Reader Spotlight: Amy Humphrey

Amy Humphrey

Meet Amy Humphrey, an “accidental” bassist from Missouri who got hooked on the bass 25 years ago and has been playing ever since.

We love Amy’s story and her gear list, so it was an easy choice to make Amy our player in the spotlight for the week of October 30, 2012.

Bio:

Accidental bassist who has been making it up as I go along for 25 years. I play bass and sing in two-piece proggy alt-rock band Clatter with my drummer husband; we have three CD releases and have toured all over the US and into Canada, England and France. We’re often invited to play at lower and middle schools, where we try to spread the word that there are no rules when it comes to making music!

Location:

Lone Elm, Missouri, USA

Day gig:

All those things that go along with being in an independent band that DON’T involve actually playing music!

Years experience:

25 years

Bands & Gigs:

In addition to the above, here’s our little band blurb:

Clatter is a husband/wife proggy alt-rock power duo – bass, drums, female vocals – who live on a wildlife preserve in middle Missouri, USA. They write and record music in their chicken house-turned-music studio (to the amusement of the Amish neighbors) and have just released their third CD, “Garden of Whatever.”

“Garden of Whatever” was mixed and co-produced by Sylvia Massy and Rich Veltrop, known for their work with Tool, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash, and more. The album truly captures the raw, melodic energy Clatter is known for live.

Clatter is at their best on stage, having taken their wall of sound across the US, Canada, and into England and France, from CBGB to the Coconut Teazer to London’s Bull and Gate. 2012 sees Clatter on the road again to support the release of “Garden of Whatever.”

Gear:

  • Rickenbacker 4003 4-string bass
  • Waterstone TP-12 12-string bass
  • SWR SM-900
  • SWR Henry 8×8
  • SWR Super Redhead
  • Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier
  • Mesa Boogie 4×12 Rectifier cabinet
  • Boss VF-1 Multi Effects Unit
  • Digitech Whammy
  • Lehle A/B/Y Switchers

Why I play the bass:

At first it was by default when some friends in college needed a bass player, but once I picked it up I was hooked.

My bass superpower/claim to fame

Probably the fingernails on my right hand – they allow me to play with my fingers while getting a pick-like sound, and to play really fast!

My influences

Geddy Lee, John Taylor, Mark King

More on the web:

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Leave a Reply to Joseph Côté Cancel reply

  1. This band is great. I’ve known about them for a few years now.

  2. Congratulations Amy.

  3. She can Rock a mean 12 string bass also…

  4. Wow, thanks so much! What an honor! I owe it all to my friend and fellow basser Bob, who recommended that I submit my info for consideration!

  5. The new album is great! Keep on rockin’!