TimR

So what he is actually saying is there are no bands getting number 1 hits. All the big hits are now being created by solo artists. How many of the solo artists write as solo artists and how many have massive teams of writers is another discussion. He's conviently forgotten the endless parade of solo 80s artists from Stock, Aitken and Waterman.

All you do is arrange for them to "turn up at the door" after the first person was due, depending where they're travelling from will depend how much later. Give enough leeway time so you can call them before they leave home. The problem is you don't know if either of them will actually show up. In the world of mobile phones it's not hard to let people know it's been sold and not to leave home.

Carrier bags are 50p now! Probably worth more than the apples.

Except The Bass of Doom...

That's your problem right there. The band needs to be rehearsed and tight before you go anywhere near the studio or everyone is wasting time and money. Multiple takes and 'dropping in' shouldn't be necessary. We recently recorded 3 songs - 3 takes each song and selected the best take of each one. I was done in 2 hours and went home (dropping yeh drummer off on the way), leaving the singer to do the final vocals, and guitarist to double track his guitar and do the backing vocals. Realistically, if they're doing an album, they should be doing one or two tracks a day, then come back a few weeks later and do the next couple and so on. It doesn't sound like you were the problem here.

AI is not intelligent. That's a misnomer. It literally just copies stuff. It's down to the human intelligence to then check it. AI cannot become intelligent until humans understand where intelligence and the conscious comes from and work out some way of recreating it.

It's not the laws, it's the lack of HMRC manpower to dig through accounts. Maybe with the introduction of AI a lot of these companies will come unstuck. Although maybe a lot of us will as well. My friend already had enquires from the bank when his daughter started paying housekeeping and put 'Rent' as the label on her electronic payment, it flagged as a regular payment somewhere. Careful how you distribute gig money.

Amazon workers Balloted for GMB Trade union membership. I don't know what the outcome was. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd11j9p9g0po

The things I buy 'from' Amazon, seem mainly to be 'through' Amazon. ie The goods come from a shop somewhere. That may well be someone's garage, but Amazon aren't buying from the manufacturer. As far as shops are concerned many are actually using Amazon or their own websites for sales and my local shop seems to have a lot of guys behind the desk continually on computers, I assume they're fulfilling online orders or on GuitarChat* all day. The shops need to up their game though which is a circular problem - skilled knowledgeable sales people need to be paid well, which means they have to make expensive sales. * Definitely not BassChat as they only have 10 basses in the shop.

Ultimately, regardless of the instrumentation on the original, if the guitarist can strum the chords and the singer can sing it, the rest is down to your arrangement.

I've never seen any reason to veto any song. It's 3 minutes. Play the thing and see how it goes down. I have voiced an opinion on songs that have been suggested that I've learned for previous bands that have bombed. But that's from past experinece rather than some 'feeling'.

It's called the Entertainment Business. While it's very romantic to think you can have fun amd make money playing only songs you like, if you don't treat it like entertainment and business, then you won't be either entertaining or making money. That means you have to put on an act and look like you're enjoying every number you play, even if you're not. As far as our band goes, and I've said it before, if the audience at every gig are asking you to play something they know, then you've chosen the wrong songs.

Elasticated material cover for the Bass Drum?

What about the other bands he plays in?

This is the bit I don't understand. There's a lack of communication that then breeds suspicion and mistrust. If you're upfront and tell everyone what's going on, then there's no problem. Some people do get a bit precious about other members being in other bands but that's their problem. As long as that member is available for all the gigs everyone else is available then there's not a problem. I've found that usually someone else isn't available for gigs when I have a potential clash, so that usually sorts itself out. Other than that, it's first come, first served. Certainly other members of the bands I'm in seem to put everything else first. Hence why I've found other bands to play in.

I agree, however, there are exceptions. No one should be touching Lemmy's bass. Ever. We are not worthy.

My old band made some printed lightweight material covers that sat over the 15" tops.

Vinyl looks to be about 2mx2m. Held up by photography backdrop stand and cable ties through reinforced rings. Think I'm going to get some black bungee ball toggles as the cable ties are a pain to deal with. https://www.diy.com/departments/4-ball-bungee-range-of-pack-size-loop-bungee-cords-tie-downs-for-tarpaulins-pack-of-10-/5056596110727_BQ.prd

Technically, if you're distance buying, you're trying before you're buying. You still have the option to return it if you don't like it. 🤔 There is no substitute to going to a shop with a wide range of instruments though.

If you just want to tidy up loads of cables then get a couple of rolls of velcro tape. https://www.screwfix.com/p/velcro-brand-black-self-gripping-ties-5m-x-30mm/74887

If you want to reduce cable mess to the mixer buy a snake/stagebox. Not too expensive vs the same number of XLR cables. And can use at a gig as its not installed as fixed wiring in your studio. https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Omnitronic-MUS-810-8-Channel-Stagebox/3ODK

That's some expensive speakers. 🤣 Not doing gigs is a bugbear of mine. Especially when the band is insisting on practices.

Yes. Sunk cost. Although it depends how many gigs you've done when you leave as to whether you think you've had your money's worth.

The problem with 'items' of equipment, is they're just that. They don't really have an intrinsic worth without the rest of the equipment. You would be doing just that (holding it to ransom). And if the band is still going, you end up with the same problem of discussing what it is worth. If the band dig their heels in and buy a new sub somewhere else out of principle, you're left with an item of equipment to try and sell. I also have a PA. I've tried selling it recently but no one is interested at the price I think it's worth. Problem is you can now get a pair of active speakers for under £500 new. So a pair of passive speakers and a power amp are going to be worth less than £200 if you can find anyone interested

That's frustrating. Hopefully the gear is getting a good workout now.