Pete Academy

This has probably been discussed previously, what I'll ask anyway. What does everyone think about drummers that overplay - a fill every 4 or 8 bars etc, or a ridiculously over-the-top beat where a straight one will suffice? Have you ever had to sack a drummer because of this?

[quote name='Doddy' post='595692' date='Sep 11 2009, 02:06 PM']This is pretty bad......where's my chin gone???!!!![/quote] Another one asleep on the job!

I've got a crappy P-Reg Escort. It cost me £600. I don't care about cars at all - a Lexus would get me from A to B, as the Escort does - but I have absolutely no desire to own one. However, I can appreciate people that love expensive cars. I've said this in a previous thread: I've bought cheaper basses, thinking that the whole boutique thing is a con, but have ended up disappointed and have lost money. I was after a bass to replace my well-worn Tobias Classic 5, so I bought an Ibanez SR series, which retails for around a grand. I played it on gigs, convincing myself that it was just as good as the Tobias. I was totally wrong. I've now got a Roscoe that's both great to play and to look at. There's still some things I prefer about the Tobias (the slap sound, especially), but I'm totally happy with the Roscoe as my main bass.

Check this out - sleeping and playing. Who said men can't multi-task? [url="http://img34.imageshack.us/i/baknak.jpg/"][/url]

[quote name='Rayman' post='593941' date='Sep 9 2009, 03:36 PM']Not really mate, I'd known Brian and Julie for years, and a mate of mine Mike Rawsthorne used to give guitar lessons there too. I'd had dozens of guitars from Jones's over the years, a beautiful Ibanez AS120 semi in particular, maybe the best guitar I've ever had my hands on, and a nice black DeArmond Starfire special with a bigsby on it. In the end, I traded in a purple Fender Telecaster and got my first bass in years from Brian, a burgandy MIM Precision, very nice bass that was. Can't say much more than that, how about a picture: Taken a couple of months ago, best I can do.[/quote] Ah, Russ! How the hell are you?!

[quote name='Rayman' post='593349' date='Sep 8 2009, 10:05 PM']Pete, I've only just put 2 and 2 together and worked out who you are. I used to see you a lot in the Jones Music days when Brian and Julie owned it and I was first and foremost a singer and guitarist. I remember having a conversation with you about bass back then when you were flogging a red Peavey bass in there. I've since made the jump to bass myself. I really must get to one of your gigs. Russ.[/quote] Can't seem to place you, Russ. A great deal of lager has washed over my brain cells since then. Any more info?

As anyone that's played there will agree, The Sage is one of the best gigs in the UK. Great acoustics, and friendly and helpful crew.

[quote name='bootleg' post='592272' date='Sep 7 2009, 05:39 PM']+1 for Nearly Dan I always catch them when they play Bristol, normally at the Fleece. Next year they are playing what used to be Jesters on Glos Road. I have accosted Pete afterwards, when I'm very drunk...and probably talked absolute rubbish. Sorry! Congrats on the sell-out at the Sage. See you next time :-) Geoff[/quote] Don't remember any drunk bass players talking rubbish on that gig Hope to see you next year.

[quote name='birdy' post='592023' date='Sep 7 2009, 12:32 PM']Thats a great review Pete - Must get to see you soon!!! Steve[/quote] Will keep you posted mate.

