Dr.Dave

Know my scales ?? God , no ! I don't know the names of the notes above the fifth fret. I just do it. No idea how and I can't remember what it's like to not be able to play anything I want. Not that I'm advocating anyone do it my way. It's a good thing to have as much musical knowledge and theory as possible and I'd encourage any player to get those skills. It's just that I couldn't be arsed.

Some may find this a surprise but I know there'll come a time when I stop gigging - and I mean well before I get physically incapable. I've been gigging now for 35 years. That's thousands of gigs. I definitely don't enjoy it as much as I did. One of these days , probably sooner than later , I'll stop and move on to the next thing. Life's too big to do anything forever in my opinion. I often think I'd like to try acting in some form. Venues changing or vanishing and audience indifference don't concern me at all - I've never paid punters much respect and have always considered landlords and small time promoters a bunch of clueless tossers. I've always done it soley for my own enjoyment and the joy of playing with my peers. So when I stop it'll be for me alone , not because I feel driven to by others. I certainly don't feel too old. just the opposite. I feel young enough to say ' that was good...now , what's next? '

The guy who does our guirtarist's MOT hired us to do his party at the Featherstone Hotel - near Pontefract a couple of years back. What a toilet. Full of knuckle draggers in vests and tracky bottoms covered in tats - all over pissed and methadone bottles all over the floor. Fights everywhere - gear being knocked about etc etc It ended with me pulling some scumbag fom the top of our trailer , who bashed his head open and attacked our guitarist , only to be dropped by our roadie. All I have to say is don't ever go anywhere near that shithole that is Featherstone. I'd pull the bloody lever myself.

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1396440251' post='2413606'] It is.... but the title is all! [/quote] Is it " I'm bored with ripping off Genesis so I'm going to rip off Fleetwood Mac instead " ?

It's Fish , but I don't know the title. I remember it because it's strangely - if not suspiciously (!) - similar to " to a room with some lace and paper flowers" .... which , as we all know is .......... ?

Funnily enough I do enjoy the odd big event. I like to see things on a much bigger scale than I've ever managed to get involved in. I like , too , to go see stuff so far from what I've ever been involved in that it's a total change for me - like ballet for instance. I don't enjoy smaller gigs so much. I tend to get to see lots of local bands on the same circuit as us and it's too much of a busman's holiday. I'm not good as 'audience' in those circs. I just want to be involved. In fact I always feel the need to introduce myself to bands and let them know I'm a player rather than a punter. I suppose I should have said 'just' a punter which isn't very nice but it's true. Personality thing , really. I couldn't care less what I eat but I love cooking. I don't read much but I write tons. If I watch a movie I sit dreaming up a better ending etc. I'm a creator rather than a consumer by nature.

Flashing sunglasses and a birthday card for the top of the amp. Guaranteed some bozo will want to buy me a pint because he assumes it's my birthday !

I've given up or passed on so much over the years because of gigging. I like time off from it. I have my boat , I like to walk across France or over the Pennine hills , I can get on with bits of recording for my own amusement , I can go to the ballet , I can paint up my tiny tanks and model a battleground for them etc etc. Gigging's a part of life - but life is bigger. I have a gig tonight but I'm heading for the 3 peaks tomorrow. Funnily enough the last time I was on top of Penyghent some hombre I don't know wandered straight up to me and said 'Dr f***ing Blue - great gig mate ' !!

I aw a metal band in my local a few weeks back using one. 4 smallish subs and 2 towers. All the band was miced and It sounded superb. Crystal vocals. The guitar player and nominal leader of the band is a pal - he works in the industry and could use any PA gear he wanted to for jack sh*t. Our PA is good , but this was better.

Nil varnish is brilliant for stopping grub screws and washers vibrating loose - I use it on my bridge screws - but not if the jack plug is loose inside the socket. As has been said - if it's an open style socket , squeeze it tighter with your fingers. If it's the closed barrel socket type - replace it or get someone else to do it.

I don't think it's supposed to be a gag - though it may be a stunt intended to make mischief. I'm surprised it hasn't been pulled. What it is beyond doubt - is a discriminating job advert and that , folks , is illegal. Funnily enough , I looked on twitter and there's yet to be a comment from Rio Ferdinand - I expect if it was for a cool white bass player there would be !

