We recently played a short set at a 'Busking For Cancer' charity gig in Stranraer. It was a daylight do - bright sunshine in fact. It was outdoors at the newly redone Castle Green, which has been fitted out with seating benches around a kind of semi circular paved courtyard area, which seemed to work. So, live music was on from 11 through to 4.30pm as a tie in with the Stranraer Music Town initiative - more events to come during the summer.
Our practice had been a bit lacklustre the previous weekend for some reason, so was feeling a bit apprehensive. The crew assembled during the course of the afternoon, and we sat around with the punters, having one of two stabilising drinks. I would say there would be maybe 80-100 people there, which was a good turn-out, helped probably by the good weather. Our spot was posponed until 3.30pm to allow Graeme time to get there.
So, our call came and we emerged from the throng to do our bit. We set up pretty quickly, but for some reason I wasn't allowed to use my own bass amp, so it was the poor substitute - DI'd through the PA - not good. We were playing under a 'compact' wee gazebo affair, so no room for scissor kicks. Was afraid of literally stepping on Graeme's toes or hitting Alex with my bass again. As suspected, Laurie was stuggling to hear the bass after the first tune, as all the sound was exiting out front through the PA - damn. I was also struggling to hear very much. Anyway, too late to stop now.
We hit through the tunes - about 6 in total. I think we sounded pretty good on the whole, although there were some minor issues with timing and endings - AhAh !" Need to iron these out once and for all. Just need to brush up some more. Also, the lyric sheets Steve brought [including some of my songs] went flying in a gust of wind on more than one occasion. Anyway, we seemed to go down well enough - 'Ludwig' being a punter's favourite. Probably, not so much the full on charge of 'Urchin Child' though ! We were allowed an extra song, and hit into 'Grace Darling' which went down well despite a wobble in the middle, and it was over all too soon. Then, a quick break down and off the stage, for the final act, a young girl [ sorry - didn't catch her name] doing a Billy Bragg cover first off - cool.
Side of stage, I could hear good murmurs from the organisers about our set, which was good. Some of the boys left to try and secure a gig at another pub in Stranraer. I left, looking forward to a few days holiday in Glasgow. Next gigs lined up so far - Bike Run in Newton Stewart on August 7th and a possible chance to play on the bill at an Oxjam gig at The Catstrand, New Galloway on August 13th.
All gigs definitely to include the use of a bass amp for the good of all present.
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Wickerman Misses Us
It's been a strange weekend. The band didn't get a gig at The Wickerman, but we don't know who has. Nevermind. Wouldn't have minded the runner-up slot but not the main stage at 12 noon.
The Captain wanted a Saturday afternoon session in The Bladnoch and that's what we did. Al was away in Skye collaborating at a music fest and the others were otherwise engaged, so it was just Steve and I, and Fiona came to listen. Took the bass and amp but it never did get out of its bag, as we just hammered out a few tunes on the acoustics. Steve had some song suggestions for the band, and had a wee tune he composed when he was in Verona, although he wants to change the singalonga chorus. We had a few drinks and plotted away about future band stuff. Finding it harder than expected to get gigs. Seems Galloway is not big enough to hold The Obliviates [ the venues that is]
The Captain wanted a Saturday afternoon session in The Bladnoch and that's what we did. Al was away in Skye collaborating at a music fest and the others were otherwise engaged, so it was just Steve and I, and Fiona came to listen. Took the bass and amp but it never did get out of its bag, as we just hammered out a few tunes on the acoustics. Steve had some song suggestions for the band, and had a wee tune he composed when he was in Verona, although he wants to change the singalonga chorus. We had a few drinks and plotted away about future band stuff. Finding it harder than expected to get gigs. Seems Galloway is not big enough to hold The Obliviates [ the venues that is]
Thursday, 9 June 2011
First Night
Hola,
My first gig for Steve Dowling and The Obliviates was on Fri 27.5.11.
I had taken the Friday off work so that I could be unsettled all day without other interruptions. The last time I had played out was with my band a long time ago but this time I'm only working the bass [not singing too] so should be able to concentrate better on the task in hand. Nerves still came and went all day though.
I got my things ready and customised by bass with some black and white photos - the recently deceased Poly Styrene, punk siren from X-Ray Spex [so sad] - a photo and spiritual kinda quote too; the mighty Joe Strummer - hard to believe but gone now for 9 years; and a great B & W photo of my mum, looking classicly stylish with flowing 50s style skirt. Got my guitar leads, crib sheets and other odds and sods sorted out ready for the gig. Even got time to get together some words for a song I'm working on.
I put on some tunes for inspiration before I set off - Chris Mills, The Hold Steady and of course, 'Johnny Appleseed' by Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros : 'Lord, there goes a Buick Forty-Nine, Black sheep of The Angels riding, Riding down the line...' brilliant.
