Steve Browning

He was on that Talking Music programme and was wonderfuly humble and engaging (as always). His autobiography is an astounding book and left me thinking that being in Chic was about the most dull part of his life!

We are called 'rosbifs' in France and I dare say there are other equivalents in other countries. I don't have any problem with anybody referring to me as anything, frankly. Odd that I never thought of Polack as anything other than a similar term (to rosbif) and wasn't derogatory in any way.

I was a member back in the 70s. The great thing was the fact you could join under your stage name. I was always amused to note (according to the area handbook) that Jaco Pastorius lived at 14 Highfield Avenue, Waterlooville. Portsmouth, as did I. :-)

Have a serious look at a Japanese P-bass. I would suggest anyone dipping their toes to buy second hand as you are more likely to get your money back if you decide you don't like it.

I'm guessing Newhaven. Not sure how the relative cost of ferries from there compare with Dover:Calais. The advantage of that crossing is the tunnel where you are 30 minutes from France and so much less time spending a fortune in the ferry's overpriced bar as peoples ghastly kids run round you screaming all the time! The crossings from Pompey are about 4.5 hours I believe. I do a fair few gigs depping for a band that is in Europe a lot but they are blues based and play places that cater for that type of music. Maybe Google rock music bars not too far from wherever you land. There is a fair amount of kudos in being a UK band over there and so you could find it works out for you. The UK is s0dding miserable by comparison.

The realities of pub gigs are pretty harsh and the money hasn't really changed in all the years I've ever done it. The main problem is establishing yourself so that the band can earn the bigger fees. Similarly, the number of band members will not affect the fee either. I used to gig in your patch a lot, with a band that was very popular on that circuit. Pretty much every single venue we played has now gone so I have nothing to offer beyond good wishes. You are pretty much left to do the slog of playing places and building up a following as we have all done in the past. A new band (no matter who is in it - and I mean your past glories on the scene) is a new band and has to start again. Once you have got your foot on the ladder then you can improve things on the money front but there isn't a short cut to that unhappily. You are not going to get any more than £250 and I would be surprised if you got even that to begin with. I would have put the initial figure somewhere between £150 and £200. One slightly off-piste suggestion would be to try and get yourselves over to Europe. Much better experience, you get paid, fed and watered and people want to be entertained. They don't stand with their arms folded and dare you to impress them.

[quote name='julesb' timestamp='1494455692' post='3296233'] Sex on fire etc. Well documented in several threads here. I'm sure you wouldn't call be a f***ing prick if you were stood next to me. That's the internet for you eh? [/quote] Some of your responses are suggesting people well might. I can only see some gentle leg pulling going on.

Thought it looked familiar. I guess they're hoping Macca will be in MPL and sign them up.

I'm sure they won't be worrying their pretty little heads about it. I'll get my coat.......................

Is that Soho Square in the background? I used to see a group of those guys regularly in that area.

I tune up before the gig or when changing basses during the gig. Only check tuning on the bass I'm playing during the gig if I feel the bass has moved. Have to say, it almost never happens.

Dunk your fingertips in the hottest water you can stand. Works a treat. Apparently, the blood vessels get crushed when you play and the hot water opens them out again.

Mate of mine (Rumblefish on here) has a Berg 2x12 which is a brilliant cab.

Got to be a Fender Logo'd JV Squier. Not too many about and not the stupid price of the 1958 Precision I'd need.