The Last Bass Outpost
Main Forums => The Bass Zone => Topic started by: slinkp on June 18, 2014, 09:50:42 AM
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Sometimes a gig of a bunch of moldy oldies is just what the doctor ordered!
I live and work in NYC (to be more precise I live in central Brooklyn and work in lower Manhattan) ... the band scene is very competitive, dominated by young hipsters, and 99% original material. I haven't gigged in Manhattan in many years now. I still love the music scene here but I don't have the time or energy to deal with trying to play in NY clubs anymore.
Recently, a guitar player I've been playing with for many years, who has long ago moved out to the suburbs on Long Island, asked me if I would sub on bass for his local cover band - a bunch of guys from his neighborhood. The other players are not really up to his level, but they're enthusiastic and have developed a good group sound, and the set list sounded fun. So, last Saturday night I went out to the venue, a local live music rock-n-roll bar of the sort that doesn't really exist in the city anymore, where covers are the norm and you go to drink and enjoy some well executed familiar hits from decades past. The audience ranged in age from about 40 to 60 (the band fit in that demographic as well). AND... aside from free beer I got $50 in my pocket which is more than I ever took home on most gigs playing originals, that's for sure.
IT WAS A BLAST!
We had a number of train wrecks, due to various factors (varying experience levels among the band, unfamiliar material, new bass player...)
but nobody much cared... the small crowd was very enthusiastic, and people wanted us to keep playing beyond the end of our set list, so we bashed out "The Seeker" totally unrehearsed, and "Who Are You" which we had all played before but never in the same band.
Set list:
The Waiting
Psycho Killer
Remedy
Pulling Mussels from a Shell
Can’t Stand Losing You
The Weight
Interstate Love Song
Dead Flowers
You Can’t Always Get What You Want
10th Ave Freeze Out
Hungry Heart
Promised Land
Prove it All Night
Rosalita
Black Dog
What is and Should Never Be
The Ocean
Folsom Prison Blues
Unrehearsed extras: The Seeker, Who Are You
I think "Rosalita" was one of the most fun things I have ever done live. What a joy. I am told there is video of this gig, but I haven't seen it yet.
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That's the kind of setlist that can get a crowd moving.
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I was once in a band that would always do "Folsom Prison Blues" when somebody would insist that we do a country song. I would sing it, but was keenly aware that it lacked the authentic Johnny Cash vibe. You do what you can. Nevertheless, people did seem to appreciate the song for the most part.
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Sounds like a good time! I live JUST outside Chicago, and there's always been a good music scene here. Back in the 80s, there was kind of a line drawn - original bands in the city, cover bands in the burbs. Now, the cover scene dominates, and even that's getting tough. From age 19 to 36, I was in original bands exclusively. Then, I knew I was past my expiration date as far as the record biz (what was left of it) was concerned, but I knew I didn't want to stop performing, so I started playing covers. I've made a ton of money, and had lots of fun doing it. I'll admit, it often gets old, but honestly - seeing the joy on peoples faces and just really making their week helps keep me going. It's been all classic rock for me over the past 2 years, with a band of stellar musicians. Our guitarist Dave Uhrich landed at something like #31 in Classic Rock magazine's "100 wildest lead guitarists" back in 2007, and was one of those Ibanez endorsing guys back in the day, as well as Laney amps. A typical set list looks something like this:
HIGHWAY STAR
AIN’T TALK BOUT LOVE
SURRENDER
WALK THIS WAY
CULT OF PERSONALITY
HOT BLOODED
BOYS R BACK
SPIRIT OF RADIO
DRUM SOLO
HOT FOR TEACHER
LIFE IN FAST LN
FLIRTIN W/DISASTER
LONG TRAIN
PRIDE & JOY
BENNIE
LIVE AND LET
LET IT BE
SISTER CHRIS
LIVIN PRAYER
LIVIN MIDNITE
STRANGLEHOLD
BASS SOLO
HIGHER GROUND
BOHEMIAN
SWEET CHILD
TOM SAWYER
REBEL YELL
R&R ALL NITE
LAGRANGE
GUITAR SOLO
ROCKETMAN
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Having played covers the past 10 years or so with The Nasty Habits I can echo what Tom says, it's so much fun and yes, we get paid - sometimes very well. Our last trip to Pt Angeles netted the band more than 3K for a 2 night stand, we are booked for 3 shows at the end of June as part of Seattle Pride week, look like we'll have a show at The Hard Rock Cafe soon, and we just signed off on a contract for two shows Halloween weekend. I love it! Now I gotta go shop for clothes :-*
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The Hard Rock Cafe; that's impressive. I never got the chance to go to one until I went to Amsterdam last summer. Got an exclusive Amsterdam Hard Rock Cafe Hendrix T-shirt.
