Stone Temple Pilots Release Second Self-Titled Album
Stone Temple Pilots are back with their first album since 2010’s self-titled release. Their new album, also self-titled, is the first to feature new lead singer Jeff Gutt, who fills the shoes of the late Scott Weiland and Chester Bennington. Of course, the album is anchored by the creative bass lines of Robert DeLeo. The bassist was first introduced to...
OnkartGromt Unveils Three New Bass Pedals
Norway’s OnkartGromt has expanded their pedal lineup for bassists with three new models: the FunkyFellow envelope filter, the TurboTore EQ, and the Tremolando tremolo. Each of the pedals is fitted with a unique OLED screen that gives a visual representation of the effect’s parameters. In the case of the FunkyFellow, the screen shows the frequency response live. The filter has...
Bass To Infinity: An Interview with Buster Williams
With nearly six decades in the business, Buster Williams has just about seen it all. He’s worked with some of the world’s best instrumentalists (Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Sonny Stitt, and Gene Ammons to name a few) and the world’s best vocalists (Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan, Dakota Staton, and Carmen McRae, to name a few). As you can imagine, he’s...
Peter Hook & The Light Announce 2018 Substance Tour
At the end of 2016, Peter Hook & The Light embarked on a North American tour to perform Joy Division and New Order’s legendary Factory Records compilation albums “Substance” live, sequentially and in their entireties. Now they’re bringing it back for another round of tour dates from April to June. Hook, who shares bass duties with his son Jack Bates,...
Warwick Unveils 2018 Limited Edition Masterbuilt and Teambuilt Basses
Every year, Warwick produces a limited edition bass from their custom shop. This year they’re also releasing a Pro Series Teambuilt limited edition model. The Warwick Streamer Stage I LTD 2018 is part of their Custom Shop Masterbuilt Limited Edition basses. Available in four of five-string versions, the bass is built with a swamp ash body topped with a 1-inch...
Mud Morgenfield Releases “They Call Me Mud”
Mud Morganfield has returned with a new album entitled They Call Me Mud. The son of blues icon Muddy Waters, Morganfield draws heavily on the Chicago blues sound while mixing in classic R&B. “Certainly, there will be comparisons to his dad, but that can be expected and rightly so,” co-producer Rick Keher explains. “Mud comes as close to the Muddy...
Tsakalis AudioWorks Introduces Phonkify and Galactic Pedals
Tsakalis AudioWorks has released two new pedals: the Phonkify envelope filter and the Galactic multi-modulation pedal. As with all of their units, each of the pedals are handmade in Greece. The Phonkify is inspired by funk and soul music from the 60’s and 70’s. “[It has] two modes of juicy envelope filter (Smooth & Nasty) which turns into wah at...
Jimi Hendrix, Noel Redding, and Billy Cox Play Bass on “Both Sides of the Sky”
Even 48 years after his untimely passing, there’s still music being uncovered from the Jimi Hendrix vault. Both Sides of the Sky is a new album featuring 13 studio recordings, ten of which have never been released. The album is described as “completing a trilogy of albums [with Valleys Of Neptune and People, Hell & Angels] presenting the best and...
Fender Adds Bluetooth Streaming to Rumble Series Amps
Fender updated their Rumble V3 Series of bass amps with the Rumble Studio 40 and the Rumble Stage 800. The new amps bring the same wireless capabilities and presets as their Mustang GT guitar amplifiers to bass players in 40-watt and 800-watt packages. “The amplifiers are also compatible with the free Fender Tone app,” Fender says, “making it easier than...
Suicidal Tendencies Release “Get Your Fight On” EP
Suicidal Tendencies has followed up their 2016 album World Gone Mad with a new 10-track EP called Get Your Fight On. It has six new recordings (featuring drummer Dave Lombardo) plus the original version of the single “Get Your Fight On” from World Gone Mad with three additional versions: an acoustic version with Travis Barker on drums, an instrumental guitar...
Bass of the Week: Universum Guitars Epsilon UJ4
This week we’re checking out the Universum Guitars Epsilon UJ4, a unique bass that blends several design elements. Built in Ukraine, it has a unique, conch-like soundhole created using Golden Ratio principles. The body is built using sycamore maple with flamed and carved figured maple for the top. Its seven-piece neck is constructed of flamed sycamore maple and walnut, while...
Between The Buried And Me Release “Automata I”
Prog-metal band Between the Buried and Me have returned with Automata I, the first of a two-part concept album. The band explores the idea of being able to view the dreams of others. “What if dreams could be broadcast for the purpose of entertainment?” asks vocalist Tommy Rogers. “Could you consume the innermost thoughts of another person on screen? If...