Got down to The Creamery at 7.30pm as arranged but no-one was about except Supersid who is playing some tunes first off. I carry in some of his speakers and he sets up quickly and puts on some test tunes at top volume. He thinks it's not loud enough. No, Sid - it definitely is, honestly. I phone Mr Al Price and he will be here shortly. Huey turns up ready for his soundman duties again - top man and my predecessor. Hope I can do ok. The bossman himself - Steve next, followed by the ever genial Crucial Dave, label manager at Distilled Records, DJ and man of music. Mr Price has also evidently arrived - I can hear him working his harp on stage.
We do a wee bit of tidying up, cleaning the sofas at the entrance and getting rid of some rubbish. Steve says someone tore the stuffing out of the cushions last time - now, now children.
I'm using some house gear tonight - a Carlsbro head and cab, kindly loaned from Huey - thanks. My Orange Crush amp is too small and my Laney is kinda stored away just now. Don't know anything else about The Carlsbro but I find out it's got plenty of poke anyway. Huey is also running it through the PA.
It turns out that guitarist Martin and drummer Laurie won't be at the venue til about 9.30pm so Steve, Al and I do a quick run through without them, and then retire to wait - Dave says we're not on until about 11pm. Got to be on good behaviour for my first outing so need to ration the alcohol until gig time. Sid is blasting out some tunes but could do with cutting the treble on those 60s Motown ones.
Brought along my Korg effects pedal to use as a tuner, but it's just too complicated and too much hassle so it's put away. Big Kevin kindly lends me a clip-on tuner but it doesn't work for some reason, so looks like I'm winging it. Tuning by ear with tinitis can be a bit troublesome sometimes.
Talking to Alex about important stuff like stage clothes [vain ? us?] when Martin and Laurie arrive, so we go on stage for a soundcheck but Steve is nowhere around. We play along to some 50s records over the PA by Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Hailey, The Big Bopper, etc but eventually give up on the soundcheck.
I am working my new Epiphone EB3 bass tonight - looking forward to it. Very pleased with it at the practices so far. It's got more knobs, switches than I normally like, but also means I can play about with the tone more than I would normally. I'm left handed, but just work a right handed upside down if that makes sense.
First up is Will Dee's friend ,but I've got to nip out so I don't catch his name or set [ sorry ] - from Helensburgh though I think. I'm back for most of Will's set, which is cool - some inspired cover versions too. Steve is rightly proud of his boy.
11pm comes around soon after, and we're on. Our set is book-ended by two covers. We start with Jazz Instrumental 'Afro Blue' by Mongo Santa Maria, famously covered by Coltrane. No-one mentioned playing Jazz ?The idea is to give it a go as a warm-up/tune-up type thing, for Huey to make adjustments, etc. Next, we're into the set proper with 'Save The World'. I'm surprised I don't get the usual nerve shivers, and am relatively relaxed, but I suppose the song helps. It's a builder, and gives us a good chance to settle into the groove. I like the feel of this, with Steve calling all the changes. At the end, I turn round and see my full can of Stella on the deck, having fallen from the top of the amp - oops. good start.
Before we started, I wanted to swap places with Al, to save maybe hitting him with my headstock, being an awkward left-hander, but we seem to be avoiding each other ok on the stage.Not too many nerve jangles as we go through the songs. Steve drops the odd one or two slower tunes from the set. I get annoyed when I blow a few bum notes, on one tune in particular - not even a usual suspect, but plow on, and hope it doesn't grate on the boss too much.
The on stage sound is ok, but with a bit of weird slap-back from the walls. Can't really hear the monitors and Laurie says afterwards that he struggled with the sound too. Didn't notice - drums were on the money. The bass sound is rattling my fangs though, so I turn it back a notch. Hope our sound is ok outfront. Al is wailing good style on the harp, and Martin matches him on guitar. Steve is going for it. The set is over too soon. Particularly enjoyed 'Grace Darling' which I've altered the bass on a wee bit, onto more of a reggae tip; the kind of bolero of 'Fool's Gold'; the country implications of 'Angels, Saints & Aeroplanes'; and 'Urchin Child', which on the night has a strangely contemporary rock sound & is replete with dry ice from the wings ! We do our interp. of 'Soul Of A Man' and we're done. More than a few clams, but so glad I made it through.
It's a night of two halves, so we exit stage rear and make room for the bassheads, but looking forward to more gigs and more tunes in the next few weeks. Playing in a band is one of the finest things on earth for sure. 'I think that I'm living the dream..'
My first gig for Steve Dowling and The Obliviates was on Fri 27.5.11.
I had taken the Friday off work so that I could be unsettled all day without other interruptions. The last time I had played out was with my band a long time ago but this time I'm only working the bass [not singing too] so should be able to concentrate better on the task in hand. Nerves still came and went all day though.
I got my things ready and customised by bass with some black and white photos - the recently deceased Poly Styrene, punk siren from X-Ray Spex [so sad] - a photo and spiritual kinda quote too; the mighty Joe Strummer - hard to believe but gone now for 9 years; and a great B & W photo of my mum, looking classicly stylish with flowing 50s style skirt. Got my guitar leads, crib sheets and other odds and sods sorted out ready for the gig. Even got time to get together some words for a song I'm working on.