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A typical set list looks something like this:
That's a fun list! Between the Rush tunes and the Living Colour tune (hell yes!) you've got some tricky things to play...
I did eventually get the hang of "Cult of Personality" but they had some other songs I can't play.
LIkewise I never did figure out the intro to "Spirit of the Radio".
Bass solo eh? I have never done one of those in my life :)
I figure I spend enough time noodling in my regular playing ... and I have no idea what I'd do for a bass solo that would actually be worth listening to. I like when people pull it off though.
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Yeah I like that set list too- would love to do some Rush, Kiss, CT and the Living Colour track. Used to play Spirit of Radio in a previous band... fun stuff.
I've been with my current band ~7 years, and while I'd rather play some newer/different stuff at times it's still a lot of fun... and its a great group of folks far more talented than I. Not too demanding in terms of rehearsals, which is nice at this time in my life. Just roll in and play!
This is our set list:
Rock and Roll - Zep
All I Wanna Do - Sheryl Crow
Knock on Wood - Eric Clapton
Allison Road - Gin Blossoms
LA Woman - The Doors
Rapture - Blondie
Baby I Love Your Way - Peter Frampton
Striaght On - Heart
Let Me Roll It - Paul McCartney and Wings
Bad Case of Lovin You - Robert Palmer
Little Sister - Elvis Presley
Barracuda - Heart
Black Magic Woman - Santana
Lowdown - Boz Skaggs
Born To Be Wild - Steppenwolf
Magic Carpet Ride - Steppenwolf
Back in the Chain Gang - Pretenders
Born To Wander - Rare Earth
Mainline Florida - Eric Clapton
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
Money - The Beatles
Call Me - Blondie
Mony Mony - Billy Idol
Cinnamon Girl - Neil Young
Mustang Sally - Wilson Picket
Cold Shot - Stevie Ray Vaughn
My Sherona - The Knack
Come On Up - The Rascals
Nowhere To Run - Martha Reaves
Crossroads - Cream
Oh Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison
Devil with the Blue Dress - Mitch Ryder
Ridin’ the Storm Out - REO Speedwagon
The Difference - The Wallflowers
Rockin’ Down the Highway - The Doobie Brothers
Evil Ways - Santana
Rockin' in the USA - John Couger Mellencamp
Roll Over Beethoven - The Beatles
Gimme Some Lovin’ - Spencer Davis Group
Runnin' Down a Dream - Tom Petty
Good Lovin’ - The Rascals
Sooner or Later - Fastball
Good Times - Edie Brickell
Spooky - Atlanta Rhythm Section
Green River - Creedence Clearwater Revival
Summer In the City - Lovin' Spoonful
Hang On Sloopy - The McCoys
Takin' Care of Business - Bachman Turner Overdrive
Hard to Handle - The Black Crows
Tequila Sunrise - The Eagles
Hippy Hippy Shake - Georgia Satellites
The Difference - The Wallflowers
I Got a Line On You - Spirit
The House Is Rockin' - Stevie Ray Vaughn
I'll Be Around - The Spinners
The Letter - The Box Tops
I Saw Her Standing There - The Beatles
Ticket to Ride - The Beatles
I Thank You - Bonnie Raitt
Travelin' Band - Creedence Clearwater Revival
In the Midnight Hour - Wilson Picket
Twist and Shout - The Beatles
Is She Really Going Out With Him? - Joe Jackson
What I Like About You - The Romantics
It’s All Coming Back To Me Now - Crosby, Pevar & Raymond
Wild Night - Van Morrison
Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones
Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton
Keep On Rockin' Me Baby - Steve Miller Band
867-5309/Jenny - Tommy Tutone
Keep Your Hands To Yourself - Georgia Satellites
Recent gig shot:
(http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k125/0chromium0/forums/10365783_10203129803624921_7715158868326080717_n.jpg)
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The Hard Rock Cafe; that's impressive. I never got the chance to go to one until I went to Amsterdam last summer. Got an exclusive Amsterdam Hard Rock Cafe Hendrix T-shirt.
I'm playing the one in New Buffalo, MI tonight. ;D
That's a fun list! Between the Rush tunes and the Living Colour tune (hell yes!) you've got some tricky things to play...
I did eventually get the hang of "Cult of Personality" but they had some other songs I can't play.
