Island Instruments Announces The Traveller Bass
For bassists on the go, Montreal’s Island Instruments has introduced the Traveller Bass, a four-stringer that’s pared down to the essentials. Built with size in mind, the bass was designed with a short 31-inch scale and a headless design. “The goals were to design a lightweight, compact bass that blends modern features and ergonomics with vintage feel and tone. The...
Dallon Weekes and iDKHOW Release “1981 Extended Play”
Former Panic! At the Disco bassist Dallon Weekes is back in action with his new band, I Don’t Know How But They Found Me (aka iDKHOW). The group, which also features ex-Falling in Reverse drummer Ryan Seaman, has just released their debut EP called 1981 Extended Play. The band’s name is taken from a Back to the Future quote. Add...
Eastwood Custom Shop Unveils the Backlund Rockerbox Bass
Eastwood Guitars has unveiled the latest bass from their custom shop, which is the Backlund Rockerbox bass. Designed by John Backlund, the bass carries the same “retro-futuristic” design as the artist’s guitars that are already in production. The medium-scale, semi-hollow basses are built with maple for the body and fingerboard while the neck is mahogany. They come in red, blue,...
Whose Hat Is This? Releases “Everything’s OK”
Whose Hat Is This? has just released their second album, Everything’s OK, on Ropeadope Records. The band’s completely improvised style has gotten even stronger than their self-titled debut, which was also their first ever show. Everything’s OK is also a live recording, this time from their performance at The 8×10 in Baltimore, Maryland during their Scorch Your Shorts tour with...
Mike Gordon Announces Solo Band Tour Dates
Phish bassist Mike Gordon is taking his solo band back out on the road for a spring 2019 tour. His group will once again include guitarist Scott Murawski, keyboardist Robert Walter, drummer John Kimock, and percussionist Craig Myers. Gordon’s touring repertoire as of late has included songs from his latest album, OGOGO, as well as new covers ranging from Spencer...
Opeth Releases Live DVD and Album
Opeth was founded nearly 30 years ago, and they’re still going strong. The Swedish metal band has just released their fourth live album, Garden of the Titans: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, which was captured at the famed Denver venue in May 2017. Beginning with the title track from their latest album, Sorceress, the group tears through their songs, old...
Sire Guitars Unveils 2nd Generation Marcus Miller Basses
Sire Guitars has announced several major upgrades to their Marcus Miller line of bass guitars ranging from the pickups to the serial number system. Nearly every bass they make has been upgraded in some way. The biggest change is in the second generation pickups, which applies to the V7, V7 Vintage, V9, P7, M7, and V3 models. Sire writes that...
The Beatles Celebrate “The White Album” with Deluxe Packages
It’s been fifty years since the release of the Beatles’ self-titled album, better known as The White Album, and now it is being celebrated with special anniversary versions. The album’s thirty tracks have been remixed and remastered by producer Giles Martin and Sam Okell in stereo and 5.1 surround audio. It will also include 27 early acoustic demos and 50...
Fender Introduces Limited Edition Midnight Hour Precision Bass
Fender recently produced a short film called “Artform” with producers Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge, also known as The Midnight Hour. The mini-doc highlights the duo’s musical journey through the lens of hip-hop. To celebrate the collaboration, Fender also released the Limited Edition Midnight Hour Precision Bass. The new bass takes its cues from the ’60s era with a...
Al Turner Releases “This Is”
Al “The Burner” Turner has released his fifth solo album, entitled This Is. The new album is described as full of “upbeat, joyful and melodic tunes” while being centered on the groove. That’s because Turner, who has worked with artists ranging from Aretha Franklin to Ron Isley, taps into his influences for the eight-song album. “Earl Klugh, Bob James, and...
Andrew Gouché Releases Book of 20 Groove Lessons
Andrew Gouché’s online “Grooves From The Soul” bass lesson series is now available in a book format. The Andrew Gouché Bass Method compiles 20 grooves ranging from ’90s R&B to a Sade-inspired jam in standard music notation plus tab. Just as important as the physical book is the access it gives to online content including full speed and half-speed video...
Bass of the Week: DTC Bass Guitars 5-String Multiscale Singlecut
This DTC Bass Guitars instrument caught my eye for its intense purple finish over the burl top, which looks like you’re staring into space. However, it’s got loads of other great features, too. Built with a mahogany body, the bass is a singlecut and multiscale design for a modern approach to bass playing. The stabilized burl top almost hides its...