Juan Alderete Joins Marilyn Manson For Latest Performance
Last month, Marilyn Manson parted ways with longtime bassist Jeordie White, aka Twiggy Ramirez. No replacement was named, but Manson recruited bass monster Juan Alderete to anchor his band at Ozzfest meets Knotfest in San Bernadino on November 5th. Alderete has an impressive pedigree of heavy music starting with his work in Racer X in the 1980s. He also spent...
Bass of the Week: Safran Basses Iris Acoustic Archtop Bass
This week we’re checking out an incredible acoustic bass guitar by Safran Basses called Iris. Hand built by luthier Umut Dal, the bass was dreamed up to bring the best of upright and electric together. “The idea behind my archtop acoustic bass Iris is to close the gap in between electric and double bass,” Dal writes. “I have seen similar...
Duff McKagan and The Levee Walkers Release New Songs
In 2015, Guns N’ Roses bassist Duff McKagan teamed up with Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready and Screaming Trees drummer Barrett Martin for a new group called the Levee Walkers. Based in Seattle, the band recently recruited local singer-songwriter Ayron Jones to release the songs “All Things Fade Away” and “Madness” on a two-song EP. The downtempo, introspective “All Things...
Adam Ben Ezra Announces North American Tour Dates
Double bass guru Adam Ben Ezra is coming to North America this month for his Pin Drop Tour. The Israeli bassist, who mixes percussion in with his melody and harmony lines, made the announcement on his website. “That’s it! Signed, Sealed and now Delivered to you guys… The first dates of my North American tour have been confirmed! Me and...
Boss Introduces The DR-01S Rhythm Partner Drum Machine
Looking to add a little rhythm to your acoustic sessions? Boss has introduced the DR-01S Rhythm Partner, a drum machine they describe as “the world’s first virtual percussionist designed specifically for acoustic musicians.” The unit allows for setting the tempo, volume, and variation for your beat with several percussion instruments that can be put into our out of the mix....
John Davis and Janek Gwizdala Team Up for Bass Duo Album
The double bass meets the electric bass in a new album from John Davis and Janek Gwizdala, aptly entitled Bass Duo. The six-song album features the bassists in an inspired state that was captured in a rush. “Recorded live to tape (yes real tape) in under an hour, this album brings together two long-time bass playing friends and collaborators in...
Fender Adds New Color To Mod Shop Basses
Fender’s Mod Shop has expanded their option offerings for the Fall. The online instrument configurator has added a new limited edition color for 2017 Mystic Aztec Gold. It’s available on both their Precision and Jazz basses. Users begin the Mod Shop experience by picking their instrument then choosing colors, pickguards, pickups, hardware, and more. It was introduced last year and...
Whose Hat Is This? Announces East Coast Tour
Earlier this year, Tim Lefebvre and his rhythm section mates from the Tedeschi Trucks Band blew us away with an inspired free improv performance live in Washington, D.C. Whose Hat Is This?, which is filled out by saxophonist Kebbi Williams (Outkast), and drummers JJ Johnson (John Mayer) and Tyler “Falcon” Greenwell (Col. Bruce Hampton), went on to release an equally...
Rhonda Smith Anchors Jeff Beck’s Live at the Hollywood Bowl
Fans of blues and rock will want to check out Jeff Beck’s latest DVD, Live at the Hollywood Bowl. Recorded in the summer of 2016, the live concert featured songs from the guitar god’s entire career, as far back as The Yardbirds right up to his latest release, Loud Hailer. It also features a plethora of special guest artists including...
In Memoriam: Jack Conrad
Jack Conrad, who played bass for The Doors and wrote songs for many artists, has passed away from a massive heart attack. He was 69 years old. Conrad’s diverse musical career started in the ’60s. He recorded for the Petula Clark album I Know A Place in 1965 and started writing songs. He collaborated with Paul Williams for his albums...
Massive FX Introduces the Hypnotik Fuzz Pedal
Massive FX Pedals has released the Hypnotik Fuzz, a hand-wired super heavy fuzz that is suited for both bass and guitar. The unit has knobs for Master Volume and Fuzz Level as well as a two-position switch that toggles between two modes. Classic Fuzz mode is described as a vintage tone with a thinner, “trebly” sound. The second mode is...
Weezer Mixes The Beach Boys and The Clash on New Album, “Pacific Daydream”
The new Weezer album was supposed to be a darker, moodier counterpoint to their last self-titled record referred to as The White Album. However, when the band got together a different mood presented itself. Pacific Daydream is their 11th album and shows a new tonal character for the group. “I’m going to say [it sounds] somewhere between The Beach Boys...