[quote name='arthurhenry' timestamp='1394222313' post='2389384'] As I've mentioned previously on this topic; when using Schallers as intended, you have metal against metal. Although I know some have used them for many years with no problem, I have had a strap button sheer off as a result of this friction. I now keep the strap locks loose, attach the strap to the bass, then clip the strap locks on. Thus, the weight of the bass is on the leather of the strap and the strap locks still keep it on. [/quote] Maybe an ArthurHenry further back in your family tree said 'why don't we slice the bread before we put it in the bag'. Mate - that's the best tip I've gleaned in a long time , like all good tips it's simple and leaves you wondering how on earth you didn't think of it yourself. I shall put it into practise at once. Plus it solves my only concern about my Dunlops which is that the stress points when using them in the conventional way are too far away from the body. Like holding a breeze block at arms length rather than close to your body. The same issue creates the problem of the lead being too slack to do it's intended job of lessening the stress on the jack and socket when passed through a strap with Dunlops on. It doesn't get 'trapped' by the strap. Your tip would solve that too. Should we ever meet I'll be buying you a pint , my friend , for this one.

How good is he ?? Well .... good enough that The Nightfly would be amongst the half dozen or so CD's I'd buy on the day the insurance cheque landed after my house had burned down. Apart from the great songs , the effortless fusion of jazz influence into pop , and the concept of a young man's hopes, dreams and experiences , the album is a who's who of top US session bass players. It should be essential homework for anyone who visits this site. I might add that Mr F is a master of a craft I've fought tooth and nail to master all my life. The ability to use your bland and limited singing voice and work with it to the greatest advantage. Bandana , Ushanka , scooter helmet , beany hat that my wife knitted me and Afrika Corps cap all well and truly doffed.

[quote name='bubinga5' timestamp='1394301276' post='2390108'] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIy1rOb8EYU[/media] i did dude. [/quote] Somebody will correct me but I wonder why this hasn't been redone by a boy band. The Take That's of this world could have a smash with this one. Good pop song, I think. I might mess with it and get it in the set. It could easily turn into 'can't smile with out you' half way through..... bang it out like Green Day - job done !

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1394284539' post='2389861'] In short it's all my dad's fault - he was a great man [/quote] That's the problem isn't it. The 'was'. Same with my Dad. Unlike yours he certainly was a musical stick in the mud. He used to watch pop bands on TV and remark to nobody in articular 'They've just found a cure for that'. He's moan on about how George Formby didn't need amplifiers and all that nonsense. He went to see him once - I asked him what he was like and he said 'Don't know - I could hardly hear him' !! Classic. Despite all that - he did nothing but encourage me. He bought my first guitar even though he was out of work at the time. He made speaker cabs for me , ferried me about like a bloody taxi driver. He made the brass nut on my 73 Precision from the latch on a building site bog door. My most treasured thing - you'd have to prize it out of my cold , dead hand to get it. He managed to make my very wild 40th birthday party cum gig. He left during the 2nd spot and as he did I introduced him to everyone - got a massive cheer. My wife saw him to a taxi and said there were tears in his eyes. She asked him what was up and he just said 'That's our lad playing in there'. I fill up even thinking about it. Amazing how many of us forget the real influence our folks have made on our music - even if it wasn't strictly a musical one. It seems some of us followed their lead musically - others went in the opposite direction - being the rebel I suppose - but that sort of influence isn't a negative one in my opinion.

My dear old Mum loved the sound of music and I was dragged off to the flicks to see it - she then proceeded to play the album constantly. I hated it. What a dumb prick I must have been - the songs are excellent. It must have left an impression - I've always been into songs with strong melodys above anything else. Not interested in technical challenges at all. Meanwhile , Dad was watching the Black and White Minstrel show and playing their albums - all of which I loved. Thus - I learned the importance of being an entertainer. I expect Rio Ferdinand - bless - will have something to say on twitter about that but I couldn't give less of a toss. What I saw was people being great entertainers , no more , no less. The first music of my own I got into was Slade. Loud , melodic , ugly buggers dressed like circus clowns who danced about like a bunch of chimps. I wanted to be like them.... and guess what ?!!!

Schallers failed on me mid gig in York - dumping my Status onto my foot where it proceeded to break a bone and make me look a first-class twat. The little circlip just shattered. so - Dunlops on all my basses and they've never let me down in 10 years. Other , cheaper alternatives are available - don't waste your time or money on them. You wouldn't buy a cheap lead would you , and your straplocks are just as important when you're chucking yourself around a stage. By the way - if you change yours - stick a bit of cocktail stick or match in the hole before you put the new one on and whatever you use check the screw for tightness regularly............ oh - and never wear Jesus boots for the pose !!!

