Cabal

I'm thinking of ditching conventional amps and cabs altogether. They're too big, too heavy, i don't drive, and i'm just too long in the tooth for all that humping. :-) I know monitoring would inevitably be a problem when playing live, and i'd probably end up having to use an amp of some sort for that purpose anyway (which would defeat the object in the first place), but i won't be playing live for the time being, just rehearsing. So then, an amp simulator straight into the desk, or at least as a pre-amp for whatever crappy amp i end up playing through in the rehearsal room, so i'll always get my sound, which would be Marshall or Hiwatt. I already have a Behringer V-Amp, great for practising and home recording but a bit mickey mouse for actually playing live. What do we reckon is the best amp simulator out there, pro standard and affordable? Cheers, Jake M

I was thinking about my own comment that JJ Burnel was the reason i first picked up a bass guitar, and what a thing it is to have actually inspired others to play an instument in the first place. Literally thouands of bass players of my generation wouldn't have been it weren't for the influence of The Man. All those lives changed forever, including my own. I must have been fourteen years old when i first picked up a bass and formed my first band (of a sort) with the three other school punks. I didn't even want to be the bass player at first. My mate claimed lead guitar before me, i wasn't interested in drums and i didn't have the confidence to sing. So that just left bass, and i wasn't keen. I could never even hear the bass at the time, didn't understand what it did and couldn't see any point in it. I thought i'd copped for the booby prize. Then i heard The Stranglers, and realised i didn't HAVE to play like that, and we all know the rest. I had to get a paper round to pay for my first bass, a sunburst Precision copy with the single word "Rock" on the headstock. Its no longer with us unfortunately. I sprayed it metallic blue without bothering to take it to bits first. It was kind of hard to play with the neck and strings covered in car paint, so i sawed it in half. How i wish i hadn't done that now. :-) Cheers, Jake M

[quote name='Gamble' post='300706' date='Oct 6 2008, 06:20 PM']I don't think you need to do that Jake, I think we all know now what you meant and that you didn't intend to cause any offence. Like you said yourself, it's hard to convey the mood of a statement in a couple of lines on a forum so some of the snarlier responses probably weren't meant to be as such. I think I might have sounded a bit like I was up on my high-horse when I didn't intend to, just wanted to say my piece and defend fret-w*nkery! EVERYBODY JUST CHILL! [/quote] The vids down now anyway, but cheers for that. There's something much funnier in its place. :-)

[quote name='bassbloke' post='300654' date='Oct 6 2008, 05:11 PM']Perhaps, but in the context of a tendency on this forum to dismiss examples of flashy playing because the poster would rather be laying down a solid groove, etc... I think it's quite apt.[/quote] How very dare you sir. I have NEVER laid down a solid groove in my life! :-)

Right, i'll admit i was playing devil's advocate in posting this vid. I sometimes forget that an "ironic" sense of humour doesn't always come across as intended, especially when written down. Personally, i think its fair game. He was playing in a public place, the vid was posted publicly on YouTube, and this is a public discussion forum. I knew not everybody would see it the same way, believe me. However, i didn't realise the guy was actually a friend of the forum, and i wouldn't have posted if i had, so i'm going to take the vid down forthwith. Cheers, Jake M

[quote name='Jase' post='300298' date='Oct 6 2008, 09:42 AM']No, fair enough you didn't say he was crap, it's just the mockery that sometimes goes on here...(Not personal to you Jake) that gets.... me goat, shall we say [/quote] You're not wrong mate, cheers for that. :-)

[quote name='4000' post='300108' date='Oct 5 2008, 08:20 PM']As for having to like it, of course you don't have to. But there's a difference between not liking something and it being crap, which is something so few people seem to understand. I'm not much of a Marcus Miller or Jaco fan but I'd be a bit stupid to say they're crap; what they do just isn't really my thing. If they want to do it, great. If other people like it, even better.[/quote] Some fair points made, but never at any point did i say he was crap. Maybe someone else did. Infact, i said he's technically brilliant/better than i'll ever be. I reckon i know the difference between my own personal preferences/prejudices and actual bona fide rubbish. For the record, if i'd known the guy was a friend of the forum i wouldn't have posted. Sorry about that. I was responding to another thread "Fastest bass guitarist in the world, does anyone really care?", concerning a guy called Jayen Varma, so i assumed such topics were fair game. Thing is, we all knock other players from time to time, but can we take it in return? I'd never criticise anyone with limited ability for having a go, that wouldn't be fair, but i feel able to comment on this because after thirty years playing i'm pretty f***ing good myself. :-) I'm just playing devil's advocate. Like i said, i'm sure he's a nice guy and all, and he can laugh loudly at my playing any time he likes. :-) Cheers, Jake M

