Weekly Top 10: Ryan Stasik Interview, Megadeth’s New Bassist, Left Hand Technique, New Gear, and More
This week saw huge numbers of readers hitting No Treble’s pages. Here are your top 10 favorite stories for the week of August 7-13. Thanks for being here!
1. A Raging Bull: An Interview with Ryan Stasik
Umphrey’s McGee are masters of creating atmosphere with their intro music, and now they’ve expanded on the ideas from those tracks to create a new album. We caught up with Ryan Stasik to get the scoop on that and more.
2. Dusty Hill’s Bass and Vocals Will Be On Next ZZ Top Album
Dusty Hill may have passed away last month, but we haven’t heard the last of him. ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons revealed that Hill had already recorded his bass parts as well as vocals for an upcoming album.
3. Ellen Alaverdyan: Tom Sawyer
Tech 21’s Dale Krevens sent us this video by 9-year-old bassist Ellen Alaverdyan. In this clip, she plays along to Rush’s “Tom Sawyer” (and she nailed it).
4. Les Claypool Learning from Geddy Lee for Primus Tour
After several postponements, Primus is heading out on their epic “A Tribute To Kings” tour. Les Claypool has been very open about his eagerness for the outing as well, and apparently, he’s been practicing up – and learning the parts from Geddy Lee.
5. Megadeth Unveils New Bassist
Since David Ellefson’s dismissal earlier this year, rumors have been flying about who Megadeth would be bringing on board to fill the bass seat. Now the band has revealed James LoMenzo will be joining them on the upcoming “Metal Tour of the Year”.
6. The Brown’stone: Strengthen Your Left Hand Technique
This week in The Brown'stone on No Treble, Rich Brown is focusing specifically on left-hand technique. He walks you through a couple of great exercises that will help to strengthen the individual fingers of the left hand.
7. Schecter Introduces Daniel Firth Hellraiser Extreme-5 Signature Bass
Schecter has unveiled their latest artist model with the Daniel Firth Hellraiser Extreme-5 Signature Bass. The Cradle of Filth bassist’s new axe features a mahogany body with a quilted maple top in a Cthulhu Burst Satin finish.
8. Bass of the Week: Valenti Basses V24-P5 #302
Valenti Basses shared their latest V24-P5, which is a five-string p-style bass with a full 24 frets. This one, which is built with an alder body, has a rocking pink finish matched to a black pickguard.
9. Tad Kinchla and Blues Traveler Dig In On New Album, “Traveler’s Blues”
Blues Traveler has released a new album called “Traveler’s Blues”, which is a collection of covers from the American Blues Songbook and other classics. Tad Kinchla holds it all together from the low end, providing deep grooves and funky lines.
10. Percy Jones and PAKT Release Live Album
Back in June, Percy Jones announced his new supergroup, PAKT, which includes Alex Skolnick, Kenny Grohowski, and Tim Motzer. The band had a handful of performances, and now the first show has been released as their debut live recording.
