The Melvins: The Bit
If you love huge, nasty bass sounds then you’re going to like this. The Melvins stopped by Australian radio station 3RRR for a live-to-air set including this performance of “The Bit.” Steven Shane McDonald conjures up a bass tone that sounds like it could be used to smash boulders. He anchors the song with sludgy riffs punctuated with gnarly fills,...
Thundercat’s “Drunk” Remixed to Create “Drank”
Thundercat’s 2017 release, Drunk, was a groundbreaking, genre-bending album that featured tons of guest artists from Kendrick Lamar to Michael McDonald. Now the bassist has released Drank, a “chopped ‘n’ screwed” remix by DJ Candlestick and OG Ron C. The remix style, which originates from Houston, slows the tempo and skips beats for a syrupy, dreamlike atmosphere. “It messes with...
Songbird FX Releases USB to 9V Pedal Power Cable
Songbird FX has released the Birdcord, a USB to 9-volt adapter cable that allows you to power your pedals with a USB socket. Simply plug the USB end into your computer or a USB power bank and the 2.1mm DC plug into your effect. The cord can also be used to power mini amps. The company writes that it converts...
Ortus: An Interview with Jon von Boehm
Bassist Jon von Boehm has returned with his sophomore solo album, entitled . As opposed to his self-titled debut that featured a large cast of musicians, the new release focuses on the bassist’s unique compositions in a trio format with Michael Green on drums and John Gallo on guitar with guest spots by vocalist Jesse Rose Brassfield and bass guru...
Pat Torpey and Billy Sheehan: Big Drums Jam
Last month we lost the great Mr. Big drummer, Pat Torpey, due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. His music, of course, will live on forever. Here’s an incredible jam taken from the drummer’s instructional video, Big Drums, featuring bandmate Billy Sheehan tearing it up. It’s no wonder the duo’s musical connection helped propel Mr. Big into stardom. Their groove locks...
In Memoriam: Peter “Mars” Cowling
More sad news to report today: Peter “Mars” Cowling has passed away. He was 72 years old. Fellow bassist Rodney O’Quinn helped break the news on his Facebook page. “On behalf of The Cowling/Clark Family, with a heavy heart, the music world, and especially the bass community has lost another great one,” he wrote. “Peter “Mars” Cowling, best known as...
MOD Kits DIY Unveils the Rock Bottom Bass Fuzz Pedal Kit
Bassists interested in building their own effects have a new option with the MOD Kits DIY Rock Bottom Bass Fuzz pedal kit. Designed for novice and experienced musicians, the kit comes with easy-to-follow instructions as well as all the necessary parts. “The Rock Bottom is a bass fuzz kit that delivers all the sizzle you’d expect from a vintage fuzz...
Nicole Row Joins Panic! At The Disco
Earlier this year we reported that longtime bassist Dallon Weekes left the ranks of Panic! At The Disco. The band is back in action again with a new bass player: Nicole Row. Row made her debut with the band on March 19th at a secret show in Cleveland. Row is no new-comer to the music scene. She’s performed alongside Troye...
In Memoriam: Buell Neidlinger
Sad news to report today: bassist Buell Neidlinger has passed away after a heart attack. He was 82 years old. Born in New York City, Neidlinger’s family moved to Westport, Connecticut when he was two years old. He was a prodigy on the cello, switching to bass at 13. He was a student of Count Basie Orchestra bassist Walter Page,...
Kala Adds Three New Affordable U-Bass Models
Kala’s popular U-Bass has three new models for 2018 called the Wanderer, the Passenger, and the Journeyman. The trio are described as their most affordable models yet. Each ukulele-sized bass is made of mahogany with a satin finish and comes equipped with black die-cast tuners, Aquila Thundergut strings and a Kala UK-500B preamp with EQ and built-in tuner. The lineup...
Alice in Chains Gear Up For Massive World Tour
Alice in Chains is getting ready to head out on a huge world tour. Anchored by Mike Inez, the band will be hitting the road starting April 28th at the House of Blues in Boston, Massachusetts and covering part of the U.S. through May. They’ll be heading overseas for June and July, only to return to North America for August...
Sadowsky Guitars Launches Re-engineered Blue Label Flatwound Strings
Sadowsky Guitars has re-engineered their line of flatwound strings including their sets for bass guitar. The new Blue Label Flatwound strings, which come in four and five-string sets, are described as “superb for fretless basses or that classic Motown sound.” “Our challenge was to create a string with a true vintage tone and feel that retains a strong fundamental to...