Ashweb

I'm suddenly feeling very old. Came across this article today on the BBC website: [url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-39005630"]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-39005630[/url] Kurt Cobaine would have been 50 y/o on 20-02. Such a sad loss, went far too soon.

Thanks for the info JTB, I shall have a look at the 147 club. I'm not around on Sundays so won't be able to make that one; I did spot the Jim Jam on my initial search but it looks like it's been [url="http://www.thejimjam.co.uk/"]cancelled [/url] If you know it's definitely on then I'll give them a call and sort something out - and tell them to update their website! Might be an idea to [s]stalk [/s]follow Mr. Morley as you suggest. Thanks again for the info and taking the time to post.

[quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1485302399' post='3223035'] There's a good blues jam night at Clwb Y Bont in Pontypridd tomorrow night. Every last Wednesday of the month. Near the train station. I won't be there but I will be at Febs jam. Some really good players there and a welcoming bunch too. [/quote] Just dug this one out from a while back... You still going to the Feb jam, miles'tone'? I should be able to make it although not sure what value I'll add to the occasion

[quote name='fleabag' timestamp='1487508891' post='3240286'] One can get banned for cynicism and sarcasm... [/quote] In which case, I'm in big trouble....

Sensational Alex Harvey Band or early Clash.

'Valerie' by Mark Ronson / Amy Winehouse http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HLY1NTe04M 'Heard it through the grapevine' by The Slits http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCr8V5wAroA Blinded by the light' by Manfred Mann's Earth Band (Original by Bruce Springsteen, I believe) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcWVL4B-4pI 'Couldn't get it right' by Fun Lovin' Criminals http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50pwk4jS8FQ

For me, I think it has to be 'Yes sir, I can boogie' by Baccara. I was 8 at the time - that's my excuse, anyway Or there's 'Uptown top ranking' by Althia and Donna - not just cheesy, but the whole damned cheese board... Perhaps we should compile the top ten 'cheesy listening' songs.

Looks like there's a lot of love for OBBM on here, which in itself is possibly the best advert any business can get; however I've not used them (yet - may do next time though!). I've only had limited needs for cables as a relatively new player, and then only for home use, but I've found [url="http://www.designacable.com/live-stage-leads/instrument-leads.html"]Designacable [/url]really good. Using the menu facility you can build the cable you want in terms of connectors, cable type and length etc; they then build the cables from scratch and mail 'em out.

[attachment=237404:StLouisGnome.jpg] Maybe there's two gnomes, right hand gnome to strike the strings and left hand gnome to run up and down the fret board?

[quote name='DawnPatrol1990' timestamp='1486231419' post='3230244'] ...I wasn't going to pay what they were charging for this tour ... [/quote] I know what you mean, DP. I was looking at tickets for the Birmingham gigs as a surprise for my lad (honest! ) as he's getting into some heavier rock tracks as he gets into his teens; this would have been his first gig too so a baptism of fire maybe... Things were going well until my Wife found out the cost of the tickets....

[quote name='leschirons' timestamp='1486227319' post='3230186'] It's that time when we all get together to choose another 12 new numbers for the band. Been looking for something to buck things up a bit and came across this little gem. I think it'll be a winner as the original was huge in Europe and I think it'll be great fun to play. 99 red balloons by Goldfinger. Anybody else do it? [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-qfzH0vnOs"]https://www.youtube....h?v=p-qfzH0vnOs[/url] [/quote] [quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1486227688' post='3230191'] Nina? [/quote] You're right, T-Bay, Nina did the original in the '80's and it was more of a euro style electro pop thing; the cover by Goldfinger is more of a rock arrangement. If you're looking for ideas like the Goldfinger song, how about something like Green Day's 'Basket Case'? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUTGr5t3MoY&index=4&list=PLo6aG-353Cqkrei8GU5adW9ZDbW_5Nl1X Or going back a bit further, The Alarm and '68 Guns'? Plenty of scope for the crowd to join in on this one.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLK3k_0GHrg Or there's always plenty to run at in the Nirvana back catalogue... Hope the suggestions help.

[quote name='joncaulfield72' timestamp='1485905778' post='3227697'] [url="http://www.cardiffbasstuition.com/Bass-Lessons-Cardiff.html"]http://www.cardiffba...ns-Cardiff.html[/url] Hi Ashweb, How did the skype lesson work for you ? Cheers, Jon [/quote] Hi Jon, Thanks for getting in touch. The Skype lessons are going OK - we've worked out a way of making the audio interface play nice with Skype and most of my laptop so we can talk and I can play something that gets through OK although there are some limitations; what I've noticed most is that without another person in the room to rap my knuckles with a ruler, some bad habits are creeping back in - mainly a wayward left thumb that has a fascination for the headstock resulting in some duff notes. I am enjoying the Skype lessons and will continue with them, but it would be good to get together with another person for a regular knuckle rapping session. If you're OK with that then let me know and we can work out a suitable time / day.

