Archive for 2011 - Page 57

Former AC/DC bassist Mark Evans has written an autobiography including stories about his days in the band. Dirty Deeds: My Life Inside/Outside of AC/DC, set for an October release, will be the first book written by an insider about the band’s classic years with singer Bon Scott. Evans uses the opportunity to recount stories of the people around him at...

This week, Tom Harper shares the story behind his 1967 Rickenbacker 4005 FG, a bass he bought new in 1967, and one he describes as “a little worn, but still sweet!” The Rickenbacker 4005 was introduced in 1965, and featured a new-style, 360 body in a hollow-body bass. “FG” stands for “Fireglo”, a sunburst finish with a dark red color...

Here’s a great clip of the eclectic Seasick Steve from the iTunes Festival earlier this month. The three-stringed wonder is joined Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones, Jack White, and Allison Mosshart for an awesome and raw rendition of the tune “Write Me a Few of Your Lines.” Check out JPJ’s bass lines, reminiscent of some the old Led Zeppelin...

If you’re looking to brush up on your Bootsy Collins licks, Hal Leonard has just made life a little easier. Bootsy Collins Legendary Licks is a new sheet music book covering twelve classic Bootsy tunes in standard notation and tab. The note-for-note transcriptions cover all the licks, fills and solos by the legendary funkster, along with a recorded demonstrations to...

Universal Music has continued to reissue Thin Lizzy’s catalog with the release of deluxe editions of 1977’s Bad Reputation, 1979’s Black Rose and 1980’s Chinatown. The new packages, which account for the band’s 8th, 9th and 10th studio albums, include digitally remastered versions of the original music as well as bonus discs with rare tracks and interviews. Extensive sleeve notes...

Bass Playing as a Sport Approaching the bass in the same manner athletes approach their chosen field of endeavor will pay dividends in stamina, injury reduction, and improved playing. Just as an athlete trains for an event in which they have to perform at their best, bassists practice, rehearse, and gig for hours at a time, frequently paying little or...

Mike Reilly shares this video with some rockin’ bass by Al Gare. Mike said, “Saw this video from my favorite group and the bass line is amazing, thought you guys might like it.” A song about the bass? We love it. Thanks, Mike.

Hal Leonard’s latest addition to their Bass Play-Along series features the music of Eric Clapton. Eric Clapton – Bass Play-Along Volume 29 includes eight Clapton tunes, mostly from his solo albums and one by Derek and the Dominos. The Bass Play-Along series contains standard notation and tab, as well as the melody and lyrics for each song. An accompanying audio...

Kaces has introduced a new Pedal Board Bag to their Razor series of instrument carriers. The case doubles as a bag for your effects pedals and performance-ready pedal board with a non-slip bottom. Featuring a reinforced and padded ballistic polyester exterior, the KXPB Razor series pedal board bag’s padded lid reveals the main compartment that the company explains is large...

Q: I have a hard time remaining interested when I try and practice at home by myself. I have no problem finding inspiration when playing with others, but I quickly get bored and want to stop playing when I’m home alone. Have any tips? A: I think this is a common issue. Many of us are “reactive players”. We need...

Orion, the seventh track from Metallica’s iconic Master of Puppets album, is a song known to almost every metal bassist. Penned in part and played by the legendary Cliff Burton, the group never played it live until the mid-2000’s. Here, Robert Trujillo and the gang rip through the instrumental tune in Seoul, South Korea in 2006.

Faith No More bassist Billy Gould has teamed up with Korn’s James “Munky” Shaffer to form the supergroup side project Fear and the Nervous System. The band, which also includes Repeater vocalist Steve Krolikowski, Bad Religion drummer Brooks Wackerman, guitarist Leopold Ross and keyboardist Zach Baird, has a sound blend of rock and metal styles that they describe as “harkening...