Reader Spotlight: Andrej Doms

Andrej Doms

Meet Andrej Doms, a keyboardist-turned-bassist who works in IT by day and gigs by night. Andrej is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight. Here’s his story…

Bio:

I’ve been an amateur bassist since 1991. I’ve played in different amateur bands with styles ranging from punk rock, rock/pop, cover to jazz and soul. My favorite bass today is my Sandberg California JM5 in White, and boy we went through some trouble together, hours of playing in the rain on a festival, a collapsing stage at a party wit 500 guests (we both survived, but the rest of my gear was broken) – and that guy barfing on my pedals in a small pub. Well sometimes life stinks, but I keep a smile on the face. Being a musician, even an amateur, and having a chance to play for people is a gift. The smile on the people’s face is my reward.

Location:

Mülheim an der Ruhr

Day gig:

Manager in an IT consultancy.

Years experience:

25 Years

Bands & Gigs:

I play in a party/cover band with regular gigs all around the area in pubs, bars or at bigger parties. 21 Rising Sun is a classical 5-piece rock/pop band with drums, keys, guitars and vocals along with the bass. We play venues from 50 to 500 people.

Gear:

  • Sandberg California JM5 in white
  • Ibanez ATK 305 (Japan made) Orange Burst
  • Esh Sovereign 5 Fretless
  • SWR Workingmans 12
  • Markbass Little Mark Tube
  • Markbass New York 804 Cab (4×8)
  • Markbass Traveler 121H Cab (1×12)
  • EBS Compressor & Chorus
  • Boss ODB3 & OC2
  • Zoom B3 as a preamp for gigs without backline

Why I play the bass:

I was always a music lover, especially inspired by bass players like Sting, James Jamerson, Chris Squire. But at the age of 13, I decided to learn keyboards first. So I spent a few years in some bands (mostly rock and wave) playing the keys. At the age of 19, I got hold of a cheap P/J copy after another kid quit the band I was in and that was it. I immediately fell in love with the instrument, where I had to work previously, to up my keyboard skills, seamed to fly to me now, as if I had played bass long before.

My bass superpower/claim to fame:

In Germany, bass players are a rare species, especially in the amateur space. You can find tons of punk or metal kids, but versatile musicians with diverse taste are hard to find. So, we are superheroes by definition!

My influences:

Sting, Roger Glover, Roger Waters, Mark King, James Jamerson, Carol Kaye, Jaco, Victor Bailey, Larry Graham, Chris Squire, John Taylor, Paul T and many more. I listen to and play a lot of different music and I keep on learning stuff from so many different bass players. It is a journey, and it never ends.

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