TimR

Hopefully the band is more polished than your typing. 😉🤣 Many bands play the same songs, in the same order, with the same patter between songs. This means that everyone knows when the gaps are and can grab a drink, tune the guitar, adjust the drum seat etc. None of these things are then done ad-hoc as they know there will be a gap after the next song and so don't inturrupt the flow. It can be quite difficult to get some members to agree to this but it makes things a lot easier.

It's weird isn't it. Moving Pictures and Power Windows are probably my 2 favourite albums. Moving Pictures being technically an 80s album and probably in the top 10 (if not number 1) of every Rush fan.

It really depends if people are on the dance floor or not. Giving people's ears a rest for a few seconds, a chance for them to clap, or tell their mate how awesome the bass player played on that song, is ok. But yes, uncomfortably long pauses where it is obvious that the band are waiting for someone faffing, before they can start the next song, isn't a good look.

I saw them in Birmingham on the Clockwork Angels tour. They were brilliant. I also saw Iron Maiden this Summer in London with their new drummer. It was live music, their new drummer lost time and dropped beats and all three guitarists were making mistakes all over the place, Bruce's voice is a little bit tired but the show was awesome.

They explain why they chose her in the video. As bass players we should all know exactly why any particular drummer gets the gig in our band.

Later era?

Yeah. "They were really good when they played last time. Let's go again." Unfortunately, it's not how, or what you play, it's entirely down to how you make people feel. As a musician it sucks, as an entertainer, it's what makes a good band.

Yes. We play 2 or 3 venues that have sporadic audiences. I don't think you can ever work out exactly why. Unfortunately our drummer is a bit headstrong and if we play a new venue and it has a poor attendance his mind is made up and "We're not going back there!". Unless it's a gig he organised, in which case we should give it another go... To a point where we were continually asked to turn down at a gig last year, for some reason the bass was hitting some natural frequencies and all the glasses were rattling. He's not going back there either - even though we played there before with no problems, and the place is under new management. I'm beginning to think he doesn't want to gig unless it's to his freinds. Which is why I left the last band.

I don't think that's easy, but probably wise. Did people leave because it was poor, or because it was too loud, or because they didn't like the music? We are getting the hang of the football crowd leaving as soon as the drummer starts winding his kit up. Now that the football is on at 5:30pm there are still a lot of fans hanging around the pub when we arrive. Then the music people arrive later on, a few of the football crowd hang around to hear 2 or 3 songs then quite often just disappear. People will put up with some truly awful musicianship if they recognise the songs. If the punters are pinned against the back wall, its too loud, if people are sitting at tables right in front of the band, it's not dancy enough and possibly not loud enough. We clear a dance area as well as clear the 'stage' area.

I have an Android phone. The Do Not Disturb feature is very powerful with very in depth features. I don't know how the Apple version works but it's worth exploring. I went away for a week and checked messages and emails every evening for preview of message and subject line of email. No messages or emails were opened. No facebook, TikTok, BassChat... The stress completely evaporated. And to be honest I learned that all messages and emails can wait until you reply, you don't have to reply when other people expect you to reply (immediately). Regards your singer. If it was that important that he tell you immediately, he would have made the time already. He hasn't, so my gut feeling is he's prepping you for something he thinks someone else will tell you, and he wants to get his side across first. Honestly? It's not your job to manage other people in your life and get involved in their problems unless they specifically come to you, or you think they are in real danger. That way leads to madness. I have little time for people who surround themselves with drama where they are the lead actor.

Pubs? Check for a freezer or a light dimmer switch.

I will make comments to the singer to feed her lines and we can have mini conversations, where only her side is audible. If my side consists of more than one or two words, she'll repeat for the benefit of the audience if it's worth doing. The drummer doesn't like being joked about. Takes it very seriously and has been known to get very arsey about it. The guitarist is pretty oblivious to what's going on outside of the area between his amp and pedal board. If a crowd of the singers friends are in, then the banter goes downhill very quickly and the rest of the audience is left out - I should maybe say something to her. Maybe.

My guess, without knowing full details is that is exactly what you get when designing by committee. You say 'did the rounds', I'm assuming more than one person was involved in the decision making. I've been in similar situations, the people who don't want to change dig their heels in and what results is a massive compromise. This is why I would always advocate playing in a band with a leader with vision, that you trust and who calls the shots. They may ask opinions and may/may not take them into consideration but final call rests with them. Depping being the ultimate in that respect, turn up and have fun playing some great refreshing material. Tunes that you've not been endlessly rehearsing for that single gig at the Dog and Duck (Where the Duck didn't even bother turning up).

Thanks. I did try that but it didn't produce the desired results.

I have a Jackson Charvel complete with pointy headstock that I played in a function band for years, until I decided it didn't really look right. I ended up buying a Mahogany Ibanez. I then played the Ibanez in a thrash metal band for a few gigs, completely oblivious that maybe the Charvel would have looked a lot better.

There is no official character named "Growler" in the Thomas the Tank Engine series; however, the term "Growler" is sometimes used by fans to describe the sounds a diesel engine makes or in unofficial fan creations, such as the "Growler the Goods Diesel" fan character found on platforms like DeviantArt. google AI. 🤣

Been there... Many times. 🤣

Drummer: We are sounding pretty tight even with this dep guy. Guitarist: Listen to my playing, I'm on fire! ...as usual. Singer: Something is off somewhere, just can't quite hit the notes. Punters: This band sounds great. Bass player: Must keep smiling, Must keep smiling. 🤣

People who can't spell whinge.

Grumpy middle-aged men whinging about grumpy middle-aged men whinging on the General Discussion page of a Bass/music forum? 😂

Anything divided by 7...

I don't think it's right. You can use 'it looks a bit thirsty' for a lot of things, including wood. But I don't think I'd say it needs a drink.

Planning permission takes ages to get passed.

Wasps in jam jars. More specificly wasps in marmalade jars. And wasps in lager. Actually... ...just wasps.

Crazy Little Thibg - check with the drummer for the triplets run down. Not all drummers can drum Sweet Child could be interesting. Other than that, it looks fun.