Conference napalm::guitar

    Coop,
    
    Would have sent you mail, but was too lazy to do the NCP define for
    KDX200...
    
    With all these up and coming gigs of late, do the band feel pressure to 
    keep an influx of new material in to the set??  If so, how often does
    HardBall plan to revise the set songs?  If so, any particular genre you
    plan to target??
    
    Curious as to your approach...
    B.

    Yeah, I'm also interested in that...
    
    Greg

Ohhhh yeah - we feel a lot of pressure to keep learning new material...
Especially since we started out with the idea of playing classic rock 
AND pop metal.  It's the pop metal that our particular crowd likes, so
we've had to revise our set of about 60 songs (50/50 mix of pop and classic).

We try to learn 8 songs per week.    Obviously this is pretty flexable, as
some songs take a bit more work than others...

We debuted a truck load of new tunes last night:

Guns and Roses   - NightTrain
Scorpions        - Tease Me, Please Me
Drivin' n Cryin  - Call Me Courageous
Warrant		 - Uncle Toms Cabin
		 - Cherry Pie
Poison           - UnSkinny Bop
Motley Crue      - SOS
Kix              - Dont' Close Your Eyes ??  (Is this the name of 
                                              the Suicide tune ??  I'm blank!)
Tesla 		 - Gettin' Better

We work on an A/B/C list principle.  "C List" material is stuff we plan 
on working on (ergo, stuff we work on at home).  "B List" stuff is what we 
learned at home and are putting together during rehearsal time, and "A List" 
stuff is stage-ready material...  Although "A List" tunes might have notes like 
"work on bridge".  Ergo, Night Train is ready, but is on the A List with a note 
to work on the opening harmonies. (We're playing with playing harmony instead 
of chords for the opening riffs - whatcha think ??).

We've pretty much quit playing all our "older" classic material (Beatles, 
Eagles, Stones etc...);  We still play itoccasionally, to keep it fresh, but
seldom do we do it live.  The owner of Mine has taken us under his wing and is
providing an Agent, management, lights, and PA.  He has two agencies booking us 
from Denver to Pueblo, plus monthly gigs at his place, PLUS doing the Monday
night Spotlight-host thing.  (He's wearing my ass out!)

(On another note) 

What I don't get, and maybe y'all can provide some input;

Why is this guy being so nice to us ?  We aren't that great of a band (I don't 
think so, anyway), and he keeps doing us these massive favors !  Neither Tom 
or I are great guitarists, Guido and Troy aren't awesome either.  The only 
thing we seem to have going for us is decent vocals...  There are a lot of 
bands around here who have been playing out for a while.  We're real green
here - we've only been together for 5 months.  why not the veteran bands ?

Check this out:

He called us down to the club the other night and had these two agents there.
They told us they would provide an RV, lights and PA gear if we'd tour the front
Range...  Tom calls us back the next night and says he bought us a 39 can (Par 
64), 12 channel light show...  He *gave* it to us.  Whats the deal ??  Doesn't 
seem like anything is for free these days - what does he want ?  Why is he being 
so cool  to us ??  Why is he so interested in backing us ?

The guy is throwing a bash at his club for us tonight.  Free beer and a BBQ 
out back (Hey Greg, wanna go ??)...

jc (Offto find a topic for this discussion)

    >It's the pop metal that our particular crowd likes, so
    >we've had to revise our set of about 60 songs 
    >(50/50 mix of pop and classic).

    Methinks your band would do better with an MTV format "like their Top
    10 videos of the day" format, or like AAF's Top Nine Tonight, etc.
    All those sorta lists are pretty similar across the board, so IMHO
    it's obvious what the people wanna hear tune-wise.  More metal than
    classic rock.

>We debuted a truck load of new tunes last night:
>
>Guns and Roses   - NightTrain
    
Cool...who does the solo?!?
    
>Drivin' n Cryin  - Call Me Courageous
    
Cool...who does the solo?!?
    
>Warrant		 - Uncle Toms Cabin
    
Don't care about the solo, but who does that way cool blues lick after the
    first verse??
    
>Kix              - Dont' Close Your Eyes ??  (Is this the name of 
>                                              the Suicide tune ??  I'm blank!)
    
Yeah, you got the tune name right.  Who does THIS solo??  (its great)
    
>Ergo, Night Train is ready, but is on the A List with a note 
>to work on the opening harmonies. (We're playing with playing harmony instead 
>of chords for the opening riffs - whatcha think ??).

    Ummm, I thought Slash played that as one guitar??  Could be wrong.
    
