In Memoriam: Garry Lowe
Bassist Garry Lowe, who played in Canada’s rock/reggae band Big Sugar, has passed way after a two year battle with cancer. He was 65 years old. The new was shared by Gordie and Alex Johnson on the Big Sugar Facebook page. “We lost our dear brother and sweet friend Garry this morning,” they wrote. “He was my greatest musical collaborator,...
Boss Introduces WL Series Wireless Systems
Boss has announced the WL Series of wireless systems for bass, guitar, and other electronic instruments. The line has three models – the WL-20, WL-20L, and WL-50 – that the company says offer “ultra-low latency and rock-solid stability.” Each unit has a built-in rechargeable battery in the transmitter that allows for up to 12 hours of continuous playing time. The...
Todd Strange Leaves Crowbar
After returning to the fold two years ago, Crowbar bassist Todd Strange is once again leaving the band. Crowbar made the announcement on social media. “Crowbar will be performing Odd Fellows Rest 20th anniversary show at Southport Music Hall August 4th,” they write. “We did it at Roadburn Fest in The Netherlands, and want to share this classic in our...
Hatchie Announces North American Tour Dates
Australian dream-pop bassist/vocalist Hatchie will be crossing the world to make her first North American tour. Beginning in Los Angeles in August, she’ll be focusing on the coastlines with a couple Canadian dates mixed in. In addition to the new tour dates, Hatchie released a music video for the song “Bad Guy” off of her latest EP, Sugar & Spice....
Bass of the Week: Devon Bass J5 Classic Fretless
This week we’re checking out a gorgeous J5 Classic Fretless from Devon Bass. It features a stunning chambered and scorched swamp ash body that has an almost caramel color in the grain. The warm color is accented with black hardware and an ebony fingerboard. Devon fitted the bass with a pair of Nordstrand Audio Big Blades matched to an Aguilar...
New Live David Bowie Album Features George Murray
After an initial release for Record Store Day, the new David Bowie live album Welcome to the Blackout London ’78 is now available on multiple platforms. The release captures the singer’s magic during the Isolar II tour a year after the release of his iconic records Low and Heroes. Bowie’s band included guitarists Adrian Belew and Carlos Alomar, drummer Dennis...
Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay Special Basses Now Shipping
Earlier this year, Ernie Ball Music Man announced they were revamping their flagship Stingray bass. Now the Stingray Special is shipping. The model, which was originally released in 1976, has been reimagined with a host of new features while retaining its identity. The body has been contoured and the neck joint has been sculpted for improved access to the upper...
Maurizio Ūber Basses Introduces the Fretless-Only MūB-F Model
Maurizio Ūber Basses, aka MūB, has unveiled a new model called the MūB-F, a fretless-only bass they say was designed from the ground up to be “a true fretless bass as opposed to a bass without frets.” “A fretless bass is a different instrument. It is played differently, with more attention to nuances and subtleties, with fewer boundaries and a...
Unearthed John Coltrane Album Features Jimmy Garrison
In one of the most exciting discoveries in jazz, a new John Coltrane album has been unearthed and released as Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album. The recording comes from reference tapes kept by the saxophonist’s first wife that were cut in March of 1963. It features seven songs including two never-before-heard originals. Coltrane’s band on Both Directions is...
Blasko Launches New Podcast
If you’re into heavy metal, you’re going to want to listen to this. Blasko has a new podcast called “A New Level” that explores the genre by way of interviews with titans in the industry. The bassist, who has worked with Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie, Danzig and more, is also an artist manager and approaches the podcast with the idea...
Fender Introduces Flea Signature Jazz Bass Active Model
Fender used the Summer NAMM Show to unveil a host of new instruments, including a new signature bass with Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea. It’s his second bass with the company after they released a Jazz model two years ago. “Our artist signature active bass with Flea was designed to complement the Shell Pink Flea Jazz Bass — a...
The Melvins: Live at House of Strombo
We always like to say the only thing better than one bassist is two. The Melvins acted upon that notion with their latest album, Pinkus Abortion Technician, which features both Jeff Pinkus and Steven MacDonald. The band has also been touring with their two-bass configuration and luckily their set at the House of Strombo was captured on film. The band...