Jackroadkill

Thanks so much, chaps. I really appreciate you all taking the time to lend me your wisdom (or mention boobies). This gig is a bit of a rush job but there's no pressure other than that which we put ourselves under. Mainly '90's rock stuff, but the odd earlier / later song thrown in for good measure. We're trying to avoid too many standards if we can. The set list is done, but writing the first chord is a superb idea - consider that one nicked! I'm hoping that my experience will be the same, and I'm hoping very much that I enjoy it as much as I used to. Bugger! Thanks all, JRK

I've set aside some time during the day on Saturday to go through all of my gear (thankfully I'm not using much) and ensure that it's all shipshape. Luckily I spent years working as a roadie so I'm confident in this respect. Thanks - I'd forgotten that one! Thanks very much, chaps, much appreciated.

I categorically, unequivocally and completely gave up playing about twelve years ago, following the folding of my band and a few aborted attempts to start new ones. Somehow last year I accidentally bought a bass and formed a covers band. Now our singer has booked us a gig for Saturday night. It's nothing overly dramatic, just at a party held by some friends of his. We'll be the first band on and have a 45 minute set. After not feeling nervous about this at all, it's getting very close and I'm starting to twitch a bit. Back in my younger days I thrived on the butterflies and played with wild abandon, causing chaos and heartbreak (okay, maybe just chaos) at every gig. These days I'm thinking that being on the ball, taking a back seat and just trying to get through without weeing myself might be the best bet. Have you lovely people any pearls of wisdom to share or is it more of a case of jump back in and see if I can still swim? Cheers, JRK

I'm less self-taught than happily ignorant, really. Bloody love playing the bass though.

As much as it's a shitty thing for him to have done, I bet lots of us have done things after coming offstage at a bad gig we're not proud of. Mine was when my band had played a Boxing Day gig (probably in 2007 or so) and we had sucked. It hadn't helped that the venue was tiny, overcrowded with bands and their gear, bereft of a decent PA etc etc, but the bottom line was that our band stank that night. Usually we were pretty... memorable(?), but on that occasion we were out of time with each other, missing cues etc, generally dropping the ball. I couldn't wait to get offstage, and as I threw my guitars into their cases a guy came up to me and said "Oh, you're the guitarist from that crazy band. I really enjoyed your show". To my eternal shame, I blanked him. It didn't take long to realise what a Richard move that was, and I learned from my mistake; from that gig on I've always taken time to thank audience members for their comments, whether positive or otherwise.

Mate, if I didn't think you were cool already...!

Absofrigginglutely.

Who the actual jeff are Sleaford Mods?

I was hit by nobody who wasn't in a band that hadn't had any minutes (or something).

That's some classic BC'age right there!

White.

What a ridiculous accusation, sir! (Yes, more than likely)

I went quite a bit between '97 and 2001 - I wonder if we crossed paths?

Actually, @Waddo Soqable, did you used to to to Slimelight, years ago?

Well, @Waddo Soqable, seeing as you've show us yours.... I was eighteen when this photo was taken. Not much has changed apart from being older, fatter and more weatherbeaten.

He's the loveliest man you could hope to meet and I love him like a brother; it's just that he goes on for hours.

If I could change two things about my bands they would be: Marches Hollow (stoner metal) - The seeming impossibility of getting us all together in the same place at the same time, and I'd stop the bass player (not me, I'm on guitar in that band) playing between songs, when we're trying to work out arrangements etc. DJV (covers) - The seeming impossibility of getting us all together in the same place at the same time, and I'd stop the lead guitar player (not me, I'm on bass in that band) playing between songs, when we're trying to work out arrangements etc, at the same time as the singer is using his privileged position to tell us all very long-winded and boring stories through the PA.

Now that's looking very swish.

Pleasant personality, diligent, competent, cooperative and a quick learner? Why on earth would you keep someone like that? How will you fill your tell-all memoir with the appropriate tales of dysfunction and conflict? Hmmm, I hadn't though of that. Right, screw him , he's oot!

I'm happy to report that the young chap concerned had comprehensively done his homework, brought a guitar more suited to the music with him, and learned fast from our existing guitarist about amp positions (and how they affect the band dynamic), volume, fitting into arrangements etc. We might keep him!

My band's just had the polar opposite; nice lad, decent enough player but never been in a band before. That's okay, we can get him up to speed, but the gear? Nasty pointy things and 'orrible amps. He's reporting at 1000 hrs for political re-education.

Hi Greg, just found this thread; you have a new subscriber! Thanks for the lesson - I found your manner very engaging and helpful. Cheers, JRK

Oooh, nice! Something intrinsically cool about a T-bird.

No gigs yet, Dave - this is my first go at bass playing since I was a teenager. However, I always rehearse as if I was live if I can - this is easier when practising with the band than at home on my own. We tend to rehearse once every ten days or so, and I practise at home most days. We played on Friday and it was the first time I had no problems - I didn't change my playing style or alter my amp settings at all. I'm baffled as to why I didn't blister my index finger, but I'm not complaining at all. There doesn't seem to be any difference in the skin compared to before the rehearsal. It could just be that my body's learning to adapt to doing something new, I suppose. I've only been playing bass for a few months, so I suppose that's a possibility. The proof of the pudding will be after the next practise, I reckon. Thanks for all your input, everyone - it's much appreciated. JRK EDIT: I've just remembered - I used my new, longer strap and consequently my hand position was different. I wonder if that contributed to the lack of blistering?

I saw the pic above and thought "That looks exactly like mine!".... Getting old sucks! I initially bought a Player as I couldn't afford as US model, but the two I have are so good I don't feel the need to "upgrade" them one bit.