>(On another note) 
>What I don't get, and maybe y'all can provide some input;
>
>Why is this guy being so nice to us ?  We aren't that great of a band (I don't 
>think so, anyway), and he keeps doing us these massive favors !  Neither Tom 
>or I are great guitarists, Guido and Troy aren't awesome either.  The only 
>thing we seem to have going for us is decent vocals...  There are a lot of 
>bands around here who have been playing out for a while.  We're real green
>here - we've only been together for 5 months.  why not the veteran bands ?

    Maybe he feels he can make $$$ off you.  Seems logical.
    
>Why is he so interested in backing us ?

    My best guess?  See above!
    

>                            -< In it for the money >-
    
    ...and make sure you guys get your cut!  Sounds like you're in a
    situation a lot of us would love to be in!
    
    Mike

	I'll have to come down and hear you play. From my past experiances,
	you are either in a position to get really in debt, or you have
	something that someone feels is marketable. Lets look at the 
	worst case first: 

	Severe debt:	You may be getting stuff for free, but someone
			sees this an a opporitunity to sell you equipment,
			and keep you working enough to pay it off (but
			not a lot more). This happens a lot. You might sign
			an exclusive contract that restricts you and all
			members for the next 5 years (including all
			band purchases), as well as leaving you with terms
			that only look bad after a lawyer has studied them.
			be careful about favors, or what you end up
			owing someone; you can be sued. 

	
	Opporitunity:	Maybe you have good stage presence, and work well
			with the manager. It's also possible that you 
			are approaching the musical aspect with a solid
			business plan (ie, you are trying to be successful
			for both you and the club that you are playing).
			Many club owners recognise that you are trying to
			be fair to them, and make them money at the same
			time (There are a lot of jerks out there running
			bars, and there are a few really nice people -
			and lots in between). There is a need for quality
			entertainment in the area that you are striving
			for. Keep in mind that being the best doesn't
			mean squat in the music industry (It's who you
			know, and who knows you). Your success may be tied
			to a specific band member (you might want to
			evaluate this concept, as all of your good fortune
			may go away if this person ever leaves).
			

	Maybe you had ought to look at recording a cassette of originals,
	and market them at your gigs. You might find that your sound relates
	to your energy (and the newness of working together). You don't
	have to be the best individual, you just have to be a good team.

								Jens

RE: -.1

Thanks Mike...  And yes, I've always wanted to be in this situation, but
as has been discussed in a zillion topics/conferences, it ain't no bed of 
roses.  Things haven't really even started happening for us yet, and I'm
already totally beat.  Working at DEC, playing a lot of weeknights, riding my
dirt bike and spending time with the spouse equals more than 24 hours/day.
The extra $$$ helps though.   :)


>    Methinks your band would do better with an MTV format "like their Top
>    10 videos of the day" format, or like AAF's Top Nine Tonight, etc.
>    All those sorta lists are pretty similar across the board, so IMHO
>    it's obvious what the people wanna hear tune-wise.  More metal than
>    classic rock.

Definately what we're trying to do - MTv's greatest hits - High recognition
pop mental.  :)  Funny though - it was way different in South Carolina.
And it might be different in CSp too, but we got hooked up with this
club, and in turn turned us onto a different circuit than we'd originally 
aimed for... Strange,...


>>Guns and Roses   - NightTrain
>    
>Cool...who does the solo?!?

Me and Tom - There's plenty to go around.  The whole second half of that tune 
has got lead layered all over it.  Tom does the main lead though - too fast for
moi'!
    
>>Drivin' n Cryin  - Call Me Courageous
>    
>Cool...who does the solo?!?

This one's mine.  I love it.  It's my kinda stuff - not too fast, but melodic.
(and pentatonic :).
    
>>Warrant		 - Uncle Toms Cabin
>    
>Don't care about the solo, but who does that way cool blues lick after the
>    first verse??

Tom.  He does all "way-cool blues licks"  :)
    
>>Kix              - Dont' Close Your Eyes ??  (Is this the name of 
>>

I get the first solo, Tom gets the second.    

>Ummm, I thought Slash played that as one guitar??  Could be wrong.

No, I think you're right.  Thats what I meant about chords.  I've been playing 
the chords, but we were talking about splitting it into two single note lines
in harmony (same thing, just two guits...).
  
