SteveXFR

Skindred at the Cheese & Grain in Frome last night. They're a bit cheesy and their set includes a lot of padding but they really know how to entertain a crowd. The mosh pit was lively from start to finish and I think everyone there had a great time. The band certainly seemed to enjoy themselves. I took both my daughters and they loved it, I took the youngest (14) to the edge of the mosh pit which she loved. There was a noticeable lack of a bassist though, apparently founding member and bassist Dan left the band before the tour so bass was on a backing track so that was a shame.

That makes sense. Im playing a Spector with a really clanky, bright tone so muddling it up a bit has just taken off the edge a little.

Does anyone use the built in compressor rather than a pedal? Im starting to quite like it.

New Model Army at Cheese & Grain in Frome. Absolutely superb. After being delayed a year because their drummer needed back surgery they said the latest album didn't feel new anymore so they played a selection of songs from through their entire 45 year career. A brilliant performance. It was a lively crowd as well, I hadn't expected a big mosh pit but thats what we got! I finally understand where Ceri's distinctive tone comes from. Id assumed it was weird eq settings but he just picks right next to the bridge on a P bass. Opening act Autumn Saints were excellent as well and sounded like good American rock heavily influenced by NMA

Last night was Blood Incantation in Bristol. Absolutely amazing performance and great production. The first two thirds of the show was their new album in full but because of the album structure, it had to be all or nothing to make sense. If you don't know them, they're worth a listen. Not easy going but very clever with sounds ranging from death metal to almost Pink Floyd in places. Support band Oranssi Pazuzu were brilliant as well. Not sure how to describe them but I certainly enjoyed them. Unfortunately, I missed the first support.

The Revolt is ideal for what's being described here. Three channels. Clean is an Ampeg SVT model which can add a nice warmth with a bit of drive Dirt is a Marshall Super Bass model so gets you to that Lemmy tone depending on what bass you're using. Drive is a generic modern high gain model which is absolutely filthy but usable. Its valve driven so sounds really good. Its not cheap but I wouldn't be without it. Its all I use now for drive.

They might have to pay them for that and Danny Filth famously doesn't like paying anyone except Danny Filth

Session bassists aren't just working in studios, they're playing live and touring with bands as well and thats where you might use something more interesting. Cradle Of Filth might be looking for their next bassist (there's been a lot) and they might want you to use an active bass with super bright tone and a huge effects board. They'll then fire you mid tour because Danny Filth got out the wrong side of his coffin that morning.

Definitely don't show up with a Dingwall, Rickenbacker, Spector or anything else which is the tonal equivalent of a sledgehammer. If they don't want a full time bassist in the band, then they probably don't want an interesting bass sound. They want a Fender and they'll probably eq out all the character from it.

Thanks. Is it difficult if the cab has an closed back?

My daughter is doing a lot of session playing at the moment and gets by with just a Mexican Fender Jazz. It gets close enough to a precision tone when needed and does a jazz tone so covers most things with one bass.

Im looking for a new cab and seeing lots of decent ones cheap but with really battered and torn tolex. It it a big or expensive job to replace the tolex on a 4x10?

NOFX - Gonoherpasyphaloids

My friends band is pretty rough but they're so convinced they're amazing I can't say anything. Lovely bunch of people and I'll go and see them occasionally but usually, not many people show up

It'll be the same

I don't see the point of introducing band members. As a punter, I don't care that Bill is on drums unless its Bill Ward. No one in the audience is paying attention to the introductions or is interested.

I like my Two Notes Revolt for this. Its a three channel, valve driven preamp pedal plus its got an effects loop so you can set it up with your effects before or after the preamp and the three channels give clean, dirty or really dirty options.

You might be right there. 4x10 isn't unreasonable. He contacted me again recently and asked me if I want to do something again. Nice enough bloke but a bit demanding.

I used to have a TE head with TE 4x10 and 1x15. It sounded great but after the third time I blew up the head, I got rid of it. Maybe I should look for another oil tanker anchor / TE 4x10

I guess you're referring to the type in gentleman's special interest films?

Surely she's a bit too good to be supporting tribute acts.

Thats every redneck woman in the deep south. To make it more simple, their second first name is nearly always Lynn (Amber-Lynn, Tammy-Lynn, Christi-Lynn etc, etc). I believe there was a whole bit about this in the film Ted

I think it was only about four years ago.

Im in need of a bit more volume. My amp is an Ashdown ABM600 which has a ton of power but my cab is only a 200 watt 2x10 and it just gets a bit swamped in a metal band. We could play quieter but don't really want to. My options are get a second 2x10 or buy a 4x10. Is there any advantage to a 4x10 over two 2x10 cabs?

I was in a prog metal band for a relatively short time. We wrote and recorded enough for a 40 minute set and then had a meeting about getting ready for gigs. At this meeting, the front man brought lists for each band member with specific items of kit each of us had to have. This wasn't little things like leads etc, my list included Ampeg SVT Classic with 410 cab, the guitarists list included a HiWatt amp and a load of pedals. After a relatively short argument, we all quit. The front man contacted me again recently claiming he's a bit more chilled out now, I told him to get stuffed.