Buzzy

Just beacause a band has gigs booked it doesn't mean it going anywhere. I got involved in a 10 piece soul band that has gigs booked and had been gigging before a few members had left. First rehearsal, two out of the three horn players and the keys player didn't arrive. The main singer was good but the two female backing singers were beyond terrible. I decide to give it one more rehearsal. Next rehearsal, the guitarist has now left the band and arranged a dep(wtf) who also never turned up. Trombone guy arrives saying Sax and Trumpet have decided to jump ship. I've checked the bands website and they are still listing some gigs in August, but they're still putting ads on JMB for members and describing themselves as a "gigging band". My point is there are so many delusional people out there who like the idea of being in a band but have no idea how to actally put one together.

Band members playing along to the music coming from the juke box while others are setting up.

Just finished The Craft Room, a really good read, well done. Weekend Rockstars was great as well. Looking forward to your next book.

Bohemian bloody Rhapsody, I hated it the first time I heard it in 75 , then when it was number one again in 91. I guess I'll have to suffer it again as its the title of the forthcoming Queen bio-pic. Never understood why this load of drivel has such an appeal to people.

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I bought a Fender Mustang from Wunjo this week. A great shopping experience from start to finish. Great friendly service and they know their stuff. We should all make the effort to support them when we have a gas attack.

Hi, are you still looking ? Where are based (SW Londons a big area) for rehearsal and gigs. Cheers Al

Eddy Ive sent you a message.

The band are spread out across Kent , we rehearse in Maidstone as it's central for everyone

Bass player needed for band playing Organ driven mainly instrumental music. James Taylor Quartet, Corduroy, Booker T, type of thing. Some vocals would be an asset. We are Kent based, line up consists of Organ, Sax, Congas, Guitar, Drums & Bass

You can always have a polite word with the audience and ask them to be quiet......

I've suffered 2,3,4,5 & 6 in the last two bands I've been in. Number 4 is the most annoying, there was one number that had a bass intro and he still did it every time until I lost it and screamed " I know how the f***ing intro goes, so stop f***ing doing it" in the middle of a gig. A bit unprofessional of me, but he never did it again. Singers using ipads drives me mad....."learn the words this isnt karaoke"

The only sig bass I've ever bought was a Lakland Duck Dunn. I always loved the P sound but preferred the Jazz neck. The Duck Dunn ticked all the boxes and the build quality was much better than any Fender I've ever owned. When I bought it I was in a band that played loads of Stax numbers, so I could justify buying it when "she who must be obeyed" asked why I needed another bass.

JD McPherson at Shepherds Bush Empire. His bassist Jimmy Sutton plays some great vintage basses and is a fine upright player as well

Thanks for all the positive responses, the drummer from Band B , messaged me about putting together a band to back a singer he's worked with in the past. So I guess it's a case of one door closes another one opens. Maybe I'm not quite ready for the scrap heap.

For the first time since 2002 I’m bandless. Back then I returned to gigging after a three year break and have been playing solidly ever since. At the end of last year I was in two working bands. Band A: I left at the beginning of this year as I couldn’t stand working with a particular person any longer. We had the dreaded “band meeting” and decided to carry on but I just couldn’t face working with this person again, so after initially being convinced things would be better I resigned once and for all. Band B: we lost the guitarist in October and used a dep for a couple of gigs. We had a replacement lined up who had learned all the set, so everything was looking positive for the future. We did our last gig with the dep and were sorting dates etc for some rehearsals with the new guy. Also looking at putting some new numbers in the set. The day after the gig we lose two members. From a six piece we were down to three. Spoke to one of the others and he doesn’t think he can be bothered to put another line up together and the other guy has stopped responding to texts and calls. I’ve been a gigging weekend warrior for about 40 years with a couple of breaks so this feels really strange. Now in my late 50s I’m thinking that maybe this is a sign that its game over for me with all this band stuff.

Most people walking past these guys probably have their own agenda, lunch break, catching the train home, work deadlines etc. and are too busy to stop and watch buskers. How many non bass players are going to give someone playing solo bass a second thought ?

It's wrong but it's also right (if that makes sense), anyway, who are we to question the mighty Duck.

Get them singing along to Bob Dylan https://youtu.be/oXiiChEN7TE

The Zombies playing Odessey and Oracle for the last time. London Palladium tomorrow.

I would say its probably time to drop the Confederate flag, times and attitudes change. Back in my punk days 77/78 it was common to see punks wearing the Nazi swastika. People wore it to cause shock and outrage but I doubt any band would wear it today.

Local beer festival , nice easy 10 minute drive . We were the first band, played to absolutely no punters just a few uninterested staff. Did our agreed 1 hour set and packed the gear away in pouring rain. Got paid, went home, waste of time.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1500026002' post='3335179'] More to the point, how do you get your strings to follow the curve in the neck of of your bass? Is this a variant on fanned frets? [/quote] I left it near a radiator and it's never been the same.

Here's my attempt at Tommy Cogbill's bass line https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1WL_f834DY&feature=youtu.be

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1499773795' post='3333482'] I wouldn`t be able to do it but would be interested in seeing the band, love that stuff, do you do anything Herts/Beds/Bucks/Essex way at all? [/quote] We're mainly in Kent and South East London, but if you know of any venues in your manor let me know. Here's a couple of clips : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1WL_f834DY&feature=youtu.be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ijba_0_muLg&feature=youtu.be