As for lead work in general, it's pretty basic.  most lead stuff has one of our 
names written all over it.  Some things I'm good at, some things Tom is good at 
- It's usually pretty obvious (to us) who should be doing the leads and where
etc...  Tom is very Van Halen-ish.  I'm kinda Mic Mars-ish (my wife sez 
kinda Mathias Jabs - but I think thats reaching... :)

jc

    
    	Ya, to further underscore Jens advice, shields up and keep your
    asshole door closed. That done, enjoy yourselves.
    
    	bob

We got copies of the contracts last night and we'll have a lawyer review it
before we sign...  At a glance though, it seemed pretty straight...

Thanks for all the advice - keep it comin' !!

jc

    Yo Coop,
    
    1> Does this guy have a pink poodle ?
    2> Has he ever commented on your spandex, in aa less than professional
       way ?
    3> Does he like to rub the back of your neck while he's talking to you?
    4> Ever been to his house ?  If his bed is made, you may have a problem
       here ...  8^)
    
    So, for more than one reason, it might be in your best interest to keep
    your a$$hole wired shut, as was previously mentioned ....
    
    Scary

    I think you hit on it in your question note, Coop: you guys have decent 
    vocals.  Also, it sounds like at least you and presumably your band are
    responsible and reasonably linear folk(s) to deal with.

Agents/managers are CRETIN-EMBOSSED-SLIME!

re: Coop

   Let me guess...  Is this because your upcoming Pueblo gig is being advertis-
   ed as featuring "the DENVER group, Hardball"?  :-)

   I was gonna send you mail about that (heard it on the radio yesterday), but
   this seemed like a better place.  Public humiliation, and all that.  :-)

   -- Sam

Actually, no that doesn't have much to do with it.

FWIW - Both KILO and KATM screwed up the commercials...  Eeesh.
I called both stations and said "WTF - over?".  They said they'd fix 'em
But I haven't even HEARD the commercial yet.  Whats it say ??

Agents just suck.  'nuff said.  :)

jc

I always liked Chuck Berry's way of dealing with club owners/promoters.  They 
pay him $11,000 in cash *BEFORE THE SHOW*!  If the backup band that the owner/
promoter provided was good, Chuck gives $1,000 back after the show.

Jim

Re: the commercial - I've only heard it once, but it was the standard, "Come
on down the road to the best place in Colorado" type of thing.  Of course it
had the line about "featuring the great Denver band, Hardball" (or was that
"Hairball"?  :-)) which I thought was pretty funny...

(For those not getting it, Jeff and I live near Colorado Springs, about an
hour and a half south of Denver.)

Shouldn't the commercial say, "the great band from Woodland Park"?  :-)

-- Sam

Well it *should* say mediocre band from Colorado Springs...
:)
If we're great, it remains to be seen.  :)

I wonder if they've fixed it yet ??

jc (Done with M-A Agency Ltd.   Pfft. :)

>Well it *should* say mediocre band from Colorado Springs...
>:)
>If we're great, it remains to be seen.  :)
    
    Rubbish!  Give yourselves a little credit (you usually do...).
    
    8^)
    
    Greg

    Well, I saw that "mediocre" band from Colorado Springs last night...
    
    				and 
    				they 
    				were
    
    			      G R E A T

    This seemed as good a place as any to put this

I went to a HardBall gig here in the Springs recently.  This was my first
"noters gig", and first time I've seen anyone I know personally here in
Colorado.  I shared some thoughts/comments with Jeff via mail and he asked me
to share some of my thoughts with the ::GUITAR community.  Why not, eh?

First, I have to say, despite all the ragging and chiding back and forth,
Coop's sound is pretty damn good!  Of course, with that "rack from hell" and
all those lights he'd better damn well be able to get a good sound from it!
:-)  Of course the *3* Marshall 4x12 cabs didn't hurt, either.  (Personally
I think he just likes the logo.  :-))  He doesn't use too much layering of
effects which is a real problem with some of these high tech rigs/players.
He still manages to keep the dynamics and attack while getting the sound
his music demands of him.

The overall sound of the band is very crisp, and all the players have the
chops to pull things off.  The bassist/singer is one of those who has the
ability to very closely resemble the vocal sound of whoever he's covering;
Pretty good for a little guy who won't play the blues.  :-)  Actually,
the whole band seems to have that ability:  the covers are done almost
exactly like the originals.  They covered "Smoke On the Water" and did
it *exactly* right.  As I told Coop, sure, this is a song that every 14
year old can play the notes to, but Hardball gave all the right inflections
to everything, got the feel right, and those vocals ...  Heaven for someone
who grew up listening to Deep Purple.

