Ashweb

I'll get me coat....

Found this article on the BBC web site the other day... [url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-38135674"]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-38135674[/url] An interesting article about Darryl Jones, who was hired by the Rolling Stones as a bass player when Bill Wyman left in 1984 and has played on all albums and live shows since then - as a hired hand. Seems odd that you can play with a band for over thirty years, and not be part of the band.

So, is it a requirement to modify your avatar every year? I thought I'd go with something like this... [attachment=233957:bassplayer.gif] Whadda ya think?

I had a scam email late last week, not through BC but my normal email address. Not seen this one before and almost fell for it. Email comes through on my phone apparently from iTunes with an invoice for downloading Farm Simulator 16 and Call of Duty: Zombies with link to click in case of dispute. After texting No.1 Son to find out what he's been up to - and getting the reply 'It wasn't me!!!', I realised that you can't download XBox or PS games from iTunes; further examination later that evening to genuine invoices from iTunes for songs downloaded show further errors in the layout and content of the scam invoice. Examination of the link gave a Canadian furniture chain as its destination (obviously been hijacked) so the whole thing was deleted from my system with no links clicked. Keep an eye out for this one; I can normally spot these scams / trojans at ten paces but this one nearly got me.

Hi SteveLedZep - +1 to above - cool name. I spend a fair bit of time in Cardiff with work these days and always bring my bass with me. I started from scratch about a year ago and have worked my way up to bl***y awful, passing through WTF! and aaargghhh!! on the way. A very friendly bunch on here with a wealth of knowledge and tips they are only too happy to share, so if you have any queries or would like to post any vids of you playing then you're in the right place. See you in the forum somewhere!

This is just down the road from me so I will try to get along although Saturdays are always busy with Dad taxi services and so on. If you're really unlucky, I'll bring my bass along and show you just how bad things can get!

[quote name='Cato' timestamp='1478375428' post='3168755'] Thanks to this thread I've downloaded 'Safety Dance' and am enjoying playing along with it immensely. [/quote] Just had another thought, not checked the other 11 pages, but anyone remember this? [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf53Pg2AkdY"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf53Pg2AkdY[/url]

Lots of good choices above - brought back a lot of memories My choices would be something like Tenpole Tudor - Swords of a Thousand Men [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AywIL5_eYM"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AywIL5_eYM[/url] or from the same era, Men Without Hats - Safety Dance [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjPau5QYtYs"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjPau5QYtYs[/url] A bit poppie I know, but I was about 10 or 11 when this came out But when I think of one hit wonders, this always comes to mind, not sure why... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww2AYxrPqkk"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww2AYxrPqkk[/url] Maybe I should start a parallel thread to this on the subject of popular bands that you wish had been one hit wonders, could be a few candidates in there

A lot of Joe Cocker's back catalogue would work in this area, Unchain My Heart springs to mind straight away. I also thought of CBB, but for something a bit more left field how about the Fun Lovin Criminals Scoobie Snacks [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHDYfoRYcqQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHDYfoRYcqQ[/url] or even The Fun Lovin Criminal? [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58B1XGAUl08"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58B1XGAUl08[/url]

[quote name='Earbrass' timestamp='1478039800' post='3166357'] No, it's the venue that is liable - they should have a PRS licence which covers this. Not sure what the rule is if you're busking in the street, though. [/quote] Thanks for the clarification

Interesting topic this and it throws up an interesting point to me. Excuse my ignorance on this subject as I am new to it, but in theory if you are in a covers band and you play a Beatles number, for example, at a gig - should you be paying some form of royalty to Paul McCartney?

Not sure if I'd call it the pinnacle, but the first tracks that got my attention as a very young kid was Suzi Quattro's Can the Can and 48 Crash; just the way the whole rhythm was relentlessly driven by the bass line hooked me for life. Fast forward to Christmas 2015 and the song that inspired me to pick up a bass and want to play was Nirvanna's Come As You Are (and most of the Never Mind album, if I'm honest); the confidence and swagger of the bassline that runs through the whole song was the one that made me think 'I want to play that...' So you can all blame Krist Novoselic; if he hadn't played that line so damned well, no-one would have to have heard my attempt at Pretty Vacant

Set myself the challenge of learning Psycho Killer by Talking Heads by ear so I'm listening to that a lot ATM.

I've never gigged, mainly because I only picked up the bass last Christmas so still learning my craft. Ultimately, I'd love to give gigging a go - all part of my mid life crisis I guess I must admit that since starting down this path, it's felt perfectly right and I wish I'd done it before.

