Reader Spotlight: Markus Steitz

Meet Markus Steitz, a bass player from Germany who has an incredibly busy life (check out what he does in his “spare” time). We loved Markus’ story and especially his answer to the super powers question.

And so here is your bassist in the spotlight for the week of January 15, 2013.

Bio:

In 1983 my sister infected me with rock music, playing some old Scorpions tunes. Since then I have learned to like and now know many different music styles.

But deep in my heart i stay metal head, forever.

Location:

Offenburg / Germany

Day gig:

Three children, one wife. That’s enough work to do.

But in my spare time I lead an ICU.

Years experience:

Since 1980-something.

Bands & Gigs:

Since the eighties I’v played in a band called “Paraytlic of…”

We toured through Germany supporting bands like Mothers Finest, C.O.C. and Primal Fear. In the last couples of years we playing our favorite tunes, drinking beer and having a good time.

I also played in various other projects – strange things like playing in a Frank Gamble Cover Band (can’t believe it myself).

I also played for a year in the Jazz & Rock School Freiburg.

Gear:

• Fender Classic 60’s Jazz Bass (Tesla Pickups, Badass Bridge, Extender Key)
• Fender Precision
• Ibanez Roadstar Bass
• Squier VM Jazz Bass
• EBS Reidmar Amp
• FMC 2*12 Cabinet
• Roland active 15″ Cabinet
• Source Audio Envelope
• Source Audio EQ
• Source Audio Distortion
• Source Audio Hot Hand
• Boss Octaver
• Boss Delay
• Boss Overdrive
• Boss Volume
• EBS Multidrive
• D’Addario Strings XL 045-105
• D’Addario Piccolo Strings

Why I play the bass:

Someone asked me to join his band. He lent me a bass and a amplifier and they called me a bass player.

Before that I played Iron Maiden bass lines on my acoustic guitar (with high B and E strings cut). [Editor’s note: hey! that’s even before our How To video!]

My bass superpower/claim to fame

I look beyond borders.

Playing more than the root in a metal band is sometimes revolutionary.

Playing just the root in jazz is sometimes revolutionary.

My influences

From the cradle to the grave… Steve Harris.

I play with fingers, but I’m really influenced by pick players like Colin Hodgkinson, Helmut Hattler and Wolfgang Schmid.

More on the web:

• Youtube