Dankology

A few of you here might know that for the last couple of years, alongside playing in my own band, I've also been a member of a fairly well known group that has been around in very various forms since the punk/new wave era. I've done two short British tours with the band as well as a couple of stray dates, the most recent being what seemed to be a very successful gig in November. The main man had floated a handful of 2025 dates by us a few months ago and we had dutifully blocked them out only to learn that a much more comprehensive tour had been booked as the ads hit social media. The drummer and I immediately cleared our calendars but the guitarist, a life-long jobbing musician, had just taken on his first ever straight job and simply couldn't commit to every gig. Having been told categorically that it was very much every gig or no gigs, he recommended an acquaintance to replace him. Our group WhatsApp got a bit quiet after this and we heard via mutual friends a couple of weeks later that the bandleader had met with this new chap and he was cheerily telling people around town that he had been asked to get an entirely new band together. We sat on this knowledge for a couple of weeks and I found that my usual back and forth of messages with (let's call him "Pete"...) simply stopped, even the non-musical rubbish that we often shot around. And then came a group message asking if we could squeeze in a rehearsal for a couple of stray January gigs and an odd "can I get a copy of the backing tracks - there's some things I need to check". At which point I mentioned that I'd heard someone was telling people in Manchester that he'd been asked to put a new band together... This had the predictable effect and both the guitarist and drummer vented the frustrations we'd kept bottled up for the preceding weeks. It was all turned back on us: we'd indulged rumours, got the wrong end of the stick and maybe it was time for a new start. "I'll see if the new guys can do the gigs"... two minutes later "they can!" - must be the shortest amount of time it has ever taken four musicians to read a message, let alone confirm 18 dates. And that was more or less it until on Christmas Eve a Facebook post appeared announcing an emailed "review of the year" type missive including "how I was sacked by my own band due to one member's stupidity". Said missive was inaccurate and quite insulting to the guitarist in particular and so I formulated a response and posted beneath the FB post. The slew of (public) messages that followed was both infuriating and vindicating and I don't think anyone could be in any doubt as to where the blame and the truth variously lay. Interestingly, the line is now that we staged a mutiny as we hadn't appreciated that our current 4-piece band was to be plumped into a 3-guitar, bass, keys and twin-drummer line-up - he should probably feel grateful that the economics (and stage plan) for that were never put to the test. It's ever so sad though. We were a great band and we went far and above what could ever be expected of musicians in terms of practically and psychologically keeping that band afloat. One day I'll tell of all the ridiculous tantrums, indignities, endless sacked van drivers and surreally farcical events that we went through. And the gazebo. It's going to be a great little book. I had a lovely coda of schadenfreude over the weekend: we received a message featuring a screenshot of a mayday message sent as the band's van had broken down part way to a gig on the south coast, driven by the previous tour's second driver, who had originally been sacked in part due to his constant efforts to join the band onstage. That did feel pretty good - well, that plus I'm so much better looking than the new bass player... Onwards and upwards 🙂

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1586546/ About the band Scarce - a great group who were felled by some incredibly bad luck.

Oh wow, that's where I grew up... Never the most glamorous of places but I'm impressed that there's at least one pub still putting bands on.

I'm originally from one of the several arse-ends of Bolton - give us a clue whereabouts you were...

The version on Live At Leeds is spectacular, even if it benefits from some overdubs. Dunno about it not being one of their greatest - I reckon it could be in their top 3...

Shakespeare North with the Mighty Wah last night - spectacular venue, lovely staff, amazing audience and we (primed by a run of support slots) played a blinder. Eldest daughter brought her German exchange partner with her - Christ knows what she made of it all. I had a bit of revelation re my always reticent bvs - whack the monitor volume up an just go for it seems to be the way forward. I used the lovely Jap P bass I bought through here a couple of months back and rather than doing my usual swapping between pick and fingers depending on the song, just used a plectrum throughout. I expect my tone was admirably consistent but I've inflicted a couple of areas of bass burn on my right hand in the process. I only want to do gigs in posh theatres from now on.