Thanks for all the help guys. I went for a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 2nd gen in the end. Just need to work out which of the plethora of downloadable software available on their web site I actually need; but it's late and I only had 2 hours sleep last night so I'll be doing this tomorrow night. Thanks again.

What's the van reg in case they're not the sharpest tools in the box?

Wow, Subsonic, that is above and beyond the call of duty! Thanks for taking the time to do all that digging. I'll have another look round for compatible units;my laptop fell victim to the stealth / viral Windows 10 downgrade that Microsoft unleashed on the world a few months back. [quote name='Stylon Pilson' timestamp='1475074518' post='3142838'] Interesting layout decision, putting the instrument input on the front but the mic XLR on the back. Wonder what prompted that. [/quote] It was probably designed by an electronics expert and not a musician so they may not have fully understood the problem. It may not be too practical for it's intended purpose, but the PCB layout is fantastic.

Thanks for the replies. The Apogee looks like it is compatible with iPhones and Macs which would rule it out for me on a Windows laptop, but at least now knowing what to look for allowed me to search for similar units that are Windows compatible and I came up with this which might do the job; not too expensive either so worth a punt as an experiment. [url="http://www.juno.co.uk/products/lexicon-alpha-2x2x2-desktop-recording-studio-audio-interface-steinberg-cubase-le-5-audio-production-software/396702-01/"]http://www.juno.co.uk/products/lexicon-alpha-2x2x2-desktop-recording-studio-audio-interface-steinberg-cubase-le-5-audio-production-software/396702-01/[/url] If anyone has any comments on this unit, I'd be happy to hear them. Thanks again for all your help. [quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1474966070' post='3141807'] If you're relocating to Cardiff, seek out Jon Caulfield. [/quote] If the Skype thing falls through then I'll look up Jon, thanks for the tip.

[quote name='Japhet' timestamp='1474716218' post='3140025'] I have too many guitars and to pre-empt further threads I also have too many basses, amps, cabinets and effects pedals. [/quote] Swedish scientists in white coats have successfully proven that one of the fundamental laws of physics that govern how this universe works is: The number of basses, guitars,amps cabinets pedals etc that you need is ALWAYS one more than you currently have. ...and ye cannay change the laws of physics, as a wise man once said.

The nomadic nature of my work has forced a change in location for me during the week. My current contract in Southampton has ended and I start a new contract in Cardiff shortly; as I'd like to continue with my current bass tutor, the idea of a lesson via Skype has been floated but I'm unsure how this will work in reality. For the first few weeks at least, I'll be based in a local Hotel until I can sort out a rented flat etc. I can practice using headphones so I don't disturb anyone but I can't see the Hotel being keen on me lumping my amp into one of their rooms to play during a Skype lesson. Ideally, what I had in mind is some way of plugging my bass into my laptop so I can play directly onto the system and then use headset with mic to listen to the result and any conversations going on. Such a set up would still be useable once more settled. Has anyone had any experience of playing over Skype or lessons via Skype and advise what hardware I'd need? All help greatly appreciated.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1474287378' post='3136786'] I was referring to the first part of the post. [/quote] What, that women should be black and carpeted? There's laws about that sort of thing, you know!

I think your last paragraph hits the nail on the head here. When you next get the level you (and the band by the sound of it) like then start a general discussion within the band and mixer that this is how you all want the band to sound live and recommend the mixer makes a note of the current levels. Also make a point of congratulating the mixer on being able to get the band this great sound; he'll then think it's all his idea and apply it religiously.

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1474026605' post='3135070'] Looking through YouTube, this band are pretty brave with their song choices. I wonder how they're received in general. I'd like to hear a studio recording of them, I think it would be good. [/quote] +1 to this - not what I would call a pub band at all; as said above, they seem a little self absorbed and playing songs they like and not thinking about the audience who just want to get up and dance like no-ones looking. As an example, I found this on YT [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWZrb-3dvJU"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWZrb-3dvJU[/url] Muse's Knights of Cydonia. Great track that I love driving to but not even a fully paid up Dad dancer like me can do anything with this...

[url="http://www.poolebluesfestival.co.uk/"]http://www.poolebluesfestival.co.uk[/url]

[quote name='NancyJohnson' timestamp='1473366561' post='3129582'] There was a new (to me) drummer joke, which lead to a spontaneous laugh; How do you know there's a drummer at your door? [/quote] A: Because the knocking gets faster