How was your gig last night?

[Chienmortbb]

1 hour ago, Leonard Smalls said:

I don't usually take a handbag...

But I do have special socks I always wear; they're either orange with zebras or yellow with spaniels. Pants-wise, I tend to go with black cotton trunks that helpfully say "Mr. Big" on the waistband.

I don’t think you are taking this seriously. 
 

Signed

 

Angry of Misterland

 

(AKA Mr Small) 
 

[ahpook]

We all agree to meet at the venue at 8. Drummer turns up at 8.50, claiming he's not drunk. Just one pint he says.

 

Yeah, right...he looks a bit altered to be one pint in.

 

Cocks up intro to the first song three times so we bin it and play on. Every song slows down.

 

I know we play for almost nothing. I know we've no serious fans, it's just us having fun, but take it seriously. I do.  I put hours, which I do not have, into learning and getting songs right. And I do my best to play them right on the night.

 

Jeesh.  Just...jeesh.

 

Edited December 5 by ahpook

[dmccombe7]

8 hours ago, ahpook said:

We all agree to meet at the venue at 8. Drummer turns up at 8.50, claiming he's not drunk. Just one pint he says.

 

Yeah, right...he looks a bit altered to be one pint in.

 

Cocks up intro to the first song three times so we bin it and play on. Every song slows down.

 

I know we play for almost nothing. I know we've no serious fans, it's just us having fun, but take it seriously. I do.  I put hours, which I do not have, into learning and getting songs right. And I do my best to play them right on the night.

 

Jeesh.  Just...jeesh.

 

My attitude is that you're either committed to being in a band or you aren't. If not then walk away and let the band replace you and get on with it. I'm quite lucky that in both bands we all have to drive to get to gigs so there's no drink involved.

Dave

[ahpook]

1 hour ago, dmccombe7 said:

My attitude is that you're either committed to being in a band or you aren't. If not then walk away and let the band replace you and get on with it. I'm quite lucky that in both bands we all have to drive to get to gigs so there's no drink involved.

Dave

 

Well, we're not doing anything till after the New Year, so I'm going to think over whether I want to be in a band with the drummer. He's the weakest link and I'm not sure I'm on for another months-long search for another one if we sack him.

 

On top of this, my health's taken a sudden turn for the worst and it's made me start to seriously wonder if I actually have the energy to do all the band stuff any more...it may be time to hang up my gig shoes. We'll see.

[Stub Mandrel]

Just now, ahpook said:

 

Well, we're not doing anything till after the New Year, so I'm going to think over whether I want to be in a band with the drummer. He's the weakest link and I'm not sure I'm on for another months-long search for another one if we sack him.

 

On top of this, my health's taken a sudden turn for the worst and it's made me start to seriously wonder if I actually have the energy to do all the band stuff any more...it may be time to hang up my gig shoes. We'll see.

 

It's worth considering how doing things that require mental and physical effort help keep you active and healthy.

 

Swapping gig shoes for cosy slippers may not be the best idea - smaller social circle, fewer new experiences (don't undervalue novelty, even if it's just going to a different venue or meeting new bar staff, let alone learning new songs).

[casapete]

3 minutes ago, ahpook said:

 

Well, we're not doing anything till after the New Year, so I'm going to think over whether I want to be in a band with the drummer. He's the weakest link and I'm not sure I'm on for another months-long search for another one if we sack him.

 

On top of this, my health's taken a sudden turn for the worst and it's made me start to seriously wonder if I actually have the energy to do all the band stuff any more...it may be time to hang up my gig shoes. We'll see.

I’m sorry to hear of your health concerns, and hope you manage to overcome them ASAP.

 

Please don’t let one d*ckhead spoil doing what you love though - surely other band members

must be aware of his shortcomings and give him his marching orders. A break whilst you find

another drummer may be good for you and all concerned? 

[ahpook]

Just now, Stub Mandrel said:

 

It's worth considering how doing things that require mental and physical effort help keep you active and healthy.

 

Swapping gig shoes for cosy slippers may not be the best idea - smaller social circle, fewer new experiences (don't undervalue novelty, even if it's just going to a different venue or meeting new bar staff, let alone learning new songs).

 

Thanks, I will - it's certainly something I'll keep in mind.

 

 

[dmccombe7]

8 minutes ago, ahpook said:

 

Well, we're not doing anything till after the New Year, so I'm going to think over whether I want to be in a band with the drummer. He's the weakest link and I'm not sure I'm on for another months-long search for another one if we sack him.

 

On top of this, my health's taken a sudden turn for the worst and it's made me start to seriously wonder if I actually have the energy to do all the band stuff any more...it may be time to hang up my gig shoes. We'll see.

That's such a shame that this drummer is ruining what is a great night of fun with like minded musicians.

