“I’m Gonna Tear This Playhouse Down”: Exploring Pino Palladino’s Classic Bass Line (and the Pedal That Made It Happen)
The fretless bass is still out, and I’m breaking down one of my favorite bass lines from the great Pino Palladino!
Let’s dig into “I’m Gonna Tear This Playhouse Down” by Paul Young (1984), why this groove is so iconic, and the incredible sound of the Boss OC-2 pedal.
We’ll examine how Pino uses it to craft this iconic bass part. It’s classic Pino and one of the most memorable pop bass parts you’ll ever hear!
Paul Thompson has been playing bass professionally for over 30 years, including recording and touring stints with trumpeter Maynard Ferguson and saxophonist Stanley Turrentine. Recent playing credits include Bob Reynolds, John Pizzarelli, Jeff 'Tain' Watts, and Bob James, among others. Currently, he can be seen playing in and around the Pittsburgh, PA area with the THOTH Trio, the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, and many other musicians in the city's rich Jazz community. An educator of over 25 years, Paul currently teaches Jazz Bass at Duquesne University, West Virginia University, and his alma mater, Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12 Performing Arts School.
Connect with Paul on Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, and his website.