LIkewise I never did figure out the intro to "Spirit of the Radio".
Bass solo eh? I have never done one of those in my life :)
I figure I spend enough time noodling in my regular playing ... and I have no idea what I'd do for a bass solo that would actually be worth listening to. I like when people pull it off though.
Yeah, the LC riffs are tricky. For Spirit of Radio, I put it in Pro Tools and slowed it down to half speed to figure it out. That is a MESSED up riff! Strangely enough, our guitar wiz has a tough time with Rush tunes. ;) Bass solo... not really my idea, but it kind of fits the nature of the band. Up until this band, it had been 20 years since I yanked it on stage. LOL!
Chromium - Let Me Roll It?!?! :o :thumbsup:
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@gearHed289
Sounds like a fun gig at the New Buffalo, MI Hard Rock Cafe. Let us know how it turns out.
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My band has its first gig in a year playing for a Real Estate firm - the guitarist's wife is one of the partners and we're mainly doing it for fun. Here's the list...it will be a short gig, just one set...
Money
Fortunate Son
Pride & Joy
Soul Man
Sunshine of your Love
Jenny-Jenny (867-5309)
Pipeline
Wild Nights
LaGrange
Balinese
Statesboro Blues
Get A Haircut
Ohio > Rockin the Free World
Sweet Home Chicago
Pretty Woman
Giving' it up for your love
Folsom Prison Blues
Nobody Knows You
High Heel Sneakers
Brooklyn Slide
Cheap Sunglasses
We're probably going to add a version of "When the Levee Breaks" soon, and we have some other tunes we've played around with, but this is enough to get us rolling again.
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Nice set Pilgrim! Have a great gig.
New Buffalo was OK. The funny thing about those places is they're not very "hard rock" at all. Amps turned inward, plexi around the drums, low stage volume. It's more of a restaurant atmosphere. Traffic was horrendous getting there too. A good two and a half hours for what should be more like one and a half. The production crew was great though, and there were some fun, enthusiastic people there. ;D
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Nice set Pilgrim! Have a great gig.
New Buffalo was OK. The funny thing about those places is they're not very "hard rock" at all. Amps turned inward, plexi around the drums, low stage volume. It's more of a restaurant atmosphere. Traffic was horrendous getting there too. A good two and a half hours for what should be more like one and a half. The production crew was great though, and there were some fun, enthusiastic people there. ;D
I've only been to the one Hardrock Cafe---the one in Amsterdam I mentioned. It didn't seem all that different from the one you described.
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We don't play as much "Classic Rock" I guess. This is mostly '80s with just a little deviation. ACDC is always a crowd fave, we play Billy Idol's version of LA Woman. The Ataris take on "Boys of Summer and Social Distortion's remake of "Ring of Fire. For the most part it's all about making the women dance - once you do that, everything else falls into place ;)
Set1:
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Long Way
Devil Inside
The Breakup Song
Cars
Let's Go
Surrender
I Ran
She Bop
What I Like About You
The Middle
Don't Change
Kids in America
Sedated
White Wedding
I Want You To Want Me
Set2:
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Sin City
I Hate Myself
Hangin on the Telephone
Sanctuary
Head Over Heels
Whip it
Major Tom
I Will Follow
Walk Like An Egyptian
Everybody Wants You
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
L.A. Woman
Boys Of Summer
Basket Case
Song 2
Dirty Deeds
Set3:
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Lets Go Crazy
Hungry Like The Wolf
Uprising
Should I Stay
Blister In The Sun
Just Like Heaven
The Metro
Be My Girl
Fight For Your Right
Blitzkreig Bop
I Love Rock n Roll
Ring Of Fire
Paranoid
Rebel Yell
Ballroom Blitz
Encore:
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Bad Reputation and/or Teen Spirit
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Interesting to look at Mark's set. There probably aren't more than a handful of songs that my classic rock and blues band would play. Definitely a difference in genre selections! But we don't have the wigs or wardrobe for it anyway. The one tune I'd REALLY like to pick up from his sets is LA Woman - but we don't have the keyboard player it takes to put that across.
I was in Vegas for the Infocomm trade show this week - managed to get my calendar confused and missed a private party at the Hard Rock there on Wednesday night. One of my biz partners who is an ex-touring bassist told me I hadn't missed a thing. He said the sound guys came up with the worst mix he'd ever heard - all bass, sounded like a giant boom box and you couldn't make out much of the music at all.
