Dan T's Inferno - Function & Wedding Band - Bristol/South West

Our kit

2011-03-20T06:50:00.000-07:00

Some people - not all people - but some people ask what kit Dan T's Inferno bring with them.

It's a good question.

Particularly as it goes to explain why setting up is important, and how two hours of playing means about 12 hours of properly hard work. And why I currently have a bad back.

We only use top quality equipment. That goes for everything.

There was an exception which proves the rule: In an economy-driven fit of madness I once bought some XLR (microphone) cables which didn't meet our standards. You would have thought, from their reception, that they were the Devil's own bum-hairs and fit only for hanging me with.

I simply did not hear the end of it until new, better ones arrived. It really is that important.

So, for those of a techie bent, please see our kit list:

Public Address System:

Mackie CFX16 MKII mixing desk

2x Mackie 450 v2 speakers

Mackie 350 v2 speaker

Any number of stands

Laney CXP-112 and CXM-112 monitor speakers

Wharfedale Titan subwoofer

6x Sure SM58 microphones (mix of alpha and beta)

2x Sure SM57 A instrument microphones

Behringer Feedback Destroyer Pro

Any number of leads, gaffa tape, cables and extensions

Instruments (not all guitars used in any one gig, to be fair):

2x Fender Stratocaster guitar

Fender Jazz Bass

2x Fender Telecaster guitar

Bill Nash Esquire guitar

Epiphone Casino guitar

Epiphone Sheraton guitar

Gibson SG guitar

Paul Smith Les Paul Junior guitar

Composite drum kit, but Ludwig snare

Any number of tuning, distortion, fuzz, delay, wah, phase, compression, vocoder and booster pedals.

2x stage pedal boards

Fender Blues Junior amp

Fender Blues De Ville amp

Fender Twin Reverb amp

Marshall bass amp head plus 2x stack speakers (sub and 4x speaker)

Any number of cables, stands, slides, capos and picks

Tambourine

Lights:

4x LED par cans

American DJ Revo III 'moonflower' type floor light

Martin 'Mania' psychedelic oil-lamp effect

2 x T-bars

Any number of cables, kettle leads and safety wires

Halloween gig at The Blue Lagoon

2010-11-06T12:04:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who joined us for our Halloween gig at The Blue Lagoon on Gloucester Road in Bristol.

As you can see from the photos, the dancefloor was packed, and we felt like the Devil's own rock 'n' roll party band, with the energy of the crowd firing us up even more. Congratulations also to the winners of the Best Dancer and Best Costume awards on the night.

However, despite our best efforts to give it away as a prize, the menacing Skull Of Secrets (almost identical to the kind you get for £1 at Maplins, except a bit more full of secrets) managed to stay in our possession for another year.

Behold - the Skull Of Secrets

To see more shots from the night, click here.

10 quick questions for... Daniel Thomas

2010-10-24T12:04:00.000-07:00

10 quick questions for...

Daniel Thomas

Vocals, bass, guitar

1] First album: Michael Jackson – Bad

2] Favourite album: Revolver – The Beatles

3] Favourite song: Tomorrow Never Knows – The Beatles

4] Favourite gear: My heavily personalised Epiphone Sheraton II, with one Gibson P–94 pickup, one Gibson Burstbucker #3 pickup, amber Schaller M6 tuning pegs, Bigsby whammy bar, orange drop capacitors and CTS pots - and gold buttons.

5] All–time favourite musician: Paul McCartney. I know, I know... he can be a bit soft, glib and smug. But he was the most creative in The Beatles and is the most successful songwriter in the history of the world. It may seem an odd thing to say, but I think the guy is underrated simply because he's still alive.

6] Favourite gig: Jimmy Cliff at Glastonbury 2003. I thought I'd only heard the guy's name before seeing him. Then I discovered I'd loved his music all my life.

7] Favourite Inferno gig/moment so far (and why): Looking down on the crowd at the Pork & Cider Festival at the Royal Oak and seeing about 400 people all dancing to Land Of 1,000 Dances by Wilson Pickett.

8] Favourite Dan T’s Inferno song: I Got A Woman - re-written for the band

9] If you’re buying: A double Laphroaig with ice, since you’re being so kind

10] Describe Dan T’s Inferno in five words: Bringing guitar music back home

10 quick questions for... Sarah McKenna

2010-10-24T11:53:00.000-07:00

10 quick questions for...