When I clicked onto the Justgiving link earlier today I was literally gobsmacked by what had happened. I mean, I always knew that the bassists were the eternal good guys of bands but this is genuinely moving stuff. The sight of Iris gleefully dancing to her dad's music a couple of weeks ago, ear defenders in place and at times hand-in-hand with another person using a wheelchair, the two spiralling around each other, is an image that will live with me forever. You've done a beautiful thing for a beautiful family.

I had a very similar experience in my first year of secondary school: asked to sing a verse of Good King Wenceslas in front of a class of 30 boys. "Unremarkable" was the quietly crushing verdict. I'm still horrifically self-conscious of my singing, to the point it nearly caused a major argument at soundcheck tonight. If angers me that the process was based entirely on identifying easy wins for the choir/other school stuff, rather than nurturing potential. But I'm fairly certain that I'm the only person fron that cohort gigging at a professional level so what did they know?

Just to echo @AndyTravis's comments above... Saturday was great: afternoon gigs might be the way forward. Fiasco Jam were phenomenal - great songs, great arrangements and everyone locked in. As I've already said to him, Andy might be my favourite bassist: despite his immense technical and sonic range, he always serves the song and never puts a foot wrong. We were a bit rusty in comparison but acquitted ourselves acceptably. Very grateful to FJ for taking us along!

Another hassle-free transaction!

Playing an afternoon gig alongside@AndyTravis's band in Rochdale tomorrow. This is his lot: And this is mine: https://deadtenantmusic.bandcamp.com/album/there-must-be-more-e-p And all for free...

Absolutely! I've no desire to go digging in there myself - just hoping someone was going to suggest it was a nice cheap fix...

I picked up a c20 year old AC30 last week but when I crank it up it cuts out and emits a continuous hum. Has anyone any inklings before I lug it to a tech? Could it be a simple as a duff/loose valve?

And in case you need audio evidence: https://www.transfernow.net/dl/20240925czVDpSum/cfjOts0F Link should be good for the next seven days.

Just back from the Manchester gig. It was ace. Of course I'd have preferred to see them with Lydon but that would've been an arena gig and I'm not up for that. One of the great bands - and Matlock's bass playing is magnificent. If it's a choice between a semi-cabaret version and nothing, I'll take the cabaret, old chum.

I'm so sorry, it seems like anything outside of the bigger stages was thrown together on a wing and a prayer. And you could have used my amp - sat as it was in an unused kitchen for 6 hours... I truly hope it wasn't the same bar that you were in... that would be too painful.

This all sounds eerily familiar. Did your event have a name that plays on the name of a long-established major festival?

Probably should be in the "how was your gig last night thread" but as we didn't end up playing it feels slightly wrong. We applied for an established multi-venue town centre mini-festival a while back and were accepted. The organiser sent us a very badly worded info email and a "tech spec" form (actually pre-populated with a previous year's band's details, phone numbers and all) - all of which should have been warnings, really. We seemed to have been booked into a venue that was mainly acoustic acts and duos so we were sure to email to clarify that the promised shell pack would be present and were assured it would be. Over the two days prior to the Bank Holiday gig, we received messages from a couple of other bands listed alongside us, asking for info as they hadn't been able to get a repsonse from the promoter. More red flags... I'd forwarded the info we had, inluding the stuff about the drums and backline. I got a message from one of the bands around midday yesterday to say that there were no drums - and later that "they'd found us a kick durm and stool". I felt terrible as if I'd not sent on our info I bet the band would have brought their own kit. Anyway, we arrived early afternoon, full kit in hand and carried everything all the way up a narrow staircase for safekeeping until our 2040 slot. We made our way round the various stages and stands until about an hour and a half prior to our allotted time when we headed back to our venue only to be told "I'm not sure if you are playing - there's a problem with security". It seems the promoter had turned up inebriated, spotted two people without event wristbands in the pub and caused an altercation. He had then cancelled the remaining slots of the day. When we asked where this left us 6 hours into our day he said "I either find you another slot or your set is cancelled". At this point he was clearly in no fit state to organise anything. I told him that we would needed a decision within 20 minutes given that our planned set was now less than an hour off and we would need to let people know who were coming out to see us specifically. He did not like this. He squared up to me, called me "a c**t" and when I said that I thought we should perhaps video our conversation, tried to snatch my phone from me. At this point the venue told us that they would be happy for us to play our set regardless of the event organiser - which led to him removing the PA system and disappearing. An utter waste of a day - and indeed the bank holiday weekend. I would have gone away with the kids if we hadn't been booked in and our guitarist came home from Krankenhouse a day early to make sure we'd be in and set up on time. I'll be emailing the event organisers and their community partners to request an explanation but I suspect that it will all be quietly brushed away in view of the income the event brings in for charity. I will be thinking long and hard before volunteering to do any similar events in the future.

