Les

[quote name='Burrito' timestamp='1503342306' post='3357453'] However people stand on it, 5 pages of conversation plugging your band when the post is only a day old is good going! [/quote] I think 9 pages of shameless self promotion is probably enough but I would like to take the opportunity while I'm here to remind readers of my weekly apres gig fine dining guide over in the status update column as well

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1503672421' post='3360221'] How times have changed. Back in the day band members would queue up for a mother/daughter threesome in the back of the band van. Or so I'm told... [/quote] We must have been in the same band at some stage of the game Kev.

[quote name='leftybassman392' timestamp='1503659578' post='3360035'] Which, I would respectfully suggest, makes it ideal for a large number of BC members... [/quote] This It's a readily available, free and reasonably easy to use tool for getting certain jobs done. Other tools are available.

As a lot are suggesting simplify the bass lines. I've been doing that for 35 years

We'll just have to accept that what we intended to be a cool looking "rock n roll rebel yell" stage dressing is returning to it's roots in people's hearts and minds and it's time in that capacity has gone. Interestingly the photo I posted with the flags hanging either side of the drums was taken in April 2014 and caused (as far as I'm aware) no controversy back then although it has to be said it's making me wince a little in the context of this thread, Times change and we shall respond accordingly. Les

[quote name='Nicko' timestamp='1503421779' post='3358115'] I haven't spoken to them as I did manage to do the practice last night with them. The pain was bearable when I was playing but it feels like its taken a backward step today.[/quote] Why on earth haven't you spoken to the band ? This in an all hands to the pump scenario. They may need to swap/drop stuff that will cause you problems and indeed take on the lifting and carrying duties that may exacerbate your problems. Any reasonable band will be happy to assist rather than cock a gig up surely ?

If you can cope with the pain do it.

Everybody contributing to this is to be applauded for not flying off the handle/shooting from the hip and generally taking my original question in the spirit is was intended despite it being a controversial issue Thank you Les

[quote name='Damonjames' timestamp='1503353428' post='3357603'] It represents southern American pride to WHITE southern Americans, but I wonder if the southern African American community feel the same? I feel for Tex on this one, as it is part of the "cowboy" imagery, but it may be time to rethink, perhaps the Stars and Stripes would do? I know you guys well enough to know you are not white supremacists, but a passer by may jump to that conclusion! Hope it hasn't caused too much grief! [/quote] Cheers Damo, you know us and you get what the act is about. In all honesty I don't think it's caused any grief so far apart from on here and I really hope I'm right on that.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1503342977' post='3357463'] If I walked into a room and saw that, I'd do an "about face" and leave immediately. That flag tells me one thing; "You're Not Welcome Here" Blue [/quote] I can't tell you how much that would upset me and the rest of the band Blue if that were to happen, hence my posting the question when alarm bells started ringing in my head. Saddest thing in that situation is the fact that we'd never never know and never get the chance to square it with someone who took one look at us and just left thinking us offensive and/or assholes. It's become obvious that it's best avoided in the first place. There's a lot of water between us mate and it doesn't have the same impact over here but you and I seem to be in the English/American version of the same type of band so your opinion on the issue is appreciated, as in fairness is everyone else's who's commented. As I said before the flags are dropped. Les

[quote name='Drax' timestamp='1503336804' post='3357373'] Les you don't have music stands as well do you? [/quote] I don't actually but the singer has one clamped to his mic stand cos' he got hit in the head by a digger bucket and can't remember stuff now. He is blissfully unaware that you all hate him for this. Here's an innocent picture of it at one of the fascist fundraisers you all think we do on a regular basis.

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1503329124' post='3357304'] That doesn't mean you haven't offended anyone though. Well overdue ditching this. Sounds like you have more than enough to create a great atmosphere. [/quote] Quite, and I would hope it's obvious from my opening post that this is exactly what I'm trying to avoid. Thank you to everyone that's contributed to this. We'll lose the flags henceforth, I'll probably start another thread to garner opinion on the "Brucie's dead higher or lower didn't he do well" sketch that the drummer and I are plotting for Sunday's beer fest.

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1503327830' post='3357282'] Just out of curiosity I asked a mate who is involved in the bluegrass scene in the UK He tells me that the confederate flag was quite common, but over the last few years there has been less use, and some have reported audience numbers dropping if it is being used. He happens to be Jewish, and these days takes it as an indication that he won't go as see any act using that flag. [/quote] Than you, that's exactly the kind of thing I'm trying to find out. Les

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1503327059' post='3357268'] TBH, when I think of the Confederate flag in a U.K. context, it just reminds me of the terrible Country and Western dos at holiday camps I played at a few times in the past. It's tacky. [/quote] Exactly, that's us, We're tacky.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1503325497' post='3357250'] Well said. Tbh I can't really believe this needs discussing. [/quote] Neither can I. I said right from the off that I didn't want to start a debate on the American thing I just wanted to know if I needed to be conscious of what a British pub audience might be thinking about the symbolism of the flag. I'm glad I didn't do something controversial like play a Stingray with a plec or buy one of those stupid reliced basses.

