RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE

I was in a covers band , and we replaced the vocalist at the time . He was a good fit for us , no problem . We noticed in rehearsals that he had his lever arch file which we thought it was just for rehearsals . That was not the case .. He used it at gigs leaving it on the floor , turning over the pages in a break from vocal duties between songs . He had a cheeky chappy persona so to speak , and kept the crowd entertained . He was in another covers band at the time as well . To me if we are all rehearsing our stuff and doing the homework as well in preparation for next rehearsals and gigs , there is no excuse for him to have his lyrics on stage at the dog'n'duck etc , The last singer saw him with us a couple of times, and was baffled / appalled at what he saw . On the plus side , me and mr. Drums seemed to get the best feedback and compliments from the punters . I checked out the vocalists band a couple of years ago , and yes they're still going. One or 2 different band members .He still uses the lever arch file 🤦‍♂️So yes, you've gotta make a stand ..

I stumbled across the Shepherd's Bush gig on you tube , and he did a great job from what I could see . ( only saw a few seperate tracks initially , and haven't got round to seeing the full performance yet ) .

First thing to do imho, is to name and shame them on Trustpilot, Facebook/ twitter ( if you use them) . when I was on Facebook for a short time , I went to pages of M&S/ oak furniture land, Lloyds pharmacy ( I think that’s all) when I received appalling service. It worked. I then gave positive feedback on their Facebook pages when issues were quickly resolved. ( Fair’s fair etc)

Preferred the chuckle brothers tbh ..

Similar vocal range . Throws the odd tantrum here and there ,and not as precious 🤔

Thanks for that Paul 😬👍 It's true what you say about some on here . I can't be bothered tbh. It's bland to me anyway 🙂

Back in '85 I was on holiday in Portugal . However 1985..live aid . Plus one of the most played videos ever " money for nothing " Dire straits . Along with live aid vids being played everywhere and Madonna who I've always detested. Forward onto later years, I don't hate Money for nothing , but cannot stand walk on by , by dire straits . That to me is tedious . probably because of the keyboard sound

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Welll...everything you say is true . However, it is more cheerful and upbeat than white rabbit . Having said that , I only listened to a minute of this before stopping 😬

Yeah, I know Billy is a Scientologist . Met him years ago in Wapping bass centre . Top man ! Nearly forgot to mention while I'm here ; back in the '90s a friend of mine was shall we say ' disillusioned '. He was unsure what to way to progress in terms of work etc . He took up acting and appeared as an extra in crocodile shoes, the bill etc . It made him a bit judgemental and annoying . Anyway , we lost touch and I found out from anothrr friend that he was in a Scientology ' place' ( don't know where/ how) for approx 15 years . He got out .so I heard . Now with 2 kids and a single dad apparently . I remember back in the '80s when I used to walk past their offices in Goodge Street . Always accosting me, and trying to give me a book . Not for me as a then 18 year old ...

Confession time from me : years ago in a blues band I was playing in , I had the misfortune of finishing my job early . ( 2pm) Instead of going home to south London from soho and then back in the evening to a Great Portland Street , I had a few jars with a friend until the evening . This was a mistake . I was my usual lively self on stage . Unfortunately , I stood on one of the guitarists foot pedals causing unnecessary distortion at the wrong moment . Talking to a few of the crowd ( well about 40 or so, mainly friends ) while playing was frowned upon. If Di Enid from girlschool and Steve Harris can do it then why not me I thought . It was our 2nd gig . At our next rehearsal , my behaviour was discussed . 😬 They basically wanted me to be a stiff cardboard cutout , which I couldn't be . Then a few new songs were suggested : Down man blues/ Blues in my head/ lightning blues. I asked about some red , and realised I'd better quit . No hard feelings though , although the frontman we had ( who I knew ) looked like Rolf Harris and was just las arrogant . Plus he became a thieving alkie . So, lesson learnt ..

The one Beatles track I cannot stand ...Eleanor Rigby ! I had the misfortune of seeing Jack Bruce play that as the last track of his set . Traumatising ! Time to pick on Metallica I think ...Nothing Else Matters and that awful track with Marianne unfaithful! La la la my ar£e ! ( the memory remains )

I had to give myself a massive palm slap or 2 years ago, as I too never gave Bruce a chance ..🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️😀 I saw quite a few gigs with dianno back in the day , but over the years lost a lot of respect for him . I missed the powerslave tour, but redeemed myself by purchasing somewhere in time and going on the various tours over the years . FWIW , I think that Piece of mind is their best album . I can't listen to the dianno stuff now , which may seem odd . As for linlkin park, not my bag .

Fair play for having a go . Good on you . Oh well, never mind the Botox. Onwards and upwards .

Regarding trying to get tkts for bands in this day and age of internet purchasing , I have a great memory of purchasing tkts at the Royal Albert Hall . It was in 2007 . I queued up on a Monday morning for tkts to hopefully see Jean michel jarre l I say queue, it was only about a small gathering of about 20 . Anyway, got into the box office , and the nice lady there was showing me all the seats being booked in real time on her screen . They were selling speedily ,and I did the right thing the old fashioned way by going to the venue . I managed to get tkts 3 rows from the front , I do like the alber hall . As for stadium gigs and outdoor gigs in general forget it ! Been there done that . Lucky to see Rammstein a few times indoors , I was thinking that if they did Twickenham I'd go when they announced a stadium world tour . Thankfully that never happened , and I saw a few of the gigs on that tour on you tube . I am thankful I'm happy with my lot , an not obsessive about bands as I used to be . Plus of course a lot of bands I liked are dying out or dead 💀

With so many categories, I forgot to mention " post punk " . Step forward the Anti-Nowhere League 🙂 The first album is all you need . The infamous / famous track " so what" was originally on the b side of Streets of London , or as it I hate people ?🤔I had it many moons ago . The cd has it anyway . There are othe post punk bands obviously , but to me the Anti- Nowhere League's We are The League has it all . As you were ..

Thanks for the recommendations Lozz . Yeah, Rob is a really good guitarist. I'm an anthrax fan. Unfortunately I have no idea what it was I heard . It was many years ago . Pre 2016 if that's any help 🙂

Mmmm ...more shoegaze ?🤔