[quote name='Jase' post='299923' date='Oct 5 2008, 03:10 PM']What ever we think of that particular performance, good or bad......what I'm saying is there's hardly anything constructive said.....I split my sides......I loved the part when they walked past him......ahh, that's why his tone is sh*te! For example, Some of us know very little about this chap, it'd be really great if people would pass links on, does he have a band, has he made an album? Instead of the usual slagging lots of players get here![/quote] Sorry Jase, i'm not trying to get up anyone's goat, but i really did split my sides. :-) I'm sure he's a much better technical player than i'll ever be and all that, and a nice guy to boot, but it sounds like a record played at 78 rpm to me. Its that "one louder" thing. If a bloke plays fast, then the next bloke just has to play faster, until we end up with this. Sorry, but that's funny to me, and to be serious for a minute, i think its constructive to point it out. I refuse to accept that just because its "technically brilliant" (if it is), i have to like it. Its not a personal attack, but as far as i'm concerned, if you're going to play like this in public, then you should be prepared to take some criticism. Cheers, Jake M

Don't get me wrong, we all like to show off, to impress, but its been many years since i thought playing as fast as humanly possible makes you "good". Incidentally, apologies if this guy's on the forum or anything. :-) Cheers, Jake M

NOTE: The original video has now been removed and replaced with something even funnier. :-) Just remember folks, “From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere.” Cheers, Jake M

[quote name='Deep Thought' post='298707' date='Oct 3 2008, 04:28 PM']Have you seen the new lineup? I totally lost interest after Cornwell left-before, in fact, as the last time I saw the original lineup live they were bloody awful (JJ was totally inaudible), and I never bought '10'. Not at all interested until 2006 when they played near me at Helston. Out of curiousity I bought a ticket, only later finding out that Roberts had left. I was blown away, almost as good as seeing the old band-better, in fact by miles than the last time I'd seen them. I think Baz is doing a superb job filling Cornwell's shoes, and I'm back to being the huge Stranglers fan I was 20 years ago. Roll on the 24th in Exeter! I've finally come to the sad realisation that I will never be JJ Burnel, and thus am trying to do my own thing in blues and R'n'B, with hopefully a little hint of JJ thrown in.[/quote] I haven't seen the new Stranglers lineup no, but i'm going on 25th, the day after yourself, so we'll be able to compare notes. :-) I saw the Paul Roberts lineup a couple of time, but it just made me really sad. I've never been one to deny a band the right to progress, hate that "i only like the early stuff" attitude, but i just couldn't get my head around The Stranglers without Hugh, and it didn't help that Paul Roberts was sh*te either. That said, i thought "Norfolk Coast" was a great album. I agree that La Folie was the last great bass album, although i think he continued to do interesting stuff, just not as prominent in the mix and without "the sound". Great sound on Norfolk Coast and Suite XVI though. My own main bass influences would be Burnel/Entwistle/Lemmy. I've always tried not to plagiarise of course, tried to develop my own thing, but seeing as so few other bass players have ever really gone there, comparisons do arise. I see myself as carrying on the tradition of those players, because not many others do. I reckon its a forgotten way of playing the instrument, and it should be kept alive. Its alway been a problem for me trying to find lead guitarists who can tolerate my playing, and its not because i'm crap either, before anyone says it. :-) They just don't get it, and they don't want to. It must shatter their cosy little illusions of the lead guitarist's ultimate superiority in the band. Its been a millstone to be honest, but i've always stuck to my "lead bass" guns. Anyone else with a similar approach had the same problem? As i recall, my first bassline was PIL's Public Image, a great one for a beginner. Cheers, Jake M

[quote name='Gazm' post='298644' date='Oct 3 2008, 03:17 PM']Yep to Warhead also Gotta Getaway - SLF. What about Paul Gray from Eddie & the Hotrods? Also played in the Damned in the 80's (and UFO after that but I'm not a UFO fan ) Pete.[/quote] Yes to Paul Gray. Great Rickenbacker sound on The Black Album. Actually, Ali McMordie from SLF was pretty good too. I was just listening to Inflammable Material the other day for the first time in many years. Blew me away all over again. Cheers, Jake

Anyone up for discussing the finer points of Jean-Jacques work, Rattus through to La Folie? His sound and style changed somewhat after that, in my opinion. Best Stranglers album for bass? Like i said, if i had to choose it would be Black & White, but i'm still amazed by the sheer sound on The Raven, every time Longships kicks in. Pretty much the ultimate Fender Precision sound for me. Just got myself a shiny new MIA Precision. Not the first i've had over the years. Like JJ, i play though an old Hiwatt. Turned up full, i reckon i get pretty close to that Raven sound. :-) Cheers, Jake M

