Reader Spotlight: Mike Herrel

Meet Mike Herrel, a bassist living in Frisco, Texas. Mike is our player in the spotlight for September 13, 2011.

Bio:

I began playing bass in grade school and later did the high school band thing, playing lots of Rush tunes. I attended BIT after high school and since then have become a lifetime music student.

I played in a three-piece instrumental rock/fusion band called “Electric Tribe” with other MI students after graduating, and we got to open for the Flecktones (with Victor Wooten), twice!

I moved to Texas in 2002. Since then have been playing rock, progressive rock and a country gig. I’m currently playing and writing tunes with Clone Mike, an all original alt-rock band gigging in the Dallas area.

Location:

Frisco, Texas

Day gig:

Sitting in a box selling stuff while dreaming of the day bass pays the bills!

Years experience:

30 years.

Bands & Gigs:

My current project is called Clone Mike based out of Dallas, Texas. We’re a four-piece original alt-rock band. Our first CD was released in Dec 2010 (can be found on Itunes/Amazon etc.) We’re currently gigging in and around the Dallas area and working toward our second CD, while preparing to take over the world!

Gear:

My gear gets huge bonus points for reliability. I’ve been playing through a GK 800RB with 2 Hartke 4×10 cabs for the last 24 years and it still sounds great!

My #1 bass is a Fender Roscoe Beck 5 String in Shoreline Gold. In my opinion, it is the best bass Fender ever made. I also have a Heartfield 5 string as a backup.

I use a Boss Bass Chorus pedal and a Bass Big Muff distortion

Why I play the bass:

I owned a guitar in grade school but never got serious until John Entwistle showed me the light. After seeing The Kids are Alright movie, I switched to bass and am so glad I did.

My bass superpower/claim to fame

Finding ways to get the bass out front without distracting from the song.

My influences

the list is long…

John Entwistle, Geddy Lee, James Jamerson, Paul McCartney, Stu Hamm, Victor Wooten, Abe Laboriel, Jaco, Mar Cowling (most under-rated bassist ever), Andy West, Jeff Berln, Dave LaRue, Jerry Peek, Chris Chaney, Tony Franklin, Robert DeLeo, Jimmy Johnson, Flea, Marcus Miller, Roscoe Beck, Will Lee, John Pattituci, Tony Levin, Sting, Jeff Ament, Robert Sledge and many more.

More on the web:

• Clone Mike Facebook Page
• Clone Mike ReverbNation page
• Clone Mike Music (iTunes)
• Clone Mike Music (Amazon)
• Zeppelin medley video from my old band (Terrible video but good audio. Fun stuff.)