Suicidal Tendencies’ Thundercat Releases “Golden Age of Apocalypse”
Stephen Bruner, aka Thundercat, has released his debut solo album, Golden Age of Apocalypse. The versatile bassist, who is a full-time member of Suicidal Tendencies, shows his jazz and neo-soul sides on the 13-track collection, which was produced by his cohort Flying Lotus. Including his cover of George Duke’s “For Love I Come,” the songs all include phenomenal bass playing...
The Red Hot Chili Peppers Release “I’m With You”
The wait is over. After a period of downtime and personnel change, the Red Hot Chili Peppers have released I’m With You, their first album in five years, and tenth overall. I’m With You is also the first to feature guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, who replaces longtime guitarist John Frusciante. “It’s not like we just got another musician,” bassist Flea said....
Meshell Ndegeocello Announces New Album, Free Track
Meshell Ndegeocello has announced that she will be dropping her ninth studio album on November 8th on Naïve Records. Weather will be the follow up to the bassist/songwriter’s 2009 album Devil’s Halo. A preview track called “Dirty World” is available for streaming and download. Recorded in Los Angeles, the album was produced by Joe Henry and features special guests Chris...
Vanderkley Amplification Unveils 212MNT NeoLite Cabinet
Vanderkley Amplification has announced a new addition to their NeoLite series of bass cabinets: The 212MNT. Loaded with two 12″ Neodymium drivers and 1″ compression tweeter, the cab pumps out 600W RMS at 4 ohms. As with the other NeoLite enclosures, the 212MNT is built with void free birch and poplar plywood with dowelled joint construction and internal bracing. The...
Victor Wooten Announces Three Camps to Wrap Up 2011 Season
The last three of Victor Wooten’s camps for the 2011 season take place September, including the second Bass/Nature Camp of the year. The camps, which are for musicians of all ages and skill levels, also include a Jam Weekend and “Spirit of Music” Camp that will feature holistic musicality training with Vic and special guest Daniel Levitin, author of This...
Bryan Beller Band Announces West Coast Tour
After wrapping up a 13-date trek with the Aristocrats, Bryan Beller will be taking his band on the road with the Mike Keneally band on a tour of California, Washington and Oregon. It will be the Bryan Beller band’s first West Coast tour. The outing will be similar of Keneally’s and Beller’s “They’re Both the Same Band” tour of 2010,...
Squier Releases Vintage Modified Mustang Bass
Squier has grown their Vintage Modified line with the introduction of a new take on Fender’s mid-60s Mustang bass. Staying true to the original, the Vintage Modified Mustang features a 30″ scale, 19 frets and comes in black or three-color sunburst finishes. The bolt-on constructed bass has a basswood body with a maple neck and fingerboard, while the pickup has...
Owen Biddle Leaves The Roots
Owen Biddle will be leaving the Roots in order to pursue his own project, Mister Barrington. The bassist, who joined the band in 2007 and has been seen with them on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon since 2009, confirmed the change on his Twitter account. “Thanks for all the love guys. It’s true!” Biddle tweeted. “I’m starting a new chapter...
Queen: Dragon Attack Live with John Deacon (1982)
Here’s a clip from Queen’s 1982 performance in Canada, released on the 2007 DVD Queen Rock Montreal. Bassist John Deacon holds down catchy riff on his Fender P-bass while the band jams out a heavy groove.
Bass of the Week: Little Guitar Works Torzal Standard
With time comes innovation, and for bass players, it means lighter rigs, improved effects pedals, and ergonomic basses. The Little Guitar Works Torzal Bass is a prime example of that progressive ideology. The customizable bass features your choice of woods and pickups, but the real “Twist” is in the neck. Literally. Developed in the mid-90s as a response to players...
Custom Shop: Birdsong Guitars
Founded in 2004, Birdsong Guitars is a company with a distinct reputation for excellent short-scale basses – one that founder Scott Beckwith prides himself on. After getting his start building in the late ’90s, Beckwith set up shop in Texas where he has been honing his craft with the aid of his wife and other luthiers. Most recently he revived...
Mark Dresser and Jen Shyu Release Synastry
Avant-garde jazz bassist/composer Mark Dresser has teamed up with vocalist Jen Shyu to release Synastry, an intimate duo album that explores the possibilities of jazz bass and voice. Shyu, who sings in English, Mandarin and Vocalese on the record, says their chemistry is part of what makes the project so special. “When Mark and I did our first session, we...