Despite his self-effacing comments in here Coop is quite the guitarist.  He's
got the style and the chops for this kind of music down to a "t".  The other
guitarist in the band is technically a wizard.  His playing is fast and
precise.  Unfortunately, he was struggling with amp settings at this point
(just gave into MRP-itis and hasn't got the patches setup properly yet) and
thus had a pretty thin sound that night.  This was my main criticism of the
band's performance;  It would have been near perfect if he'd had his sound
together.  Luckily this was a smaller club (Union Station) and the crowd was
thin, so very few people noticed.  :-)

Some of the stuff the band does is not exactly the style of music I play
personally, but I can listen to just about anything, and what they did sounded
great!  I'd recommend them to anyone who wants to see a good band.  Of course
it helps if you're in the Colorado Springs area...  :-)

Oh, one last thing;  they were trying out a new sound man that night, a guy
that I know apart from the band (I'd never heard him "do sound" before though).
He was _GREAT_.  From what Coop said, they'd never even rehearsed before, but
Roger knew right where to put everything in the mix.  Even did a great flange
solo during the drum solo.  :-)  Way to go, Roger Bolte!

(So Coop, do I get the money you said you'd pay me to write this now?  :-))

-- Sam
~

Thanks Sam !!

Sheeesh man... Okay - the checks in the mail...
:)
jc

    > Coop's sound is pretty damn good!  Of course, with that "rack from
    > hell" and all those lights he'd better damn well be able to get a good
    > sound from it!
    
    Y'know I've been meaning to say this for a long time but I have to give
    Coop credit for something.
    
    I mean I ain't even seen this rack from hell, but I've read (and read
    and read) about it.
    
    But I've observed one thing about an audience's reaction to an
    impressive array of equipment:
    
    The more impressive your setup appears, the higher the expectations
    are for how well you play.  (Anyone else feel that way?)
    
    Thus, all I can say is that it must take real balls to play with that
    rig Coop.  ;-)
    
    	db
    
    p.s. When you write music are you a "Cooposeur"?  ;-)  ;-)

I'm dyin' over here !!!  That cracked me up !!

Actually DB, I think it's a lot easier to be a mediocre player thru excellent
gear than it is to be super-hot thru a piece-o-crap rig.  Ya know - "Can't play 
a lick, so you'd best sound damn good".  

I think I noticed that I played BETTER thru my Rockman than thru my Marlboro...
Suddenly I got the bug and it's all Sholtz R&D's fault.  :) 
Also - 
I look at it this way - If I take your head off with one power chord in the 
first set and leave a bloody stump, then you won't be able to hear my mistakes.
You certainly won't SEE me make any... I'm too quick between posing fits  :)


Seriously though - I think Marshalls sound pretty good...But they demand 
that you PLAY them.  I mean you gotta *work* at it.  I think in comparison,
my rig plays all by itself.  To each his own I guess...

jc (More of a performer than a player)

>>    The more impressive your setup appears, the higher the expectations
>>    are for how well you play.  (Anyone else feel that way?)

    Absolutely!  That's why I have no effects, no rack, plain guitar, and
    one amp.  (Come to think of it, I also have no audience :)).

    steve

      Oh I don't know...  but then it doesn't really matter does it? After
    all the "end" result is what matters most anyway in my book. If I see
    a guy with 2 Marshall "full" stacks, I'll get the impression that he's
    going to be REALLY LOUD and that he's got alot of money thrown into
    this rig (if it is his to begin with). I guess I'm not impressed
    easily. I'm more of a bottom line guy, either the dude's got chops 
    or not. I'm more turned off by flash and no chops I guess and whether 
    or not the dude can play "with" the band rather than making
    some wierd statement by himself like "look at me people...  notice me"!
    Who cares bud? Play your chops to "complement the tune", you'll get
    noticed just as much! As far as setting expectations with equipment?
    Well, it's like the old expression...  when the flag drops, the BS
    stops!
    
    Rock on,
    	    Fred 
  

    Fred, the way you've been ragging on Marshalls going up in smoke
    I presumed that if you saw a guy with 2 Marshall full stacks, you'd
    pull the fire alarm.  ;-)

    RE: -.1
    Actually no Dave, I'd assume he'd have the 2nd one as a spare incase
    the 1st one went up in smoke!
    
    	Many MANY   ;^)'s
    
    Rock on (w/o smoke),
    			Fred

    re: -27
    
    well said Fred!  I kinda like to see the "stealth" guitarists...like
    when your'e in a club on jam night, and this shy looking guy with a
    beat up Les Paul Junior comes up on his turn with his old 50 watt
    combo, plugs up and just BLOWS you away with his chops!
    
