Reader Spotlight: Rafael Minerbo

Rafael Minerbo

Meet Rafael Minerbo, a bassist from Brazil who made us laugh pretty hard when reading his bio (you’ll see why). Rafael has been playing for about three years and says he wishes he was David Caraccio or Flea.

To that, we say: “keep doing your thing, and then someone will one day say, ‘I wish I was Rafael Minerbo.'”

Rafael is our player in the spotlight for the week of July 31, 2012.

Bio:

One day I simply decided I wanted to play the drums. Simple as that. As soon as I started learning it, I made new musical friends and one thing led to another… until I suddenly found myself as the bass player of a band.

I barely knew how to even hold a bass (evidently, all we played was Blink 182 in the beginning. Oh well… Mark Hoppus). The years passed, and one day the drummer of my band suggested I learned slapping, because he wanted a song with slap bass. I practiced every day and watched nearlt every Deep Kick and Red Hot Chili Peppers video there is on YouTube. Today, that’s how I play, as funky and as rock and roll as it gets.

Location:

São Paulo, Brazil

Day gig:

I am a high school student here in Brazil

Years experience:

Three (since 2009)

Bands & Gigs:

My main band is Tromp. We play gigs and festivals around town and right now are in the recording process of our EP. Other than that I have a project – without a name yet – which includes the drummer in Tromp and an amazing guitarist. I always like to get together with different people and jam. Music has no sense if you are by yourself right?

Gear:

Basses:

  • Sterling by MusicMan Ray34
  • Squier Jazz Bass Deluxe IV
  • Shelter Nomad
  • Fender American Standard Precision Bass (soon)

Pedals:

  • MarkBass Compressor
  • BOSS AW-3
  • BOSS BF-3
  • BOSS ODB-3

Amp:

  • Orange 50BXT

Recording:

  • Presonus Audiobox USB
  • AKG 220 Perception

Why I play the bass:

I was actually a drummer who was invited to be part of a band with a few friends, but one of them was already a drummer. I was then assigned to the role of bassist, and I had absolutely no idea how to play. It grew on me and now I can barely stand a day without playing.

My bass superpower/claim to fame

Stage Presence, I believe. All that funk and jamming going on as well. However, it Makes no sense if you are not into the music you are playing.

My influences

  • David Caraccio. I wish I was him.
  • Flea. Actually, I wish I was him.
  • Marcus Miller
  • Tim Commerford
  • Beto Birger
  • John Paul Jones
  • Pino Palladino
  • Jeff Ament
  • Nate Watts
  • Les Claypool
  • Jaco Pastorius
  • Esperanza Spalding
  • Will Lee
  • Tony Levin

More on the web:

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Leave a Reply to Vìthor Augusto Borges Ribeiro Cancel reply

  1. minerbo is already a genius! Tromp shows are amazing!