I put on some tunes for inspiration before I set off - Chris Mills, The Hold Steady and of course, 'Johnny Appleseed' by Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros : 'Lord, there goes a Buick Forty-Nine, Black sheep of The Angels riding, Riding down the line...' brilliant.
Got down to The Creamery at 7.30pm as arranged but no-one was about except Supersid who is playing some tunes first off. I carry in some of his speakers and he sets up quickly and puts on some test tunes at top volume. He thinks it's not loud enough. No, Sid - it definitely is, honestly. I phone Mr Al Price and he will be here shortly. Huey turns up ready for his soundman duties again - top man and my predecessor. Hope I can do ok. The bossman himself - Steve next, followed by the ever genial Crucial Dave, label manager at Distilled Records, DJ and man of music. Mr Price has also evidently arrived - I can hear him working his harp on stage.
We do a wee bit of tidying up, cleaning the sofas at the entrance and getting rid of some rubbish. Steve says someone tore the stuffing out of the cushions last time - now, now children.
I'm using some house gear tonight - a Carlsbro head and cab, kindly loaned from Huey - thanks. My Orange Crush amp is too small and my Laney is kinda stored away just now. Don't know anything else about The Carlsbro but I find out it's got plenty of poke anyway. Huey is also running it through the PA.
It turns out that guitarist Martin and drummer Laurie won't be at the venue til about 9.30pm so Steve, Al and I do a quick run through without them, and then retire to wait - Dave says we're not on until about 11pm. Got to be on good behaviour for my first outing so need to ration the alcohol until gig time. Sid is blasting out some tunes but could do with cutting the treble on those 60s Motown ones.
Brought along my Korg effects pedal to use as a tuner, but it's just too complicated and too much hassle so it's put away. Big Kevin kindly lends me a clip-on tuner but it doesn't work for some reason, so looks like I'm winging it. Tuning by ear with tinitis can be a bit troublesome sometimes.
Talking to Alex about important stuff like stage clothes [vain ? us?] when Martin and Laurie arrive, so we go on stage for a soundcheck but Steve is nowhere around. We play along to some 50s records over the PA by Jerry Lee Lewis, Bill Hailey, The Big Bopper, etc but eventually give up on the soundcheck.
I am working my new Epiphone EB3 bass tonight - looking forward to it. Very pleased with it at the practices so far. It's got more knobs, switches than I normally like, but also means I can play about with the tone more than I would normally. I'm left handed, but just work a right handed upside down if that makes sense.
First up is Will Dee's friend ,but I've got to nip out so I don't catch his name or set [ sorry ] - from Helensburgh though I think. I'm back for most of Will's set, which is cool - some inspired cover versions too. Steve is rightly proud of his boy.
11pm comes around soon after, and we're on. Our set is book-ended by two covers. We start with Jazz Instrumental 'Afro Blue' by Mongo Santa Maria, famously covered by Coltrane. No-one mentioned playing Jazz ?The idea is to give it a go as a warm-up/tune-up type thing, for Huey to make adjustments, etc. Next, we're into the set proper with 'Save The World'. I'm surprised I don't get the usual nerve shivers, and am relatively relaxed, but I suppose the song helps. It's a builder, and gives us a good chance to settle into the groove. I like the feel of this, with Steve calling all the changes. At the end, I turn round and see my full can of Stella on the deck, having fallen from the top of the amp - oops. good start.
Before we started, I wanted to swap places with Al, to save maybe hitting him with my headstock, being an awkward left-hander, but we seem to be avoiding each other ok on the stage.Not too many nerve jangles as we go through the songs. Steve drops the odd one or two slower tunes from the set. I get annoyed when I blow a few bum notes, on one tune in particular - not even a usual suspect, but plow on, and hope it doesn't grate on the boss too much.
The on stage sound is ok, but with a bit of weird slap-back from the walls. Can't really hear the monitors and Laurie says afterwards that he struggled with the sound too. Didn't notice - drums were on the money. The bass sound is rattling my fangs though, so I turn it back a notch. Hope our sound is ok outfront. Al is wailing good style on the harp, and Martin matches him on guitar. Steve is going for it. The set is over too soon. Particularly enjoyed 'Grace Darling' which I've altered the bass on a wee bit, onto more of a reggae tip; the kind of bolero of 'Fool's Gold'; the country implications of 'Angels, Saints & Aeroplanes'; and 'Urchin Child', which on the night has a strangely contemporary rock sound & is replete with dry ice from the wings ! We do our interp. of 'Soul Of A Man' and we're done. More than a few clams, but so glad I made it through.
It's a night of two halves, so we exit stage rear and make room for the bassheads, but looking forward to more gigs and more tunes in the next few weeks. Playing in a band is one of the finest things on earth for sure. 'I think that I'm living the dream..'
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