Sarah McKenna

Vocals, percussion

1] First album: Culture Club – Colour By Numbers

2] Favourite album: Radiohead – The Bends

3] Favourite song: Cheryl Lynn – Got To Be Real

4] Favourite gear: Fifth

5] Favourite artist: KT Tunstall

6] Favourite gig: Wick Barn in Bath

7] Favourite Inferno gig/moment so far (and why): The Bath Music Festival gig in May this year – seeing the crowd really enjoying themselves

8] Favourite Dan T’s Inferno song: Shirley Ellis – The Clapping Song

9] If you’re buying: Cranberry and lemonade

10] Describe Dan T’s Inferno in five words: Four Suits, Girl In Dress

10 quick questions for... Alex Taylor

2010-10-24T11:45:00.000-07:00

10 quick questions for...

Alex Taylor

Vocals, drums, guitar

1] First album:
I think it was something like The Fine Young Cannibals’ debut album of the same name

2] Favourite album:
Er, this is tricky… Errr, erm… Okay… Elbow – The Seldom Seen Kid

... Look, I’m not happy with just one favourite album, can I have a Top 5?

The Seldom Seen Kid – Elbow
The Invisible – The Invisible
Innervisions – Stevie Wonder
The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses
Remain in Light – Talking Heads

Off The Wall – Michael Jackson
Headhunters – Herbie Hancock
Maveric A Strike – Finley Quaye
Philadelphonic – G. Love & Special Sauce
Discovery – Daft Punk

Abbey Road – The Beatles
The Soft Parade – The Doors
Bleach – Nirvana
Vs – Pearl Jam
Led Zepp II – Led Zeppelin

Sweet Baby James – James Taylor
Grace – Jeff Buckley
The La's – The La's
For Emma, Forever Ago – Bon Iver
Around The Well [Disc 2] – Iron & Wine

Super Fly – Curtis Mayfield
Music For Large & Small Ensembles – Kenny Wheeler
Kind Of Blue – Miles Davis
Both Sides Now – Joni Mitchell
Quiet is the New Loud – Kings Of Convenience

... How many is that? 25??? Okay, five Top 5s. Yep, I’ll stop now. Sorry!

3] Favourite song:
Snowden by Doves

4] Favourite gear:
My Boss RC–50 Loop Station. As well as drumming and singing in The Inferno, I play a lot of solo gigs where I sing, play guitar and loop my voice – all ‘organic’, nothing pre–recorded! This bit of kit has become a huge part of my creative process as a singer/songwriter, and an essential tool for me as a ‘one–man band’

5] Favourite artist:
Oh this is tough, I grew up with so much music around me, and I like so many different genres of music. I’ve been listening to Total Life Forever the new album by Foals a lot recently, but I wouldn't say that they are my favourite band/artist. I would have to say that the people who have influenced me most in music would be my parents – John Taylor and Norma Winstone

6] Favourite gig:
I played The Brixton Academy, supporting Kosheen, it must have been about seven or eight years ago. We did the whole UK leg of their tour, but that one in particular will always stick with me. 4,000-strong crowd, my old stomping ground and my best mates right at the front. It was crazy!

7] Favourite Inferno gig/moment so far (and why):
Playing festivals this year, especially headlining the one that we put together on Gloucester Road in Bristol with the guys at The Royal Oak. A lot of work went into it, and I really felt a sense of achievement, as it turned out to be a big success, WE ROCKED! They had built us a stage at the bottom of the beer garden, the garden itself is massive and it was absolutely jam–packed full of people jumping up and down to our set, fuelled by pork, cider and great party music. Our final encore I Got A Woman by Ray Charles was a real highlight

8] Favourite Dan T’s Inferno song:
There are so many to choose from, but I think Monkey Man by The Stones really sums up the sound of the collective instruments in our band. It was one of the first songs we played together, and we don’t always get to play it at every gig, so it’s a real treat when we do get to air that one out.

Ain’t Got No (I Got Life) by Nina Simone is also up there in my, ever changing, Top 5! I love adding the little subtle harmonies to Sarah's voice on that tune, and it is really upbeat, but even played fast it still retains that danceable groove. It’s also amazing playing that one with the horn section… Babba Dubba Baa Dabba Dup Baaahhh!

9] If you’re buying:
A case of Corona (?) Oh, and another Line 6 DL–4 delay pedal, someone spilt a case of Corona on this one

10] Describe Dan T’s Inferno in five words:

Punchy. Exciting. Emphatic. Talented. Tight

10 quick questions for... Ollie Thomas

2010-10-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

10 quick questions for...

