Cat Burrito

I never change the basses with flats but the ones with rounds are very much, one at a time, thickest string first. Back in Sixth Form I remember a guitarist friend taking all his strings off, only to get a buzz on the E when he restrung, so I guess I am scarred by that. Cleaning the fretboard? Like Prince Andrew, I never sweat!

I could name and shame too many studios over the years but in the last 10 years I have used a fair few studios with decent kit. Studio 91 in Newbury deserves an honourable mention for consistently having quality rigs.

Having owned everything from two flying V basses to a uke bass, there's a lot to be said for the "Probably shouldn't" camp. Invariably they get sold on for a small loss. If you can take the hit, no dramas but I do feel my bass buying days have been replaced with buying other things. My mainstay basses are now varied, decent and I've had them for a long time.

Small gigs / pubs, we don't bother but for the bigger shows we use 2 minute extracts from either one of these; or

I don't know. I posted this in 2009 and I haven't spoken with the aforementioned "missus" who owned the nail polish remover in almost 14yrs! It always used to work with bog standard nail polish remover but if you are not sure, best leave it.

Not exactly my gig but I wandered into my local and was treated like a minor celebrity. At the end the band's set, the promoter insisted all the regular musicians get up for one song. Of course they picked a song I didn't know, so I recreated Bob Dylan's performance on the "We Are the World" video". They are all amazing musicians but I think I added nothing! 😸

Evri are shocking. They usually get there in the end but I had them fail to find a shop on the High Street a couple of weeks ago! They also claim stuff is delivered and then try and deliver it two days later. I have had that twice.

I've used it in the studio and for a video but never live. We're planning an EP this Spring which will be exclusively Bass VI and synth. This is my customised Squier Bass VI. Matching shoes and cat with disapproving look optional.

I II think the paranoia set in - I edited mine too (although it was small font with spaces). I never know the etiquette with such things. 😸

First one of 2024 for me and it was at my local boozer, The Blue Boar (of Dr. Who Pertwee era "The Daemons" fame). Two hours of acoustic 80s alternative / goth from my duo. I started off on the mandocello before moving onto mandolin for our first set. I actually started the second set on my partner's acoustic guitar, for a new cover of Bronski Beat's Smalltown Boy (slowed down and vocally dropped a few octaves!) before finishing up on my Squier Bass VI. The last instrument got a lot of comments and it's certainly something I want to explore more in 2024. We also found an old smoke machine so made use of that to great effect! It's only been three weeks but it's great to be back!

I think on the originals circuit, it is pretty standard to ask about favourite bands when joining / auditioning. Occasionally, this is dressed up as "influences" but really they just want to check you will fit and not pull the band in a different direction. As said, in covers bands, it matters less as you are usually aiming to play like the recording. I don't think I have ever asked any musician friends about influences but I am always interested in what friends are listening to. For years I have answered that question across webzines, radio and old school fanzines. Mainly it gets asked by disinterested interviewers who are only asking because it is a fairly typical question that you can ask band members. For me, it's whether I like a band mates playing. I'm not massively interested in a list of approved players.

First show of 2024 and it's where the '71 Dr Who episode "The Daemons" was filmed. Two hours of goth covers on folk instruments.

I guess he's not big on palm muting? I'm definitely from the old school Paul Simonon / Peter Hook era but there comes a point where it just gets silly. And this is beyond that!

I had loads of problems with my first wedding ring. They just weren't bass related! 😸

I think Beedster nailed it with the first comment. It sounds like a clash of styles rather than a personal thing, and this demonstrates that a great folk voice doesn't necessarily mean it'll work in a rock band (& vice versa). Any feedback that isn't glowing always risks offending. At work we used to use the "feedback sandwich" also known as the "stinky poo sandwich" where you say something positive, tell them the bit they don't like and then end on a positive. For example, you have a fantastic voice / presence but you are not right for this project but we're sure you'd be a great addition to a more folk based act. That kind of thing. I've recently heard that this technique can mean they only listen to the good bit but I generally find it effective enough to use it in all aspects of my life. Back in the 90s, I had to fire a manager who had the thickest skin. It took three visits with me starting out tactfully, before ending with me having to be quite rude as he wasn't getting blunt comments like "You're fired, we don't need your services", only for him to reply and him saying "so see you at rehearsal on Monday" I've never been fired in 35yrs of playing but my first band technically fired me by splitting the band and reforming without me. A long time ago and we're all friends now but it was a pretty mean thing to do. We were just kids and I had committed the cardinal sin of spending too much time with my then girlfriend. Looking back now, I would have binned me too but maybe with a bit more tact and class. Thankfully we're all older and wiser now. Best of luck with it.

