ShortScale.org

Good evening folks,

I think it's about time I introduced you to Empires and give you a bit of back story.

Empires were formed a couple of years back and contained drums, bass, guitar, vocals and fiddle

Then the fiddle player left due to other commitments and we became drums, bass, guitar, guitar, cello and vocals.

Then the singer left because he wanted to do more solo acoustic stuff and one of the guitars became guitar/vocals.

At the same time, the drummer was replaced for lack of reliability and 'maroon 5-esque' drums.

...and we started afresh in August 2009, only maintaining the bones of one or two songs from the previous generations.

The current line-up is:


Left to right: Corran, Bob, Martin, Dave, Some other talentless cunt

The second reason I started this thread is for selfish reasons really... and that's because we need your opinions, shortscale.

There are a few videos from our first gig with the new lineup on my blog, and you are welcome to view them and fire us some constructive and deconstructive criticism. Don't spare anyone's feelings... even feel free to comment anonymously or under a pseudonym.

------------------>LANK<----------------------------------------
(edit: password changed, might still give it out via PM)


TL:DR - Click Lank, Enter Password, Watch Vadeos, Leave Comments




Edit: 1st October 2010

Corran left a while ago due to lack of time... and spending time amidst 4 noisy boys wasn't high enough on the priority list.

We're now called Verse Metrics (name change forced due to another band called 'Empires' nicked the name on iTunes)

Now in the studio recording our debut E.P.


Edit: November 2010

Debut EP released. Mini-tour of Scotland.

will have a look at this in the morning chief, i've got a snoozing person beside me and she'll get annoyed if i start making a racket...

Magic.

I think the best impression is given at a decent volume

...or headphones

I'm about to head out for the night as well, but I'll definitely give these a thorough listen tomorrow. After watching the first vid while typing this, I have made a most useless observation that will offer you absolutely nothing in terms of quality feedback. It does, however, come from a place of love.

I like to rock my guitar pretty high, but you make me look like Johnny Ramone. Do you catch a lot of shit for it? I certainly do.

Not yet....

I think I just like it because it feels more controlled

I chop and change my mind as to where I put it... but for now, it seems to be that if it's not strangling me it's no good

I'll probably let it down a bit once I get a bit more confident in the parts I'm playing. It's a bit strange going back to stage lighting when you're used to the practice room.

We should probably rehearse all cramped together and by strobe, then I might have to check the fretboard less.

As for folk who'd give you stick for that sort of thing. Pfft, it's not as if it's high waistbanded trousers.

Consider it your trademark

ok, comment left.

i must reiterate what i said in the second paragraph though, those things would totally pull the band together like (to use my new favourite analogy) a pair of tight fitting underpants. and i'm on my 3rd listen of 'number 8', i really like that song.

Thanks for the comments so far folks,

Those are exactly the kinds of things we're looking for.

I'm not going to comment on specifics but I'll discuss everything with the band and you'll see things in future performances that'll reflect opinions already posted and to come, I'm sure.

<3 Shortscale

Is there room for a game of 'Spot the Dwarfcraft'?

Empires wrote:I'll discuss everything with the band

i feel guilty now.

I know what it's like, it feels like you've 'grassed' a wee bit...

Fuck it, why not discuss specifics. Makes for interesting reading and discussion.

I can't see Dave changing his bass Stew, he was even talking about getting the 5 string version. He's a massive 'playability' guy, couldn't care less what it looks or sounds like as long as it feels right for him. I 100% see where you're coming from though. Might be worthwhile trying something different for when the big EP recording comes around.

Number 8... I cringe when I hear the harmonics at the start, I think that needs to be thought out a bit better. The main riffs, especially the middle quiet bit, I quite like.

Sad Bones, we're working on the melody/lyrics for that part. I think it's too repetitive later in the song, the melody in at least one in every 3 lines needs to change. Bob was coming up with some good stuff for it the other day, we're getting there with it.

that's the problem with bassists, they insist on things like 'comfort'. they need to be kept in line. just ask gavin, he didn't like the bread-and-water-with-a-punch-in-the-face-for-pudding regime at first but he's getting used to it.

Maybe we need to trade him in for a smaller model that can be pushed around a bit easier?



Either that or we need to feed him before suggesting it. He's more likely to attack if he's hungry.

In the video for 'Tired Lights' you can see him going bananas at the sound guy*. That's a taste of the wrath you could face.



*incidentally was very good, considering our relentless wankery of changing instruments

Nice work, couldn't really hear the guitars though - but that's not your fault. I may need to listen more to give you a real in depth critique, unfortunately I haven't got time now. Playing is really tight though which is always a bonus.

What is the height difference between your guitar and your bass player's bass?

johnnyseven wrote:Nice work, couldn't really hear the guitars though - but that's not your fault. I may need to listen more to give you a real in depth critique, unfortunately I haven't got time now. Playing is really tight though which is always a bonus.

What is the height difference between your guitar and your bass player's bass?

Thanks for listening anyway, sir...

We haven't actually had a measuring tape out to measure the height difference...

but perhaps there's a fight psychology going on that neither of us are conscious of, you never know.

Funny thing is, that when I used to play bass I had it set about the same height as he does *shrug*

Nice stuff. The first thing I noticed when seeing the pic and vids was the bass too! lol The style of the bass and they playing position reminded me of people like this:


I think band image is kind of important, and that stood out to me... However someone who doesn't play guitar might not notice so much.

The music was nice though. I would like to hear good quality recordings... was quite hard to make out the cello and I want to hear how that fits in with the music.

i may not dig how Fieldy looks when he plays bass, and i kind of hate his band
but the dude can fucking take me for a walk down that bass neck anytime he wants to.

Newsflash:

Dave's got his eye on a LPB Precision Bass. Result?

While googling basses, I came across this on ebay

LANK - s'nice



Bronco knawbs - but slightly perturbed that the gravel could scratch the finish

£450 seems abit steep. I think Stewart sold his one for something like £300-£350.

I was definitely admiring the aesthetics rather than the price

i'd be wary of them jobbies if you want my honest opinion. mine was comfy enough, but if i'm being completely truthful it sounded pretty crap. i had a quick shot of nickD's one and it was lovely though. typical 70s fender hit-and-miss affairs. £450 is having a larf considering it's been stripped. £300 max for that.

i'm also quite surprised that he's considering a fender type given his previous choice, but there you go!

He's ordered the P-Bass

They're pretty much ubiquitous, I suppose that's because they're good.

There's no real second hand market either. People tend to hold onto them, I guess.

It's going to give him a few tonal options anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing what he can get it to sound like.