silverfoxnik

[quote name='Astronomer' post='173724' date='Apr 10 2008, 10:17 AM'][i]“I used to try all different kinds of bass playing, but you’re good at one thing. You find your level and settle into that and you’re happy with that. I used to try and learn slap bass, just to be a more all-round player. You drive yourself nuts, but eventually you stick to what you’re good at.”[/i] - Geezer Butler I've "played" bass on and off since I was 16, and it's always been a source of enjoyment and frustration in equal measure. Enjoyment because it can sound really awesome, and frustration because there's so much I can't do. I've never been happy or satisfied with my playing because I always think there's something more; I've always got to push for that something extra which remains elusively just beyond my grasp. Non-satisfaction with one's own abilities is a truly terrible thing. It leads to endless self-doubt, an overwhelming sense of worthlessness, and a constant questioning of "Why can't I do what [[i]insert hero's name here[/i]] can do?" This is something I've struggled with in all aspects of life, be it bass playing, motorcycling, astronomy/astrophysics, mathematics, photography, etc., and it has either caused or been a major contributory factor to several lengthy bouts of serious depression. Suffice to say I'm lucky to still be here. Then I read the above quote from Geezer Butler in Bass Guitar Magazine, Rock Special, Issue 34, and it was like a light went on. Why try to be like someone else? Why set goals which are never going to be achievable? Why set oneself up for failure and disappointment at every opportunity? In the context of bass guitar, yes I'm always trying to learn, and I hope that I can continue to learn something every day. But I no longer try to play like someone else. Now I try to play like me. All of a sudden - and I mean that I noticed a big difference in just a couple of days! - my playing is steadier, notes come easier, fills are more relaxed and "obvious", and I can lock it down like a... erm... locked down thing. On top of all that, my confidence is growing; slowly, but it's definitely there. I've never ever played with other musicians, but I can see in the next few months perhaps getting in touch with some local folks and making some noise. Just to see what it feels like. And all because of Geezer Butler. If it's good enough for him, one of the icons of my musical history, then sure as hell it's good enough for me! [/quote] Very honest post.. must have taken a bit of courage to do that! Not sure who said it but isn't the famous quotation: "know thyself" which pretty much sums it up and ties in with what you're saying...

[quote name='ahpook' post='173565' date='Apr 10 2008, 12:53 AM']our gig went amazingly well. our first gig...and we lost count of the number of people who came up to us after and told us how much they enjoyed it. got paid, got another gig off the back of it [b][size=4]and someone told me i was an amazing bass player[/size][/b] [/quote] That's priceless, that last bit! A good night then...

Here's a few more.. Fever - Peggy lee You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling - Righteous Brothers Let's get It On - Marvin Gaye Good Times - Chic Billie Jean - Michael Jackson Go Wild In The Country - Bow Wow Wow Relax - Frankie Goes To Hollywood You're The One That I Want - from Grease Can't think of any more modern ones because I'm too much of an old g*t

[quote name='pete.young' post='172922' date='Apr 9 2008, 10:42 AM']If the live show was anything to go by, you might want to wait until next week! That was the worst line-up I've ever seen on Later, even worse than last weeks. I wouldn't want to listen to it more than once. Bring back Estelle![/quote] +1 It was dire wasn't it! I love Goldfrapp's first few albums, 'Felt Mountain' in particular, but they were very disappointing.. And the less said about The Kooks and their singer the better.. He's another one of the modern crop of 'indie stars' who's obviously been given a personality bypass the day he signed his recording contract! Totally uninspiring...

[quote name='Mike' post='172708' date='Apr 8 2008, 10:59 PM']More of the Smith - it's been well used! And the Jazz, when it had a J-retro in it: [/quote] They look even better close up!

