Reader Spotlight: Blackie Dawson

Blackie DawsonMeet Blackie Dawson, a 18-year veteran of the low end, and our bassist in the spotlight for September 27, 2011.

Bio:

I have been playing bass since I was 19 years old. I spent many years just playing along to Iron Maiden, early Metallica, Black Sabbath and Dead Kennedys tapes and CDs.

In 2007, I started playing bass in my first band, and I have now played bass for Intestinal Fortitude, The Bizarro Kids, Triple Six Shooters. I currently play and do backing vocals with Ducado Vega and Bloodrich, Dark Alliance, and the newest project, Dallas Uber-Alles.

I have had the privilege of opening for Deadbolt, Possessed, Ozomatli and The Flame Trick Subs, and I have played the House of Blues in Dallas and at SXSW in Austin.

Location:

Dallas, Texas

Day gig:

Testing servers and rack equipment for field engineers at Source Direct.

Years experience:

18 years

Bands & Gigs:

I am in three bands. The funk band, Ducado Vega and Bloodrich, gigs the most. We play almost every weekend at various establishments in the DFW area.

Ducado Vega and Bloodrich: funk band that is heavily influenced by Prince, Sly Stone, and James Brown.

Dark Alliance: metal band that will bring back that 80’s thrash feel.

Dallas Uber-Alles: Dead Kennedys Tribute Band

Gear:

  • Spector Euro 4LX – Used in the Funk Band
  • Billy Sheehan Attitude II LTD – Metal and Punk bands
  • Markbass – R500
  • Peavy – T-MAX
  • Ashley – CLX-52 Compressor/Limiter
  • Mesa Boogie – Powerhouse 2×10
  • Mesa Boogie – Diesel 15
  • Electro-Harmonix – Q-Tron Pedal

Why I play the bass:

I thought about playing guitar, but caught myself picking out bass lines. After that, I bought a used Ibanez SR800 and started putting in tapes and CDs and playing along.

My bass superpower/claim to fame

I am adept at staying in the pocket and playing by ear. I am able to keep the groove no matter what the speed, and able to play along with songs within minutes of hearing them.

My influences

Cliff Burton, Steve Harris and Terry “Geezer” Butler. These guys are how I learned to play. Other influences are Alex Webster, Steve DiGiorgio and Flea.

More on the web:

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