Napalm Death Releases “Coded Smears and More Uncommon Slurs”
Grindcore masters Napalm Death have compiled 31 songs for an album called Coded Smears and More Uncommon Slurs. Taken from tracks recorded between 2004 and 2016, the compilation brings together rarities and exclusive songs for over 90 minutes of music. Bassist Shane Embury spoke on the album earlier this year. “We can’t believe how much we have achieved in support...
System Of A Down Announces 2018 Tour Dates
After teasing the news on Facebook, System of a Down has announced they will be returning to the stage in 2018. The band, anchored by Shavo Odadjian, will be playing at least five shows this October including a headlining spot on the Aftershock Festival. Three of the other dates include support from At The Drive In and Skeleton Witch, while...
Hiwatt Unveils DR401 400w Bass Head at MusikMesse
Hiwatt was on hand at this year’s Musikmesse to unveil the DR401, which they declare as the “most powerful all-tube bass amp in the world.” The tube head features three ECC83’s and one ECC81 in the preamp with a whopping eight KT88’s in the power section to produce 580 watts RMS before clipping. Custom made in England, the amp has...
Joanna Dudkowska: Bach Cello Suite No. 1, I. Prelude
We’ve seen plenty of bassists tackle Bach’s Prelude to the first Cello Suite, but never quite like this. Polish bassist Joanna Dudkowska produced this video performing the iconic piece in her many personas. “The film presents four of my various music personalities,” she shares. “I work as a session musician in Poland. I wanted to show the work of session...
Peter Erskine and the Dr. Um Band Release “On Call”
Peter Erskine and his Dr. Um band are back at it, and this time they’re “On Call”. The new double album features a CD of studio recordings plus a CD of a live performance in Ochiobello, Italy on July 30, 2017. The former Weather Report drummer’s band once again includes pianist John Beasley, saxophonist Bob Sheppard, and bassist Benjamin Shepherd....
Leland Sklar Joins Judith Owen for Spring Tour
Singer-songwriter Judith Owen has announced a new spring tour in support of her upcoming album redisCOVERed, which will feature reworked songs ranging from Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water” to Drake’s “Hotline Bling”. The trek will once again be anchored by Owen’s friend and bass legend, Leland Sklar. “Of course I’ll be touring from here on out with my ‘main...
Darkglass Electronics Unveils Darkglass VST Plugin by Neural DSP
Darkglass Electronics has partnered with Neural DSP Technologies to create the Darkglass Ultra VST Plugin. “We have spent the past 6 months developing circuit modeling and digital signal processing techniques,” Darkglass’s Franco Azocar explains. “Partnering with Neural DSP, our first product is a plugin modeled on Darkglass’ Ultra pedal series.” The plugin models the Darkglass Microtubes Vintage and B7K Ultra...
Two Bass Hit: An Interview with Jeff Pinkus and Steven McDonald
The Melvins have followed up last year’s double album, A Walk with Love & Death, with a double bass album. features both Steven McDonald and Jeff Pinkus laying down the low end on original tunes plus some outstanding covers. The album title is a riff on the name of a record by the Butthole Surfers, with whom Pinkus was a...
Flea’s Memoirs Available for Preorder
Four years ago, we reported that Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea was working on an autobiography. Now the influential bassist’s book has a title and a release date. Acid For the Children will be released on September 25th via Grand Central Publishing and will cover Flea’s upbringing, the trials and triumphs of the Chili Peppers, and his experiences with...
Gruv Gear Unveils David Ellefson “Recoil” Signature Strap
Gruv Gear has announced a new model to their signature strap series by way of a collaboration with Megadeth bassist David Ellefson. The Recoil was designed and developed with the bassist and approved by bass health expert Dr. Randall Kertz. “Based on Gruv Gear’s popular SoloStrap Neo, this exclusive new design features unique front and back adjustments for optimal positioning,...
Rockboard Announces Cinque Pedalboards for 2018
After revamping the 2018 Rockboard series of pedalboards, Warwick’s W-Music Distribution has announced the Cinque 5.2, Cinque 5.3, and Cinque 5.4 boards. The largest of the series, the models carry the same features including U-shaped vertical support braces and a streamlined frame design. “Based on only one folded cold-rolled aluminum sheet for the board frame, this design needs no welded...
Former Spinal Tap Bassist Derek Smalls Solo Album Now Available
Finally, the wait is over. Spinal Tap bassist Derek Smalls has released his debut solo album, entitled Smalls Change (Meditations Upon Ageing). The bassist, portrayed by Harry Shearer, tapped an incredible roster of musicians for the album including Peter Frampton, Donald Fagen, Dweezil Zappa, Rick Wakeman, Richard Thompson, Steve Lukather, Joe Satriani, Waddy Wachtel, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Paul Shaffer, Steve...