TimR

[quote name='spongebob' timestamp='1485276845' post='3222737'] Ours? We play a mixture of classic rhythm and blues and rock 'n' roll, interspersed with a few originals and a smattering of the obvious (Sally, Sweet Home, Nutbush). We've got a repertoire of about 50 songs, so setlist is always done on the fly - band leader gauges the feel, and we play as such. However, on a night like Friday, there was nothing anyone could do! [/quote] I think that you have to be partly responsible for drawing a crowd and that means having a fan base who will come to see you. I think the problem with classic rock and rhythm and blues is it appeals to a certain generation who may not be too Facebook savvy so dragging them out requires a bit of effort, although at least they're less likely to stay in to watch XFactor etc. Certainly we played a gig last year that emptied the pub after 3 songs, but by the second set the audience had been replaced with people who'd specifically come to see us. If you're trying to build an audience from people already in the pub you have to find out what they want to listen to and play it. We've also tailored a heavier set for rock pubs and a more 70s set for lighter/older pubs, just need to add a few more 90/00s songs to the setlist which is a struggle as the singer is mid 50s and stuck in the 70s. We are getting there slowly.

Valerie

What is your set list?

[quote name='casapete' timestamp='1485214956' post='3222280'] My point was that it would seem only fair to expect some sort of guarantee from the venue that the mains supply you were connected to was sound, if they were indeed asking for the same from you about the state of your own gear? [/quote] I'd suspect anyone organised enough to be asking about PAT testing will have PLI and Fixed Wiring tests already in place. I'd be more worried about venues who don't ask for it.

[quote name='grandad' timestamp='1485208099' post='3222204'] It's all here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/faq-portable-appliance-testing.htm [/quote] Quite. The equipment does not have to be 'tested' as such but it does have to be regularly inspected, that doesn't even have to be by a qualified person, anyone competent can do it. You could just write down all your equipment in a book and write next to each item 'Visually inspected', sign it and date it. Stick a sticker on the appliance and the job's done. Just make sure that you are actually competent, and that doesn't mean saying "I've read the internet and know how to wire a plug." In the event of a serious accident you will have to stand up in court and explain how competent you are. ,

Think of it as an MOT for electrical equipment. If you have one it means that your equipment has been inspected in the last 12 months and deemed safe and if used normally, highly likely to still be safe.

The first part of the test is a visual inspection. You don't use any instruments if there is obvious physical damage.

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1485167745' post='3221626'] No. my issue is not with the concept of PA testing. My issue is with the way it's "marketed"... And sadly, I know all about doing risk assessments, and trying to stress to people not to do them in a formulaic way.. Thorough and formulaic are not the same thing.. However to repeat myself - the OP appears perfectly happy with the electrical safety of his equipment, and having a sticker put on his extension leads (by a "real" tester") won't make them safe for the next gig. His requirement to have his gear PA tested comes from the venue.. I always use RCDs myself anyway, not that they're foolproof, but they're better than nothing and can be tested easily.. . I think we're going to have to agree to disagree about the way the industry appears to present PA testing to clients... [/quote] The whole world is full of people using fear to market their product. It's down to the consumer to make sure he is not being ripped off and if you find sharp practices then you should be reporting them to their trade body.

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1485165755' post='3221597'] Strangely enough, they're never the ones that get the job. But clearly it's a tactic that works elsewhere... I have to get three quotes for any work done, so I get to see a lot of contractors.. We have a PA tester (Fluke) at work, and routinely test any devices that come in from the field with issues.. I'm not against the idea of testing, I'm against the idea of going through the motions for the sake of a tick box and/or expecting that having being tested a device remains inherently safe until the next arbitrarily scheduled test date.. One of my big hobbies is aviation, and when we're teaching people how to do inspections the thing I most stress is "why are we doing this check?, what are the modes of failure? " rather than yeah yeah... Must and should are two entirely different concepts.. [/quote] That's why in your building you should have a risk assessment covering different types of kit. So your PC leads you might check every two years as they don't move and are clipped behind desks away from people's feet. Your desk fans you'd check 6 monthly, before and after the summer. Etc etc. I think it's your understanding and implementation of the PAT test that is at fault not the PAT test itself. If you have a small building then you might as well just blanket test everything the same week so that it's easier to manage.

