RockBoard Introduces the Patchworks Solderless Patch Cable System
Warwick’s RockBoard has introduced the Patchworks Solderless Patch Cable System. The two-directional, two-piece solderless plug was designed in Germany to “always offer the plug orientation you need,” as they can be switched from straight to angled and back. The plugs have a slim design that comes in chrome or gold. The cable comes in three-meter or six-meter lengths. All the...
Get Low: An Interview with Lucas Warford
I’m always interested in unique characters that play the bass, so when I read that Lucas Warford was described as “the acid baby of Tom Waits and Les Claypool,” I was sold. One listen to his band Three for Silver backs up that portrayal. Warford’s unique style isn’t just an act. He thrives on creativity and making his visions come...
George Speed Releases “Vivaldi Sonatas”
George Speed has been performing Vivaldi sonatas for several years, and now he’s released an album of them. The Oklahoma City Philharmonic principal bassist performs all six of the Italian baroque composer’s works for cello in arrangements for double bass and piano. Speed has a clear, beautiful tone on the recordings, which also feature lush accompaniment by pianist Se-Hee Jin....
Parquet Courts Announce More Tour Dates, New Music Video
Parquet Courts has announced a new batch of tour dates for the winter in support of their new album, Wide Awake. After wrapping up the festival circuit, the band will head to Europe in November. The new dates range begin November 30th at Spirit in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and wrap up December 8th at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City....
Rare Earth Music Introduces Magnetically-Powered Pedal Board
Rare Earth Music has unveiled the Earthboard, a magnetically-powered and designed pedalboard that they say decreases the hassles and limitations of conventional designs. “The patented Earthboard next-gen design incorporates rare earth magnets (the strongest magnets available), a steel-rail system and a long-lasting rechargeable battery that together, provides power and sound to effects pedals and removes the messy cobweb of adapter...
Don Was Joins Bob Weir and Wolf Bros For Fall Tour
Grateful Dead fans will want to check out the new tour from Bob Weir and Wolf Bros, a new trio featuring the Dead guitarist alongside former Primus drummer Jay Lane and bassist Don Was of Was (Not Was). Was, who is also a prolific music producer and the current president of Blue Note Records, helped to kick-start the project. “Wolf...
Bass of the Week: AJR Guitarmods Swift Lite Lightweight Bass
We’ve featured a couple of instruments by AJR Guitarmods over the past couple years, and now we’re checking out their lightest bass yet: the Swift Lite 34-inch four-string bass. The inspiration came to luthier Andy Rogers while thinking of the first time he picked up a bass. “One of the things that surprised me the very first time I took...
Geddy Lee’s Big Beautiful Book Of Bass Available for Pre-Order
In what promises to be one of the best books of the year, Harper Collins has announced they will be publishing Geddy Lee’s Big Book of Beautiful Bass this December. The Rush bassist will chronicle his personal collection of basses that range from the 1950s to the 1980s with commentary on each piece. “It’s not surprising that sooner or later...
Sons of Apollo Cancel Summer Festival Dates, Add European Dates
All-star prog rock group Sons of Apollo has canceled the remainder of its summer festival appearances. The band, anchored by Billy Sheehan on a doubleneck bass, made the announcement on Facebook. “Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, Sons Of Apollo regretfully has had to cancel all remaining Summer Festival appearances at Wacken Open Air and Prog In Park II,”...
TC Electronic Unveils the BQ250 and BQ500 Bass Amps
TC Electronic has expanded their bass amp line with the BQ250 and the BQ500. Rated at 250 and 500 watts, respectively, the head units are described as “bare-bones bass power.” Each features a MOSFET preamp with a custom 4-band EQ as well as a built-in Thrust compressor circuit. They also share connectivity features like a Balanced DI output with pre/post...
Joe Policastro Trio: No Idea
Double bassist Joe Policastro has just released a new video for his song, “No Idea,” featuring his awesome trio with Dave Miller on guitar and Mikel Avery on drums. The bass player sets things up with cool, uptempo melody in the upper register with an open string drone underneath before his bandmates join in. The trio is totally locked in...
Yellowcake Pedals Introduces the Furry and Fried Dual Overdrive Pedal
Alabama’s Yellowcake Pedals has combined two of their pedals to create the Furry and Fried. The left side of the pedal is their Furry Burrito fuzz/overdrive while the right contains their Fried Gold light/medium overdrive. “[The Furry Burrito is] a versatile overdrive/fuzz pedal that ranges from a nice, warm overdrive to a saturated fuzz that produces that Muff-like sustain,” the...