This possibly going to make me sound like a complete hack but I suspect I'd only be instantly 100% accurate in test conditions on the bottom two strings. A "two strings up, two frets up" shape in my head unlocks the top two strings. I run scales and arpeggios incessantly though when idly noodling in front of the TV so when I'm playing I'm pretty on it in terms of hitting particular notes in terms of their relationship to the root - but it might take me a moment the actually tell you their name... I don't anticipate ever having to sight read anything so this is a useful compromise for me. Danny Thompson tells the tale of John Martyn having no idea of the names of the chords he played, recognising them only by shape. I suspect he was exaggerating a little but there's probably a good lesson in there about working on the things that enhance your musicality rather than getting lost in dogma. (Which is not an anti-theory sentiment btw: I find music theory fascinating and useful - just saying that it's sensible to choose your battles depending on your requirements)

Another speedy and hassle-free transaction. Many thanks!

Maybe we should design a universal band first aid box. Paid for out of band funds, of course - but to be maintained and policed by bassists only... I carry: -handful of batteries (9v and AA) -picks -bass strings -a couple of every likely lead -2 DI boxes -a cheapo supermarket pocket tool kit (mini screwdrivers, small screwdriver with interchangable heads, pliers, snips) -little folding multi-tool thing -cheap Behringer cable tester -mini torch -a plastic box with a variety of audio and stand adaptors (eg minijack to full jack, RCA>jack) -USB leads -memory sticks/SD cards -a couple of mains>USB plugs -gaffa -biros and a Sharpie -blank paper -paracetamol and ibuprofen, plasters -disposible ear plugs It isn't all sex, drugs and glamour, I hasten to add.

I believe this is the bassist's lot in life. It sort of makes sense though: we have chosen a role in the band which is actually utterly fundamental but perhaps not as loaded with glamour as certain other roles - perhaps the personality traits that lead to that also lead to us being the person who carries a toolkit, knows how to set up the PA, hustles gigs, prints setlsits, manages the social media, carries a float for merch, knows how to de-escalate the singer etc etc etc I'm not sure how firmly my tongue is in my cheek here.

I wouldn't expect anything less... See you there 😀

Nice one! Ace venue and it's just round the corner from ours - would have surely have been there cheering you on if I hadn't had a gig elsewhere

Acapela Studio in (or very) near Cardiff on Friday night with Wah - great and quirky venue with homemade pizzas laid on. The journey there was horrible - about 4 minutes away from the venue I missed an exit and entered a 45 minute traffic jam... Got to use the orange P bass I bought from @Teyeplayer in anger for the first time and was very happy with it indeed. A couple of days before the show I decided to swap to roundwounds and I think it was a good decision. Until the next change of heart, obviously. Our first gig for about four months, postponed from our spring tour and I was a little rusty - a couple of clangers should be firmly laid at my door but no-one seemed to mind. Left a bloody lighting stand there but if turns out a friend of a friend lives nearby so there's hope of recovery! Photo nabbed off Twitter.