Yes Announces Rite Of Spring U.S. Tour Dates
Anchored by Chris Squire, the veteran prog-rockers in Yes will be hitting the U.S. with a new string of tour dates. The “Rite of Spring Tour” starts March 6, 2011 at the House of Blues in Houston, Texas and works its way around the East Coast and Midwest before ending in Washington, DC on April 4, focusing on clubs and...
Motörhead Releases The Wörld is Yours
Motörhead has released The Wörld is Yours, the trio’s 28th album. Led by icon Lemmy Kilmister, the group is releasing the CD in celebration of their 35th anniversary, with the bassist/singer being the sole constant member. The new album is the follow-up to 2008’s Motorizer, and is also the first record to be released on their new Motörhead Music label....
Fodera Announces Mike Pope Signature Viceroy Bass
In addition to the new Yin Yang Standard Bass, Fodera was showing off their new Mike Pope Signature Viceroy at their NAMM booth. The 6-string bass has some very innovative features, including a removable fingerboard extension that’s held in by strong magnets. The extension allows for the bass to transition between 20 and 24-frets, which Pope explains makes a big...
Evan Marien Releases “Here We Are” EP
Evan Marien has just released his newest EP, Here We Are, a 5-track album of original material written and mostly performed by the bassist himself. Marien laid down bass, keys, vocals, and computer programming, while getting help from drummer Louis Cato and guitarist Iakov Kremenskly for the tune “Hill,” and drummer Dana Hawkins on “Bloke” and “OC.” The music is...
Les Claypool Talks New Bass, Primus European Tour
Les Claypool has finally revealed some clues about the new mystery bass he was sporting during Primus’ New Year’s Eve shows. “What I played at those shows was a semi-finished prototype bass that I designed and had built by my old pal Dan Maloney,” he wrote in a Primus update. Maloney is also responsible for building Claypool’s banjo bass, called...
Donny McCaslin Releases Perpetual Motion, Featuring Tim LeFebvre
Jazz saxophonist Donny McCaslin has released his ninth solo album, Perpetual Motion, featuring the electric bass talents of Tim LeFebvre. The 10-track album is full of odd meter grooves and rich harmonies, creating a very hip and modern vibe. LeFebvre’s bass really shines on “Firefly,” a tune that begins with an eerie bass solo that builds into the sax’s theme,...
Ibanez Announces TS9B Bass Tube Screamer Pedal
Ibanez expanded their 9 Series effects pedals this year with the introduction of the TS9B Bass Tube Screamer. Based on Ibanez’s already popular guitar version, the company says the Bass Tube Screamer retains the former’s mid-range character while keeping the low-end intact. The pedal is also built for simplicity, with controls including Level, Drive, Bass, Treble, and Mix. The mix...
Willie Dixon: Preserving the Legacy
In today’s fast paced world it’s not uncommon for us to overlook the legacies of those who paved the way for so many bassists who came later. Thankfully, a new website dedicated to the life and legacy of Willie Dixon will help ensure the legendary bluesman’s landmark contributions to bass playing, the blues, and helping his fellow musicians will get...
Dunlop Announces MXR M87 Bass Compressor Pedal
NAMM 2011 saw the release of the newest addition to MXR’s Bass Innovations pedal line, the M87 Bass Compressor. Featuring a an 10-LED meter to indicate Gain Reduction, the stompbox has all the standard compressor controls, including Attack, Release, Ratio, Input, and Output. The new pedal also utilizes the company’s Constant Headroom Technology, which is a circuit that provides extra...
Mike Lull Unveils Tom Petersson Signature Bass
Mike Lull introduced a new Tom Petersson signature bass, the TPT4, at NAMM this year. The TPT4 is based on Lull’s T4, with some tweaking specified by the Cheap Trick bassist. One of the key differences is the pickup placement. The pickups, made by Lull, are both pushed up closer to the neck: a position that Petersson worked meticulously at...
Hal Leonard Releases KISS Bass Play-Along
Hal Leonard has released a KISS Bass Play-Along book, featuring bass lines played by Gene Simmons written out in TAB format. The accompanying CD has tracks with and without the bass line to help you hear what it should sound like, then play it on your own. The disc plays in any CD player, but it’s also enhanced to allow...
Esperanza Spalding to Perform At Grammys, Co-Host Pre-Telecast Ceremony
Bassist and Grammy nominee Esperanza Spalding will be co-hosting the Grammy Pre-Telecast Ceremony, as well as performing at the 53rd annual Grammy Awards. Spalding will be sharing hosting duties with singer Bobby McFerrin on the show, which will be streamed on the Grammy website and YouTube channel starting at 1 p.m. PT on February 13. The ceremony is set to...