paul h

^^^ This is the kind of validation I was hoping for Most of the musicians I talk to (Ok...I mean my band) can't get past the "People like ([i]insert almost any song from The Blues Brothers or The Commitments here[/i]) so we must play it!" My argument is that there is a dwindling audience for the older stuff. I'm 43 and I am pretty sick of just being bombarded by the same half a dozen 60's songs by every pub band in the world...ever! (or so it seems some times) Now I'm not hugely nostalgic about the 80's but I would rather play and listen to the music that was around when I was growing up. I'm glad to see that I'm not alone in that

^^^ That was my point.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1384504650' post='2277367'] Jimmy Page was making a very successful career as one of the in-demand session players before joining the Yardbirds. [/quote] Yes he was. In the 60's. Do you think he could play on a Kelly Clarkson song now, without just sounding like Jimmy Page playing on a Kelly Clarkson song? I'm not convinced. And JP was just an offhand example Edit: ok JP was a poor choice but I still think my point is valid.

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1384503756' post='2277357'] Thanks Paul, that's kind. I know what you mean though. [/quote] You're welcome. It's fairly obvious to me though. I have the same respect for session musicians. The ability to "fit" into someone else's creative process is a difficult thing to pull off. Ironically the majority of famous musicians would be terrible session players Jimmy Page is great at being Jimmy Page. I somehow doubt he could pull off a supportive rhythm part on a Kelly Clarkson single

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1384503143' post='2277350'] For me it's the opposite, I love helping someone realise their vision. Obviously I have to love their vision and how they execute it. Contrarily, I want to write an album and put a band together to play it, but I don't want to be in the band. I want to be in the audience. [/quote] I think standard of musicianship comes into that as well. I believe you are a good enough musician to really contribute to someone else's vision. Me...not so much I'm at my best being "me" and hoping that chemistry and luck create something special. I've never written a good song in my life but I have written some awesome riffs, middle eights and the odd hook

What an awesome thread. Faith in basschat is partially restored I have always struggled when joining an originals band that already has material written. As TimR says, it is pretty just like playing covers of songs you haven't heard before! I still like the idea of playing original music but for me the real joy was always writing songs as a band with my best mates. So maybe the answer is to get the right musicians together first and then work on new material?

[quote name='Count Bassy' timestamp='1384477361' post='2277289'] I will never cease to be amazed that musicians and bands can't embrace old standards! There seems to be the attitude that if it's popular and the audience like it then it must be bad!!! Conversely obscurity seems to be taken as automatically meaning a song is good. Songs that are obscure are generally obscure for a reason, songs that are still being sung and enjoyed are being so for a reason. I have nothing against modern "Classics", but will "Sex on Fire" still be being sung in 40 years? Mustang Sally is often regarded with scorn in these pages, but its a good song that is still being sung and enjoyed 40 years after it was written! As far as I'm concerned that must mean it must have something right. I wish I had written it!! [/quote] Three times I have started to reply to this and three times I have thought better of it. This is draft number 4. I apologise for the "I'm amazed" comment. Unfortunately that's my opinion. The exciting thing about music for me is that it's constantly developing and changing. I love nothing more than discovering something new. A genre I haven't listened to before. A new artist I admire. A new song that I love. Luckily I'm not alone in this because well...new music is being written all the time. Music that has absorbed all those wonderful influences from a post Mustang Sally world Luckily I'm not alone in this because well...The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Jimi Hendrix, Queen, Funk, Disco, Punk, Hip Hop, Dance Music, The Moog, Drum Machines, Programming, Sampling, DJ's, Mixing...and of course a million other influences that make up modern music. And to answer some of your points directly. The only reason I don't like a song is because I don't like it. It has nothing to do with popularity. I also never said anything about wanting to play obscure songs or thinking obscure means good. And I certainly didn't mention Sex on Fire. And I certainly wouldn't describe it as a classic because I can no more see into the future than the guy who wrote Mustang Sally.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1384468475' post='2277206'] The last things a local scene needs..IMV..is same old, same old [/quote] True.