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1485163784' post='3221559'] Because they're selling it as an addon service (revenue generation) - which is fine.. However I take exception to being lied to. Are you seriously trying to suggest that whenever electrical work is done, there is a requirement to PA test everything in a building? [/quote] You're employing the wrong contractors then. And nowhere in your posts have you mentioned this.

Fans with the case cracked exposing internal unshielded bare terminals. Hairdryer with a damaged lead and a food mixer with a damaged cable in a kitchen. That's just three examples I have seen. Cables get damaged, cases get cracked, If someone got a shock or there was a fire, someone is going to ask when was the last time a competent person looked at it. If you look at these things annually then they won't sit around for 5 years waiting for the accident to happen, with more and more failures building up. .

[quote name='markstuk' timestamp='1485124810' post='3221450'] And i'm just saying having your stuff PA tested yearly does not make it safe.. HSE state that they assume new stuff does not need testing, even though we all know this is nonsense. Safety comes from being proactive and assessing risks. The one thing that has contributed most to electrical safety is not PA testing, it's moulded sealed plugs [/quote] I don't think anyone is disputing this. Try working in a building with 10,000 people and then tell me that the only faults you get are from dodgily wired plugs. People try to smuggle in all sorts of gear from home, it's frightening the state some of it is in.

Pretty much. You're showing you've had it inspected by a competent person. If something goes wrong then that competent person is going to have to answer some questions in court. If you can't show you've inspected your equipment on 'a regular basis' then you'll be the one trying to explain why you haven't been negligent. PAT testing isn't a legal requirement but not doing it is negligent. .

£3 is a bit steep! When we did our gear the guy charged an hour for his time and about 20p per device. It's worth getting, ticks a box, in the event of a death or a fire it's not your insurance that gets sued, it's the venue's, and if they say you need it to play, then, you need it to play. Don't do it yourself with labels from eBay, that's absolutely pointless.

Tomorrow night? Shame. Saw him there a few years ago and he did a house party for a friend. Amazing guy. I also saw It Bites at Islington and Reading the same year. Impressive band.

I would take the amp and cab to a practice room and ramp up the volume until you hear distortion. If the amp is getting to max and distorting then maybe get the change done. If it's he speaker distorting (hitting xmax) then you're fine. At least you'll get some idea of how loud it gets. Be careful!!!

[quote name='fleabag' timestamp='1485004977' post='3220308'] I dont imagine - i read what the experts say Twice the power isnt a 3db increase. I think its something like 10db Read the BF website. I'm sure its all in there [/quote] 3dB is double power. 6dB is double actual volume or SPL 10dB is double perceived volume.

[quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1484917326' post='3219666'] try telling that to social justice warriors [/quote] I will if you want. You can't have a boy band with a girl in it. It wouldn't be a boy band. If I went to a strip club to see naked ladies, I'd not be very pleased to see a bunch of blokes.

[quote name='jacko' timestamp='1484916948' post='3219658'] Discrimination. [/quote] You can't have discrimination in the arts. It's one of the few places it doesn't apply.

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1484914865' post='3219631'] To be fair, it's impossible to say from the advert why they want what they do. [/quote] I think it's pretty clear. They don't want a heterosexual man.

Are you a non-binary person? It sounds very much like they don't want any Alpha males wading in and messing up the vibe.

There are different types of charity gig. 1. Everyone's time is given for free and the only things that are taken out of the money raised is hall hire, advertising, food and ticket printing. All the rest is given to the small local charity. In this case, yes, sell tickets, everyone is in it together. 2. Profits go to charity. As above but 'costs' can include silver service waiters, bar staff, organisers beer fund and hotel accommodation etc. Profits go to a huge faceless tax efficient front. In this case play the gig for money and donate what your conscience feels out of your fee. There's charity and there's charity. 3. Something in between.

Personally I thought it was quite nice to finally receive an email from the Basschat headmaster that wasn't an invitation to stand outside his office and wait for a caning.

[quote name='Andyjr1515' timestamp='1484741530' post='3217942'] Hmmmm....useful information folks all. Thanks I'll keep using Imgur while I can - it really is splendid when it's working properly - but maybe will try Flikr out as a second option, albeit heeding the comment about Yahoo! I'm not too bothered ref the actual storage of any photos I haven't posted in threads - I still use the old fashioned hard disk and regular backups, but more for easily posting pics on sites like this with direct links and with a reasonable confidence they won't mysteriously disappear unless and until I want them too. [/quote] In that case either Dropbox, Google drive, or iCloud would work fine.

Are we going to compile this list so that we can argue over the order.