I find this to be a distressing trend in music. Seems like bass is now defined as nothing but "woof woof" with no definition at all, and if it doesn't punch you in the chest and hurt your ears, it's not right. That's a terrible way to mix music, and I suspect it springs from their mixing all the low end stuff in rap.
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... This is mostly '80s with just a little deviation...
Your mastery of the subtle understatement always amazes me... 8) ;)
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Some of this is about who you want to play for too, sounds silly but the young folks generally stay out later so playing music that 30-50ish womenfolk like seems to be the ticket - at least for us.
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Just like your by-line... you know the rule... The key is knowing your market... Teen Spirit is a nice touch as a finale for your neck of the woods, too :)
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Not only do The Nasty Habits have good sets, they put on a real show. That's where bands like mine fall short. We're good musically, but the showmanship factor is low. It's clear from the videos that the Habits rock their crowd visually, too.
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When Teen Spirit first came up as a song to try I thought for sure people would hate it........ I try to intro it by reminding the crowd that it's been about 22years, and that the band is from just down the coast in Aberdeen ;)
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When Teen Spirit first came up as a song to try I thought for sure people would hate it........ I try to intro it by reminding the crowd that it's been about 22years, and that the band is from just down the coast in Aberdeen ;)
Perfect!
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Here's a typical night:
FIRST SET:
A Hard Day's Night
Act Naturally
All My Loving
Boys
Can't Buy Me Love
Day Tripper
Eight Days A Week
Help!
Hide Your Love Away
I Feel Fine
I Saw Her Standing There
I Should Have Known Better
I Wanna Hold Your Hand
Love Me Do
Please Please Me
She Loves You
Tell Me Why
The Night Before
This Boy
Ticket to Ride
Twist and Shout
You Can't Do That
SECOND SET:
Back in the USSR
Birthday
Come Together
Get Back
Here Comes the Sun
Hey Jude
I Am the Walrus
Lady Madonna
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
Nowhere Man
Paperback Writer
Penny Lane
Revolution
Something
Strawberry Fields Forever
Taxman
The Ballad of John and Yoko
With A Little Help From My Friends
Yellow Submarine
THIRD SET:
All Day and All of the Night
I Can't Explain
Feel A Whole Lot Better
For Your Love
Get Off My Cloud
Heart Full of Soul
Henry the VIII
I'm A Believer
Last Train to Clarksville
Mr. Tambourine Man
My Generation
Nineteenth Nervous Breakdown
Satisfaction
Stepping Stone
Time of the Season
We Gotta Get Out of This Place
You Really Got Me
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With the addition of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," the SECOND SET would go from A++ to A+++.
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Not only do The Nasty Habits have good sets, they put on a real show. That's where bands like mine fall short. We're good musically, but the showmanship factor is low. It's clear from the videos that the Habits rock their crowd visually, too.
I've never been in anything which involved much showmanship, either. It requires going the extra mile. Many can't do it or don't want to do it, or both.
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With the addition of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," the SECOND SET would go from A++ to A+++.
We do that one quite often!
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We do that one quite often!
Fantastic!
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While we're sharing set lists, here's our standard two setter club show that we do with Rolling Stoned ...
60s set (with Brian)
Get Off My Cloud
Not Fade Away
The Last Time
Time Is On my Side
It’s All Over Now
Little Red Rooster
Carol
Route 66
I'm Free
Walking The Dog
Under My Thumb
Let's Spend the Night Together
Paint It Black
Ruby Tuesday
Second set (starting with Mick Taylor)
Jumpin' Jack Flash
Tumblin Dice
Happy
You Cant Always Get What U Want
Gimme Shelter
Bitch
Angie
Honky Tonk Women
Brown Sugar
Midnight Rambler
Sympathy For The Devil (extended intro for wardrobe change, and for Mick T to morph into Ronnie)
Miss You
Waiting On A Friend
Beast of Burden
It's Only Rock And Roll
Start Me Up
Satisfaction
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And here's our classic rock format cover band for pubs -
Set 1 (all Australian classic rock songs)
No Secrets - The Angels
Dont Change - INXS
Rock n Roll Outlaw - Rose Tattoo
Evie part 1 - Stevie Wright
On my Mind - Powderfinger
Bad Boy For Love - Rose Tattoo
Sorry - The Easybeats
Ill make you happy - The Easybeats
Like Wow Wipeout - Hoodoo Gurus
Am I Ever gonna see your face again - The Angels
Set 2 (all Bon Scott era ACDC)
Live Wire
Jailbreak
Shot Down In Flames
TNT
The Jack
Dirty Deeds
Whole Lotta Rosie
Let There Be Rock
High Voltage
Highway to Hell
Long Way to the Top
Set 3 (assorted classic rock)
Rocks - Primal Scream
Backdoor Man - The Doors
The Jean Genie - Bowie
Walk This Way - Aerosmith
Roadhouse Blues - The Doors
Rebel Rebel - Bowie
Hard To Handle - Black Crowes
Love Me Two Times - The Doors
Start Me Up
Brown Sugar
Honky Tonk
Jumping Jack Flash
Satisfaction
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Set 2 (all Bon Scott era ACDC)
Live Wire
Jailbreak
Shot Down In Flames
TNT
The Jack
Dirty Deeds
Whole Lotta Rosie
Let There Be Rock
High Voltage
Highway to Hell
Long Way to the Top
I play occationally in an all Scott AC/DC coverband, and this could be a typical set list. These songs never go wrong in a pub.
