How was your gig last night?

[SICbass]

14 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

As they said its not just about technical ability, its being a good fit for the band on a personal level too.

I can't deny its a lot of fun, both on stage and off.

Dave

 

As we get older, that becomes increasingly important.

 

I always tell myself, "Every band has at least one pain in the *rse in it. If yours doesn't.... it's probably you."

[Chienmortbb]

15 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

As they said its not just about technical ability, its being a good fit for the band on a personal level too.

I think this is how I got my current place. However, the rhythm guitarist's health is deteriorating, but he won't admit it is time for him to hang up his Strat. If nothing happens soon, and the BL has been told in no uncertain terms, I will be on JMB, and they will be looking, probably in vain, for a new bassist.

[Greg Edwards69]

Redonizm were back at the Sarah Moore in Leigh-on-Sea on Saturday night. We really didn't think we'd be back here again as it was supposed to close permanently in the new year for redevelopment, but the building owner had a change of heart and let the landlord lease it for one year, with a view to a 10-year lease. A benefit of this is they are now independent and have associated themselves with local brewers and suppliers, so they have some lovely beer on tap!

 

This was our first gig of the year after a busy Christmas period, so whilst it felt great to be out gigging again, certain muscles were out of shape, both physically and mentally! It took me a few songs to get my head into gear and stop making silly mistakes, but I was fine once I got into it. And boy did I ache the next day!

 

A bigger turnout would have been great - quite a few of our usual followers were unable to come - but those who came and stayed, and seemed to enjoy themselves, and we had a decent crowd dancing in the latter half.

 

Next stop, Cow & Telescope on Friday. One of our favourite music venues in Southend

[dmccombe7]

16 hours ago, Jackroadkill said:

 

Ah, glad to hear this, Dave.  I always enjoy reading your gig reports.

Thank you very much. I do rabbit on a bit when i do them but i enjoy describing gigs.

Dave

[dmccombe7]

3 hours ago, Chienmortbb said:

I think this is how I got my current place. However, the rhythm guitarist's health is deteriorating, but he won't admit it is time for him to hang up his Strat. If nothing happens soon, and the BL has been told in no uncertain terms, I will be on JMB, and they will be looking, probably in vain, for a new bassist.

Hopefully the guitarist realises its time to call it a day and everyone is relatively happy and the band can continue with a replacement. Its not an easy one to go thru. I've always said if my health hinders me playing in a band i'll let the band know its time to quit and give them plenty of notice.

Dave

[dmccombe7]

2 hours ago, Greg Edwards69 said:

 

 

This was our first gig of the year after a busy Christmas period, so whilst it felt great to be out gigging again, certain muscles were out of shape, both physically and mentally! It took me a few songs to get my head into gear and stop making silly mistakes, but I was fine once I got into it. And boy did I ache the next day!

 

Had the same thing when we restarted earlier this month after a busy festive period. Our 2nd gig was on Sat and my shoulders ached a bit too and my wee fingertips on my plucking hand were a bit tender by the end of the night.

Dave 

[Greg Edwards69]

1 hour ago, dmccombe7 said:

Had the same thing when we restarted earlier this month after a busy festive period. Our 2nd gig was on Sat and my shoulders ached a bit too and my wee fingertips on my plucking hand were a bit tender by the end of the night.

Dave 

Helping to load in/out, set up and breakdown both PA and drumkit doesn't help.

[dmccombe7]

56 minutes ago, Greg Edwards69 said:

Helping to load in/out, set up and breakdown both PA and drumkit doesn't help.

Yep same for me. I carry the PA and my bass gear to gigs unless we hire a PA. 

I normally set up the PA and cables along with all mains for stage area. I also help load the drummers kit mainly to  save a bit of time. The more of us doing the lifting speeds up load in/out times.

Problem i have is that i need to load / unload the PA cabs by myself at home which are 40Kg each. My own bass cabs being lightweight are only 20Kg each. 

Especially tiring unloading the car into my garage at 2am. Even worse if i have to reload it the following day for another gig.

Dave

[Boodang]

1 hour ago, dmccombe7 said:

Yep same for me. I carry the PA and my bass gear to gigs unless we hire a PA. 

I normally set up the PA and cables along with all mains for stage area. I also help load the drummers kit mainly to  save a bit of time. The more of us doing the lifting speeds up load in/out times.

Problem i have is that i need to load / unload the PA cabs by myself at home which are 40Kg each. My own bass cabs being lightweight are only 20Kg each. 

Especially tiring unloading the car into my garage at 2am. Even worse if i have to reload it the following day for another gig.

