Track by Track: Janek Gwizdala Talks “Theatre by the Sea”
Janek Gwizdala is staying ahead of his goal of putting out an album every year with the release of Theatre by the Sea. His third record in 18 months, the album features nine tracks of the bassist’s own compositions and lush arrangements performed by a host of heavyweight musicians including Peter Erskine, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker and more. Gwizdala wrote...
Diego Zecharies: Anderson’s Capriccio No. 2
Here’s an awesome video of Uruguayan bassist Diego Zecharies playing David Anderson’s Capriccio No. 2 for solo double bass. His rich, thick tone and intensity make the piece sound like it’s played by a full ensemble. Bravo!
Höfner Debuts “Cavern” Versions of Contemporary and Ignition Violin Basses
Höfner has introduced new “Cavern” versions of their Contemporary and Ignition Series Violin basses at the 2013 Musikmesse in Frankfurt last week. The pickups on the new models are positioned closely together and towards the neck in the Cavern style, similar to Paul McCartney’s original 1961 bass. Each of the entry level basses will be built with the same specifications...
D Tr3o: “Stratus” Monster Fusion Jam, Featuring Dave Marks
Dave Marks sent us this killer video from one of his fusion gigs, where the band lays into the classic Billy Cobham track “Stratus.” Marks locks into the groove (originally played by Lee Sklar) before the band stretches out for some jams. The bassist then takes a spacey solo at the 8:55 mark, eventually whipping the group into a frenzy...
The Rolling Stones Announce 2013 “50 and Counting” Tour Dates
After playing a handful of shows at the end of last year, The Rolling Stones are continuing to celebrate their 50 years together with new “50 and Counting” tour dates. The trek kicks off May 2nd at the Staples Center in Los Angeles before making its way across the U.S. with a few Canadian dates and skipping across the pond...
Digitech Announces JamMan Express XT Looping Pedal
Digitech has expanded their looping pedal lineup with introduction of the JamMan Express XT, a pared down pedal built for simplicity. The pedal sports one knob for adjusting the loop level with a footswitch for controlling the looping process. Three colored LEDs display what mode you’re in – Record, Dub, or Play – which are toggled by stepping on the...
B2Men: Bass and Voice Cover of Sting’s “Shape of My Heart”
Bassist Viktor Lorincz has a great duo with László Peck called B2Men. The two are best friends and grew up together, so naturally they got into music together. Here’s a cool version of Sting’s “Shape of My Heart” featuring the duo on bass and voice.
Paul McCartney Announces 2013 “Out There” U.S. Tour Dates
Paul McCartney has added several U.S. stops to his 2013 “Out There” tour. The trek will stop at seven cities, including McCartney’s first ever concert in Austin, Texas. Macca’s “Out There” performances will be packed with nearly three hours of songs from the bassist’s career from the Beatles to Wings to his solo work. His band consists of keyboardist Paul...
Waterstone Honors Jackson Pollock with Studio Bass
Waterstone Musical Instruments is honoring the work of Jackson Pollock with a new line of guitars and basses named after the influential abstract artist. The instruments feature an abstract finish inspired by the floors of Jackson Pollock’s studio. “Pollock’s studio was a converted barn, where he spread his canvas out flat and danced around it, using rhythmic gestures to apply...
In Memoriam: Chi Cheng
The bass community has lost another great player as former Deftones bassist Chi Cheng has passed away after a five year fight for his life. Cheng was in a car accident in 2008 in Santa Clara, California that left him in a coma. Though he had been showing signs of improvement the past two years, he succumbed to heart related...
Fender Unveils Cabronita Precision Bass
Fender has announced the Cabronita Precision bass, a take on their original bass model with a flair from their Cabronita series. The bass sports an alder body that comes in 2-color sunburst, black, or Candy Apple Red. The Cabronita Precision Bass is fitted with a single FideliTron humbucking bass pickup with classic Volume and Tone controls. Its maple neck has...
Ashdown Introduces Dr. Green Series Bass Effects Pedals
Ashdown has introduced the Dr. Green series to their lineup of bass effects pedals. The lineup includes five effects: the Octa Dose (Octaver), the Bearded Lady (Fuzz), the Doctor’s Note (Envelope Filter), Bass Verb (Reverb), and the Aspirin (Compressor). Handmade in the UK, the pedals are housed in steel stompboxes and feature true bypass. Ashdown Dr. Green Octa Dose Bass...