Here's one for all the old punks out there. JJ Burnel of The Stranglers was the reason i first picked up a bass guitar. My personal all time favourite bass guitar album would have to be Black & White. For me, bass players back in the day did stuff you just don't hear anymore, unless you come round my house that is. :-) To name but a few: Barry Adamson, JJ Burnel, Bruce Foxton, Lee Gorman, Steve Hanley, Peter Hook, David Jay, Segs Jennings, Lemmy, Stuart Morrow, Tracy Pew, Paul Raven, Steve Severin, Algy Ward, Jah Wobble, Youth. Anyone care to add to the list? I reckon the whole "post-punk" era in particular was a great time for bass players. Killing Joke, Birthday Party, Bauhaus, Cure, Joy Division, Sisters Of Mercy, Theatre Of Hate etc. Songs that were obviously written around strong bass riffs, always loud in the mix. Anyone's else's first bass line Love Song, Public Image, Peaches or Warhead? Cheers, Jake M

[quote name='beerdragon' post='293950' date='Sep 28 2008, 04:03 PM']Is that you playing a flying V type thing? what is it exactly.[/quote] No, that'll be the original bass player, Rainy. The flying V is a Kramer.

[quote name='Deep Thought' post='293890' date='Sep 28 2008, 01:56 PM']You and me both, Old Son. Welcome. Discharge-yes, I remember them-had a mate who was quite well into you guys. About to make my annual pilgrimage to see The Stranglers at Exeter next month-can't wait.[/quote] Lost interest myself after Hugh departed. Saw them a couple of times with Paul Roberts, but it just made me sad, as did all the recorded output. Thought NORFOLK COAST was good though. I reckon they'll be much better with Baz Warne. Probably going to see them in Birmingham myself. Either them or SLF in Bilston, can't afford both. :-( Cheers, Jake M

[quote name='ironside1966' post='293889' date='Sep 28 2008, 01:51 PM']I think I remember that name, did you support any major bands?[/quote] We only did headlining during my time. I know there were some major supports earlier on, but couldn't tell you who. I discovered after we split that there was stuff in the pipeline that would've made us. A lot of the big metal bands of the era were claiming Discharge as an influence, and wanted us to support. Only the other day Lars Ulrich was saying on The Culture Show that Discharge and GBH were two of their biggest influences. Nobody bothered to tell us what deals were being made behind the scenes at the time. Why would they, we were only the band. Talk of "long term strategy" and "territory" etc. The usual thing, all bollocks and we got shafted in the end. Anyway, if i sound bitter i bloody was at the time, but its all ancient history now. Cheers, Jake M

[quote name='Clarky' post='293744' date='Sep 28 2008, 09:04 AM']Welcome Jake, there's a few of us on this site who also play in punk bands and, as you've seen, there's tons of knowledge and humour and an active trade in gear (the legal gear that is:)). Just wondered, do you get royalties from Metallica for their cover of Discharge's "Free speech for the dumb"? Now that would be cool![/quote] I wish. I'm "the other" bass player. I wasn't in the original line-up so i'm not on the writing credits for the songs Metallica covered unfortunately. I was in the band '89 - '94 approx. The original members received a pretty penny at the time. In fact, they were pretty cagey and wouldn't divulge, but i know it was substantial. Probably still is. Cheers, Jake M

Hello all, I've been kicking around on this forum for a couple of weeks now, and it seems more civilised than most, so i'm happy to say i'll be sticking around a while longer. The name's Jake, aged 43. Its been thirty years since i first picked up a bass guitar, inspired primarily and still by JJ Burnel of The Stranglers. I used to played in punk band Discharge amongst many others, and i'm just attempting a return to live playing after 15 years in the wilderness. Couldn't get arrested if i tried. :-) [url="http://www.myspace.com/sweartogether"]http://www.myspace.com/sweartogether[/url] I'm usually to be found playing a '74 Rickenbacker 4000 very loudly through an old Hiwatt, or hanging around the basses for sale board desperately trying to swap my G&L L-1505 five string for something with four. My sound was once compared to "a JCB falling off a cliff onto a fat bird". Funnily enough, that was exactly the sound i was going for. :-) Cheers, Jake M

[quote name='4000' post='291343' date='Sep 24 2008, 11:05 PM'][i]We[/i] know what they're worth. That's all that really matters. [/quote] Nice one. I notice we've got a few favourite players in common, like Burnel, Entwistle, Foxton, Lemmy, Wobble. Thought i was the only one to notice Lee Gorman at the time. Didn't even know a bass could be played that fast back then. :-)