Ex-Deep Purple bassist announces autobiography
Former Deep Purple bassist and vocalist Glenn Hughes has announced he is releasing a new autobiography in 2010, which is yet to be titled. The book will be co-written by Joe McIver, and an introduction is to be written by Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich. “My autobiography is going to be a literary event,” says Hughes. “ I’ve been working on...
Fall Out Boy, Everytime I Die and Anthrax members form new band
A new super-group has formed, featuring members of the bands Fall Out Boy, Anthrax, and Every Time I Die. The band, the Damned Things, includes Anthrax’s Scott Ian and Rob Caggiano, Every Time I Die’s Keith Buckley for vocals, and guitarist Joe Trohman and drummer Andy Hurley of Fall Out Boy. The group will not be featuring Fall Out Boy’s...
Jazz bass well represented at 2010 Grammys
The bass community will be well represented in the 2010 Grammy category of “Best Jazz Instrumental Album.” Among the nominees are the John Patitucci Trio, for his newest album Remembrance, and the Clayton Brothers (featuring the legendary John Clayton) for their Brother to Brother album. Also in the running is Live by the Five Peace Band, led by Chick Corea...
Esperanza Spalding to join McCoy Tyner for New Year’s performance
Esperanza Spalding will be joining legendary jazz pianist McCoy Tyner, along with Ravi Coltrane and Francisco Mela for a run of six nights, including New Years Eve, at Yoshi’s in Oakland. Tyner rose to fame as a member of John Coltrane’s quartet and has been a staple of the jazz community ever since. Spalding, who is the youngest professor ever...
Bootsy Collins gives back for Thanksgiving
Funk legend Bootsy Collins celebrated Thanksgiving this year by giving back to his community of Walnut Hills in Cincinnati, Ohio. He spent Wednesday afternoon at a local Kroger supermarket signing autographs and hosting a free raffle for gift baskets of food and turkeys. “We wanted to give back to the community in which I grew up in,” Bootsy explained. “I...
Mark Hoppus could produce your band’s next track
Mark Hoppus of Blink 182 is donating eight hours of studio time and his producing skills to the highest bidder at his auction sponsored on Charitybuzz.com. The winner of the auction gets to be produced by Hoppus and Chris Holmes in Hoppus’ California based studio Opera Music, which has been used recently by artists such as Blink 182, Eminem, New...
Nickelback confirms 2010 Dark Horse tour dates
The Grammy-nominated rockers of Nickelback have confirmed tour dates for the North American leg of their 2010 tour in support of their latest album, Dark Horse. The band will be touring with guests Breaking Benjamin and Shinedown as well. Nickelback’s bassist, Mike Kroeger, the brother of lead singer and guitarist Chad Kroeger, is the one who came up with the...
The Strokes planning new studio album
Bassist Nikolai Fraiture has announced that the Strokes are heading back into the studio. The news came via his Nickel Eye Twitter account: “While the guys are in L.A., I went to scout some studios in NYC with [Strokes manager] Ryan [Gentles] today for what looks like Jan. recording.” This will be the first new Strokes album in three years,...
Gear Watch: jamLink Internet Audio Interface
MusicianLink has released the jamLink, an audio interface that uses the internet to allow musicians to play in sync from different locations, no matter how far apart they are. The jamLink works with pretty much any instrument or microphone that has a 1/4” output, so you can plug in and jam with guitarists, singers, or other bassists across the country...
Name Freekbass’s new group and win guest tickets to their shows
The ever-funky Freekbass has formed a new project with DJ Logic and keyboardist Steve Molitz after the trio had a jam session over the summer in PA’s Church of Universal Love and Music. The group has yet to give themselves a name, and is asking fans to tweet their ideas for band names at DJ Logic’s or Freekbass’s Twitter pages....
RIP Jeff Clyne
Jeff Clyne, one of the best jazz bassists to come out of the UK, passed away on November 16th of a heart attack. Clyne, who was 72, broke onto the scene in the 1950’s, and in 1958 joined Tubby Hayes’ band, the Jazz Couriers. In 1965, Clyne played on Stan Tracey’s classic album “Under Milk Wood,” and later became a...
Geddy Lee to judge Canada’s finest food
Rush bassist and lead singer Geddy Lee will be judging at the “Gold Medal Plates,” a Canadian chef cook-off, today in Toronto. Gold Medal Plates is self-described as the “ultimate celebration of Canadian Excellence in cuisine, wine, entertainment, and athletic achievement.” Founded in 2003, the organization’s goal is to raise money for Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes. So far, the...