Bootsy Collins: Psychoticbumpschool, Live in Houston 1976
Prepare to get funky. Here’s a ridiculously awesome clip of Bootsy Collins and his Rubber Band live in Houston, Texas in 1976 – the same year Stretchin’ Out In Bootsy’s Rubber Band came out. The energy in this song is off the wall, and it’s non-stop funkin’ for ten minutes.
Kathy Valentine Splits from the Go-Go’s
Longtime Go-Go’s bassist Kathy Valentine has left the band she’s been a part of for more than 30 years. “The Go-Go’s have parted ways with bassist Kathy Valentine, citing irreconcilable differences,” the band said in a statement. “The rest of the lineup, original since 1979 (Belinda Carlisle, Charlotte Caffey, Gina Schock and Jane Wiedlin) remains intact. The band looks forward...
Bass of the Week: CallowHill Guitars MDM
This week we check out the CallowHill Guitars’ flagship bass, the MDM. The MDM was born out of three separate instrument models, and eventually evolved into a single model with several options. The MDM is offered in 5- and 6-string versions with standard features including lightweight swamp ash bodies, Nordstrand pickups and a fully passive wiring stage with a modified...
Ibanez Refreshes Artcore Series Basses
Ibanez has updated their Artcore series of basses with the AGB205 and the AFB200SRD. As part of the Artcore line, the acoustic/electric basses follow vintage aesthetic and sport 30.3″ scales. The AFB200SRD is built constructed with a 3-piece maple/mahogany neck, a maple body, and a bound rosewood fingerboard. It offers a new Sunset Red finish and a newly designed pickguard....
Kyle Eastwood Releases “The View From Here”
Kyle Eastwood has released his sixth album as a band leader, entitled The View From Here. The effort comes 15 years after his solo debut, From There To Here, and serves as a sonic representation of his experiences and perspectives. “View From Here is a good bookend to my first album and also reflects that we are looking at a...
Warwick Releases Limited Edition Thumb BO LTD 2013
Warwick’s limited edition bass this year is the Thumb BO LTD 2013, an upgraded version of the company’s existing model. Available in 4- and 5-string versions, the new model features bolt-on construction and is crafted from FSC certified woods. The Thumb BO LTD 2013 is built with a US Swamp Ash body topped with Vavona Burl with a matching headstock....
AMT Releases S26i Removable Tail Piece Mounted Acoustic Bass Microphone System
Applied Microphone Technology has released the S26i, a new microphone mounting system for acoustic bass. Designed and manufactured in the USA, the system is the company’s second generation system that hooks onto the tail piece. “The S26i is really our 2nd tail piece mounting system,” the company explains. “The original was intended for the player that wanted to leave the...
Esperanza Spalding Announces Radio Music Society 2013 Tour
Esperanza Spalding has announced dates for her Radio Music Society 2013 Tour, which will cover parts of Asia and the Americas. The tour starts March 13th at the Mosaic Festival in Singapore before heading to Hong Kong and Japan. Then she’ll head to Canada and the United States for a lengthy tour through August. Spalding will be breaking up the...
Peavey Unveils Michael Anthony Signature VB-MA Bass Amp
Peavey is upping their heavy duty amp offerings with the Michael Anthony Signature VB-MA bass amplifier, which the company unveiled at NAMM this year. The former Van Halen/current Chickenfoot bassist’s new rig came about after road-testing Peavey’s VB-3 and offering personal suggestions to the design. The VB-MA is a 300-watt all-tube head that weighs in at 38 pounds. Similar to...
Bass of the Week: F Bass BNF Fretless
The F Bass BNF is a fretless version of their BN model that the company says offers a “traditional fretless tone.” Available in 4-, 5- and 6-string versions, the BNF features a sleek Gabon ebony fingerboard, a 3-piece quartersawn maple neck, and a body constructed of a maple center block and ash wings. Its pickups are a pair of stacked,...
Stories Behind the Songs: Leland Sklar
With over 2,500 albums under his belt, Leland Sklar is more than a seasoned pro. He’s a legend. A staple of L.A. studio scene, Sklar put his stamp on music of all genres for over four decades with artists like James Taylor, Reba McEntire, Billy Cobham, Phil Collins, and more. The bassist is lovingly referred to as the “King of...
Bassic Basslines: A Guide to Building Basslines Using Common Chord Progressions
Bassist Lynne Davis has published her first instructional ebook, Bassic Basslines: A Guide to Building Basslines Using Common Chord Progressions. Available on iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch platforms, the book is designed to give students lessons on basic music theory and bass technique to apply them to a variety of musical situations. The 75-page book includes examples written in both...