Hope your health improves quickly and things work out. 

No point in suggesting things at this stage but keep us all posted how things develop. 

Fingers crossed for you @ahpook.

Have a great Christmas and all the very best for 2025.

Dave

[ahpook]

1 minute ago, casapete said:

I’m sorry to hear of your health concerns, and hope you manage to overcome them ASAP.

 

Please don’t let one d*ckhead spoil doing what you love though - surely other band members

must be aware of his shortcomings and give him his marching orders. A break whilst you find

another drummer may be good for you and all concerned? 

 

The singer is very aware...he was visibly angry last night on stage.

 

The guitarist not so...he's good friends with the drummer, they share a flat, so he's ignoring it tbh.

 

Some serious thought required.

[ahpook]

1 minute ago, dmccombe7 said:

That's such a shame that this drummer is ruining what is a great night of fun with like minded musicians.

Hope your health improves quickly and things work out. 

No point in suggesting things at this stage but keep us all posted how things develop. 

Fingers crossed for you @ahpook.

Have a great Christmas and all the very best for 2025.

Dave

 

Thanks buddy, much appreciated.

[dmccombe7]

1 minute ago, ahpook said:

 

The singer is very aware...he was visibly angry last night on stage.

 

The guitarist not so...he's good friends with the drummer, they share a flat, so he's ignoring it tbh.

 

Some serious thought required.

The flat sharing could be a difficult one for the guitarist. Is it worth a band meet to discuss the issue under a veil of how the band can progress for 2025.?

Sorry i've started making suggestions now 🤩

Take care

Dave 

[ahpook]

3 minutes ago, dmccombe7 said:

The flat sharing could be a difficult one for the guitarist. Is it worth a band meet to discuss the issue under a veil of how the band can progress for 2025.?

Sorry i've started making suggestions now 🤩

Take care

Dave 

 

I'll be chatting to the singer over Christmas, see what his take is...go from there.

 

Thanks for the suggestions

 

 

[Len_derby]

Tonight, but an early evening slot of 6.30 to 8.30, the first proper paid gig for my acoustic project called The Desperate Cowboys. A good Friday night after-work crowd singing along to our covers. 
Taylor Mini Bass through a Trace Elliott Elf and Barefaced one-10.
Now that we know we have a working set of around 30 songs we’ll be striking out into the local micro-pubs and cafes in the new year. That’s where the action seems to be now.

 

 

[scalpy]

On 02/12/2024 at 06:32, casapete said:

I don’t know if anyone has attempted busking this tune, but from my experience it ain’t that easy!

Written by Nik Kershaw, it’s fairly straightforward until the middle / solo section where it modulates

up and then back down again - quite a clever song which always seems to go down well.

We did a gig a few years back and Chesney was in attendance. You guessed it, he was asked by the hosts to sing and we had to back him. Fortunately we had chance to prepare and you’re almost right, it modulates down in the bridge before going back up. Chesney himself was totally pro, walked up, checked we were doing it in B, sang it brilliantly (he’s had enough goes after all) thanked us and disappeared into the night. 

[Bluewine]

15 hours ago, ahpook said:

 

Well, we're not doing anything till after the New Year, so I'm going to think over whether I want to be in a band with the drummer. He's the weakest link and I'm not sure I'm on for another months-long search for another one if we sack him.

 

On top of this, my health's taken a sudden turn for the worst and it's made me start to seriously wonder if I actually have the energy to do all the band stuff any more...it may be time to hang up my gig shoes. We'll see.

 

Our drummer picks and chooses what gigs he'll play. Not an ideal arrangement.  However sacking him and finding a new drummer would be worse. 

 

Daryl

[scalpy]

First of a run of 9 at a local hotel, 2 this weekend, three for the next two weekends and then NYE. It’s works do-s mostly. Nice room to play in and the sound guy only had his bigger FBT rig available so ‘making do’ with that. Tonight’s were a mixed bunch, some ready to large it and some absolutely not, but most were dancing and joining in. Will try and get some footage before the run is over. 

[hiram.k.hackenbacker]

4 minutes ago, Bluewine said:

 

Our drummer picks and chooses what gigs he'll play. Not an ideal arrangement.  However sacking him and finding a new drummer would be worse. 

 

Daryl

I love all the bands I'm in and all the people in them, but I regard the drummers as my wing men. Fortunately across the four main bands (excluding dep stuff) it only involves two different drummers.

They are both committed, learn the stuff and play excellently. My enjoyment of gigging would take a huge knock if this wasn't the case.

I really don't think I could carry on with drummers I couldn't rely on. @ahpook - hope you get it sorted.

