BigAlonBass

I was the Lead Vocalis/Bassist for a Working Men's Club Band, playing nothing but 'sing-along' Covers. After five and a half years, we had a good following, playing to Full Houses five nights a week, with Agents falling over each other to Book us. Along came Paul Carrick (sp?) with his one-off rendition of "How Long". Guess who had to change their Band Name? The Band without expensive Solicitors, that's who. 🙄

Drove from the North-East to the South Coast, for a Gig at Butlins in Bognor Regis. Set up, quick soundcheck, then the curtains opened. We launched into our one and only Hit* and the Hall emptied... We had been booked as a Rock Band, but Butlitz had neglected to tell our Agent that it was a 70s Rock Night. Glittery wigs in abundance, along with outrageous outer wear, so we were neither expected nor welcome... (*FIST - Name, Rank and Serial Number*)

Played for over 50 years, and only needed a back-up twice in all that time. Happily, they were both "Big" Gigs, and I would have looked a right plum without another Bass to pick up in a hurry. (One string which destroyed itself, and "bird-nested" round the others, and one electronic breakdown.) I had made a Hanger from two Guitar Hangers and a strip of steel, welded together and held in place by the weight of my Amp, so both Basses hung down the sides of my Stack, and never got in the way.

Having a laugh with one of the Guitards.

No. Sorry.

Do what the Ancient Chinese used to do... Grit your teeth and keep playing, softy. 😉

Horses For Courses. If YOU enjoy playing them, why should anyone else be allowed an "opinion" on YOUR choice? 😉

A few years ago, I packed it all up, overnight. I'd simply had enough of "The Scene" at the time, so stuck my Gear in the corner of my Man-Cave, and went Fishing. 😎 Fast forward three years, and some old mates of mine had been 'dropped in the ...." by their Bassist, and needed one for a week-end of Gigs, so called me. I told them it had been far too long, and I'd be lucky if I could still play Root Notes, let alone add anything constructive to the Sound. They said, "Get to the Gigs, turn down if you have to, and just rumble along in the background" because the Gigs were rather important to them, so I did :-and enjoyed every minute of it! Granted, my Skill Levels were WAY down, and a lot of the time I was just 'filling the gaps' but they were happy that they had fulfilled their commitments, and I was surprised just how much fun it had been. "Don't suppose you fancy a couple of Rehearsals, do you?" the Guitarist said, and I replied "Why not?" 12 years later, the Arthritis decreed I had to end my Playing Days, but they had been the happiest 12 years of my (Musical) life. Try not Giving Up completely. Simply take a break, stick your Gear in a corner, and if something turns up that tickles your fancy, give it a go. You never know. 😉

I played in a Covers Band, and I DESPISED "Burn" by (not really) Deep Purple. I say not really, because MY kind of Deep Purple didn't have over-stressed Cockney accents in the Vocals. It was like listening to Billy Bragg with a Rock Track playing in the back-ground. I realise Blackmore might have wanted to keep the name going, but most of the Tracks simply weren't up to scratch....Along with certain Musicians. 😁

The above thread is the exact reason I never played with a "couple" in a Band. NEVER! I've actually turned up at 'auditions' been introduced to the Band Members, and as soon as I heard "This is my (Significant Other) or "We run the Band" my Bass never even left its Case, I didn't even engage in conversation, and I walked out. Life's too short for KNOWING there are going to be problems before you even start, so discretion is always the better part of valour in any simillar situation . I am not alone in sharing experiences of this situation in the past, as it seems to rear its ugly head on a regular basis. As a matter of fact, the moment she said "I want to play Bass" I would have been gone. No ifs, buts or maybes. Take it from me, the Band is going to split within 6 months or so, as this is only the thin end of the wedge. What other 'bright ideas' do they have in the pipeline? I wouldn't be hanging around to find out... YMMV, but I doubt it.

