Bernhard Lackner Releases “Transition”
Austrian bassist Bernhard Lackner has released his fourth solo album entitled Transition. The album sprang from a time of change in the bassist’s life, who moved back to Europe after spending several years in the United States. “After living in the USA for about 7 years I moved back to Austria,” Lackner explained. “This move put me into a “transitional”...
IK Multimedia Announces iRig PRO Audio/MIDI Mobile Interface
IK Multimedia has announced the latest in their mobile musical interfaces, called the iRig PRO. The compact device allows for connecting audio and MIDI to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac with a combo XLR/1/4? input for connecting microphones, basses or guitars as well as inputs for MIDI controllers. The iRig PRO sports a single Gain knob and a low-noise preamp...
Bass of the Week: Rybski Wooten Woods Camp Bass
In 2010, extreme flooding left a trail of destruction across much of Tennessee including the area surrounding Nashville. Many musicians from all walks of life were affected by the natural disaster. Wooten Woods, Victor Wooten’s home base and teaching haven located near the Duck River, was temporarily overrun by water and had to be evacuated. Thankfully it was restored with...
Pat Bruders Quits Crowbar
Pat Bruders has quit the New Orleans sludge metal group Crowbar, according to a post on the band’s Facebook page. Bruders had been with the band since 2005 and was featured on the album Sever the Wicked Hand. “Pat Bruders has officially resigned as Crowbars bass player,” the band wrote. “Bring on all comers!!!” No replacement has been named, though...
The Replacements Reunite For First Concert in 22 Years
On Sunday, September 1st, The Replacements reunited to play their first concert together in 22 years. The band, anchored by original Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson and guitarist Paul Westerberg, performed a 23-song set at Riot Fest in Toronto along with drummer Josh Freese and guitarist David Minehan. “Sorry it took so long,” Westerberg said at the start of the show....
King’s X: We Were Born To Be Loved
Today we’re celebrating dUg Pinnick’s birthday with the live music video for the King’s X tune “We Were Born to Be Loved.” Taken from the DVD Pinnick lays out some tasty bass with his signature tone while feeding off the crowd’s energy.
Against Me! Names New Bassist
Against Me! have announced that The (International) Noise Conspiracy bassist Inge Johansson will be filling in on bass during the band’s upcoming tour in support of their recently completed album, Transgender Dysphoria Blues. The news came as a tweet from lead singer Laura Jane Grace’s Twitter account. When asked whether or not Johansson would be the band’s full-time bassist, she...
Jeff Ament Makes Appearance on “Sweet Relief III” Charity Album
Pearl Jam bassist and all-around good guy Jeff Ament is lending his playing talents to the new Sweet Relief III: Pennies from Heaven charity album. Ament joins Joseph Arthur for a cover of the Townes Van Zandt song “If I Needed You.” The album is a compilation of artists playing cover songs with appearances by She & Him, Jackson Browne,...
Paul McCartney Announces New Album, Releases First Single
Sir Paul McCartney has released a teaser to a brand new album to be released October 14th in the UK and October 15th in the US. New will be Macca’s first album of brand new solo material in six years and features 12 songs created with four producers for a varied sound. He’s posted the first single, “New,” on YouTube....
Murray Grodner Releases “A Double Bassist’s Guide to Refining Performance Practices”
Veteran double bassist Murray Grodner has just released his latest educational book, A Double Bassist’s Guide to Refining Performance Practices. Written as a guide for any bassist seeking a professional career, the book goes over many fine details of being a successful performer. The 168-page book is broken into five parts focusing on different aspects of playing. Part I addresses...
Fernando Molinari: “Taffontry 20mg” Country/Fusion Slap Bass
Yes, you read that right: Country/Fusion slap bass. Brazilian bassist Fernando Molinari posted this play-along of the song “Taffontry 20mg” from his album Identidade, which is kind of like a honky tonk song on speed. More of the fusion part of the equation comes out at 1:55 when Molinari plays some blazing tapping lines in unison with the guitar. I’m...
BC Bass Relay Raises Money For Cancer Research
Here’s another reason why the bass community is the best: bassists in the United Kingdom are donating to a good cause as part of the BC Bass Relay. Started in mid-January by James Ryan, a member of the online forum BassChat, the relay includes a single Stagg BC300 Fusion bass being used as a “baton” for gigs to raise money...