Just before the quicksand reaches my neck I'm going to have one last attempt at context and try to save my sorry ass. There's a member on here who saw us in all our regalia a good while back and was very complimentary in his review on another site, wish I could remember his board name. Hobby horse waiting patiently in his noose. Hobby horse relishing his time in the spotlight.

[quote name='fftc' timestamp='1503320915' post='3357168'] Les hasn't said anything about pillow cases yet. I threw those in for a bit of humour. Sorry! [/quote] I'm building up to that, just waiting for the admods to relax their trigger fingers on the "ban" button.

[quote name='fretmeister' timestamp='1503320226' post='3357155'] I think you probably hoped the majority would support the continuing use of the flag at your shows. No offence - but that is as naive as using it. Why on earth would you want to be associated with it anymore? Why would you want to have to explain "context" every time? Or more to the point, not have the opportunity to explain context because the venue just won't book you, or a punter won't buy a ticket or T-shirt? [/quote] To be honest I din't really expect anyone to support our use of the flag or condemn us, I posted cos' I really wanted to see if I was thinking along the right lines of dropping the flag by asking my peers or I was just having a knee jerk reaction and fixing a problem that may not have existed. We don't explain context at all, have never needed to, in fact the only time I've needed to mention it is on here. Take your points entirely though and thank you.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1503319827' post='3357148'] Wait... nooses? What? [/quote] I'm getting myself on the "consideration for being banned" list here aren't I ? I'll try and find a couple of photo's to add a bit of context.

I've had my terminally offended cyber flounce brigade" chucked back at me a couple of times please don't think I'm referring to anyone on here who has an opinion, I'm not, I'm talking about the point scoring look at me I'm offended cos' I saw an opportunity type's, we all know them. I knew from the start I would get generally intelligent well thought out and knowledgeable answers on here. There has to be some context in this, we decorate ourselves and we decorate the stage, we even have hobby horses that the girls like to nick and ride about the dance floor with. We actually hang them from the speakers with nooses ( I just know I'm going to regret passing that snippet on ). People have commented when they walk in and look at the stage/windowsill/postage stamp area that it looks good and looks like something's about to happen. We don't by any stretch of the imagination look like any sort of rally/political/fascist/KKK meeting, we look like a band that's made an effort. As I stated before we have NEVER had an adverse comment or raised eyebrow about any of it. We do know what the flags about and I'm trying to gauge if our punters see it for anything other than decoration And I do thank you all for your contribution to this.

[quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1503314783' post='3357056'] This is an interesting one, as there are all sorts of Confederate flags. For me they represent the Rock n' Roll Rebel type thing and Lynyrd Skynyrd. I'm not to up on the American Civil war, but I bet it's not as clear cut as slavery/white supremacy/North good, South bad type thing. You could either learn your history and use that to justify its use, or just replace it with Old Glory. Still Americana innit? Shame tho, it's such a cool flag and I'm uneasy about destroying elements of history to suit our agenda now. Isn't that what the Nazi's did? [/quote] To be honest Billy this pretty much sums up my opinion on the flag.

We have an Americana show/image, we advertise ourselves as "The North Wests only cowboy rock band". It's all cowboy boots, cowboy hats and "howdy y'all" we dress up and put a show on that's generally very well received and it's tongue in cheek. Did an Americana fest yesterday and set our little camp up selling our wares, chucked the photo's on facebook as you do and this one started a little debate about our flags. Started with an old school friend who now lives in Canada saying we'd be in trouble in North America with this, and I accept it's a big thing over there and has been for a while and carried on with a comment from our agent saying it's not our fault they're now seen as a symbol of white supremacy but it is and he advocated changing the flags. I have a fairly healthy grip on the terminally offended and cyber flounce brigade but we are in the entertainment business and we would be absolutely mortified if we actually caused offence with these. The reason we have them is that love it or loath it it's a really cool looking flag and instantly recognisable to most people even though they probably don't even know what exactly it is. We also have the Texas flags and they are quite nice but not instantly recognisable to our British audiences. Must add that we have NEVER had an adverse comment about them and there was no venom whatsoever in the facebook discussion so I'm not stinging over this but it has made me think. I really don't want to start a debate over the situation in America about these symbols, I'm just looking for some sage advice and opinions from my peers in the entertainment business. In fact it's just occurred to me that the admods on here may not think it appropriate and if that's the case I apologise and please pull the post. Is it time to lose the flag ? ta Les

TAB scores highly on the readily available and free category

No, it's not evil at all. It's just another tool.

Imgur works well for me on here. Know what you mean about photobucket, really hard work.