We do a fair few beer festivals. Did a massive one in Rotherham in a high school at Easter term holidays.£15 in , 2 quid per half pint ticket and folk were queueing round the block. BUT - all that cash generated and the miserable organisers refused to pay the caretakers overtime to put the heating on. Several thousand people wearing coats , hats and gloves indoors drinking freezing cold beer. It was bitterly cold on stage - I could hardly play for shivering. That's what festival organisers think of punters - bugger them so long as they pay through the nose.

Festivals to me used to be about pushing a stolen supermarket trolley full of brown ale halfway across a county , climbing over the fence ( even when you had a ticket ) and finding some dog rough biker bird to share your sleeping bag. In other words - a bit of dropping out and rebelliousness. Healthy to be frowned upon once in a while. Now it's a family weekend where Dad sits looking up people carrier dealerships on an ipad while yummy mummys demand state of the art baby changing facilities and buy a Peruvian knitted dream catcher made of lentils for fifty five quid - and get a VAT receipt - from a middle class business man with a hyphenated name to tell their neighbours about over 'lunch' , all paid for on a credit card. Corporate , mainstream , normalised. I'm not saying the latter's any worse than the former , it's much better in many ways and suppliers only react to demand , but personally I don't have the slightest inkling to go any more. In this Starbucks world it's more nourishing to my soul to make a cup of clap cold instant in an old baked bean tin.

Hard to find info on McVie's state of health but Ms Nicks seemed very upbeat about his recovery last I read. I doubt he'll need anyone to shadow his parts but... well , I'd swim from here to California have a crack. I've grown a John McVie tribute grey beard just in case ! Fantastic , solid player. Hope to see him back at it soon

I remember the Dark Side one - Gilmour ( I think ) told how they used to come into the studio , sit side by side at the desk and 'perform' a mix like they would a gig. Also how his biggest regret was that he will never be able to sit down and listen to it fresh for the first time like a punter can. The Grateful Dead one was good too. They asked the guy what the biggest inspiration for the album was - he thought for a second and just said 'Chemicals'.

I always do the same - Impact song first , novelty song 4th in , ballad 5th , show number at the end. Any old crap in between that lot as the spirit moves - or more likely as I perceive the Williams will react. Might have been mentioned because I haven't read all through the thread but amazing to think how many running orders on old albums were dictated to by the constrictions of vinyl L Ps rather than artistic intent. My anniversary Sgt Pepper CD mentions the running order the Beatles wanted but couldn't have and suggests you program the CD player to do it as intended. Rumours too was supposed to have a superb song called Silver Springs but ended up with the only toss off on the album in 'I don't wanna know' because Silver Springs is too long. We are careful not to do anything fussy at the start of sets so we can warm our fingers up a bit and I can only do our All Fired Up/ Rebel Yell car crash of a medley near the end because it leaves my throat in rags.

[quote name='seashell' timestamp='1393494748' post='2380880'] Ooh yes, this is a good tip. I find that it's not so much the key to the song I need, just the note that my part starts on. Once I've played that first note I'm away. So I try to associate the first note with something about the song and keep that in my head. It was quite easy with these: 'Bohemian Like You' - starts on B for Bohemian 'Gigantic' - starts on G for 'Gigantic' Had more difficulty with Car by Gary Numan - starts on D, so I had to think of D for Daimler. Likewise Hey Joe - couldn't think of a way to remember that it starts on C. Until our guitarist suggested 'Hey Joe - you chump!' I never forget that now [/quote] Good thinking. We used to do a bit of Big Yellow Taxi so I figured Canaries are yellow , there's also a group of Islands where I like to bugger off to called the Canary Islands which translates from Spanish ( I read) into the Island of dogs...... dogs begins with a 'D' .... I rest my case !

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1393928119' post='2385815'] you could always distract them with your foot provocatively up on the wedgies [/quote] Just the one foot ???? Wimp !!

It's the octaves - I get it. We've been doing a manic version of spirit in the sky that morphs into a crazed , foul mouthed version of my coo ca choo in the middle. Octaves all over the shop and it hurts like chuff. My fretting fingers cramp up and my hands sweat like Ken Barlow when the verdict comes in. I even have to take my scabby old fingerless gloves off to do it. It's a stunt - I know - but in the middle I often take my left hand off and do any open string octaves by tapping with my right while I have a slurp of my ' Bollockthwaites XXX Awd Northern Bastard' with my left. I first did it just for the easy pose but it don't half give my fretting hand enough respite to de-cramp. My advice is my motto - when in doubt , cheat !