Reader Spotlight: Kenny Butcher
Meet Kenny Butcher, a multi-instrumentalist who made bass his primary instrument. Kenny impressed us with his wide range of music he performs, from prog metal to gospel. He also has one of the longest gear lists we’ve seen in a while.
Kenny is No Treble’s reader in the spotlight for the week of January 6, 2014.
Bio:
I’m Kenny Butcher a musician, bass player, amature blogger and grace case from Ontario, Canada. I play bass guitar as my primary instrument, but I also play guitar, mandolin, ukulele, charango and the djembe. I’m also pretty decent at vocals, although I wouldn’t call myself a singer. Some of my other passions include, physical fitness, judo, flying planes and of course people.
Location:
Ontario, Canada!
Years experience:
I picked up the bass when I was a teenager!
Bands & Gigs:
I’m happy to play in a few different places. I’m a progressive metal bassist for a band called The Shroud of Gaia. I also play bass for a gospel music artist named Dana Marie, and I’m involved in projects around the world such as Jenny’s Vision from Norway and Luca Grimm from Italy. When I’m available, I also like to play at my church.
Gear:
I officially endorse Schecter Guitars and Gruv Gear, but my gear list would be this:
Schecter Basses:
- Schecter Diamond Series 6 string
- Schecter Diamond Series 6 string (fretless)
- Schecter Diamond Series 5 string
Other Basses:
- Ibanez SR506 6 string
- Warwic Thumb Bass
- American Fender Jazz Bass
Amplifiers:
- Ashdown ABM 500
- Ashdown EVO 300
- GK Fusion 550
Cabinets:
- Ashdown 115
- Ashdown 410
- GK Neo 210
- GK 410
Pedals:
- EBS MultiComp
- Aguilar TLC
- MXR Octave
- MXR noise gate
- T-Rex Chorus
- EXH Big Muff
- Boss DD7
- ART DI
- BYOC A/B looper
- Voodoo Labs power supply
Miscellaneous:
- Gruv Gear Fretwraps
- Gruv Gear Stadium Bag
- Korg Tuner
- Gator Road Cases
- Shure in ears
- Line6 wireless
- Planet Waves cables
Why I play the bass:
I started on guitar when I was 12 and later realized how much I loved the bass guitar! I was on my way out to school in Saskatchewan, Canada, listening to a track that Norm Stockton played on and I was just enthralled with the instrument.
After that I dove into it and I was intrigued by several things… First, it’s an instrument that most don’t really notice, but if you were to take it away the song, it just isn’t the same. If you look at almost all of the popular classic songs out there, they all have a unique bass line and groove. That realization lead to see that, in many ways, the bass is almost responsible for the success of a song. Finally, the electric bass itself originated in the 1950’s with Leo Fender and as far as instrument go, it’s just a baby. So I fell in love with it. Since then, I’ve enjoyed playing on 5- and 6-string basses as well as fretless and upright.
My bass superpower/claim to fame
I’ve never really thought of myself as having a superpower, or a claim to fame. I’ve actually struggled to answer this one and I had to ask few people what they would say about me. I tend to play more melodically than a straight up rock rhythm, so I’d say I have a gift for creative and unconventional feels, but always able to find a pocket.
My personal belief is that I play bass and I’m just one player out so many who have found a passion for the low-end of music. For that reason, I’ve spent more time on being someone who is easy to work with and I always enjoy sharing my passion for music and learning from others.
My influences
Andy Curran asked me the same question after a show in Toronto. I really wish my mind didn’t pull a complete blank! With that being said, I’m glad I have the time to sum it up. Honestly, I’m always finding new people that inspire me in different ways. When I first started playing bass I was in a choir and our conductor always pointed out how important the bass line was underneath the music. So I’ve always found that to be an important of my playing; from Baroque to the Romantic periods of music there’s so much knowledge and creativity in them.
Skipping to modern day I would say people like James Jamerson, Geddy Lee, Adam Nitti (totally blows me away), John Myung, John Patitucci, Norm Stockton and basically every other bass player that Gruv Gear endorses. I’m blown away and so blessed to be part of that family.
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