Reader Spotlight: Rich Zbaraski

Rich ZbaraskiMeet Rich Zbaraski, a bass player living in Leicester, UK who has quite a love for bass (read more below to see what I’m talking about). He has some pretty cool stories to tell as well.

Rich is No Treble’s reader in the spotlight for the week of July 15, 2013.

Bio:

18. Cheese fanatic. A fetish for bass that borders on the erotic.

Hello, I’m Rich! A German, British, Polish guy who likes to play music! I grew up in England and still … live … in … England. I’m currently playing for two bands, EMPIRE and The Deli’s Mix – one of which is in talks with a well known manager and the other one which was in talk with MGM!

I have played music all my life, being in orchestras playing violin and viola to Gospel, funk bands, slap and basing my way around some holy music, but now I’ve found what I want to do and I’m soldiering on.

Location:

Leicester, United Kingdom

Day gig:

I’m a student! So living off of the session work and selling instruments, specializing in vintage Fenders and modern Gibson and Fender guitars is what I try and do! I’m starting at LCCM (London Centre of Contemporary Music) in September and got one of six places offered for bass players.

Years experience:

About 4 years.

Bands & Gigs:

I’m currently in two bands. My main band at the minute is EMPIRE. We recently supported a well-known UK band, The Enemy, of whom we’ll be playing with again soon at Strawberry Fields thanks to the BBC. We’re possibly supporting Ash in July! We’re currently in talks with a manager of an act most of you will know (not allowed to tell you who). We’ve currently got a lot of backing from the BBC, so it’s all very interesting.

My other band is The Deli’s Mix. That band reformed due to interest from a major label but that’s all going away now. It’s funny, because everytime we try and close the curtains, we always get an offer from a little label or get offered a good gig. Our last gig ever (at the moment) is playing at a boxing match where former heavyweight world champion Riddick Bowe is fighting. All very interesting!

I also do a bit of session work on the side.

Gear:

  • 1969 Fender Precision Bass
  • 70’s Re-issue Fender Jazz Bass
  • MusicMan Stingray 3EQ
  • Ibanez K5

Why I play the bass:

Just listen to it! There is nothing more satisfying than the rumble of the bass in a good sound system or at a gig. It’s sexually exciting! Though a big factor for me was the One Hot Minute album by Red Hot Chili Peppers. “Aeroplane” made me get into bass playing.

My bass superpower/claim to fame

My uncle played bass for Shirley Bassey! I even got lent the bass he played with her for most of last year, a beautiful 1973 Fender Precision. Yum.

I’m also distantly related to Neil Diamond.

Anthony Kiedes’ dad has spoken to me on Facebook before.

My influences

Flea, Eric Avery, Marcus Miller, Larry Graham, Chris Wolstenholme, Chris Chaney, Steve Bailey and all the typical bass players, though guitarists are also an influence on me – the like of Dave Navarro, Matt Bellamy, to name just a few!

I have many more influences. I realize I sound like a rookie for naming the most common ones!

Videos:

More on the web:

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Leave a Reply to Roy Pinney Cancel reply

  1. Not to mention sexy!!

  2. Just found your site – excellent!