[quote name='chriswareham' timestamp='1384469861' post='2277220'] I played in a Cure covers band that concentrated on their 1980s material. I was amazed at how well attended the gigs were and it paid well so there's definitely a good market for bands covering songs of that era. I'm based over in Enfield, not all that far from Hemel and might be interested in helping out on the programming side of things if you're thinking of doing the more electronic 80s stuff. [/quote] Thanks for the offer...will definitely keep you in mind!

[quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1384452037' post='2276927'] Dave Vader used to be in one (still deps occasionally for them I think). [/quote] Thanks for the heads up. If he doesn't spot this thread I might send him a pm.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1384452538' post='2276937'] I would say they work ... Not sure if they are popular because of what they do... or because they are the most likely live music source. I think there are too many of them, tbh, personally, but you'd have to do detailed research on the numbers they pulled in. I wouldn't say any of the bands were a BIG pull, although some get healthy crowds. I say that because they typically don't or can't sell tickets - almost 100% exclusively pubs - and don't get great money at parties. Which is kind of odd as Rewind is pretty big..iirc. [/quote] Interesting, thanks for the insight. Not that I pay a lot of attention but most bands round here seem to be of the Mustang Sally, Sweet Home Alabama variety. So I think maybe I wouldn't be any worse off gigs/money wise by going the 80's route. I think it might be nice to play some different material for a change!

So there's a healthy market for them then?

Putting an 80's cover band together is starting to appeal to me so I thought I would see who here has experience of them. Thanks.

I would much rather play some new cheesey standards than the the old cheesey standards! I'm currently snoring through the first two minutes of Proud Mary, (well...the entire song really) and dying a little inside every time I play Shake a Tail Feather or Do You Love Me. I will never to cease to be amazed that musicians and bands just can't embrace new music. When I say new, I would actually settle for something written in this decade....or century...or maybe since I've been alive. Currently on my "I wish I was playing this instead of all this boring old sh*t" list is Daley's version of Remember Me and We Can't Stop by Miley Cyrus. Both great songs. Or The Promise by Girls Aloud would be great. Love on Top by Beyonce. Take Back The Night by JT would be fantastic...etc. etc. Now I'm sad.

^^^ That is lovely

[quote name='EliasMooseblaster' timestamp='1383579361' post='2266106'] That's really quite nice that. I think it deserves a couple of extra points for the title! [/quote] Thankyerverymuch The short length and the title are the best bits

My entry. Apologies for length and shoddiness. [url="https://soundcloud.com/robotrobotrobotmusic/some-kind-of-ghost-wedding-i"]https://soundcloud.com/robotrobotrobotmusic/some-kind-of-ghost-wedding-i[/url]

Music is hard I think my entry might top out at 30 seconds long at this rate

Thanks I'm really pleased with it as just a good, simple, rock guitar. Needs tuning between every take but I can live with that for now

Definitely having a go at this I was secretly hoping to be able to go all RAWKKK!!! but if I stare at the photo long enough I am sure I will come up with something a bit more suitable

Just added a couple of tracks recorded with the guitar to the first post

Congrats Z

Listened, voted, followed people,,,,sold a t-shirt Awesome stuff guys. I might be tempted to embarrass myself next month

Ooh exciting...and a great choice too Have fun

[quote name='GarethFlatlands' timestamp='1382634338' post='2254798'] Well if it aint broke! I'd consider a new nut as they look like plastic on the ones I saw on e-bay and I just don't like 'em. I'd be interested to hear how the pickups sound, might be worth considering as a backup guitar. [/quote] It will be used mainly as a recording guitar. It's not staying in tune particularly well so I think a new nut might well be on the cards! [quote name='Ancient Mariner' timestamp='1382702544' post='2255613'] That looks nice Paul, and great that they used a compensated bridge like that. [/quote] Yeah, the bridge does make a difference over other LPJ copies I've played. (Nice photo don't you think? ) [quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1382715175' post='2255859'] £100? Blimey! Good result; I do love P90s. [/quote] I'm a recent convert after struggling to get a sound I like out of single coils but nor really liking humbuckers for clean tones.