Archive for May 2018

When it comes to accompanying a singer or soloist, there’s nothing like the power of three. The rock trio. The jazz trio. The trio of cheeses provided in the green room. It’s the perfect way to get the bases covered (no pun intended). While there are various forms of trio instrumentation (keys, bass, drums; guitar, bass, drums; guitar, fiddle, and...

I’m digging Lake Street Dive’s new album, Free Yourself Up. I’m also digging the videos they’re putting out there in support of it. Here’s the band – with the always excellent Bridget Kearney on bass – performing a live version of “Hang On.”

Breaking Benjamin has returned with their sixth studio album, Ember, and it’s their heaviest yet. The effort is the band’s second since being completely reformed by frontman Benjamin Burnley in 2014 and as such the second to feature Aaron Bruch holding down the low end. The bassist’s thick tone fills the album out, especially on the choruses. Check out his...

Q: I have a question about… mindset, I guess. I feel like I make a lot of unnecessary mistakes during gigs. I mean that it’s not a technical deficiency, and it’s not that I don’t know what needs to happen but I just seem to goof it up. Kind of a lot. Any advice? A: This reminds me of a...

We’re big fans of Scary Pockets and how they remake tunes in their own funky style. Here’s the band with vocalist George Krikes performing The Beatles’ “Rocky Raccoon.” Bassist Nick Campbell really lays it down on this one.

Japan’s Pudding Broadcast is working to release a new live Michael Manring video on Blu-ray, and they need our help. Manring toured Japan back in 2016 when Pudding, a film, and audio production company, recorded his performances. “In October 2016, we invited Michael Manring for his first solo live tour in Japan,” they write. “Thanks to many individuals and companies,...

WFUV once again delivers on some musical discovery (for me, at least) with a new video. Yuno, a Jacksonville, Florida native, is a self-taught musician, producer, and engineer, as well as a talented visual artist. Here’s his song, “Why For,” which he recorded live in Studio A earlier this month. The song is available on Bandcamp and will soon be...

Five Finger Death Punch has returned with their seventh studio album, entitled And Justice For None, after two years of struggles. The record was completed in 2016, but troubles with their label delayed its release. Individual members had their share of personal problems, including vocalist Ivan Moody and bassist Chris Kael, who said the hard times come through in the...

This week we’re checking out the Pocket Baby Bass from Mexico City-based Tamariz Basses. The company specializes in the electric-upright “baby bass” style, and this model is a great example why. Built for bassist Jesus Sanchez Puebla, this Pocket Baby Bass is crafted with a claro walnut body matched to a walnut and Caribbean rosewood neck. Tamariz keeps it simple...

It is truly remarkable what Adam Ben Ezra can do as a one-man show. Here’s a new video from him, from a recent live performance. “Shout-out to the inspirational Netta Barzilai who blew us away with her winning song ‘TOY’ at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest,” Adam said. “So much more than just an awesome musician, also a fantastic role...

Before Lamb of God, there was Burn the Priest. Lamb of God has gone back to their roots with a new album of covers under the band’s former name. Featuring songs written by bands like The Accused and Agnostic Front, Legion: XX has a decidedly punk slant. That’s in part because each of the members – including bassist John Campbell...

If you or someone you know is learning the bass, then you’ll want to check out the Fret Zealot for bass. The Fret Zealot is a paper-thin LED strip that installs onto a four-string bass and lights up your frets to teach you single notes all the way up to full songs. It can even listen for the correct note...