New Steve Harris Book Released
A new book, entitled Steve Harris – The Clairvoyant, has been released in part by MaidenCroatia.com, one of the largest Iron Maiden fan sites. Written by Stipe Juras, the book tells the bassist’s story through interviews with his friends and acquaintances, but it’s not a traditional biography. “This is the story of Steve Harris, bass player and founder of Iron...
Gerald Veasley Releases Electric Mingus Project
Gerald Veasley has a new album out, one he calls a “re-imagination” of well-known tunes written by acclaimed jazz composer and bassist Charles Mingus. Electric Mingus Project features songs ranging from “Haitian Fight Song” to “Boogie Stop Shuffle”, and performed using instruments such as the EVI (Electronic Valve Instrument) and EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument). Veasley says the album isn’t just...
Lee Rocker Releases The Cover Sessions EP
Former Stray Cats bassist Lee Rocker has just released The Cover Sessions, a six track EP of songs he grew up listening to ranging from the Beatles’ “Come Together” to the Allman Brothers hit, “Ramblin’ Man.” In an interview with OC Weekly, Rocker explained how the project came about. “The story behind [the] EP is that over the past few...
Spector Introduces Legend 4X Classic Bass
Spector has expanded their Professional Series with the introduction of the Legend 4X Classic. All the features of the new X model are the same as the original Legend 4 Classic, with the exception of a new body shape. The X strays from the NS-Bass design that the company is known for and dives into a more classic rock style....
ESP Revamps LTD Surveyor Basses
ESP has revamped their LTD Surveyor basses. The bolt-on constructed basses feature an ash body and maple neck, with new additions including white binding on the fingerboard and pearloid block inlays. The fingerboard wood depends which of the three finishes you pick. The Black and Three Tone Burst finishes have rosewood fingerboards, whereas a maple fingerboard accents the Snow White...
Mastodon Releases Live Package, Working on New Album
Mastodon has released Live At The Aragon, a CD/DVD set that marks the band’s first live performance package. The record captures the band’s October 2009 show at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago and includes them playing the entirety of their Crack the Skye album as well as earlier fan favorite songs and a cover of the “The Bit” by The...
RIP Jet Harris
UK bass pioneer Terence “Jet” Harris has passed away at the age of 71, after a two-year battle with cancer. Harris is often credited as being the first British bass guitarist, and was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by Fender for popularizing the instrument in Britain. Harris’s career includes several hits with the instrumental group the Shadows in the late...
Markbass Announces MoMark MVVL-HE Master Module
Markbass continues their new product announcements for 2011 with the introduction of the MVVL-HE Master module. The MVVL-HE Master is designed to fit into any MoMark amp chassis, features a master volume control, the Markbass VLE and VPF filters, and a Line Out level control. The circuitry is gold-plated in addition to all high level components, which Markbass says makes...
Carl Martin Releases Classic Optical Envelope Pedal
Carl Martin has released a new stompbox to their lineup, the Classic Optical Envelope. The effects company explains it is “essentially a classic envelope filter (auto-wah)” for bass or guitar with some extra tweak-ability. The pedal includes two foot switches, the first being for activating the effects, and the second for switching between modes. The pedal operates in three modes...
Custom Shop: LeCompte Electric Basses
Based out of the Houston, Texas area, Bud LeCompte has been building basses since 2004, after acquiring a technical background and inheriting a plethora of woodworking tools. Having been interested bass playing and drawing since his teenage years, LeCompte’s designs vary from paying homage to classic instruments to unique shapes and lines that defy that same tradition. In this installment...
Pierluigi Balducci: Tully More Song
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, here’s a fun clip of Pierluigi Balducci playing his Irish-inspired composition “Tully More Song,” from his CD Niebla. Cheers!
The Wailers Announce 2011 Tour
The Wailers, featuring legendary bassist Aston “Family Man” Barrett, have announced tour dates from March through August, including several festival appearances. The band was originally the backing group for reggae icon Bob Marley, who carries on his music. Last year’s tour celebrated his 40th anniversary with the group. Barrett co-founded the Wailers and continues to lead them to this day....