Reader Spotlight: Grant Sharkey

Grant Sharkey

Meet Grant Sharkey, a bassist from Southampton who is on a life-long mission to bring music to the masses – via a combination of a smart car and an aggressive album release schedule.

Grant is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight. Here’s his story…

Bio:

I play a Bassix fiberglass EUB, tour solo in a smart car, release an album every six months on a 20-year mission to write songs about things that threaten us all (socio-political satire fun chaos) while keeping it light hearted enough to prevent mass suicides.

Location:

Southampton, Hampshire, UK

Day gig:

This is my day job. I’m completely DIY.

Years experience:

25 years (bass guitar) / 6 years EUB

Bands & Gigs:

I play 150 shows a year from festivals to living rooms/salon concerts. Writing an album every six months means I have a lot of new material/subjects to talk about.

Gear:

Bassix Fibreglass EUBs (not sure of model name – Alan, who made them varied the designs slightly.

Bow.

Drumstick.

Stompbox.

Why I play the bass:

The feel of a great slap line locking in with a top drummer.

My bass superpower/claim to fame:

There have been quite a few. A moment to relish was supporting Mike Watt a short time ago and watching his face in the front row as I performed. He’s a hero in more than just as a bassist. He compared me to D Boon when we chatted afterward, and my hairs stood up on the back of my neck.

My influences:

I learned to play bass while listening to early Primus, lots of Frank Zappa and jamming along to my brothers Steve Vai/Joe Satriani records. I spent a long time focusing on being solid, then took little jaunts into being more passionate. I’ve reached a nice blend.

More on the web:

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