Bassists - Page 94

Meet Ethan Sobotta, an extraordinarily diverse bassist living in Seattle who makes his living the way it should be: playing bass. Among the musical genres he lists are “Punk rock sea shanties and Appalachian death polka,” somehow performed by a single band. Ethan is our player in the spotlight for November 15, 2011.   Bio: I studied bass at the...

Meet Vuyani Wakaba, a bassist from South Africa now living and playing in Chicago. Vuyani is our player in the spotlight for November 8, 2011. Bio: South Africa’s Vuyani Wakaba is the bassist for the Chicago blues legend and Delmark Records artist Eddie C. Campbell. Vuyani is also the bassist and founder of the Chicago jazz fusion band Vuyani Wakaba...

After suffering a major stroke on Friday November 4th, bass legend Chuck Rainey is expected to have a full recovery, according to his wife Susan. “Thank U Dear Friends for all the prayers and healing Light,” Mrs. Rainey posted on Facebook. “Chuck had a stroke Friday night but the prognosis is good for a full recovery. Please keep him in...

Freekbass has released a new instructional video with a whopping 273 minutes of lessons. 50 Freekbass Licks You Must Know includes jam tracks, text commentary, tab and notation as well as power tab files. Aimed at intermediate students, the licks are designed to teach new techniques as well as build upon common ones. Freekbass also gives you tips on how...

The evolution of heavy metal has presented a plethora of extreme subgenres: thrash metal, death metal, tech metal… the list goes on and on. But while the term extreme metal covers lots of territory, you can’t talk about extreme metal bass playing without talking about Alex Webster. As a founding member of the iconic band Cannibal Corpse, Webster has spent...

Meet Ollie Pietruch, a bassist, session musician and teacher from the UK who some liken to the late Cliff Burton. Ollie is our player in the spotlight for November 1, 2011. Bio: I started playing bass at the age of 15, and now five years down the line I have achieved distinctions for both years at Music College in the...

Meet Dan Willett a bassist and lifelong musician from the UK who says he still hasn’t grown up yet. We dig that. Bio: I’ve been a musician for nearly my entire life, having taken my first keyboard and music theory lessons at the age of four. These days, the bass is very much my main instrument, and in the Midlands...

Original Tool bassist Paul D’Amour has unveiled a new track from his latest project, Feersum Ennjin. Though the band has been around in some form since 2005, their debut self-titled album is due out November 22nd. It will mark the first hard rock release for the bassist since he left Tool in 1995, as he pursued a career in TV...

Meet Lane Baldwin, aka Lane on Bass, a bassist of 42 years and our player in the spotlight for October 18, 2011. Bio: Bassist for 42 years, pro for 29. Endorsements include Spector basses, DNA amplification, DR Strings, LM Products (straps), Peterson Tuners, Shubb Capos, Manhasset Stands. Musical Ambassador for Washington, DC. Current main gig: Ryan Pelton and the Difference...

Rex Brown has a book deal, and is working on his memoir. The former Pantera bassist follows former Pantera frontman Phil Anselmo, who is working on his own autobiography. Brown’s autobiography, Official Truth, 101 Proof: The Inside Story of Pantera, described as “starkly honest and revealing”, will offer a look into the bassist’s time with Pantera, from their rise to...

After a somewhat quiet period, Tal Wilkenfeld has announced she’s working on a new album with special guests to include Jackson Browne, ex-Journey vocalist Steve Perry, and Mike Elizondo. Wilkenfeld, who raised eyebrows while laying down the low end with Jeff Beck, says she’ll also be displaying her vocal talents on the record. “When I first started I was singing,”...

Bassist Josh Newton is no longer a member of Every Time I Die according to his Twitter account as he wrote, “Thanks to all the @everytimeidie dudes and all who cared. ‘twas fun. ch-ch-ch-changes…” A similar statement was made by the band, which just wrapped up an overseas tour. The parting was amicable as Newton added, “Just to reiterate: all...