Reader Spotlight: 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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