Muse Announces More World Tour Dates
After being nominated for two Grammy awards earlier this month, Muse has announced further tour dates for the remainder of 2012 and a good portion of 2013. The band released The 2nd Law in October and has concerts lined up across the globe through July of next year in support of the album. Newly announced shows include a third night...
Marcus Miller Checks In Following Tour Bus Crash
Marcus Miller has posted an update on Facebook for the first time since his tour bus crash in Switzerland two weeks ago. His manager Bibi Green had been keeping everyone updated, but the post was the bassist’s own reassurance of his safety. “I’m seriously humbled by the outpouring of love, concern, positive energy and prayers we’ve received since the accident...
Willy González & Micaela Vita: Romance de Barrio
Here’s another gorgeous video from my favorite Argentinian duo, Willy González and Micaela Vita. Recorded April 20, 2011 at La Oreja Negra in Buenos Aires, the duo tackle “Romance de Barrio” with incredible sensitivity and passion. González is playing an acoustic 6-string made by luthier Paul Batan.
Gryphon Labs: Pete Griffin Plays Through “Cornelius Drives a Truck”
Here’s a sweet video of bassist Pete Griffin playing along with the track “Cornelius Drives a Truck.” The song comes from the debut album of Griffin’s band, Gryphon Labs. Griffin, who was a member of Zappa Plays Zappa and recently sat in with Dethklok, utilizes lots of cool techniques while keeping it musical. For the gear heads, the bass is...
Bass of the Week: Gus Guitars G3
The Gus Guitars G3 is an awesome bass with futuristic aesthetic. First introduced as a 4-string model in 1996, the G3 follows the company’s G1 guitar and is constructed using a special carbon fiber over cedar technique for the body with chrome plated aluminum tube for the horns. While the features are extraordinary, they’re far from arbitrary. Gus Guitars proprietor...
Mastodon: “Black Tongue” Live on Jools Holland
Mastodon is one of my favorite bands to see live, mostly due to bassist/vocalist Troy Sanders’ incredible, raw energy and beastly tone. Here’s a great clip of the group on Later… with Jools Holland, performing “Black Tongue” from The Hunter.
Demeter Introduces VTBP-201-800D and HBP-1-800D Powered Preamplifiers
Demeter Amplification has introduced VTBP-201-800D and HBP-1-800D, a pair of powered preamplifiers that take the company’s existing HBP-1 and VTBP-201 bass preamps and match them with 800 Watt Class D amplifiers. The units feature Jensen transformers to completely isolate the pre and power amp sections, which they say allow for noiseless operation. The preamp can also still be used on...
Spector Adds NS-5 Bass to USA Neck Thru Series
Spector has reintroduced the NS-5 to their USA Neck-Thru Series of basses. First made between 1987 and 1990 during the company’s Kramer era, the new NS-5 retains the same features while offering current Spector build options. Its neck is a 3-piece laminate of Rock Maple fitted with AAAA figured maple body wings or optional exotic top wings (Buckeye Burl shown)....
Brotherly Love: An Interview with John Clayton
Few names are as ubiquitous in the jazz community as John Clayton. As a prominent bassist, arranger, and composer, Clayton’s incredible musicianship has kept him busy since he was a teen with artists like Henry Mancini, Quincy Jones, Queen Latifah, DeeDee Bridgwater, and Dr. John, just to name a few. Most recently he collaborated with Paul McCartney for Macca’s Kisses...
Jayme Lewis Releases Christmas EP
The holidays will be getting a little funkier with the release of Merry Christmas from the Jayme Lewis Band. The four-song EP is the bassist’s offering to spread a little cheer. “We through this fun little project together for you to enjoy this holiday season!” Lewis wrote. “We hope you like these classic Christmas tunes that we took a few...
Tom Hemby Band, Featuring Adam Nitti: “Greasy G”
Adam Nitti recently shared this video on his Facebook page from a concert with the Tom Hemby Band at Nashville’s Third & Lindsley. Nitti and drummer Keith Carlock add all the grease to the tune with a laid back yet compelling groove. The rest of the band is filled out by guitarist Hemby, saxophonist Mark Douthit and keyboardist Michael Whittaker.
NoahJames Guitars Introduces JENZ Bass Machine Heads
NoahJames Guitars has introduced JENZ Machine Heads, a new type of bass tuning machine that the company says alleviates several issues in bass guitar design by the string to anchor at the lowest point on the machine head post. The channel automatically wraps the string neatly to avoid sticking and slippage from winding error. It also removes tension from the...