Weekly Top 10: March 16-22, 2024

This week’s top 10 reader-favorite stories on No Treble are chock full of bass goodness.

This top 10 includes the exciting news of the new band Beat with Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, Danny Carey, and Steve Vai, a breakdown of the Brothers Johnson’s “Stomp!”, new bass gear, and more.

Thanks for being here!

1. Adrian Belew To Revisit King Crimson Music with Tony Levin, Danny Carey, and Steve Vai

Adrian Belew has announced a new project called Beat that will perform music from his era in King Crimson. Tony Levin will be joining him for it as well as guitarist Steve Vai and Tool drummer Danny Carey.

2. Line 6 Launches the Pod Express Bass Pedal

Line 6 has unveiled the Pod Express Bass pedal, which acts as an amp and effects processor. With sounds derived from the company’s Helix processors, the new model packs a lot in.

3. Bass of the Week: Jacques Legault’s Coffee Table Bass

Have you ever looked at a coffee table and thought, “That could be a bass?” That thought occurred to Jacques Legault, who shared this wild bass he built.

4. Tech 21 Announces 30th Anniversary Limited Edition SansAmp Bass Driver DI

Tech 21’s flagship SansAmp Bass Driver DI was first introduced in 1994. To celebrate its three decades, the company has announced a special 30th Anniversary limited edition pedal.

5. King Crimson: Elephant Talk (Live At The Warfield Theatre, San Francisco 1995)

I love Bill Bruford’s YouTube channel. He recently shared a video that brought me back to my high school days – and a VHS tape of King Crimson’s 1984 performance in Tokyo. “Elephant Talk” was one of the highlights for me, with Tony Levin performing masterfully on the Stick.

6. Lyle Lovett Announces Large Band Tour Dates with Leland Sklar

Singer, composer, and actor Lyle Lovett has announced a lengthy summer tour with his Large Band. The 15-piece ensemble is anchored by the bearded bass master Leland Sklar, who has been working with Lovett for four decades.

7. Fear Factory is Looking for a Substitute Bassist

Attention metalheads! Fear Factory has announced that they’re looking for a substitute bassist for Tony Campos while he is on tour with his other band, Static X.

8. Stomp! Breaking Down Louis Johnson’s Bass Line and Solo

In this episode, I’m breaking one of the greatest funk/dance tracks in history: “Stomp!” (1980) by the Brothers Johnson (produced by Quincy Jones) and the incredible bass playing by the late, great Louis Johnson (and his iconic bass solo!)

9. Danelectro Announces the Red Hot Longhorn Bass

One of the basses that caught our attention at the NAMM Show this year was the Danelectro Red Hot Longhorn Bass, and now we have more details about it.

10. Dixie Dregs Add New 2024 Tour Dates

After the enormous response to their 2024 tour, the Dixie Dregs have added nine new stops to the schedule. Dixie Dregs reunited its original lineup in 2018 for the “Dawn of the Dregs” tour. The band’s lineup for 2024 includes the original members plus Jordan Rudess.