Between The Buried and Me Releases “The Parallax II: Future Sequence”
Prog-metal outfit Between the Buried and Me has followed up last year’s Parallax EP with the release of Parallax II: Future Sequence. The full-length album continues the concept of its predecessor with two main characters how take a journey through space and time to cure the flaws of humanity. “While the EP served mostly as an introduction to the characters,...
Red Hot Chili Peppers: “If You Have To Ask,” Live at Rock In Rio 2001
To help celebrate Flea’s birthday today, we’re featuring this great version of the Chili Peppers’ “If You Have To Ask” at 2001’s Rock in Rio Festival. Flea’s got his funk in full gear, laying down a fat groove for the verse and bringing out more of his Parliament influence during the chorus. The song wraps up in a bass solo...
KISS Releases 20th Studio Album, Monster
Get out your axe and face paint: KISS is back with their 20th studio album, entitled Monster. Anchored by the outspoken Gene Simmons, the effort is their second with the lineup of singer Paul Stanley, lead guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer. The band kept things old school by recording to tape and keeping things simple. Likening the new...
In Memoriam: B.B. Cunningham
Bassist B.B. Cunningham has died after a shooting at an apartment complex where he was working as a security guard. He was 70 years old. A versatile musician, Cunningham was the lead singer for ’60s group The Hombres and penned their hit “Let It Out (Let It All Hang Out)” before becoming a session player in the Memphis area where...
Bass Player Live! 2012
Bass Player Magazine’s annual exhibition Bass Player Live! is set to take place October 20th and 21st at SIR Studios and the Key Club in Los Angeles, California. The event brings guest artists to present clinics and concerts as well as exhibits from bass-centric companies. The highlight of weekend is the presentation of this year’s “Lifetime Achievement Award,” which will...
Gibson Unveils New EB Bass
In 1953, Gibson took its first step into the electric bass market with the EB-1, eventually releasing several models to follow musical trends. Now, the company has unveiled the EB Bass, a brand new model that they say blends tradition and innovation to create a versatile voice for the modern bassist. The EB Bass’s body is a derivative of the...
Traveler Guitar Introduces MI-10 Mobile Interface
Traveler Guitar has gotten into the mobile interface market with the MI-10, a device that connects your bass or guitar to your iOS device. Once connected, you can use your mobile device as a tuner, effects unit, recorder, and more by using various apps. The MI-10 has a 1/4? input for your bass and a 1/8? TRRS stereo plug for...
FM Cables Launches FM Pro Silent and FM Pro Standard Cables
UK-based manufacturer FM Cables has launched their FM Pro Silent and FM Pro Standard Series cables. Designed and manufactured in the UK, the cables feature a 2-core cable made from high-grade copper covered with a hard-wearing transparent PVC jacket. The Pro Silent Series is set apart by utilizing Neutrik’s silentPLUG connectors, which automatically mute the cable when changing instruments. The...
Bass of the Week: Pavel Musical Instruments Aryel
This week we take a look at Pavel Musical Instrument’s flagship singlecut bass, the Aryel. Described as the “Roaring Lion” of basses, the bass’s upper horn section connects to the neck at the 12th fret, which the company says adds more tone transmission to the body. The Aryel is hand-built to order in Texas and comes in Deluxe and Signature...
What Makes A Great Bassist? Part 2: Expressing Yourself
With all the things to work on to improve ourselves, it’s easy to lose sight of why we play bass. That’s why we’ve been polling famous bassists and the community at large on what they think makes a great bassist. (Be sure to check out What Makes a Great Bassist? Part 1: Playing for the Song). For part two of...
Killswitch Engage Celebrates Album’s 10th Anniversary with Tour
Killswitch Engage is celebrating the 10th anniversary of their breakthrough album Alive or Just Breathing with a U.S. tour during which they’ll play the album in its entirety. The 20-date tour will feature support from Shadows Fall and Acaro. Anchored by bassist Mike D’Antonio, the group recently reenlisted their original singer Jesse Leach, who sang on the 2002 effort but...
Manne Guitars Introduces VibraBass
Italian boutique builder Manne Guitars has expanded their bass offerings with the VibraBass. Inspired by the AcoustiVibe guitar, the new bass features a fully chambered body made of Korina with an Italian poplar burl top, a maple/beech laminate neck, and a thin, hard resin fingerboard. Besides a magnetic single coil pickup mounted in the bass’s sound plate, the VibraBass is...