    This happened to me this first time I saw.... (jeez, I forgot his name!)
    Mac Mcloud's replacement for Kevin Latham...Odie, what's his
    name...he's a killer blues guitarist and a killer jazz bassist.  He
    just floored me the first time I saw him on his old LP Jr....
    
    Anyway...his chops talked turkey!  No show, just talent...
    
    Steve

    
    	His name is Kim Something and he plays with the Electric City 
    	Blues Band.  They opened for Johnny Winter recently.

Kim was pretty smokin'...

What I think when I see a band with nice gear is "Gee, they must either
be pretty good to have enough gigs to pay for their gear, or they've
thrown a lot of money down to make themselves look good".

Gotta agree though; It's a "put up or shut up" kind of thing.  I don't 
think you have to have great chops to be "good" either.  But I do think if
you're in a 4 peice band, you'd best be 25% of that bands sound.
There are only a few Satches, Vais, and EJ's out there...

jc (25%)

    I'm not turned off by flash.  I can appreciate both the "all flash"
    guys (pick a Varney guy) and the guys with "all taste and no chops"
    (BB, Townshend, Gilmour, etc.)
    
    But I'll tell you that the guys that *I* admire the most have BOTH!!!
    
    	Steve Morse, Larry Carlton, Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson to 
    	name the most obvious ones.

re: .-1  Because not everyone can "have it all", and I happen to like some
         variety?

  This is a funny topic for me.  I've been a "50/60 watt combo and a guitar"
  guy for a looooong time, and just recently got a rack, a  Soho, a DSP128+,
  and am now looking at rack power amps.  Does this mean people are going to
  expect more out of my playing?  Hope not!  :-)

  -- Sam

   'Course, the 5 string bass seems to inspire terror in some people...  :-)

    Rack?  Flashing lights and megawatt power?  Time to hit the woodshed,
    Sam.  ;^)
    
    I sold my rack stuff so people wouldn't get too much expectations...
    ;^)
    
    Greg

	I don't think the average person in the audience has any concept of
	how much, what kind, etc. of equipment a band member has, or uses.
	All that matters is whether, or not, it sounds good.  If the people
	are groovin' and/or the dance floor is packed then it doesn't matter
	what the band is using.

	On the other hand, if you're out to impress the one guitar player
	who's in the audience by the amount of equipment you've got, then
	s/he's gonna judge you by your abilities not your equipment anyway
	(unless of course they're a beginner).

	joe.

    My band did a gig up in Maine a few months back where the opening band
    had some way cool gear...old Fender guitar amps (two Tremoluxes, one a
    blonde head atop an old Marshall 4-12, the other a mint blackface
    stack), old Les Pauls, an ES-5 (!!!), an SG Jr. for slide (with a
    leather strap with Cub Koda's name on it), VOX Cry Baby, Univibe, old
    "checkered" binding Rick 4001 run into an SVT, etc.  They played real
    generic Chuck Berry/Stones/Georgia Sattelites 1-4-5s which they had
    written.  Short on talent, long on ambition and cool gear, real nice
    guys.  Turned out the two guitarists own music stores  8^)  8^)  
    
    I gotta say I expected more from these guys when I saw their stuff. 
    Didn't know anyone in Maine knew about vintage gear  8^)  8^)   
    
    The strobe and black lights they used were cool, too  8^)  8^)  
    
    						Brian

 >   Didn't know anyone in Maine knew about vintage gear  8^)  8^)   

Brian, hope you didn't say this to them, cuz I have a feeling in Maine
they think this is *new* gear  8^)  ;^)

Droid (who *loves* Maine... many visits!)

    I gotta say this...
    
    In the genre of music I play in (commercial metal, pop WAAF, WBCN etc),
    if you walked on stage with less than a stack, the place would
    clear out like it was on fire.  
    
    The band I'm currently in uses a 6K watt, 3-way stereo PA that pushes
    approx. 135 db.  This PA is NOTHING compared to most of the acts on the 
    circuit we play have. We also a 30+ PAR64 light show.  We are currently 
    having MAJOR problems with gigs because we don't have enough gear.
    
    Granted - *I* personally have enough, but our bassists' PV bass rig is
    scoffed at, as is our other guitarists rig with (1) 4x12, (1) 2x12, and
    even using my two spare 2x12s.
    
