Big Tuna in Scotland (and further afi... Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Community » Gigs » Big Tuna in Scotland (and further afield) « Previous Next »

Author Message
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 3308
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Monday, January 07, 2013 - 7:09 am:   Edit Post

2013 has now kicked off and Big Tuna will be starting this years performances with back to back gigs this week.
Thursday we're at Whistlebinkies from 10pm
Friday we're at Finnegan's Wake from 10pm

Both venues are Edinburgh city centre.

Graeme

(we've been asked to play an Ex-Pat oilman's party in Dubai in April all expenses paid - negotiations are on-going but it looks like I'll be needing a flight case)
dadabass2001
Senior Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 1694
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, January 08, 2013 - 8:30 am:   Edit Post

Have fun this week, Graeme. Good luck on the Dubai plans!
MIke
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 3313
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Monday, January 14, 2013 - 2:38 am:   Edit Post

Thursday was quiet. Only around 30 folk in the bar and not too many up dancing.
Friday, in complete contrast was packed to the gunnels. Ulster were playing Glasgow (rugby) and the bar was showing the match on the big screen so every irishman for miles was in cheering on Ulster. Our lead guitarist made a huge mistake by wearing a t'shirt depicting a stylised Union Jack - the security guys suggested he wear it inside out to avoid any trouble although for the most part, the crowd were pretty well natured. We ended up having dancers all night and played long enough to be told to stop by the management sometime after 1:30am. It was also one of those rare gigs when we got the sound spot on right from the start with no complaints from the guitarist about the Bass being too loud. If every gig could be like that I'd be a very happy man:-)

This Saturday coming we're playing at PJ Molloys in Dunfermline. We haven't been here for a few years so it'll be interesting. Especially seeing as they now have two bands on and we can't load in to set up till after 10:30. I think we're playing from midnight till 2am :-(

Graeme
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 3314
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 - 1:16 am:   Edit Post

Looks like our Dubai gig has fallen through. message from the promoter this morning...
"the client has decided to push their event back until Q1 next year "

Wonder if they've just decided they don't really want to fly a covers band out from the UK. Ho Hum.

Graeme
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 3282
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 - 5:02 am:   Edit Post

Shame.
dadabass2001
Senior Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 1705
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 - 6:02 am:   Edit Post

Awww! Sorry, Graeme.
Travel can be broadening, but staying home lets you keep up with "Dancing with the Stars".
Mike
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 3318
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 - 2:53 am:   Edit Post

Tonight we'll be back in Whistlebinkies in Edinburgh from 10pm. Then we have about 3 weeks off gigging so it'll be back into the rehearsal rooms to work up some new nembers.

Graeme
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 3330
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 - 4:46 am:   Edit Post

Whistlebinkies tonight then Finnegan's wake saturday. both Edinburgh , both from around 10pm.

I've swapped the strings on my fretless rogue from DR neon's to flatwound D'addario chromes and lowered the action a bit. Loving the new feel and tone.

Graeme
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 3340
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, March 19, 2013 - 4:11 am:   Edit Post

We're back in PJ Molloy's in Dunfermline at 11pm this coming saturday. It'll be my first gig since losing my brother so I guess I'll be thinking of him a lot while I'm up on stage.

Graeme
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 3341
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 - 5:32 am:   Edit Post

Wasn't a bad gig at all. Used the house Ampeg B2Re and 410 which sounded reasonable but nowhere near as flexible as my Mesa rig. the dancefloor was packed from start to finish so I guess it would count as a great gig but I was feeling pretty worn out before we started playing and kind of lost interest about 4 songs from the end. A very late gig - 11:30 till 2am. Thankfully we won't be back there till late june

This thursday 28th we're back in Whistlebinkies Edinburgh for our usual thursday night gig. 10pm start midnight finish and Friday is a holiday so I get to lie in ;-)

Graeme
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 3366
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Thursday, May 23, 2013 - 6:55 am:   Edit Post

It's been a while since we played (due in no small part to our drummer's procreative efforts) but this week we're more than making up for it with three private functions..
Tonight we're playing a charity fundraiser for an equity firm in Glasgow
Saturday we'll be playing a charity fundraiser for falkirk round table
Sunday we're playing at a wedding in North berwick
Next friday we have another wedding in Edinburgh

Wish we could get back to Pub gigs - I really don't like playing functions.