Thanks for taking the time to respond guys, much appreciated. Looks like I'll be paying a visit to Musicbox at some point; I'll need to get GAS in check first though otherwise it might get expensive.... I'll keep checking back on openmicfinder as it updates; it was this site I was using initially and as reported above, I found a lot of the details at that time to be out of date. A good idea but as ever, it's only up to date if those posting on it update their details. I'm sure there's good venues in Chepstow, but I'll give Cardiff a good go first off; it seems a pretty dynamic area and as Phil says, once I get to one I can get the inside track on other venues in the area. I'll keep you updated how I get on.

[quote name='lownote12' timestamp='1485714449' post='3226048'] ...and Holland was on his case in a trice (whatever a trice is). [/quote] It's a bit like a jiffy, only it has three wheels.

+1 for the Focusrite 2i2 but go for the 2nd gen version. I use one for playing over Skype and have managed to record onto my laptop with it via Audacity. Bandhub sounds very similar to Wikiloops if you're looking for other options to play with - one may suit you more than the other.

[quote name='PaulGibsonBass' timestamp='1485097881' post='3221076'] Personally I can't imagine how this utter pile of tripe got made, released and even sold enough to get into the charts [url="https://youtu.be/1LaY1qXt9K4"]https://youtu.be/1LaY1qXt9K4[/url] [/quote] I grew up in the 80's. Hard to know where to start with bad music... I'll take your Vanilla, and raise you the utterly terrifying Daphne and Celeste... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_98h4HQUaWo Going back a little further, one of David Bowie's few mistakes... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SQdBxVjZx4 ...and why was this ever unleashed on an unsuspecting population? A weapon of mass distraction if ever I heard one... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkYkeeM8qIA I could go on, but I'll leave it there or I'll be here all night

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll look to get out to Pontypridd for the Feb jam, miles'tone; looks like a good night. I might even have a colleague with me if he's down this way at the time. Musicbox looks interesting, but I'll need to find a drummer and guitar player who are looking to start playing with others, otherwise I'll probably be holding them up. If anyone is interested, let me know. Any more tips on places holding open mic night still welcome.

Procrastination? Can I get back to you on that? Rocker is right, sometimes the hardest thing about practice is starting off. Edit: Name changed (oops)

Hi all, I'm currently working in Cardiff during the week and have been playing bass for just over a year. Several people have recommended that to move my playing on a bit, I should seek out some open mic nights and go along with my bass. This has proved easier said than done. I've looked up several venues on web sites only to find that when I look up the venue via Google to confirm, they either have cancelled these until further notice, don't do them at all any more or in one case been turned into flats (RIP The Wharf). I'm playing mainly rock and blues numbers so somewhere with similar musical tastes would be good, I'm in Cardiff most evenings (but not Fridays or weekends - go home to family then) and would love to hear from any BC members in the area who could recommend somewhere suitable - might even meet you there and buy you a drink Thanks in advance for your help.

Always thought songs like Fire by Kasabian would be odd songs to put in a set. Great song to listen to in the car and sing along to but must be hard to dance to; 30 seconds of leaping about with your hands in the air followed by a minute or so shuffling about waiting or the next chorus... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agVpq_XXRmU"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agVpq_XXRmU[/url]

[quote name='mikeycrikey' timestamp='1483918145' post='3211188'] Vauxhall Zafira. Fully flexible seat folding. Rear seats fold flat to leave a massive Van like loading area. No idea what there like to drive or reliable but they certainly fit the bill for moving lots if equipment around. They also seem to be pretty cheap to pick up second hand [/quote] Be careful of the Zafira. The reason they are cheap second hand is because the Zafira B has a nasty habit of catching fire, in some cases even after the free repair from Vauxhall has been carried out. Although this affects only one very early model, the mud has seemed to stick to the entire range. [url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36330439"]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36330439[/url] I'd still look at the people mover sector, as mentioned above there's things like the Picasso but also look at things like the Ford Galaxy or the VW Sharan. The big advantage with these is that they are a little higher than the car based vans and estates which may make loading and unloading a little easier.

I think the outfit was worn to divert your attention away from the lacklustre performance. To my mind she seemed to sleepwalk through most of her songs on autopilot. Must be hard to keep the enthusiasm for a song you've been singing almost continuously for the last 30 years.

I'll get the embarrassing one out of the way first; 'Long Haired Lover From Liverpool' by Jimmy Osmond is about the Beatles, 'London Calling' by The Clash has the line ...'phoney Beatle mania has bitten the dust...' which obviously references the fab four, but is supposedly a reference to the demise of the Bay City Rollers, 'Runnin' Down a Dream' by Tom Petty has the line '...I had the radio on, me and Del were singin', Little Runaway...' references Del Shannon 'Sir Duke' by Stevie Wonder is a tribute to Duke Ellington and also mentions Count Basie, Glen Miller, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1482190959' post='3198421'] We had our pre-Christmas gig last Saturday in Cropredy... [/quote] Cropredy means only one thing to me, and that's Fairport Convention. It's a brave band that plays in their back yard You didn't see Dave Pegg in the audience did you? I believe he lives just down the road in Banbury.

Had a quick look around and found this one... [attachment=234001:custom_bass_guitar.jpg] Can you dig it? Sorry, if I hadn't done it, someone else would have. Best get it out of the way...