We played an outdoor festival gig some years back, and our lead guitarplayer found out that a guy at his day job played bagpipe!
This guy just loved bagpipe an used to rehearse deep in the forest. I even heard bagpipes in this forest, thinking I experienced a crazy flashback or something, but it was the real deal.
Anyway, we opened with Long way to the top that night, he walked through the crowd from the back row towards the stage as he played, I think it must be one of my favourite concert memories...
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Live wire! That is a great one to do. And I find it really hard... so simple, but requires total unflagging conviction.
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We often open with "Long way to the top" but intro with "Scotland the Free" ;)
That Bon Scott ACDC set would take a serious vocalist! Nice to see some Hoodoo Gurus on your setlist too Mark!
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That Bon Scott ACDC set would take a serious vocalist!
Our singer was getting quite good doing the Scott stuff, so we e-mailed him a setlist before a rehearsal - beginning with 'who made who' and ' what do you do for money, honey'. He did not realise it was a joke, so the next rehearsal he wanted to start with them...
Of course, he's voise was shot for the rest of the day, baut cred to him for giving them a go! Some of them Brian Johnson songs
are incredibly painful to sing for the average voice :)
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+1 on (Oz) Mark's set list...
The Guru's played London a few times... I remember seeing them at some hole in the ground in a place called Harlesden (The Mean Fiddler) circa Blow You Cool... (pretty certain it was there that I saw the Long Ryders too)
That reminds me... this lot I saw at the Marquee prior to the singer going his own way... no room for some Cold Chisel in that set, Mark...?
Seattle Mark... reference your set opener... bagpipes too...? :mrgreen:
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For the Brian Johnson era AC/DC this guy could come in handy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SggV-XFKQ1w
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no room for some Cold Chisel in that set, Mark...?
This is our 5 piece non-keyboard lineup, so no.
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We often open with "Long way to the top" but intro with "Scotland the Free" ;)
At my wedding one of my pals played bagpipes in full pipe band uniform as the bride arrived in the wedding car - my Scottish father-in-law was chuffed ... even when the piper (by arrangement at my request) snuck in a few bars of Long Way To The Top while the bride was walking into the venue :-)
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That's awesome Mark!
Sorry to say we have to make do with the keys filling in for the Pipes - Some willing Scotsman needs to come forward!
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That's awesome Mark!
Sorry to say we have to make do with the keys filling in for the Pipes - Some willing Scotsman needs to come forward!
You know, these bagpipers don't wear any underwear. How would that fit your dresscode?
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You know, these bagpipers don't wear any underwear. How would that fit your dresscode?
They don't shave their legs either! - Scotsmen ;D
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For the Brian Johnson era AC/DC this guy could come in handy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SggV-XFKQ1w
Lovely. Angus and Brian all rolled into one.
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Shave...?
(http://www.toomanymornings.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/Scotsman.jpg)
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You have to knock that back with a weed whacker first!
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Perhaps that gent is auditioning for the Scottish version of Duck Dynasty.
Do they do tartan camo?
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Ah yes... I know of just the right car for that gent when he achieves stardom...
(http://toddsclassiccars.com/images/lotus/int.jpg)
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Reminds me of one of the best lines ever spoken on WKRP in Cincinnatti:
Herb Tarlick walks into the sales office wearing a wild plaid sportscoat...
Venus Flytrap immediately says "My God, somewhere there is a Volkswagen with no seat covers."
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No shame in covers, whatever gets them of their ass. I'm working with a group of much younger guys, make really good money and am loving every minute of it. To top it off they have great originals. We are heading into the studio soon.
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Excellent news... keep them working hard... ;)