quote] Fender Starcaster.

[quote name='planer' timestamp='1471591855' post='3114173'] I don't think my wife would even notice if I sold all my gear and it disappeared overnight. [/quote] I can relate. My wife wouldn't notice either, the fact that all my basses are black helps...

My wife has no interest in music whatsoever, other than putting the ipod on shuffle in the car, and has difficulty understanding why I want / need more gear. It's less of an intolerance, more just something that doesn't compute with her. We've been together for twelve years, and while we have lots in common and many common interests, music isn't really one of them. Strange really I suppose, when it's such a massive part of my life, but there you go... I'd love it if she was more into what I do (my bandmate's girls are all superfans) but it is what it is.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1471187425' post='3111088'] For me, setting up and tearing down is all apart of the fun of gigging. We play together and we work together to set up and tear down. Blue [/quote] I like the set up. Hate the tear down though, the last thing I want to do when I'm still on the buzz of having just played.

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1471021803' post='3110093'] [size=4][color=#222222][font=Helvetica Neue, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif] Just a regular full time working Musician (not solely Bass income any more),[/font][/color] as opposed to 'living the dream'. [color=#222222][font=Helvetica Neue, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]Got my first tour when I left school at sixteen and being a musician is all [/font][/color]I have ever done work wise (now 59). [color=#222222][font=Helvetica Neue, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]Playing Bass is now only a part of what I do musically these days, [/font][/color]and I will more than likely hang my gigging Bass boots up in January. [color=#222222][font=Helvetica Neue, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]These days I am more involved with various Media Music related work ventures and projects, [/font][/color]working mostly from home, with a few short, overseas trips thrown in. [color=#222222][font=Helvetica Neue, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]I count myself as lucky I suppose, was always in the right place at the right time when an opportunity arose.[/font][/color] [color=#222222][font=Helvetica Neue, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]Made dozens of contacts all over the world and managed to work and live in various other countries, working with a lot of top class musicians along the way.[/font][/color] [color=#222222][font=Helvetica Neue, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]The latter part of my career was mostly working with TV turns/tours and pit/show work and a few decent sessions thrown in.[/font][/color] [color=#222222][font=Helvetica Neue, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]The early days was doing Cruises, night clubs, overseas hotels and function etc[/font][/color][/size] And contrary to belief, I managed to eat, go on holidays, buy cars, buy houses and bring up two kids. Oh, and I have managed to sustain a very happy thirty one year relationship with my wife.. [size=4][color=#222222][font=Helvetica Neue, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]Who has also been in the music/stage industry all her working life.[/font][/color] Singer and Dancer. [color=#222222][font=Helvetica Neue, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]I have made a huge amount of friends in the music business, who have helped make me enjoy and laugh my way through 43 years in the business of show.[/font][/color] [color=#222222][font=Helvetica Neue, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]Would I do it all again ? Absolutely, although I suspect the working opportunities are not in[/font][/color][color=#222222][font=Helvetica Neue, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif] an abundance for a Bassist as was in my hey days. Things have changed a lot.[/font][/color] [color=#222222][font=Helvetica Neue, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]I guess you had to be there.[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color=#222222][font=Helvetica Neue, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif] [/font][/color][/size] [/quote] That sounds like a fantastic life you've had. I'm sure many will be envious... 😊

I have a good job which I guess you could say is a career. I work hard and make half decent money. As a bass player, I have no interest in 'making it', I'm happy playing in a covers band and I enjoy the gigs, the camaraderie and the crack. As a solo performer, yes I do dream of getting somewhere (wherever somewhere is), not as a performer but as a songwriter. I've been persisting and persevering with my songs for years off and on, and will keep chipping away. Sometimes I wonder why I bother but I have self belief and I'll carry on. I may never get anywhere but if you don't try you'll never know.

I enjoyed Stereolab. Another similar band from the same era I liked was Broadcast, from Birmingham. Anyone remember them?

It's great to see all this Interpol / Carlos love, I thought it was just me!

[quote name='AndyTravis' timestamp='1470748187' post='3108118'] I thought he played Rickenbackers? May be wrong. [/quote] He may well have done. I only ever remember seeing him with a Jazz on stage but I remember reading that he often used a Stingray in the studio.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1470737395' post='3107997'] So which Interpol album would you recommend? [/quote] Antics is a great starting point

One of my favourite bands of the early to mid 2000's was New York quartet Interpol. Their first two albums Turn On The Bright Lights (2002) and Antics (2004) are both excellent, in my opinion, with much credit due to Carlos Degner and his tight, chunky basslines (Fender Jazz, I think). I lost interest after Antics as the quality of their output deteriorated, and Degner left the band (and apparently hasn't so much as touched a bass guitar since). I've never seen Interpol mentioned on the forum, any fans out there?

I got asked by a singer friend of mine to team up with him to do a short set at a local festival, Chacombury near Banbury yesterday. His regular guitarist is on holiday so he asked if I'd stand in. It's not really my thing, what they do as a duo, but as I owed him a favour and I thought it'd be fun so I agreed. 30 minute set of acoustic covers of Hotel California, Three Little Birds, Sweet Child O' Mine etc, pretty easy stuff but not something I'd usually sign up to play. We were on early afternoon so it was pretty quiet crowd wise but we seemed to go down well enough. I have to admit it's the first gig I've ever done that I didn't really enjoy, and I'm certainly in no hurry to do that kind of thing again. All good experience I suppose.

I took my daughter to see them a few years ago and was impressed. He had a good tone live and was pretty tight. Some interesting on-stage acrobatics as I recall too 😊 https://youtu.be/5TT0YLSa9qw

Once you're established you might be able to assert some of your own song choices.

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1469565684' post='3099471'] He also co-wrote [i]Torn[/i] and was producer and bassist on Natalie Imbruglia's version of that song - as discussed in another thread. [/quote] He also joined Johnny Hates Jazz after his tenure in The Cure. There can't be many more diverse career moves than that!

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1469450396' post='3098350'] Is it producer Phil Thornalley on double bass? [/quote] Yes. He was in the band the first time I saw them live, in 1984.

I did a little solo acoustic set at a bar called The Atic in Banbury. I was in two minds about playing as I was literally exhausted after a crazy week. I never play well when I'm tired, but I played and I wasn't great. Not happy. The moral of the story: get more sleep.

[quote name='Burrito' timestamp='1469346138' post='3097467'] [attachment=224181:IMG_4868.JPG] So last night was a triple whammy of new things - 1) I was back on the Hofner with my long scale version of my old "bass that got away" [/quote] That Hofner looks amazing. I really fancy a long scale hollow body, I might try one of those...

I remember Shriekback well. They had a single called Hand on my Heart which I really liked; nice lazy slap bassline as I recall. I think Barry Andrews previously of XTC was involved too.

[quote name='JonesTheCat' timestamp='1468791627' post='3093402'] I played in front of an audience for the first time ever last night. I was terrible. It's all up from here! [/quote] Congratulations on having the guts to get up and do it. And make sure you get up and do it again soon! 😊

Last night I played a short solo acoustic spot at The Road Test in Banbury, which is a brilliantly diverse open mic event organised by Freddy Le Cragg of this parish. I did three original songs, just me and my Tanglewood acoustic straight into the PA. I used to play there on a monthly basis but once the band got busy I had less time to attend, but with the band on a summer break I've got time to do my own thing. I missed it!