Graeme
dadabass2001
Senior Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 1740
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, May 23, 2013 - 11:19 am:   Edit Post

Sounds like a busy weekend Graeme. Weekends like this remind us why "downsizing rigs can be a good thing. ;) Have a great gig!
Mike
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 3480
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, May 23, 2013 - 11:45 am:   Edit Post

I hope it all goes well Jako, it's been ages since I've done gigs back to back like that. Functions aren't really my thing either if I'm honest. However many of my friends who are full time muso's do quite a lot of them as they pay more than pub or small venue gigs and it's bread and butter. But when you get them on a jazz session they let out all the stops.

Jazzyvee
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 3481
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Thursday, May 23, 2013 - 11:46 am:   Edit Post

I hope it all goes well Jako, it's been ages since I've done gigs back to back like that. Functions aren't really my thing either if I'm honest. However here's hoping you get some pub gigs soon.

Jazzyvee
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 3370
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 - 7:14 am:   Edit Post

Well, I've had enough and after nearly 9 years handed in my notice. Thursday night no-one in the audience was interested and Sunday night we might as well not have turned up until 11:30. Saturday night was ok as the audience were mostly drunk and in fancy dress but I just wasn't feeling the magic and my Mesa Titan cut out right before the end of the gig (after having been shipped back to the states to have the exact same issue fixed). This sort of thing has been going on for over a year so I guess it's time to try something new. Hopefully we'll part on reasonable terms - I've agreed to cover some gigs until they can find a replacement (must have van and warehouse).
Meanwhile, at our last rehearsal the studio guy slipped me a note from a grateful dead tribute who want me to try out with them so I'll see how that goes.

Graeme
dadabass2001
Senior Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 1741
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 - 9:43 am:   Edit Post

Wow! Changes keep coming in life, so ride out the tide and here's hoping you find some compatible bandmates and lucrative opportunities again soon!
All the best,
Mike
811952
Senior Member
Username: 811952

Post Number: 2306
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 - 10:07 am:   Edit Post

Best of luck. Onward and upward!

John
jcdlc72
Advanced Member
Username: jcdlc72

Post Number: 255
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 - 10:26 am:   Edit Post

Well, that happens every once in a while. Right now I am taking over a similar situation where I will be replacing a friend who has been playing for 11 years in a duet. The guy grew tired and decided it was time to flee (literally, he even took the decision to fly to another country, that sick he got of it all!) and was trying to quit the outfit for almost three years already. In good terms -or at least it seems- and with some previous preparation (I've played with them a handful times before, and so I know their set list), so it is not a complete disaster.

Maybe the time is right for a change, Graeme. Just be sure of bringing good, renewing energies to the new venture!
jazzyvee
Senior Member
Username: jazzyvee

Post Number: 3485
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, May 28, 2013 - 12:54 pm:   Edit Post

A change is as good as a rest. But don't sell your alembics.... :-)


Jazzyvee
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 3373
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Wednesday, May 29, 2013 - 4:24 am:   Edit Post

... and now I'm having second thoughts :-(

and jazzy.. to paraphrase mel gibsons version of scottish history 'You can take my titan (cos it's still cutting out) but you'll never take my alembics' :-)

Graeme
georgie_boy
Senior Member
Username: georgie_boy

Post Number: 1077
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Wednesday, June 05, 2013 - 4:54 am:   Edit Post

Stick with it Graeme!!
jacko
Senior Member
Username: jacko

Post Number: 3383
Registered: 10-2002
Posted on Thursday, June 13, 2013 - 1:36 am:   Edit Post

I've agreed to cover gigs up until mid-september (last wedding booking this year) so this month I have 3 pub gigs in Edinburgh; July 2 weddings then September a couple of pubs and a wedding. Hopefully they'll have found another bass player by then.

Meanwhile, last night I had a great jam session with the 'Deadbeats'. One guitarist, the drummer and keys are the remnants of 'Workingman's dead', a fairly successful dead tribute band who played quite a lot of the smaller festivals up till last Christmas. With myself, another guitarist and a singer we made a respectable effort at the handful of songs we'd learnt for the occasion....
Ramble On Rose
Truckin'
Goin' Down The Road
Big Boss Man
Friend Of The Devil
Stella Blue

Mostly variations an a twelve bar in E but a couple have interesting changes - stella blue in particular (which will lend itself to fretless) but the keyboard guy kept me in the right place calling out the chord changes when I looked lost. It's interesting how different playing this stuff is to just listening - and I get beyond the 7th fret! So that looks like it'll take off - we have another jam in a fortnight.

Also, I have an audition in a week or so for a Glaswegian covers band who are resurrecting themselves from the ashes of red zephyrz who were playing around glasgow pubs but also travelling as far afield as the Berlin beer festival to perform. hopefully that'll work out too so I'm in a much brighter place than I was a couple of weeks ago.

Graeme

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Username: Posting Information:
This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here.
Password:
Options: Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration