Old Horse Murphy Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 (edited) Unbelievable. We had a slot booked at the Water Rats Studio in Woking this afternoon and turned up as usual. Some "idiot" had parked his Ford Transit van across the entrance and when we got in to the corridor, it was packed with flight cases etc. "Jeez, what idiot brings all this gear along to a Rehearsal studio?" I commented to our singer. With that, Rick Buckler comes walking out of one of the rooms and apologises for all the kit and promises to move it ASAP. "No worries Rick. It's fine where it is" I stutter, offering a shaky handshake. We chat briefly. What a fantastic guy and incredibly down to earth. Who walks round the corner? Only Bruce Foxton!!!!!! More handshakes. They're rehearsing before a From The Jam gig in Jersey next week followed by a US Promo Tour. They both still live in the local area and use the studios regularly. I had a look at his gear and his main bass was a black/white maple P Bass with a Badass. His back up was one of those smi acoustic basses that he endorses (can't remember the make). The noise coming from their sudio when the go going was amazing and I think I spent more time lsitening to them than actually rehearsing myself. We tell them we do a few Jam numbers in our set and I ask Bruce why he wrote such difficult bloody bass parts!. We go our separate ways, but an hour later while we're in the middle of David Watts, the door opens and there they are watching us. I nearly died. They say never meet your heroes but they were 2 of the nicest, easiest going guys I've met and obliged in a few pictures, which my mate duly took of me and the guys. As soon as he emails them, I'll post them on here. What a day!! They're playing Hammersmith on 22nd December and I'll book my tickets immediately. Edited September 13, 2008 by Old Horse Murphy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 ok... but whos rick butler? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Horse Murphy Posted September 13, 2008 Author Share Posted September 13, 2008 [quote name='lwtait' post='283333' date='Sep 13 2008, 08:25 PM']ok... but whos rick butler?[/quote] Rick Buckler- drummer from the Jam and drummer with From the Jam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tait Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 [quote name='Old Horse Murphy' post='283335' date='Sep 13 2008, 08:28 PM']Rick Buckler- drummer from the Jam and drummer with From the Jam.[/quote] o right... yeah. i should have known that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeS Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 I would have filled my pants if I'd been in the middle of a Jam song only to find that two of them were standing there watching. Thanks for the heads-up on the Hammersmith gig as well. Slightly OT, but how are the Water Rats Studios? I've been looking at local rehearsal rooms and the info on their website looks promising, but it'd be interesting to hear from someone who has actually used them. Although I guess if they're good enough for the Jam, they'll be good enough for a rank amateur like me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Horse Murphy Posted September 13, 2008 Author Share Posted September 13, 2008 [quote name='JoeS' post='283340' date='Sep 13 2008, 08:36 PM']I would have filled my pants if I'd been in the middle of a Jam song only to find that two of them were standing there watching. Thanks for the heads-up on the Hammersmith gig as well. Slightly OT, but how are the Water Rats Studios? I've been looking at local rehearsal rooms and the info on their website looks promising, but it'd be interesting to hear from someone who has actually used them. Although I guess if they're good enough for the Jam, they'll be good enough for a rank amateur like me [/quote] They're very good actually. There's only 4 rooms there, but the kit is good, they're well appointed and the staff are really friendly. Also, they don't smell like a sweaty jockstrap!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 Class The Jam were/are one of my all time fav bands; some of the first lines I tried to learn were Foxton's. I can't believe you actually continued to rehearse though, I'd have just pulled a chair up and sat and listened (even if it was out of sight/in the corridor/in another room) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayfan Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 [quote name='Old Horse Murphy' post='283332' date='Sep 13 2008, 08:22 PM']an hour later while we're in the middle of David Watts, the door opens and there they are watching us. I nearly died.[/quote] Haha...did the fingers turn to jelly? Did he offer any tips? They sound like really nice guys. Bet he wasn't using that Peavey-asuarus stack there though - it's terrible! I like WaterRat, it's a bit grubby but Jayne who runs it is really friendly. We use [url="http://www.silenthillstudio.com/"]Silent Hill[/url] in Guildford a lot because it's a better location for us. Jules who runs that is a really nice guy too and it's a bit newer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 Oh wow! I'd have spluttered and died I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGit Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 Didn't demand a go on the Shuker did he .. now that would be a nice endorsee to have alonside JJ Burnel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 I've tried those bass lines as well. Ten times more difficult than you think. Man's an unsung genius. I'd have just died on the spot. Well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebeat Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 I would have started playing the bass line from 'A Bomb in Wardour Street' and shouted ; 'OI! Foxton!! this is how it SHOULD be done!!!' you soft Southern pooftah! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedontcarebear Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 [quote name='lwtait' post='283333' date='Sep 13 2008, 08:25 PM']ok... but whos rick butler?[/quote] I was wondering who it was until he mentioned The Jam too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirkThrust Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 Fantastic. Bruce Foxton is my favourite bassist of all time and Foxton/Buckler my favourite rythm section. I started playing the bass after listening to The Jam and at one time I could put on a Jam record and play every single bassline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markytbass Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 Flippin eck I'd have just sh*t myself and totally bum the line. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ARGH Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 Served Bruce in Guildford Val and Co at Waterrat are cool,Ive rehearsed there ..VERY VERY good rooms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_the_bass Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 [quote name='Old Horse Murphy' post='283332' date='Sep 13 2008, 08:22 PM']What a day!! They're playing Hammersmith on 22nd December and I'll book my tickets immediately.[/quote] You'll be doing what? A perfect opportunity for a spot of ligging and you're [b]buying[/b] tickets? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cetera Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 Great story! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Horse Murphy Posted September 16, 2008 Author Share Posted September 16, 2008 I'm STILL waiting for my mate to downlaod the photos and I'll post them up here. never happened if there are no photos!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevB Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 Was Bruce OK? A mate saw them a couple of years back and he said one of the roadies had to put the bass on Bruce and wondered if he'd had some sort of injury or illness, apparently played OK once it was in place though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Horse Murphy Posted September 16, 2008 Author Share Posted September 16, 2008 (edited) [quote name='KevB' post='285004' date='Sep 16 2008, 01:53 PM']Was Bruce OK? A mate saw them a couple of years back and he said one of the roadies had to put the bass on Bruce and wondered if he'd had some sort of injury or illness, apparently played OK once it was in place though.[/quote] He actually looked in good shape and had just come back from holiday. Both him and Rick for 50-somethings look as if they take good care of themselves. Funny though, when I went in to their Rehearsal Room, Bruce was sitting there re-stringing his old black and white P Bass. I was a little disappointed that he did use 100 year old strings like me That said, I guess new strings and all that extra zing are what gives him his sound. He also had that semi-acoustic (can't remember the make) that he endorses at the moment. It was quite retro looking but looked huge!! Both of the guys are quite small, so it must look like he's got a lawnmower strapped round his neck when he plays it. Edited September 16, 2008 by Old Horse Murphy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted September 16, 2008 Share Posted September 16, 2008 Buce endorses Waterstone basses as does Tom Petersson from Cheap Trick and a few other guys as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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