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Archive for November 2018

Snarky Puppy Announces 2019 U.S. Tour Dates
Concerts & Tours

Snarky Puppy Announces 2019 U.S. Tour Dates

Michael League and the Grammy-winning ensemble Snarky Puppy have announced their first tour dates of 2019 with an extensive U.S. leg in May and June. The announcement was made on Facebook, which also alluded to a new album that will be released in March. “We can’t wait to get these new tunes into your ears,” the band wrote. League and...

Wampler Pedals Introduces the Fuzztration Pedal
Pedals & Effects

Wampler Pedals Introduces the Fuzztration Pedal

The new Wampler Pedals Fuzztration combines a fuzz pedal with an octaver and three-band EQ. Although there are plenty of controls for dialing in your sound, Wampler says the effect is not for the faint of heart. “The Fuzzstration isn’t a pedal designed to really play ‘nice,'” they write. “It’s brash, raspy, doomy, in-your-face fuzz from top to bottom. This...

Cande Buasso and Paulo Carrizo: Barro Tal Vez
Bass Videos

Cande Buasso and Paulo Carrizo: Barro Tal Vez

By random chance, I stumbled upon this beautiful video today. I hadn’t heard of Cande Buasso before, but her bass and vocals on this tribute to Luis Alberto Spinetta really caught my attention. This was recorded at the Bicentennial Theater in San Juan, Argentina.

Federico Malaman Releases New Solo Album
New Albums

Federico Malaman Releases New Solo Album

Italian bass guru Federico Malaman has released a new solo album, entitled Life. The recording, which marks 14 years since his first solo effort, is a snapshot of the bassist’s life. “The full album title should actually be ‘Life is not in 4/4’”, he states. “4/4 is the simplest, straightforward meter. Real life is not like that: there are ups...

Kleissonic Announces The Howl Phase-Shifting Pedal
Pedals & Effects

Kleissonic Announces The Howl Phase-Shifting Pedal

Berlin’s Kleissonic Boutique Pedals has announced a new two-notch phase-shifting pedal called the Howl. The unit has volume, Gain, and Sweep controls, but no Rate control commonly found in phasers. “The Howl is not another common phaser, it has no built-in LFO and it is ideal for any instrument. It’s also extremely useful for audio engineers and DJ’s both for...

The Lightbulb Moment: In Sync
The Lightbulb Moment

The Lightbulb Moment: In Sync

Nothing tears up my heart more than the moment I realize an obvious flaw or inconsistency in my playing. I mean, what have these ten-thousand-plus hours amounted to anyway? If you’re the kind of person who strives for precision—clean playing, the perfect execution of a favorite bass line, or the ability to effortlessly play a musical idea—then you probably spend...

Shaun Munday: Bold As Love
Bass Videos

Shaun Munday: Bold As Love

Shaun Munday has a knack for putting together some stellar bass and vocal covers of epic tunes. (Check out his cover of Bill Wither’s “Use Me.”) In celebration of Jimi Hendrix’s birthday on November 27th, Shaun posted this video of him performing “Bold As Love.”

Peter Baltes Leaves Accept
News

Peter Baltes Leaves Accept

Founding Accept bassist Peter Baltes revealed that he will be leaving the band’s ranks. The German heavy metal band has been rocking off and on ever since 1976 with Baltes along for every lineup. “To all Accept fans: I hereby like to announce my departure as Bassplayer from ACCEPT,” Baltes wrote on the Accept Facebook page. “I have been with...

Am I Too Old To Start a Career as a Session Bassist?
Ask Damian Erskine

Am I Too Old To Start a Career as a Session Bassist?

Q: I’m 58 and a semi-pro bassist (I have a day job but have gigged for the past 30+ years and consider myself a very good player). I wanted to ask your thoughts on me trying to focus on becoming a session musician. I’m semi-retired and have a lot more time on my hands but have less interest in trying...

Tedeschi Trucks Band: Shame
Bass Videos

Tedeschi Trucks Band: Shame

Tim Lefebvre shared this fan-shot video on Facebook recently, saying “Cool jam I co-wrote with these fine folks…” The jam took place at the Beacon Theatre on October 6th.

Dream Theater Announces New Album, Tour Dates
News

Dream Theater Announces New Album, Tour Dates

Dream Theater fans rejoice! The progressive metal band has announced their 14th studio album, Distance Over Time, will be released on February 22nd, 2019. The new record, which is their first in three years, is described as “showcasing a newfound creativity… while maintaining the elements that have garnered them devoted fans around the globe.” The whole band, including six-string bass...

Reader Spotlight: Lucas Fernandes
Reader Spotlight

Reader Spotlight: Lucas Fernandes

Meet Lucas Fernandes, a bassist from Brazil who first picked up the bass in school and said it was “love at the first low note.” Lucas is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight. Here’s his story… Bio: I have studied bass with some great names of the local scene, like Oswaldo Amorim, Hamilton Pinheiro, and Alexandre Macarrão. I...