Tom Hamilton Auctions Bass Lesson For Charity
Aerosmith bassist Tom Hamilton is auctioning a 1-hour bass lesson through the website CharityBuzz.com. The auction is set to raise money for the Music and Youth Initiative, which works toward making after-school programs to reach underserved urban youth. The classic rock low-ender, who co-wrote many of the Aerosmith’s hits including his epic bass line to “Sweet Emotion,” is also a...
RIP Mark Adams
Mark Adams, the bassist from the popular ’70’s Ohio funk band Slave, has passed away. Adams, who co-wrote the band’s first hit “Slide,” was an influence to many budding bassists. Anthony Wellington shared his thoughts: “My very first bass hero/idol Mark Adams (Mr. Mark) died last night,” he wrote on his Facebook page. “I remember being inspired by the song...
Chris Tarry Releases “Rest of the Story”
Chris Tarry has released his latest project, Rest of the Story, a multi-media composition including a 100 page book and CD. The Canadian-born jazz bassist is also a writer, and the book includes his short stories as well as unique art. That’s not to say the music is a side-note, as the nine-track album is full of Tarry’s original compositions....
Markbass Announces Ground Stereo Pre Preamp and BAS 121 Lites Cabinets
The list 2011 line of new Markbass gear continues with the introduction of the Ground Stereo Pre preamp and BAS-121 Lite powered cabinets. Ground Stereo Pre Preamp Markbass teamed up with endorser Alain Caron to design the components of a new rig, resulting in the Ground Stereo Pre and BAS-121 Lite powered cabinets. The Ground Stereo Pre is Caron’s signature...
Evan Brewer: One Bassist, Two Basses
Here’s a clip of Evan Brewer tapping out an original tune on two basses. The song is the third track from his upcoming solo bass CD. Thanks to Shannon Buck for sharing this with us!
Jack Bruce Releases “Live at the Milky Way”
Jack Bruce and the Cuicoland Express’s Live at the Milky Way has been released by EMI and is now available worldwide. The 2-disc album comes from a 2001 performance at The Melkweg in Amsterdam. Bruce’s band, the Cuicoland Express, included guitarist Vernon Reid, Bernie Worrell on organ, drummers Robby Ameen and Horacio Hernandez, and Richie Flores on Congas. Hardcore Jack...
Esperanza Spalding and Bobby McFerrin Duet at Grammys
Here’s an electrifying clip of Best New Artist Grammy winner Esperanza Spalding with vocal phenom Bobby McFerrin performing at the Grammy pre-telecast ceremony, which they co-hosted. Esperanza’s playing is a great mix of jazzy and funky, and McFerrin deserves bonus points for picking up the bass line while she takes a solo halfway through.
Dave Pajo Quits Interpol
Less than a year after replacing founder Carlos D, Interpol is once again switching bassists, as Dave Pajo quit the group. The announcement came from a statement on the band’s website. ”I would like to announce that I will no longer be performing live with Interpol on their upcoming campaign,” Pajo stated. “I’ll be taking a break from touring to...
Ashdown Introduces Drophead DP-200 and LB-30 Combo Amps
Ashdown Engineering has introduced a new all tube head, the DP200H, as well as two new tube “flip-top” combos incorporating the new head and the company’s Little Bastard with 15” speakers. The DP-200 Drophead H features the preamp from the company’s 427 Small Block head, utilizing two ECC82 tubes, a ECC99, and two ECC82 tubes, while the power amp includes...
Seether Announces Spring 2011 Tour
South African rockers Seether have announced an extensive spring tour schedule spanning the U.S. East Coast and Midwest. The trek comes in support of their upcoming album, Holding on to Strings Better Left to Fray, available May 24. Bassist Dale Stewart explains the new record mixes it up by featuring writing contributions from the whole group, but still has the...
Janek Gwizdala Releases Limited Time Live Album
Janek Gwizdala has released Live at the 55bar-Special Collector’s Edition, a limited time release of 14 previously unheard tracks from the live performances at 55bar in New York. Other recordings from this show were released on Gwizdala’s 2008 album, Live At the 55bar. Collector’s Edition is available on Gwizdala’s Bandcamp page for only 48 hours, and will be gone Tuesday...
RIP: Mark Tulin
Mark Tulin, bassist for the psychedelic 60s band The Electric Prunes, passed away on February 26th at the age of 62. He was helping out at the Avalon Underwater Clean-Up in Avalon, California when he collapsed. Tulin and The Electric Prunes pioneered the psychedelic sound with hits like “Get Me To The World on Time,” and “I Had Too Much...