Bluewine

Not sure this is relevant, I was spoiled by the first SVT I purchased in 1973 new. It was the best amp I've ever owned. I had the SVT, my 1957 Pre CBS Fender Precision and a Meastro Phase Shifter. By the way the MRX Phase Shifter I use today doesn't come close to the Meastro. I've been backlined with new SVTs, I'm not impressed. I've convinced myself that no new nodel SVT would be as good as my 1973. Blue

Yes, St. Patrick's Day, Holloween and New Year's Eve all big nights for bar bands in the States. Blue

You really can't beat St Patrick's gigs. Ariba's was packed for the whole 3 set 7:00- 11:00 show. Nice merch sales ( cds & t shirts ) and tips. I was happy with my playing, I've been working on being a lot more conscious of laying way back when the lead vocals and harmony are the feature. Just a great night. Blue

Yes, it's part of the business. It happens to all of us. Don't dwell on it too long. Blue

Actually the only Rollers song I know is "Saturday Night" Blue

Thanks guys really cool insights and thought. Blue

Agreed, and as I understand it, pros have bad nights just like those of us breaking our backs playing clubs, bars and pubs. Blue

How's this; If the band sounds good and they're having fun and the punters are having fun and spending money on alcohol it's a win for everyone. Blue

Would some of you agree that their are some punters who are completely detached from music and art? And when they see an act like Vintage Trouble they go bonkers and and think it's simply fantastic. I can't say I'm a big VT fan, but I like them and can appreciate their hard work. Yeah, to me it seems a little over the top, but what they're doing is not easy. Do people still use the term "bonkers" anymore? 😁 Blue

I kind of wish we could play Oh Danny Boy. Blue

I like them, keep in mind this performance I believe is designed specifically for TV and David's audience.David's audience in not a club audience, it's mostly extremely wealthy people that would never go see a bar or club band. Blue

Hi Pete, Playing Ariba's on 124th & Hampton for St. Patty's Day this Saturday night. Ariba's is sort of like our home. Great crowd and great sounding room. Low ceiling with carpeted floors. I agree, yeah Steven is Yank and probably close to the top on my short list. But you guys have Freddie & Mick, those guys are the definitive frontmen. Blue

That can be entertaining, but, keep in mind walking out into a crowd , standing on tables is a skill. You really have to be good at it and know what your doing. If you don't the audience will sense it and cringe. Blue

Agreed, and you really have to be comfortable doing it. The audience knows if your sincere or faking it. Blue

I'm blessed, I've dealt with depression and for me it was all work related. When I left the traditional workforce and retired instantaneously my depression was gone and out of my life. Motivation, you mentioned no motivation to practice. My question is what are you practicing for? That's usually at the core of motivation. Gigs motivate me to practice or even wanting to impress a bass teacher with a great lesson might be a source of motivation. Depression is awful, I hope it leaves the OPs life soon. Blue

I remember going to see headliner Doyle Bramhall III at Shank Hall (small club/ bar). Great guitarist and song writer ,however he had absolutely no stage prencence or real connection with the crowd. It was all about his guitar playing. And as I said earlier these days that only gets you so far. His opening act was a young husband and wife team and they had their stage appeal stuff together. Very entertaining. Blue

I do think, and I'm not sure why, you guys from the UK are more natural showman then we are here in the States. Blue

For me, the last 7 years have been the first time in many years of gigging to have a front parson that's a natural. First of all she's a young female with not only a beautiful voice she plays soulful blistering leads reminiscent of the early 70 hard rock and blues genre. Were very fortunate to have a 60 plus following. Webring back a lot of memories for these folks. We have had instances where people will come up close to the band and sit on the floor to listen and watch, like the "old days". Our BL comes off sincere, she has a great sense of humor, and she can take control of the audience. They love her. While we have our short comings her stage prencence more than over compensates for them. Blue

Agreed, and great point. Looking like a band , 4 people on stage coming off like they know each other and having fun goes a long way. Blue

I'm awful on stage, my best move is " no move". Blue

I'm a fan. Blue

I don't think we're that far apart. Blue

I always liked the idea, concept, and time of The Bay City Rollers. I liked the sound too. I think I look at the value of a gimmick, hype and the non- musical feature a lot different than I did back in the 70s. Blue

Not a new topic, but worth revisiting. I'd like to keep the discussion at the working bar/ pub band level. Original or Cover shouldn't matter. Used to be ( back in the early 70s) bands were judged primarily on musianship. If you weren't around then, even at the bar level crowds would come out to actually listen ( not necessarily to dance) to bands. If you had a bunch of guys that had something going on, great musianship,& material, you didn't need much more than that to draw a crowd and stay booked. But now it's different, even at the bar/ pub level personality and likability factor comes into play, IMO. In my neck of the woods the days of 3-4 guys with great chops no longer gets you very far. So we're do you stand on personality and fronting skills. Do you want to be with the guys with great musianship but poor stage appeal or the band that has a great sincere personality and energy but only ok with musicianship. It's a hard call for me. This discussion could go anywhere or nowhere.

Well , I can't debate the one. However, we have a 4 hour bar band busines culture and I understand your Pub business is more like 2 hours. Blue