I too feel that the OP sets the scene but I couldn't see anything about the feelings / suggested resolution for his role in this scenario - so it is harder to give a definitive answer. If you are unhappy about it and it isn't clear what you are supposed to do while the keyboard player plays bass, it's a potential problem. If you can play something else and / or it's part led by your encouragement, then great. In my current duo I have actually suggested that my partner plays bass on a recording next year. We've also had one of my students get up and play bass at a gig (actively encouraged by me). No dramas. However, I did an album session for a singer songwriter recently who spent half the session saying "I play bass too". When I calmly said "what do you need me for then?" and "play on your own album", I got a look of shock and panic. I wasn't offended, I just didn't see why he kept feeling the need to say it and use me for the session. As a multi-instrumentalist who plays with one of my oldest and best friends, it comes down to good communications and being respectful to one another. None of us here are making our millions so it has to be fun and I feel anyone in a band should be made to feel valued if they are to stay. Best of luck in getting it resolved to a satisfactory conclusion.

Last two shows of 2023 happened for Deadlight Dance (admittedly we probably don't look like we get many Xmas bookings on paper). We played The Swan in Wantage on Friday; an electric show with me on bass. The next night we played The Beehive in Swindon; an acoustic show with me on mandocello and mandolin. A mix of originals and a few covers by our influences - Bauhaus, The Cure, Sisters of Mercy, The Cult. Friday saw us gate crash an office Xmas party which saw the dancefloor rammed to our take on Bela Lugosi's Dead (not bad for Oxfordshire in 2023 - and 34yrs this week since Nick and I first played that live at our first ever gig!) and Saturday we were praised for our witty onstage banter - I think we're more Carry On Screaming than The Shining!

Collection only, Wimbledon Common 😸

I had a couple of band things coming up this week but I lost my amazing Mum after a very long illness on Tuesday. I was with her when she died peacefully. I hoped I would be up for a new open mic at the pub down the road that my friend is running but figured I would take things a day at a time. My bandmate came over yesterday to run through our songs. To be honest, I welcomed the distraction. We worked up a version of Boys Don't Cry, which I remember buying the 7" single on holiday with Mum back in '86. Obviously I dedicated this to her from the stage. I think we did about 8 or 9 songs and I mostly played on my 8 string mandocello. It was my time venturing out socially and I am pleased I gently pushed myself. I have another big band project on Tuesday and this was a dummy run for that. I think I passed with flying colours... although I have the worst hangover today! I'm not looking for sympathy, I am forever grateful that I had a truly inspirational mother. Happy to take sympathy for the self inflicted hangover. I think I'll reign it in when I get past the next couple of weeks.

1988. Two friends and I got jobs (paper rounds) and saved up for two guitars and a bass. We formed the band before we had the instruments! Every day I remind myself that gratitude is not being 15yrs old in the era of YouTube! To the best of my knowledge, the other two haven't actively played in over 30 years.

I tend to dress the same on and off stage but I go to Tescos dressed like I am playing a gig. I'm probably the other way around in that I have two or three more toned down outfits for work (essentially my main look dialled back about 30%).

I spent ten years playing with a band called Case Hardin who did a lot on the UK Americana scene. I played on three albums, all of which were critically acclaimed. From memory PM was Uncut magazine's Roots album of the month. We got on CBS TV in America and toured the UK a bit. Having left it all behind, I manage to look back fondly without wanting to play that style anymore. I assume the albums are on Spotify still. The last record "Colours Simple" was my favourite and the 8 minute opener "Poets Corner" was a personal favourite.