Ollie Thomas

Vocals, bass, guitar

1] First album: The Michael Jackson Mix. A decisive compilation medley of Jackson 5 songs mixed together the way only 1980s DJs could. Mixed altogether more thoroughly when I foolishly left the vinyl on the fireplace and it went all Dali-clock

2] Favourite album: At the moment, Orphans, Brawlers, Bawlers And Bastards by Mr Tom Waits but one that I could listen to over and over, perhaps OK Computer

3] Favourite song: At the moment, Great Expectations by Elbow. Arguably a little soppy

4] Favourite gear: I’m rather keen on my discontinued BOSS RV-3 Delay Reverb Pedal, if I wasn’t I wouldn’t have re-bought it three times after loss and thefts. Apparently it’s generally quite popular

5] All-time favourite artist: I know it’s a little common but I suppose it still has to be Jimi. Or Bruce Lee (martial artist)

6] Favourite gig: The Polyphonic Spree – Koko Club

7] Favourite Inferno gig/moment and why: My favourite Inferno gig was the Pork & Cider Festival at The Royal Oak and that’s word. Blow me if even the bar staff weren’t up dancing on the bar and everyone on the tables. My favourite Inferno moment: Waiting, waiting and anticipating a whole gig for all two seconds of Owen’s Vocoder debut; all the music stopping and it being in completely the wrong key

8] Favourite Dan T’s Inferno song: Use Me

9] If you’re asking (favourite drink): I’ll have a lovely yummy Laphroaig on ice please, mmm

10] Describe Dan T’s Inferno in five words: Same answer as ‘favourite album’

10 quick questions for... Owen Bailey

2010-10-24T11:08:00.000-07:00

10 quick questions for...

Owen Bailey

Vocals, bass, guitar

1] First album: The first one I bought was Adam And The Ants – Prince Charming, because my mum wouldn’t let me buy Centerfold by The J Geils Band

2] Favourite album: Fuzzy by Grant Lee Buffalo. Or The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses. Or The Three EPs by The Beta Band. Or Solid Air by John Martyn. Or…

3] Favourite song: May You Never – John Martyn

4] Favourite gear: The Fender Japan 1962 Reissue Telecaster with Bigsby I use for our second set. A sultry temptress

5] All–time favourite musician: Stevie Ray Vaughan

6] Favourite gig: The Beta Band at Glastonbury 2000

7] Favourite Inferno gig/moment (and why): Any time we play The Blue Lagoon on Gloucester Road in Bristol. It’s where we played our first gig – imagine The Cavern Club, but with better burgers

8] Favourite Dan T’s Inferno song: Either Beggin’ by Frankie Valli And The Four Seasons or Chuck Berry’s Rock ’N’ Roll Music

9] If you’re buying: A pint of Guinness, thanks

10] Describe Dan T’s Inferno in five words: End-of-wedding buffet guardians

On the improbability of Karma

2010-10-15T07:43:00.001-07:00

We have decided karma is probably not real.

Owen was closing the security gates to our rehearsal space and said "I don't think karma's very likely."

Owen is the lead guitarist and my friend of 12 years. He was in an expansive mood.

"I mean," he expanded, "your every action isn't going to go to some central processing unit and be categorised for subsequent retribution."

Ollie said: "And whose to say what is 'good,' anyway?"

I felt that was muddying the waters a bit; but otherwise a good point. I added, weakly, that it would need to be a massive computer and wondered by what means our actions were relayed to the hypothetical good/bad-ometer, since fibre optic cable was scarcely practical and copper wire was hopelessly old fashioned.

Karma, and its ghastly henchmen veganism and roll-up fags were on our mind because our practices follow a yoga session.

Which means we arrive to the smell of incense. Which is okay, I suppose.

Bristol seems to be the UK's last refuge of hippies. I would like to know why.

Widespread acceptance of liberal capitalism and diminishing state benefits didn't help. That, and the almost complete impossibility of doing or achieving anything remotely interesting or useful while being a hippy have seen them boxed into north Bristol. And there they sit, smoking desperately for a solution. Running out of Duma.

Perhaps, I suggested, Karma had been unkind to hippies because - ironically - it admires punctuality and getting-to-the-pointativeness. Perhaps it shares the engineer's aesthetic of dynamic, useful simplicity.

Owen had finished the extensive security routine.

"No" he said. "There's just no such thing as karma."

It was about then that we decided to go to the pub.

Our barge past

2009-11-14T09:27:00.000-08:00

The Grain Barge, Bristol

There are, in general, two types of men at weddings:
1. The sort who prefer to walk around smiling and keeping their waistcoat on.

And 2. The sort who, at the first opportunity, whip off their ties and wrap them around their heads as though reverting - under the seemingly magical influence of continental lager - to some atavistic tribal state.

It's the 2's who dominated at The Grain Barge for Moira and Alec's wedding. And, lets face it, the girls weren't too far behind. Northern Irish, you know.

