silverfoxnik

[quote name='fleabag' timestamp='1495384791' post='3303372'] Having met you in the distant past, Peter, i can testify that you're a decent chap. Keep on playing and dont let life grind you down [/quote] +1 My thoughts exactly! You've always conducted yourself with real wisdom and dignity on here Peter, and that was my experience of you as a person when we met about 10 years ago here in West Sussex. Most of us here may never be the amazing musical prodigies that we all wish we could be, but life is a journey as you say, and participating in that journey using music as a means of relaxation, expression, pleasure or just as a way of communicating with others, is about as good as it gets IMHO. Interesting what you have to say about the right-hand/left-hand sides of the brain and integration because I read an article a couple of years ago about a piece of scientific research that proved how taking part in music - especially playing instruments and/or singing - activates more parts of the brain simultaneously than any other known human activity! So, there's definitely plenty of reasons for you to keep on playing - not least of which is the fact that it's bloody good for you! Thanks for such an open and thought provoking post Peter and best wishes with the therapy and with everything else. Nik P.s. as well as good tastes in music, you've always had really good taste in basses too.. and I should know; I've bought a few of them! 😀

Just bought a lovely early 90s P bass from Pawel. As ever, he was very welcoming, very patient and is a genuinely good bloke! In addition, Pawel really knows his gear and is a fine bass player... Happy to recommend to all on Basschat. Thanks Pawel 😊

Thanks Pawel! 😊

Wow! 😎

[quote name='40hz' timestamp='1495281693' post='3302684'] While I'm not remotely against this style of playing, it just leaves me feeling a bit cold and empty. On the flipside, when I listen to Paul McCartney or James Jamerson work their magic lines, walking, melodic, intertwining and tasteful with every note in the right place at the right time, that is the definition of bass playing to me and elicits a far stronger sense of wonder. IMO etc [/quote] +1 There's no doubt that having that level of technical ability, or facility as it's sometimes called, must be useful in some musical situations, but probably not many. And certainly not any that I might find myself in when I'm out gigging in the local pub with my covers band.. But having said that, I think that at the right time and in the right setting, punters do enjoy watching bass players who can play 'slap bass' really well because at it's best, it's fun to watch and can be good to dance to.

I liked her as an artist when she first came out with the rockabilly sound and look; she had presence and a voice then. But now, she's really developed as an artist IMO, especially as a singer - her voice is phenomenal now! And there are some great songs on the new album too.. In an age of very bland artists and music, Imelda May is a very welcome breath of fresh air and I hope her career goes from strength to strength as a result of this album.

[quote name='martthebass' timestamp='1495020452' post='3300473'] Wow, 10 years for me also.......not including the time I did on Bassworld (and Basstalk...) [/quote] Yep, me too! Where has the time gone? Happy Birthday Basschat. 😊 Just one more year and you'll be moving up to senior school. Got to act a bit more grown up then (apparently)...

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1494754887' post='3298273'] I rather liked the Portuguese fellow's appeal at the end for a return to 'music'..! He's not wrong, in my view; [/quote] [quote name='ead' timestamp='1494784432' post='3298513'] In the midst of all the opprobium and 'too cool for skool' stuff above, I thought the winner was refreshingly different and sung with feeling and passion. [/quote] + 1 on both points!

[quote name='Jack' timestamp='1494494921' post='3296428'] Just a +1 for £250 for pubs. Sky's the limit for other bookings though and you play pubs to get other bookings. Take business cards, have a good online presence and talk to punters after shows. [/quote] Totally agree with this too.. Even doing local festivals for free is a good way of raising the band's profile.

[quote name='Steve Browning' timestamp='1494492299' post='3296398'] 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] +1 to all of this Steve. My last covers band had a pretty good reputation across Sussex, but we never got more than £300 for a pub gig in the 8 years I played with them. The pub gigs often led to wedding and birthday party bookings though, where we could charge a much more lucrative fee. My view these days is that I'm just happy to play live and make music, so as long as I'm not out of pocket, I'm happy. I think Steve's absolutely right about gigging abroad; my experience there has always been positive - better venues, better facilities for the band, better money and much more appreciative audiences. To the OP - good luck with you new band!

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1493455431' post='3288413'] In the case of the Longpigs, Richard Hawley played with Pulp for a bit before embarking on a very successful solo career. He's made some cracking records. [/quote] +1 Coles Corner is a brilliant album. I always wished Magazine had lasted longer, though 4 albums in 4 years is a pretty good turnout. Their first album 'Real Life' is a particular favourite of mine and still gets played - loud and often!

Congratulations! I recently did my first rehearsal on an unlined fretless, and found that scary enough, but a first gig on upright is risk-taking (musically speaking) on a completely different level.. Maximum respect to you, sir...