Dave

Not wishing to subvert this thread into a gig setup moan but I feel your pain. I’m in three bands and circumstances have meant I own and supply all equipment for the lot apart from guitars (it’s Pakistan and you can’t get sh!t here and I’ve got keys bass leads stands drums mixer mics pa you name it). 
I don’t mind but did a gig on Friday and the rest of the band turn up and say we haven’t got long to finish set up and sound check, take one look at my face which expresses yes but I’ve been setting up on my own all the gear for the last 4 hours, and they shut up and get on with it. 
Next posting (different country later this year) and I’m going to turn up with 5 mins to go before the gig with just my bass and F off before the the vocalist has got through his self aggrandising ‘thank you’s’ to the audience! 

[dmccombe7]

18 minutes ago, Boodang said:

Not wishing to subvert this thread into a gig setup moan but I feel your pain. I’m in three bands and circumstances have meant I own and supply all equipment for the lot apart from guitars (it’s Pakistan and you can’t get sh!t here and I’ve got keys bass leads stands drums mixer mics pa you name it). 
I don’t mind but did a gig on Friday and the rest of the band turn up and say we haven’t got long to finish set up and sound check, take one look at my face which expresses yes but I’ve been setting up on my own all the gear for the last 4 hours, and they shut up and get on with it. 
Next posting (different country later this year) and I’m going to turn up with 5 mins to go before the gig with just my bass and F off before the the vocalist has got through his self aggrandising ‘thank you’s’ to the audience! 

you're a better man than me. i wouldn't accept that and would walk away now before violence erupts 

Seriously tho why do they not give you a hand. I turn up early to give our drummer a hand in with his gear.

Dave

 

Edited Monday at 19:29 by dmccombe7

[tauzero]

5 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

Yep same for me. I carry the PA and my bass gear to gigs unless we hire a PA. 

I normally set up the PA and cables along with all mains for stage area. I also help load the drummers kit mainly to  save a bit of time. The more of us doing the lifting speeds up load in/out times.

Problem i have is that i need to load / unload the PA cabs by myself at home which are 40Kg each. My own bass cabs being lightweight are only 20Kg each. 

 

That's why no item of my gear weighs over 10kg (except the 2x12 cab, a monstrous 11.5kg).

[Greg Edwards69]

None of out gear is particularly heavy. The heaviest items are the Yamaha DXR12 tops, which are around 20kg, and the drummer's hardware 'coffin' that weighs the same as a small planet - but at least it has wheels.

 

It's more the bending over, unpacking, and running/coiling cables that does me in. Despite pushing numerous times, a couple of the others really need to lend a hand more and know how to set up their own equipment and plug in their own cables!

[neepheid]

11 minutes ago, Greg Edwards69 said:

None of out gear is particularly heavy. The heaviest items are the Yamaha DXR12 tops, which are around 20kg, and the drummer's hardware 'coffin' that weighs the same as a small planet - but at least it has wheels.

 

It's more the bending over, unpacking, and running/coiling cables that does me in. Despite pushing numerous times, a couple of the others really need to lend a hand more and know how to set up their own equipment and plug in their own cables!

 

Heh, we call that "the box of death/doom"

 

[msb]

I’m seventy three. When I found the gear was becoming heavy I bought modern lightweight cabs. The lift went from close to  hundred to about twenty five pounds. My preamp and amp are not heavy. The big misery is trying to find a parking space in the downtown core but I doubt the venue will provide valet parking for the band.

Pity.

I have an old friend , influence , and mentor that has several years on me and is still playing. Great player. And whenever I watch him do the gig , with grace and dignity I feel like I’ve still got several years left.
We are both still going strong.

[BigRedX]

The heaviest piece of kit my band take to gigs is the 3U rack case that holds the computer and associated devices that supply our backing.

 

Since this case essentially replaces a drummer plus their drum kit and another keyboard player, synthesiser and stand, and means that we can get the whole band with our instruments and merch plus our roadie/merch seller in a single estate car I can put up with the 17kg weight.

[Lozz196]

48 minutes ago, Greg Edwards69 said:

 

 

It's more the bending over, unpacking, and running/coiling cables that does me in.

That’s the same for me, and why I left one covers band I was in a couple of years ago, I’d just damaged my back quite badly and simply couldn’t do any of this.

[dmccombe7]

Its one of the reasons i started going to a gym 4 yrs ago because i found i was struggling to lift things. Out of breath quite easily was a worry. In my head it was either unfit or something seriously wrong. My wife went thru something similar when she was around 40 and it turned out to be a heart condition where one side of the heart hadn't grown at same level as the other. She was given tablets to help and a year later there was a remarkable 50% improvement and she's now fine but it was going thru my head that it could be same thing or worse. 