[quote name='WalMan' post='172596' date='Apr 8 2008, 09:07 PM']....the source of much discussion too & from the bash We all need cunning plans now & then[/quote] True enough Al! Like.. How would I sneak in an SWR Triad past Mrs Silverfoxnik Plots within plots within plots.... If only I had something better to do with my life Nik

[quote name='Merton' post='171748' date='Apr 7 2008, 08:47 PM']Almost scuppered when the dude called me whilst I was with Nic. "Who was that? What are you arranging tomorrow - I thought you were doing band stuff?" Oh crap. "Er, yeah. Chris is a guy I met at the bassbash, he lives near Cengiz in Richmond [i]([b]editor's note:[/b] well, Tottenham is close on a galactic scale)[/i] and I'm going to pop round to his quickly after the band stuff. He's off to live in America you see, and he has very similar amp set up to me but I want to play on his nice P bass which he didn't take to the bash." "Oh I see. Why the f*8k does he want to live in America?" And as for the Sunday itself, well the snow almost ruined everything when a. Sophie wanted to throw snowballs at me all day and b. I couldn't get off Nic's driveway because of it being a steep slope towards the house. That was hairy. Then Chris told me the wrong house number so i was hammering on an empty house for half an hour before he came to find me. Fun fun. The cab is bloody great tho Oh, there are pics of the Crow's Nest gig on facebook btw [/quote] Hi Mert Sounds like it was a close call!! Glad to hear it had a happy ending though.. Seems as though you had to be at your most 'creative' to make it all come together.. Not even the crappy, unpredictable British weather can come between a determined bass player and new gear !! Will have to check out Facebook immediately

+1 They all look good but that 75 Jazz looks fantastic, as does the Ken Smith! You must be a very happy man...

+1 for Chic, Stevie Wonder and Sly & The Family Stone.. And for the Ian Dury mention because of Norman! Surprised no one's mentioned any of The Beatles albums yet for examples of McCartney's brilliant musicality, sometimes making a great song even better with beautiful, understated melodic bass playing.. And not forgetting 'Who's Next' for John Entwhistle 'School's Out' for some brilliant bass playing by Dennis Dunnaway There's some great 80's basslines on the Frankie Goes To Hollywood stuff too... Good thread this by the way

Cheers Guys! Good to meet you all and thanks for making the effort... Mert - I'm looking forward to hearing more about the cab story Hopefully, it all went well? Clauster - the 'toasting punter' was pretty good I thought! I love it when things like that happen at gigs... Nik

[quote name='thylacine23' post='170739' date='Apr 6 2008, 03:42 PM']Heres my fav lady, Maggy the magnum, plus assistants,[/quote] Fabulous looking bass! What does it sound like?

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='171020' date='Apr 6 2008, 10:15 PM']Ahhh... just had a vuppa tea and a few minutes to put some photos from the soundcheck etc. up... [url="http://www.jollybeggars.co.uk/iom08/"]More here...[/url][/quote] That's very nice.. The bass, the rig, the venue and the scenery! We did another gig today at the 6 Bells in Chiddingly.. We were much better than last night, shook the cobwebs off, played for 2 and a half hours, did 3 encores and had a great time with the crowd who were celebrating someone's 30th.. Everyone was dressed in 70's wigs and wellies! Gig started at 5pm and I was home by 9.30pm.. Most enjoyable day, what with the snowfall and everything.. What made it even better was that Clauster (Nick) and Mrs Clauster (Anna) came along and it was great to meet them - always nice to see a fellow Basschatter at a gig! We had a good chat afterwards and I'm looking forward to returning the favour and going to see one of Clauster's gigs at some point too... I think Nick took a photo of me in one of the 70s wigs during the last encore..so I'm not looking forward to seeing that, though Mrs Silverfoxnik is

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='170648' date='Apr 6 2008, 12:28 PM']Last night we were at The Centenary Centre on the Ise of Man. We got the 6am train from Newcastle and then flew from Manchester. The Island is GREAT! I love it. Beautiful. The gig was fab.. it's a 200 seater and the staff treat us really well. However, the hired-in bass rig (very old SVT 3 and an Ampeg 210) was a bit decrepid and the bass-drum pedal collapsed right at the end of the second set. we got by, though. We went to the pub for a bit of a shindig with the locals afterwards. mint. It's not all great, though. I've been sitting in the IoM airport since 10am waiting for our plane to be defrosted. It's going to be a loooong day..[/quote] Good story! Isn't amazing how diverse the work is everyone does on here..

