Reader Spotlight: Brian Wilkerson

Meet Brian Wilkerson, a bassist from the San Francisco bay area and our player in the spotlight for May 24, 2011.

Bio:

I have been playing the bass professionally for the past 10 years and I love it! I have recorded, toured and performed with numerous bands of various styles across the San Francisco bay area and the United States. I have had the great privilege of opening up for some big international acts such as Robin Trower, Peter Murphy, and The Gracious Few. In the studio, I have recorded on over 20 albums to date. Playing bass is my life!

Location:

San Rafael, CA, USA

Day gig:

I teach private bass lessons in the San Francisco bay area.

Years experience:

Over 15 years now.

Bands & Gigs:

In addition to teaching, I try to keep a busy touring schedule with my rock band, Reckless In Vegas. On top of that, I gig and write with my other band, Stages of Sleep, a deeply artistic cross-genre band. I also take any recording or pick up gigs I can.

Gear:

• Home made hot-rodded 5 string Fender Jazz bass w/ bartolini p/u\’s and Aguilar Pre.
• Custom Carvin 6 string fretless bass
• GK 700rb II bass amplifier head
• SWR Goliath 6×10

Why I play the bass:

A good friend, and my first musical conspirator, was a guitar player. I started out on guitar as well, but was quickly drawn to the tonal possibilities of the bass guitar.

My bass superpower/claim to fame

In 2006, my band at the time, Vile Conundrum, competed in the Emergenza International Band Competition. We won our regional division semifinals and were flown to Rothenberg, Germany to compete with bands from around the world. I was recognized for my playing and took 1st place in the international bass player competition.

My influences

Musically: J.S. Bach, Jaco Pastorius, James Jamerson, Bootsy Collins, Radiohead, ahhh… too many.

Non-musically: Bruce Lee, Ghandi, Einstien, my family and my lovely fiancee Lisa, to name a few.

More on the web:

• Reckless in Vegas
• CD Baby
• And coming soon: Stagesofsleepband.com