flyfisher

I love it that while so many people spend a small fortune searching for their dream instrument or sound, he just built his own guitar and [u]created[/u] something to call his own. Absolutely brilliant! I didn't know he used old tanners as picks though and thought it amusing that his tech says they're cheaper to buy than plastic ones!

This is an almost unbelievable story. What sort of person in a live performance would continuously check their phone? Imagine going to the theatre and the lead actor keeps checking their phone! I have to say that I'd have been hard pressed not to arrange for my heel to grind the bloody thing into the stage and can fully understand the drummer continuing to 'keep the beat' in the car park. [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1407079744' post='2517093'] We don't even take mobiles into the venue when we're playing. Why would we? We're there to play, not chat on the phone. [/quote] We don't go that far but only because it has never, ever been an issue for either of the bands I play with - but frankly, if it ever was then I, for one, would be pushing for that sort of rule!! Appalling.

Sounds like a good conclusion for 'just one of those thing' that can happen through no fault of your own. I wonder how much the bass hire actually cost the promoter?

We were once asked to play Fly Me To The Moon for a wedding and it was so popular that we've played it a few times since. The second time we played it, we opened with it after announcing we'd be playing a few new songs and it was quite funny to watch people's reactions before we launched into the rest of the originals set It's a fun walking bassline to play, though I play it with a dollop of, er, 'improvisation' shall we say rather than sticking rigidly to the sheet music.

[quote name='bertbass' timestamp='1406837300' post='2515254'] Ah, but one of the wheels locks after a few yards and they never go in a straight line. [/quote] You've tried it then?

You were done. You can get a 4-wheel shopping trolley at other supermarkets for only £1

[quote name='Dropzone' timestamp='1406808713' post='2514886'] Try engaging with the handler, thier insurance may cover it. [/quote] Worth a try, but I wouldn't be holding my breath. Few, ( if any?) insurance policies will cover consequential losses.

Are you even sure you can claim on your own insurance? After all your bass wasn't lost ( thankfully) 'only' delayed, so I'd check the policy carefully to see if this sort of thing is covered. If it is covered, how much are you going to claim. I don't know how much it costs to hire a bass for a day but I suspect it's not much. How much is the tour manager going to bill you for (you'll need an invoice as proof of your loss)? Annoying as such things are, sometimes the amount of the loss is not really worth a claim, especially considering future premium hikes.

Fair point, but that could be because building a wall or doing a bit of plumbing involves physical work and materials whereas there's all sorts of stuff people can do at home with a PC for little more than a bit of their time. I can understand that some people are annoyed with being asked for a favour but there are also more generous types who enjoy helping out when they can. No harm in asking. What I can't understand is why some people moan about such things. If they don't want to get out of bed without being paid for it then fair enough, but live and let live eh?

[quote name='JamieMillsBass' timestamp='1406713931' post='2513948'] This isn't a dig at the OP (I've asked the same question as he has of people in the past), but why do people automatically assume that it's OK to ask for work in the 'creative industries' to be done for free? Again, not a dig at the OP, just thought it might start a discussion. [/quote] Possibly because you don't have to work in a 'creative industry' to be creative? You also don't need to be a 'professional' to be good at something, though ’professionals' will frequently dispute that of course

Great post!

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1406654445' post='2513480'] I may be cynical but I just see it as a way of cutting costs and dodging red tape... [/quote] I wouldn't be at all surprised . . . in some cases. But there are lots of different cases so people can pick and choose as they wish. Choice is good isn't it? Dad's post pretty much sums it up for me.

Again, an overall generalisation and depends very much on the type of event. Someone organising 'Live Aid' is going to incur expenses that need paying for (though how many of those bands got paid for their sets? ) whereas someone organising a village fete with a few bands playing throughout the afternoon will likely have no expenses to pay. I know someone who runs a local charity and organises many innovative fund raising events and is very creative about reducing expenses, one of which involves a rent-free lease on a large building with grounds which is used as a base for fund raising events with no need for venue hire at all.

All valid points and experiences, which just goes to show the wide variety of circumstances involved. In other words, room for all and no pressure on anyone to do anything they don't want to. Seems pretty ideal really.

Bit of a generalisation? I've played at charity events where none of the organisers or staff (volunteers really) were paid. But there are no rules are there? If you were organising a charity event and could get bands at no cost then what's the problem? Would you not use volunteer bar staff because they get paid at other times? If a venue offered their premises for free would you not take up their offer? If a sound guy offered services for free, would you refuse?

House Of The Rising Sun . . . . at an old folks home summer fete in 1974

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1406533997' post='2512104'] You can't really be against a good cause but jeez, these charity shows must be collecting a LOT .. [/quote] Isn't that the whole point?

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1406505457' post='2512041'] I think there is a difference between not taking a fee, and not being able to get one. [/quote] I think you're probably right, but I don't think it matters - there's room for all isn't there?

Well said. It's all good.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1406486149' post='2511866'] More contemporary, our singer's lad is only just 21 but is making his mark . . . [url="http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/music/george-ezra-the-man-with-the-song-of-the-summer-9628004.html"]http://www.standard....er-9628004.html[/url] [/quote] Just watched the Hungarian GP race on iPlayer and heard Ezra's 'Budapest' being played over the outro sequence. Obvious choice, I suppose, but shows the value of having a big record company turning a few handles for you.

I was at school with William Orbit. We did A-level zoology together but he dropped out in favour of music and set up a succession of studios in various squats before making it pretty big with his own albums. He's now a sought after producer and has worked with the likes of Madonna, bringing him three Grammy awards. His career is well documented online. More contemporary, our singer's lad is only just 21 but is making his mark . . . [url="http://www.standard.co.uk/goingout/music/george-ezra-the-man-with-the-song-of-the-summer-9628004.html"]http://www.standard....er-9628004.html[/url]

With a single speaker, not really, though it's a good idea to go with the convention in case you add more speakers later and want then to be in phase. I reckon your guess about the colours is right though. Still, as you can't do any harm by reversing the polarity, why not try both ways and decide which sounds best?

[quote name='SpaceChick' timestamp='1406359802' post='2510838'] I don't understand this whole tour tshirt thing. You men seem obsessed with it. Hubby is the same, he has a whole suitcase full of the things!! Some he's worn until they are falling apart, others he's never worn and he's keeping them like museum exhibits. What gives boys? [/quote] It's a showing off thing, to advertise our masculine prowess and success to the world. Same as baldy men in sporty cars with personalised number plates or playing in a band with other old has-beens. It's all about sex in the end and your Hubby is proof that it works.

Fair point, everything is negotiable - if you can be bothered. How did it work out in the end?