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='170612' date='Apr 6 2008, 11:16 AM']I've deleted it off my sky box and the HD rerun last night didn't work so I can't give you chapter and verse. All I know is that rhythmically it was a mess and did not get tight until the last verse. I guess some people have got rhtyhm and some have not.[/quote] [quote name='jakesbass' post='170615' date='Apr 6 2008, 11:21 AM']If you want to, you can hear it again on iplayer. but I have the feeling you will decline because you apparently lack the analytical skills and decency to back up your mud slinging. And I would guess that you can't give me chapter and verse, because you can't give me chapter and verse.[/quote] Calm down folks - it's only a piece of music we're talking about.. There's a lot worse stuff happening in the world for us to get heated about.. Look at this awful, awful stuff going on with China & Tibet or Zimbabwe! This is just a difference of opinion about music, so let's just keep it at that.

[quote name='WalMan' post='170453' date='Apr 5 2008, 09:16 PM']Last night had its moments. First night back after nearly a month off & concentrating on new stuff at rehearsals. Keyboard player cried off in the morning with the lurgy, not a major problem as we have played as a 3 piece + vocalist for years, but it does open up the sound a lot. Concentrating on new stuff did lead to a few fairly major clangers for each of us, but I think we managed to bluff through most of them. Not sure who ended up with the orange sticker last night. We all deserved it Funny gig as it never really fills until 9:30 so 9:00 we started off to pretty much WAGs. Filled up well as the evening progressed, which was nice The G&L sounded brilliant, particularly having had the chance to work on the bass with the sound guy at the tech rehearsal last week. The L2500 is IMO just a superb instrument in a rock setting. Bit of Stingray top & bite along with a really solid bottom end that sits beautifully in the mix[/quote] Sounds good Al - glad the G&L was on form!! I agree with you having heard it a few weeks back.. It really does sound the part in your band! Not long back myself from The Crow's Nest in East Grinstead.. Our first gig for over 2 months and it really showed as it was a very sloppy and wooden performance from us! The venue took ages to fill up but eventually, we got the crowd up on their feet for the end of the 2nd set so that was a bit of a result! I had a number of off-putting technical problems throughout and I found it really threw me during the gig.. Amazing what happens when you lose that sense of 'routine' that only comes with regular gigging - it prepares you for coping with anything.. Great to see Merton show up with his guitarist from his band - thanks for making the effort guys! They stayed for one set but on our form last night, that was more than enough..

[quote name='Cantdosleepy' post='169557' date='Apr 4 2008, 12:32 AM']So no love at all for Black Kids, then? The Cure meets Go Team! Yes!!![/quote] That's a perfect description! They were Ok; not great... I love the Go Team though Mrs Silverfoxnik worked for The Cure for years, so I'd best not say anything there... Watched it all again last night and on reflection, it wasn't a great show. Having said that, though Later & Jools may have their critics, the show has had some great artistes on and some great performances over the years and it's still promoting live music, which is a very important thing IMHO. So I'm not knocking it...

Here's the story: Thursday afternoon.. PANIC - I suddenly remember that I need some new cables before Saturday's gig, the first one for over 2 months! PM Dave: "Help, I ned 2 cables by Saturday. Is that possible?" PM from Dave: "No problem, I'll make them up tonight, pop them in the post tomorrow" Brief discussion about Special Delivery at £8.. Decide to save £8 and put it towards another cable. Saturday 9am.. 3 lovely OBBM cables arrive perfectly formed and ready for action! No more PANIC. ^_^ The End Thanks as ever Dave for excellent cables and even more excellent service! Nik

[quote name='Crazykiwi' post='169889' date='Apr 4 2008, 04:18 PM']Haha, gorgeous stuff! Thats what its all about for me right there. He's completely nailing that song and still sticking in some fly phrases. Estelle's bassist could take a few notes.[/quote] +1