I opted for trying the gym and within 3mths i lost 2 stone from 15 to 13st and wasn't out of breath anymore when doing things. That was gym 3 times a week just doing our own thing. Since then my muscle mass has grown and i am feeling exceptionally good. I'm not there to be the next Arnie but its more about body maintenance to help as i get older.

I have no real problems lifting gear these days with the exception of the large PA cabs at circa 40Kg each and its more the lift and tilt to get into back of my estate car that's the issue trying to avoid resting them on the rear bumper and scratching my paintwork.

I turned 65 last Friday so hopefully i'll keep playing for a few yrs yet but once i know my body is failing i'll walk away.

Dave

[Boodang]

17 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

you're a better man than me. i wouldn't accept that and would walk away now before violence erupts 

Seriously tho why do they not give you a hand. I turn up early to give our drummer a hand in with his gear.

Dave

 

Each gig the band say they'll help setup but there's always a reason why it ends up being less than it should. But.... the results are worth it and they really are nice guys just a bit flakey. 

Having said that, if it was a permanent state of affairs, we were gigging every week and it wasn't the case that I'm moving country very soon, I would be laying down strict ground rules. 

To put it in perspective the blues band is so good we're planning a small tour to take in festivals and clubs around the Baltics ( where I'll be based) next year. 

[dmccombe7]

46 minutes ago, Boodang said:

Each gig the band say they'll help setup but there's always a reason why it ends up being less than it should. But.... the results are worth it and they really are nice guys just a bit flakey. 

Having said that, if it was a permanent state of affairs, we were gigging every week and it wasn't the case that I'm moving country very soon, I would be laying down strict ground rules. 

To put it in perspective the blues band is so good we're planning a small tour to take in festivals and clubs around the Baltics ( where I'll be based) next year. 

I guess i'm just someone that wants to help others so i expect others to be the same with me.

Dave

[Greg Edwards69]

I think I'm just generally unfit. It doesn't help having a desk job (although I do use a standing desk when I feel like it). I tend to wear a back support belt when loading in/out and setting up/breaking down, which does help.

 

I noticed when we were busier on the run up to Christmas, I felt much better physically by the last one - my body had obviously gotten used to it. It's always tougher when we haven't gigged for a little while.

[Stub Mandrel]

I can carry bass and cab in one hand each and amp over my shoulder for about 25kg all in! Of course most gigs need more gear but it's handy to be able to do that.

 

Bugbear is PA, so I recently got an excellent folding trolley/sack truck from Screwfix for £76. But mine isn't needed very often as the singer usually has use of a better set of powered tops and has a better desk. We often use house pa as the desk can setup using white noise and a reference mic which is amazingly consistent.

 

Lights... I have a lightweight setup that's optional.

 

Thing is, I would really like to gig my Trace Elliot combo but that's well over 45kg... but at least it has wheels.

[dmccombe7]

52 minutes ago, Greg Edwards69 said:

 

 

I noticed when we were busier on the run up to Christmas, I felt much better physically by the last one - my body had obviously gotten used to it. It's always tougher when we haven't gigged for a little while.

Same here Greg. 

Dave

[dmccombe7]

49 minutes ago, Stub Mandrel said:

I can carry bass and cab in one hand each and amp over my shoulder for about 25kg all in! Of course most gigs need more gear but it's handy to be able to do that.

 

Bugbear is PA, so I recently got an excellent folding trolley/sack truck from Screwfix for £76. But mine isn't needed very often as the singer usually has use of a better set of powered tops and has a better desk. We often use house pa as the desk can setup using white noise and a reference mic which is amazingly consistent.

 

Lights... I have a lightweight setup that's optional.

 

Thing is, I would really like to gig my Trace Elliot combo but that's well over 45kg... but at least it has wheels.

Yep those Screwfix trolleys area godsend. I carry my 2 cabs and sometimes amp on it.

 

Never heard of setting up desk with white noise. What / how does that work. ?

 

Dave

[Woodinblack]

2 hours ago, Greg Edwards69 said:

I noticed when we were busier on the run up to Christmas, I felt much better physically by the last one - my body had obviously gotten used to it. It's always tougher when we haven't gigged for a little while.

 

Absolutely - have a gig on friday, the first gig or practice in a month. Gonna be great

 

[taunton-hobbit]

5 hours ago, dmccombe7 said:

avoid resting them on the rear bumper and scratching my paintwork

Cheap stair carpet from the inside of car, over the bumper - job done....

 

😎