Reader Spotlight: Thomas Scott

Meet Thomas Scott a bassist from the Lone Star State who defies being categorized in a single genre. Thomas is our player in the spotlight for the week of February 14, 2012.

Bio:

I’m a young aspiring bassist in the DFW Metroplex. I’ve been around in a few bands ranging from a Paul McCartney-inspired pop group to a hair metal band, and even a Reggae group. I’m completely self-taught, so I’ve had to learn very different approaches in order to fit the variety of roles I’ve had to play.

Currently I’m with the band Falling Wages, which is an alternative rock trio. I have to integrate everything I’ve learned in order to fill up as much space as I can. It’s a great challenge and some seriously good fun.

Location:

Dallas, Texas, USA

Years experience:

4 years

Bands & Gigs:

As I mentioned before, I’m 1/3 of the alt rock trio Falling Wages. We met over Craigslist and really hit things off. The music is inspired by a combination of 90’s Grunge/Alternative, The British Invasion, and 60’s folk artists. We have a diverse collection of original material with a Neil Young cover thrown in for good measure.

We are currently getting some work done on an EP that we hope to be able to release sometime this year.

Gear:

Basses:

• 2010 Fender MIM Standard Jazz Bass, Modified (“Sadie”)
• 2007 Squier Affinity J Bass

Effects:

• TC Electronic Polytune
• Way Huge Green Rhino MK II
• Boss CEB-3 Bass Chorus
• DigiTech BP90 Multi-Effects Processor (Which I’m working to replace with individual pedals as I become able to)

Amps:

• Ashdown Spyder 550 Head (Brand New and I’m loving it!)
• Acoustic B410 Cabinet
• GK GLX 410 Cabinet

Why I play the bass:

Growing up, my family always had the bass boost on in the car stereo, so I grew up hearing lots of low end as a kid. When I got my first job at age 15, my first big purchase was a Squier 5-string and an amp. As soon as I got home and plugged in, I knew I had found my calling.

My bass superpower/claim to fame:

I think mine is a strange – I like to think unique – approach to time. I will accent the beat in a way that has a definite effect on whatever tune I’m playing. It usually involves some fun with triplets or sixteenth notes, to and a bit of funk to an otherwise straight beat.

My influences:

John Entwistle, Geddy Lee, Paul McCartney, Marcus Miller, Phil Lynot (who rarely, if ever gets named, what’s the deal?), Chris Squire, Tal Wilkenfeld, John Deacon, Pino Palladino, Roger Waters, Sting… did I name enough? Did I win?

More on the web:

• Falling Wages Facebook Page
• Falling Wages on ReverbNation