I Retired, so I no longer have GAS. (The Arthritis, stopping me being able to play, helped) 🙄

I realised it in 1973. I was playing in Pubs and Working Mens Clubs with a bunch of mates, and making pretty decent money. In the space of a month, I was approached by 3 different (Local but Signed) Bands, wanting me to tour with them, and all that it entailed. On 3 separate occasions, I went along, aced the 'Auditions' and was offered the Gig. To celebrate, we went for a couple of Beers and a chat in the Local Hostelry, round the corner from the Rehearsal Studios. During the three separate chats with the Bands in question, the subject of respective ages came up, only to leave the Members of the Bands non-plussed. Different ways of saying it, but they all said the same thing. "Sorry, we'll have to let you go, you're too old" I had just had my 21st Birthday... 🙄 After the third occasion, I realised that lots of 'Musicians' were (insert derogatory word here) so I decided I didn't WANT to "Make It" if that was the stamp of person I would have to engage with. I stuck to playing with mates for the next 49 years, and had a bloody good time of it. (Yes, I paid Tax, and my Accountant made sure it remained reasonable)😋 Bought my House and Boat, numerous Cars, Basses and Musical Gear, got Married and had brilliant Kids, and would have still been doing it, if Arthritis hadn't kicked in with a vengeance. It probably won't mean a lot, if you're not from this area, but I even played Newcastle City Hall, (brilliant to hear your name shouted from the Audience) and appeared on Telly a couple of times. Over the years, I've met a LOT of 'famous folk' who acted exactly the same as those first 3 bands, telling me I was "getting on a bit" which reinforced my early decision, and I haven't regretted it once. 😉

Me too. You're never too old to learn something new. I ran a PA for multiple Bands, and got some handy hints from people I came across, which I would probably never thought of myself.

Just use Yodel. They tell you straight away, that they've lost ANOTHER Parcel you were expecting. 😒

BURN, by "Deep Purple" If I wanted a stoppy-starty, un-musical Hodge Podge of Posers showing off, topped off with a Billy Bragg 'cockney' accent, (it's pronounced 'Try' not 'Troooy') I would have just gone to sleep, and had a nightmare. Former Members of Deep Purple in the Band, but the additional Members were an astonishingly wrong move. (IMHO of course).

One Pint of John Smiths at the beginning of the night, (just to be sociable with the non-drivers) then Cream Soda for the rest of it.

I had one. but gave it away to a young Band, for their Practise Room. Not that wonderful a sound, and nowhere near as loud as you'd expect.

" if we have to we will get a replacement bass player." It must be a wonderful feeling, knowing you're such a valued Member of the Band... Run, don't walk, away. Now.

I got dropped in at the Deep End in 1969, when the Singer spat the dummy, and walked away. I was the only one who could (passably) sing, so I was designated Lead Vocalist for the large number of Gigs we had booked. I went Home, concentrated on the Singing, playing nothing but Root Notes in the background, and gradually progressed. A week later, the first Gig arrived, and I had the Vocals 'off pat' in my head, so I was a bit more relaxed about combining the two. I found, as time progressed, that I could fit some 'twiddly bits' in between the less 'vocally' sections, and as time went on, my Skill Level continued to improve. A year later, it felt like I had been doing it forever, and I've been able to marry the two together ever since. I was lucky, in that the other Lads in the Band were just happy to fulfil the Gig requirements, and allowed me to do everything at my own pace. So-in short-Practise till you "get it". Not dreadfully easy, but well within everyone's capabilities. (Eventually!) 😉

A million years ago, I had a good GP. I went to see him, after playing with a Plectrum for the Band I was currently a member of. He diagnosed it, said "Roll your sleeve up" and stuck a ?Steroid? Injection into it. Perfection within 2 days, and I've never used a Plectrum since. Apparently, (after some research) I was using my elbow too much, instead of my wrist while playing. Anyway, all those years later, and still no more problems. Medical intervention can help sometimes. 😉

Stay away from Newcastle. You won't like it. It's a horrible place, honest.....and we don't want outsiders mucking it up. (Strange Keyboard. Aim for the 'F' and it types 'M' ) 😁

I had an SX Jazz and Precision, both in Lake Placid Blue, till I retired. I gigged with them for years, and never wanted to use anything else. Sold them, along with everything else, and wish I'd kept them. 🧐

I must have big hands or flexible fingers or summat. For 57 years, I've anchored my Thumb to the Pickup, and easily reach all the Strings. I've never bothered with the 'floating thumb' thing.

I'm told, by different people, that it's to get it on 'Watch Lists' so that there's a load of folks watching it, waiting for the "Reveal". Not my way of thinking, and I certainly won't be participating...

Another salutory tale from the life of Jonny the Depp... 😁