Reader Spotlight: Iain Hodges

Iain Hodges

We’ve featured many versatile musicians as part of the Reader Spotlight series. Iain Hodges matches up well with all of them. Starting on violin at the age of 3, he eventually migrated to the electric bass, playing everything from metal to funk to jazz – and more.

Iain has at least two claims to fame that I can tell: his band’s video for their new single and having a name given to his signature move. Iain is No Treble’s reader in the spotlight for the week of March 2, 2015.

Bio:

I started Suzuki violin at age 3 (actually started on a bath sponge with a ruler in the end). I toured all over the world in orchestras before picking up the electric bass as a teenager. I then studied jazz at music college while touring in metal bands and holding down funk, jazz and drum and bass gigs.

Location:

Wolverhampton, England

Day gig:

Anything I can find that fits around shedding and gigs/recording. Currently helping out in my singer’s tattoo shop.

Years experience:

19 years

Bands & Gigs:

I currently play bass in Alt/Rock band Burn Down Rydell. We have a new EP coming out March 30, 2015. We span across Pop Punk/Americana/Heavy Rock/Groove-based Rock. There is a lot of bass on the forthcoming EP. As a 3-piece, I play a lot of melodic fingerstyle lines to fill out the harmony, but I like to rock out with a pick and keep it simple sometimes too. The video for our single “Fight” was recorded on an ice hockey pitch, with us taking on a pro ice hockey team with just our instruments to protect us. I believe this is a first!?

Gear:

  • Musicman Stingray 5 (1994)
  • Overwater Progress III Deluxe custom 5
  • Ampeg SVT 3 pro
  • Genz Benz Focus 210 and 410
  • Polytune
  • Sansamp Bass Driver DI
  • EBS Multicomp
  • Source Audio Programmable EQ
  • MXR Bass Overdrive M89
  • Source Audio Soundblox2 Reverb
  • line 6 M9
  • Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2
  • Overwater strings
  • Elixir strings
  • Dunlop Delrin .71mm Pink picks
  • Mono Straps

Why I play the bass:

I grew up listening to The Who, Queen, Paul Simon and my dad’s jazz records, so I heard a lot of bass. But I really just wanted to look cool like John Deacon in his tennis shorts, ha ha!!!!

My bass superpower/claim to fame:

I do not stand still when I’m playing. When you play you’ve gotta give it everything. I think all those years of strict violin posture, and sitting in orchestras has resulted in some kind of breakout. My friends call my signature move “The Hibbedy Jibbedy”.

My influences:

Stuart Zender, Bobby Vega, Cass Lewis, Rob Trujillo, Pino Palladino, John Entwistle, Tim Lefebvre, Will Lee, Alex Al. Anyone who plays with confidence and taste really!

Videos:

More on the web:

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Share your thoughts

  1. Mike Matthews

    Good catchy tune,solid bass playing… love the video too. Had me laughing a bit. Good stuff.