    The nasty of it is, bands that aren't close to our musical ability, but 
    who have a stage full of gear get more gigs on the "A circuit" than we do.
    Some of these guys have rigs that make me blush with envy.
    
    The other thing is hair.  Never seen such a bunch of hair snob, puff
    heads in my life.  If you don't have "big hair", you are NOwhere here.
    
    So, at least in The Springs, you have to have 6' tall PA stacks,
    multiple 4x12's, dbl bass drum sets in excess of 10pcs, large hi-watt
    light shows, a massive PA, and a "do"... Else you just don't play - period.
    
    Pretty sad - but true.
    
    jc (Sharing his opinion of the Colorado Springs club scene)
    

   re: Coop
   
   Yeah, well, like you said, "For the kind of music (you) play."  Such is
   not the case with blues, C+W, "originals", "alternative" or most of the
   genres out there.  Pop Metal is somewhat of a fad right now, and if you
   want to talk the talk you've got to walk the walk (or look the part, in
   this case).  To my knowledge, I've never been "judged" by anyone for the
   equipment I have.  I'd be bummed to find out it was "important" now.
   And as for *my* look, well hell, I'm 32 and shot to hell, so the kids
   aren't going to pay attention anyway...  :-)

   Come down to Tres tomorrow to see Chris Duarte and check him out.  He's
   loud, but as far as I remember his amps don't take up the whole stage.  A
   bunch of us will be there from about 8/8:30 on.  Same goes (without saying)
   for anyone else in the Springs area.  It's Tres Hombres in Woodland Park. 
   I'll be there after meeting up with a ::CYCLES noter who's visiting town.
   
   -- Sam

    I have to agree with Sam, man.  It's the "for the kind of music we  
    play" comment that makes the rest of what you said make perfect sense. 
    It goes with the terratory.  Yeah, it really sucks that so many people
    into that sort of music have such strong biases about what the person
    performing it should *look* like, but that's how it is (and more or
    less how it's been for a long time!)
    
    If you don't want those restrictions, don't play that type of music.
    
    That sort of imposed stereotyping is one of the many reasons I've
    become disenchanted with that particular sub-genre of music over the
    last few years (even though I look more the part these days then some
    of the guys in your band do...)  Anyone that's that hung up about how
    you look loses a lot of respect in my book.
    
    Greg

    Hey, just do what Kiss did in its early days: use empty cabs!   They
    had only enough money for one head and one cab so they bought some
    super cheap unloaded Marshall lookalikes and stacked 'em up on stage to
    get the "look".
    
    Or be like Rick Neilsen of Cheap Trick: he used to stack up all his
    cabs with blown speakers, and with the grill cloths off you could even
    see all the shredded cones!
    
    							Brian

    Chris Duarte RULES !  I'm there !  But, FWIW - a five piece drum kit,
    a combo bass amp and a fender twin DOES fill the stage at Tres Hombres.
    :)
    
    Greg - we should definately plan on attending this...
    
    Anyway - y'all are right.  The "kind of music we play" is kinda
    clique-infested, snobby etc...  Fortunately, I kinda like that part 
    of the game - I like having a multicab rig, so I don't mind so much...
    But it DEFINATELY sucks to have certain clubs in town say "Sorry, your
    front man doesn't have the look" - lets face it - Guido ain't no David
    Lee Roth. :)
    
    I just felt the need to make this issue known, for those who haven't 
    experienced it.  FWIW - It's not just The Springs thats like that
    either.
    jc
           

re: .43 "Boston is worse"

   Yeah, I get a kick out of some of the locals with their, "The competition
   is REAL TOUGH in this town!" comments.  I've got friends in Boston who're
   practically looking at the LA "pay to play" atmosphere.  "Well, we'll let
   you come in on Wednesday, but we ain't gonna pay you."  No thanks!

   Great on Tres!  Hope to see you both down there.  Anyone else from these
   here parts that wants to come on down, please do so.

   -- Sam

    Pay To Play is like a plague on this side of the water.  Thankfully, 
    gear specs are coming down.  In fact, the older and tattier the gear
    the better in some cases.  I know people that have offered thousands of
    quid for old Watson cab cos it looks dead sixties.
    
    Funny innit.
    
    Nigel  
    

    Isn't it a pain in the arsehole though that the US can get Marshall
    stuff a lot cheaper than us and we're in the UK??
    
    
    
                                                 Staynz

    -1
    
    Yeah, but you dudes can just ship it over to Jimbo himself for 
    tweeking ... we have to take ours to music stores with electronic hacks
    often referred to as "amp repair men"!  8^(