My brother Ollie (bass & vocals) and I had a small difference of opinion at the start of the night. I was of the determined opinion he shouldn't forget to bring really important things (like microphones) and he was of the opinion I was really annoying and should shut up.

But that was forgotten the moment we started sound checking. That place is a dream. We didn't need to push anything into overdrive, and our PA was crystal. It bloody ought to be for how much we paid for it; but still.

Some surprise hits amongst the crowd. No set list is set in stone, and we were toying with the idea of dropping one called Everybody's Everything by Santana. But the girls loved it. And that's the important thing. The boys always follow the girls, even if they think they don't. That is as sort-of-true on the dance floor as it is in life.

I was toying with the idea of praising Ollie for his singing work on that song, but there was no compliment I could think of he hadn't already given himself.

Great gig.

By the end of the night the dance floor was frantic. People were forming human chains and a bit of Russian dancing broke out during Back In The USSR.

We also unleashed our version of The Clapping Song by Shirley Ellis. And if girls were like puppies for Santana, they were like she-wolves for that. It is such a winner.

I came outside after the second set at about 12 midnight and steam was visibly rising from my head. It was like an Alabama swamp house in there by the time we finished. Some of the guests were staggering out in twos and threes, laughing deciding where to go next, without even the slightest local knowledge.

A New Arrival

2009-11-08T13:27:00.000-08:00

Is there anything more exciting than buying a new guitar? Of course there isn’t.
And what are the three most important things about a guitar? Answer: What it looks like, what it looks like, and what it looks like.

This is Owen’s new Epiphone Casino, in Mick Jagger’s favourite colour, cherry red. We’ve added it to our line-up a] because we totally dig it in such a super-huge way and b] because lately, we’ve been doing a few songs in the Motown/Chuck Berry/Beatles mould that a solidbody electric guitar like a Stratocaster, Telecaster, Les Paul, SG and so on just can’t replicate.

The hollow construction of the guitar (there’s not even a centreblock running down the middle, as there is with similar-looking Gibson and Epiphone models like the ES-335 and the Sheraton) makes for a distinctive, hollow, classic tone almost bordering on that of an acoustic’s voice – prone to feedback at high volume, but worth running the gauntlet for.

Plus it’s the same model that Paul McCartney did the solos for Taxman and Drive My Car with, and which John Lennon used for most of his time with The Beatles. And what’s good enough for them is good enough for us.

Looking forward to using it tomorrow... Listen out for the howling feedback from the Bristol Grain Barge!

Weekend Warriors

2009-10-20T13:57:00.000-07:00

Two gigs in one weekend should be an exciting proposition for any nattily-dressed purveyors of professional musical entertainment – and for our intrepid, well-oiled machine this meant a cocktail of pulsating blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll, motorway service station sandwiches and macho-sounding sports drinks, which also have to be blue by the way. Dan T’s Inferno? It really is just a whirl.

Our first night was at The Blue Lagoon on Gloucester Road in Bristol, a trendy continental-style coffee bar with friendly staff, great homemade burgers, and the rare luxury of a soundman. This is a novelty for us of course, as we’re naturally a self-sufficient, very sharply attired unit who will quickly and uncomplainingly set up our complete sound system, PA and stage in record time at your wedding, party or corporate event without a single hitch. But when you have a soundman, that means you can say things like “More foldback”, and “Let’s put the kick drum through the PA”, and “Let's reduce the mids on my mic” – this is all good stuff.

The gig went well from where we were standing: lots of dancing, loud applause, and a couple of bookings for weddings as a result. Brilliant. Plus, we debuted a couple of new songs – Louie Louie by The Kingsmen and Land Of 1000 Dances by Wilson Pickett. What did we learn? A] That people like those songs and B] That we should all end them together in future, rather than one person at a time.

Most importantly of all though, the gig resulted in a morale-boosting compliment for Owen’s Japanese-made 1962 reissue Fender Telecaster with Bigsby, tilting the balance to 4-3 in its favour over its sworn enemy, Daniel Thomas’s modified 1990s Epiphone Sheraton with Bigsby. More on that later.

Our second gig was a wedding at The Cadbury House in Congresbury. We were treated to the venue’s amazing onstage lighting for this one, which phased from brothel purple to Mars Attacks green, with various ultraviolet hues inbetween. Drummer Alex and singer Sarah had both been sunning in Australia for two weeks before so we must’ve looked a bit like Posh and Becks plus three ghosts, but it was a lively dancing crowd, the bride and groom strutted their stuff too, and we provided a sterling support act for the buffet. Next up – rehearse the new songs...