Reader Spotlight: Martin DeGrace
Meet Martin DeGrace, a bassist we’ve featured in our Daily Videos. Martin was eight years old when he saw Gene Simmons play, and that was all it took. Three years later, he started playing bass, and he’s done it for 42 years now.
Martin is this week’s No Treble reader in the spotlight (you could be next). Here’s his story…
Bio:
I’ve always been a little awkward since my musical taste always draws me toward shredding and speed-fingering, I’ve always been too much for some or not enough for others!
I released a single last year, my first solo release since the ’90s. The pandemic and the fact that I was tired from working with original bands that imploded before putting out any songs makes me want to do my own personal stuff!
Location:
Quebec, Canada
Years experience:
I’ve been playing since I was 11, so I’ve been playing for about 42 years now!
Why I play the bass:
When I saw Gene Simmons, before I even knew what bass sounds like, that was my epiphany! I was only 8 years old, but still, I knew then that I would be a bass player!
Gear:
My main bass is an Ibanez SDGR1000 that I bought in 1987. I have three SR1000 basses, but the 1987 is my baby.
I have some other basses as well, all Ibanez!
For amps, I use a Gallien Krueger 800RB paired with Marshall 4×10 jubilee cabs.
My Influences:
Of course, Gene Simmons who ignited my interest in bass, Rudy Sarzo, then Steve Harris from Iron Maiden was my first big influence on my playing.
Then I fell for Malmsteen, Tony MacAlpine, and the whole neo-classical and shredding era.
My bass superpower/claim to fame:
My bass superpower is to make the mind fly away on an energetic, aggressively positive, and intense journey!
More on the web:
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