Apologies for posting this separately, but many thanks for to Seb for this review of our gig at The Sage in Gateshead last night. Top bloke, top venue. Just thought I'd post a little gig review of this amazing performance that I witnessed last night at The Sage. I had previously spoken to Pete Academy about some Steely Dan bass line question and recently spoke to him about his Steinberger (decided to pass on this one, probably for the best...) and mentioned meeting up for a drink. We had a fantastic chat about all things bass and the Dan, it's always good to meet a fellow bass afincado. Turns out we are thinking about some similar things, including swapping our respective Ashdown heads for Markbasses The gig itself. For those who haven't been to The Sage before, it's one of the best concert venues in the North East, if not England. Nearly Dan appeared in the second hall, not the massive hall one that has seen the likes of Jackson Browne and David Byrne this year. The sound is always crystal clear and the staff are always very helpful, last night was no exception. Hall 2 is a unique shape, with three layers in a circular fashion. It holds around 400 people and last night was a sell out, congrats to Nearly Dan for doing this! It would be a dream come true if my band ever makes it to play this hall. I bought my ticket not long ago and managed to bag a spot right in the front row. Just around 8:00pm, the band came onto the stage and opened with The Boston Rag - slightly obscure choice but I loved it! For such a formal environment, the gig was very relaxed and the banter was terrific. The ten piece band had a very full sound, complete with two backing singers and three piece horn section. I never remember setlists but all the usual suspects where there, the only song that I felt was missing was Do It Again - it's one of their most well known songs and I was hoping, but you can't have everything. Some of the tasty rarities more than made up for it. As Pete said, they've been doing this for 12 years so chopping and choosing their songs would seem a good idea. The highlights in the set were Show Biz Kids (with some nice slap bass from Pete in a completely reworked version of the original), Josie (nailed it), FM (another rare number), Hey Nineteen (with some of the best trumpet playing I've ever seen) and Rikki Don't Loose That Number (including audience participation moment). However, the standout was the track IGY, from Donald Fagen's solo album The Nightfly. It was a number 20 hit in 1982 in the US, making it a semi-popular but still quite rare track. The band captured the feel perfectly.The reggae beat was so groovy and the audience loved it, to the surprise of the band. The solos in Reelin' In The Years were also spot on, I could go on and on... The band appeared at the bar during the interval and chatted to their paying guests. I managed to quickly say hello to their singer/guitarist and trumpeter. The set length was also very impressive, with the first half coming in around an hour and the second half a little number, plus the romping encore of My Old School and Bodhisattva. The Dan's music wasn't made for dancing, but a few sprung up during Reelin'. As the fellow next me said, the musical abilities of each band member will blow you away. The horn section nailed their respective parts, their drummer went for an epic drum solo and made it work so well, the backing singers voices blended well, Pete's bass was perfect and drove all the tunes along while the two guitarists on the front line just got it right. Not over the top, not too little but just the right amount. The role of lead guitar was interchanged several times and each handled it perfectly. The singer also has the right voice for the Dan's tunes - Fagen's isn't a traditional singing voice but he got he vibe right. So, in conclusion - go see Nearly Dan! If you like the Dan, you'll love these guys. If you have no idea who Aja is, then go see them anyway, their musicianship will blow you away. I loved it and had a great evening, thanks guys. If all things work out, I'm going to gather my band together to have a road trip to see them in Edinburgh on 23rd October! Can't wait to see them again

Wow, thanks for the review, Seb! It was great to meet you. I have to say that The Sage is one of the best venues we play. The staff can't do enough to help you, and the acoustics are great. Plus a lovely warm crowd. Apologies for missing out 'Do It Again', but we always look at previous set lists and decided to put 'IGY' in instead. BTW, that version of 'Showbiz Kids' can be found on YouTube with Mike McDonald guesting on lead vocals. I decided to make the most of my 5-string and play the bass part an octave below. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvAO3fr5Q4c"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvAO3fr5Q4c[/url]

Mid-70s, so that would be my guess.

I've always loved this track form the Bros Johnson debut album. I know Louis is using some kind of envelope filter, but which one? [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7_lhfpN1vg"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7_lhfpN1vg[/url]

[quote name='Chris2112' post='590213' date='Sep 4 2009, 10:36 PM']You'll be lucky to sell it for that in this recession.[/quote] I'm going to hang on until it's worth more money. In the States, on ebay, they seem to be asking silly money. Mine's an L2. If anyone's got The Ultimate Guitar Book by Tony Bacon, mine is the actual one pictured. For anyone considering buying one, the boomerang strap system works amazingly well, but takes some getting used to. Also, although it has a great slap sound, you will find it difficult to get a burpy back-pickup Jaco sound unless you EQ your amp.

That photo also makes me sad because I was a few stone slimmer then.

I'll get me coat.

I always look up to Stanley Clarke. But that's mainly because he's about six foot six.

Behringer bass gear is crap.

[quote name='Doddy' post='589048' date='Sep 3 2009, 08:07 PM']The Original post asked about if the BC Rich had that "Metallic,Metal Tone". While aesthetically the instruments might not be your Bag,tonally and playability any instrument can fit in any genre.Obviously the extreme pointy ones look better for metal but tonally they are as versatile as the player.[/quote] Good post.

Just thought I'd say that it's a purely visual thing. You can play any genre on any bass. Just for the record, I saw bernard in the 80s with Chic at Manchester Apollo. He was using the BC Rich and it sounded terrible. I was very disappointed.

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='588400' date='Sep 3 2009, 10:56 AM']Do you still have it Pete?[/quote] <sob> No... In those days I was taking out the Alembic and a 5-string, so I decided to sell it to buy a Tobias Classic 5. I regret it to this day.

[url="http://img406.imageshack.us/i/03092009095.jpg/"][/url]

I want to sell mine but I'm unsure what to ask. I would like a minimum of £2000, as the serial number is 610. However, I can't decide what to do, as the price amy suddenly rocket.