[hiram.k.hackenbacker]

3 minutes ago, scalpy said:

First of a run of 9 at a local hotel, 2 this weekend, three for the next two weekends and then NYE. It’s works do-s mostly. Nice room to play in and the sound guy only had his bigger FBT rig available so ‘making do’ with that. Tonight’s were a mixed bunch, some ready to large it and some absolutely not, but most were dancing and joining in. Will try and get some footage before the run is over. 

You could open a branch of Curry's with all those tablets and laptops 😎

[Norris]

Given the state of the weather it's surprising that anyone turned out, but turn out they did. A bit of a slow start at the Black Horse Whitwick, but it soon ramped up into a great evening

 

 

Nice and Chrismassy and very hot indoors. We did our usual lot of Xmas songs plus a busked version of Mary's Boy Child which was rather fun and silly.

Audience: Lots of drinking, lots of dancing, lots of jollity.

 

 

Rig: The usual Sire P7-5 and Fender Rumble. Elf hat

Footwear: Black DMs again

Edited December 7 by Norris

[hiram.k.hackenbacker]

6 minutes ago, Norris said:

Given the state of the weather it's surprising that anyone turned out, but turn out they did. A bit of a slow start at the Black Horse Whitwick, but it soon ramped up into a great evening

 

 

Nice and Chrismassy and very hot indoors. We did our usual lot of Xmas songs plus a busked version of Mary's Boy Child which was rather fun and silly.

Audience: Lots of drinking, lots of dancing, lots of jollity.

 

 

Rig: The usual Sire P7-5 and Fender Rumble. Elf hat

Footwear: Black DMs again

I've got that hat , but mine has a jingle bell in the end. Nice set up. Very festive.

[scalpy]

6 hours ago, hiram.k.hackenbacker said:

You could open a branch of Curry's with all those tablets and laptops 😎

Yep, so many apples we call it the orchard.

[dmccombe7]

7 hours ago, Norris said:

Given the state of the weather it's surprising that anyone turned out, but turn out they did. A bit of a slow start at the Black Horse Whitwick, but it soon ramped up into a great evening

 

 

Nice and Chrismassy and very hot indoors. We did our usual lot of Xmas songs plus a busked version of Mary's Boy Child which was rather fun and silly.

Audience: Lots of drinking, lots of dancing, lots of jollity.

 

 

Rig: The usual Sire P7-5 and Fender Rumble. Elf hat

Footwear: Black DMs again

You brought your own Xmas tree. Now that is impressive. 

Dave

[Burns-bass]

Played a hellish gig in centre of the city. Audience twice drunkenly crashed into the singer while dancing. Drunk redhead thought she was J-Lo and danced suggestively to wind up her boyfriend (which worked). Two people thought it would be a good idea to lift lift out and play the singers harmonicas and someone tried to barge past me while I was playing to get his coat (which I’d already told him I’d moved). I swore at him and pushed him and he spent the next ten minutes staring at me me. (Was a very small, angry lawyer type.)

 

Only saving grace was the fantastic bar staff and manager and the fact I got two incredible whisky sour cocktails for free.

 

 

[casapete]

8 hours ago, scalpy said:

Fortunately we had chance to prepare and you’re almost right, it modulates down in the bridge before going back up. 

Yup, you’re right. However ( and this kind of backs up why it’s not an easy busker! ), I believe the song

goes like this -

 

Intro / Vs1 / Chorus / Vs2 / Chorus are all in B

Bridge goes to A

Vs 3 - (actually half a verse IIRC)  goes to C (hence my confusion! )

Solo in A

Chorus to ending in B

 

Great song, think we may try it with the acoustic duo, although that may involve transposing it

down which would probably mean I’d have to read the whole song 😆

Edited December 7 by casapete

[scalpy]

1 hour ago, casapete said:

Yup, you’re right. However ( and this kind of backs up why it’s not an easy busker! ), I believe the song

goes like this -

 

Intro / Vs1 / Chorus / Vs2 / Chorus are all in B

Bridge goes to A

Vs 3 - (actually half a verse IIRC)  goes to C (hence my confusion! )

Solo in A

Chorus to ending in B

 

Great song, think we may try it with the acoustic duo, although that may involve transposing it

down which would probably mean I’d have to read the whole song 😆

If we’re being really geeky I’d consider verse 3 is A minor, the tonic minor of the bridge being in A. I’m aware this is the relative minor of C major. The early verses also modulate halfway through. They start in G# minor then use a harmonic sequence, repeating the progression but up a minor 3rd- B minor, again, the tonic minor of the chorus B major, so my preference is to think of those minor chords at the start of each phrase as a chord I. It’s potato porarto though, that young lady who said it was easy is mistaken. When it comes to it should be a doddle but it ain’t I Am The One And Only is up there with the sax solo in Respect. Trainwreck on the horizon!