Articles by Kevin Johnson - Page 184

Marek Bero used to be in the camp that “real bassists play with fingers.” However, he came to accept and appreciate playing with a pick. Now he is spreading the love with his ninth book, “Bass Gym 101 - Essential Plectrum Grooves.”

In 2006, luthier Jean-Philippe Ferreira retired from building basses, and the JPBasses brand was licensed to Pete Skjold in 2011. Ferreira just announced a new brand called KISSBASS, which he says has a different approach to bass building.

After a sweet version of “Kashmir,” David Sutkin and Adrian Maruszczyk have teamed up again to recreate a classic song with dual basses. Maruszczyk’s children Lukas Kuban and Michelle Kuban join in on percussion and vocals on their version of “Wish You Were Here.”

The Charvel Custom Shop just unveiled the most recent additions to their 2022 lineup with three guitars and one bass: the Frank Bello Signature So Cal Bass. Built by Charvel’s principal master builder Pasquale Campolattano, the model is built to order and builds upon the Anthrax bassist’s existing PJ IV model.

Karina Rykman is hitting the road in December with a handful of winter tour dates. The bassist, who will be joined by guitarist Adam November and drummer Chris Corsico, says the run will be one to remember.

Railroad Earth has announced that longtime bassist Andrew Altman will be departing the band after their Horn O’Plenty concerts in late November. Altman has been with the group since 2010.

Motörhead’s 1982 release “Iron Fist” has gotten a deluxe 40th anniversary reissue that the band says will correct the record on its importance. The release features a remaster of the album, previously unreleased demos, and a full concert.

A year after they announced open bass auditions, Steel Panther has named their full-time low ender. Spyder is the glam rock group’s new full-time member and has been crowned the R.O.L.E. – Ruler of Low End.

This week, we’re checking out the Nicolo, a new fretless model from Ulrich Bass Design with a lot of character. The bass is described as having a unique tone thanks to a “naturally resonating acoustic approach.”

Bassist Jakob Dreyer has released a new album. “Songs, Hymns, & Ballads Volume 1” marks his debut as a leader and showcases his talents as a composer. Dreyer recruited saxophonist Jason Rigby, pianist Jon Cowherd, and drummer Jimmy Macbride.

Nu-X has added a new pedal tuner to their product lineup. The Flow Tune features a large, colored LCD screen that takes up most of its compact size.

Blackbird Presents has unveiled another round of The Last Waltz Tour, which pays homage to The Band’s epic farewell concert from 1976. Filling the shoes of the late Rick Danko will be the inimitable Don Was.