Archive for April 2010 - Page 5

Ever wonder what Jason Newsted has been up to lately? After leaving Metallica in 2001, the bassist has worked on various projects including EchoBrain and Voivod, but a shoulder injury in late 2006 brought about a new artistic outlet: painting. In a recent interview with Dunlop, Newsted explained that while he could not play he began to create visual art...

Warwick has unveiled the Corvette NT “Neck-Through” Limited edition 2010 bass, which was designed to combine a modern ergonomic design and the tone of a vintage J-bass. The production of the bass is limited to 300 units. This Corvette’s body is made of light swamp ash with a dark ziricote top accompanied by a matching headstock. The back of the...

Alec Harrison is a young and talented solo bassist from England who currently lives in New Zealand, where he is writing material for his new album. He released a solo album in 2009 called Last of the Light, which features 5 original songs played on his piccolo bass. Here is the title track:

Type O Negative bassist and frontman Peter Steele has passed away at the age of 48. Though an autopsy has yet to be done, it seems Steele died of heart failure. A statement issued by his family said he “died suddenly Wednesday, April 14, 2010, after a short illness…” Steele’s passing has come as a shock to those around him....

Steve Vai has released Where the Other Wild Things Are, the official companion CD to the Live in Minneapolis: Where the Wild Things Are (see our previous coverage). “Other” features 12 tracks from the 2007 String Theories tour that didn’t appear on the first CD. Vai is joined by Bryan Beller on bass, Alex DePue and Ann Marie Calhoun on...

I get a lot of calls and e-mails from fellow bassists and guitarists alike pertaining to all sorts of equipment problems. One of the most recessing issues I deal with is walking someone through the steps of setting-up their graphic equalizers (you know, the thing with all the sliding tabs that you arrange to look like a smiley-face). Most guitarists...

Here are two amazing musicians in action, having a jam in the Epifani shop in Brooklyn: Edmar Castaneda on the harp and Matthew Garrison on his signature 5-string Fodera bass.

Slipknot bassist Paul Gray will be filling in on bass with metal supergroup HAIL! on their upcoming European and Asian tour dates. The slot opened up after David Ellefson returned to Megadeth. Ellefson approves of his replacement. “I’ve known Paul for a long time and he’s just a great guy. Slipknot is huge and they have had an enormous impact...

In an interview with BBC 6Music, Jack Bruce announced that another Cream reunion is out of the question. “There’s a new story now – Cream is over,” he stated. Cream, who originally broke up in 1968, last reunited in 2005 for seven shows, split between London’s Royal Albert Hall and New York’s Madison Square Garden. Tensions rose again between Bruce...

Q: I have a question. How do you go about soloing for various styles? Quite often I get the nod to do a solo for 4/8/16 bars. I’ve tried approaching by working out what key I’m in and then by trying different modes… but it just seems that my phrasing is limited and that it never seems to have a...

Here’s a live performance of Dave Holland with his Quintet at the Newport Jazz Festival, performing “Free for All”.

Legendary Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters has just launched his new web site and announced a 2010 tour schedule for live performances of The Wall. Beginning in September and ending in December, the 35-stop trek will stretch all across the U.S. and Canada, finishing up in Anaheim, California. Roger’s new site includes an explanation as to why he is doing...