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Archive for June 2011

Deep Purple “Phoenix Rising” DVD Released
New Albums

Deep Purple “Phoenix Rising” DVD Released

Deep Purple’s history is examined in Phoenix Rising, a DVD/CD package that includes the film “Gettin’ Tighter,” which tells the band’s story revolving around its Mark IV lineup and eventual demise through in-depth interviews, never told stories and backstage footage. In addition to the 90-minute documentary, 30 minutes of never-before-seen concert footage from their 1975 performance at Tokyo’s Budokan Arena,...

Tony Campos Joins Soulfly
Player News

Tony Campos Joins Soulfly

Former Static-X bassist Tony Campos has joined the ranks of the metal outfit Soulfly, replacing Bobby Burns. Burns, who was in the band for seven years, left last July. Though the group had been performing with a fill-in, Campos will be the permanent bassist, with his first Soulfly show will be on July 31 at the Lokerse festival in Lokeren,...

Custom Shop: Verellen Amplifiers
Custom Shop

Custom Shop: Verellen Amplifiers

So far in the Custom Shop series, we’ve asked luthiers about building custom bass guitars. This time we got the chance to talk to Ben Verellen to look into a perhaps lesser-known market: custom amplifiers. Based in Seattle, Washington, Ben Verellen of Verellen Amplifiers grew up playing bass and eventually decided to go to school for electrical engineering. Through a...

The O’Jays: For The Love of Money
Bass Videos

The O’Jays: For The Love of Money

Here’s another iconic bass line that everyone should know, penned and recorded by Anthony Jackson for the O’Jays. This clip shows bassist Curtis Teel adding his own groove to it to make people shake their money makers for this performance on Soul Train in 1974.

Ben Williams Releases Debut Album “State of Art”
New Albums

Ben Williams Releases Debut Album “State of Art”

Ben Williams won the Thelonious Monk International Bass Competition in 2009, and with it, a recording contract with Concord Jazz. Over the last two years, Williams has been recording with several artists on the label, and has now released State of Art, his debut album as a leader. This album offers a unique blend of music, with R&B, jazz, hip-hop...

311 Announces Unity Tour 2011, Release New Single
Concerts & Tours

311 Announces Unity Tour 2011, Release New Single

In gearing up for their new album due mid-July, 311 has announced an extensive amphitheater tour about the U.S. The Unity Tour 2011 begins July 6th in Wichita, Kansas and will include support from Sublime with Rome, DJ Soulman, and DJ Trichrome. The schedule also has the band’s first 3-day 311 Pow Wow Fest, which has the group hosting acts...

Approaches to Music Arranging
Ask Damian Erskine

Approaches to Music Arranging

Q: How do you go about making your song arrangements? Do you have a plan from the beginning for the different instruments, or do you let the other musicians fill in the gaps based on their experience/ideas? I imagine that the distance between what you intend to create vs. what you actually create is much larger when other musicians are...

Weather Report: River People, Live (1978)
Bass Videos

Weather Report: River People, Live (1978)

Here’s a clip from the Weather Report concert in Offenbach, Germany on September 29, 1978. The group is performing “River People”, composed by the one and only Jaco Pastorius.

Paul McCartney: Run Devil Run Re-Issued
New Albums

Paul McCartney: Run Devil Run Re-Issued

Paul McCartney‘s catalog of re-issued albums adds one more to the list with the re-release of Run Devil Run. Originally released in 1999, this was McCartney’s first project following the passing of his wife, Linda. For this album, McCartney decided to return to the music of his roots, blending both popular and lesser known 1950’s rock ‘n roll songs, along...

Reader Spotlight: Kent Beatty
Reader Spotlight

Reader Spotlight: Kent Beatty

Meet Kent Beatty, a bassist from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and our player in the spotlight for June 28, 2011. Bio: Upcoming bassist Kent Beatty has been on his way to the forefront of modern bass playing since he started at age 12. Influenced by such legends as Flea, Les Claypool, Victor Wooten, and Stuart Zender, his style has caused audiences...

Monolith Loudspeakers Releases MAGMA 1.0 Bass Preamp
Bass Gear

Monolith Loudspeakers Releases MAGMA 1.0 Bass Preamp

Monolith Loudspeakers and Effects has released the MAGMA 1.0, a dual channel bass preamp built on solid state CMOS technology. Each channel is identical and has it’s own input, as well as an A/B input for blending. The back of the unit has effects loops for both channels, as well as two master line outs, a direct output, and footswitch...

Question of the Week: How many strings on your bass?
Q&A

Question of the Week: How many strings on your bass?

Damian Erskine’s latest column (Making the Shift: from 4 to 6 String Bass) generated a ton of reaction and debate from readers. So here’s your chance to weigh in: How many strings on your bass? What’s the limit? Answer below in the comments, or on our Facebook page.