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...
Ike Sturm: Jazz Mass
Bassist Ike Sturm has released his new album, Jazz Mass. Sturm composed and arranged Jazz Mass for voices, strings, and jazz septet, resulting in a unique blend of textures. “I have always loved the emotional heights and depths that can be revealed through voices and strings,” Sturm says. “To hear these sounds combine with some of my favorite improvisers is...
Sublime bassist Eric Wilson loses courtroom battle
Sublime’s bass player, Eric Wilson, has lost a legal battle with the estate of Brad Nowell, the band’s singer, over the rights to use the band’s name. For the years after Brad’s untimely passing in 1996, the surviving members performed in a group they formed called the Long Beach Dub All Stars, but recently they decided to return to the...
Lindsey Horner’s next album can have your name on it
Jazz bassist Lindsey Horner, who has played with artists such as Greg Osby, Bill Frisell, and Bobby Previte, is in the process of recording his next project, Undiscovered Country. The unique part about this recording is that he is working through the business model supplied by ArtistShare, which allows for fans to participate in and watch the creative process by...
Gear Watch: Batt-O-Meter
Ever worried about the life left in the batteries for your active pickups or your favorite effects pedal just before a gig? Keith McMillen Instruments has introduced the Batt-O-Meter, a battery tester designed for musicians to solve that problem. The tester, which plugs into a 1/4″ jack input, can be used to check the voltage of your battery and even...
System of a Down bassist releases new project single
System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian is set to release a single from his new group Achozen, which is a collaboration with Wu-Tang Clan member The RZA. The single, “Salute/Sacrifice,” will be released today through his web site, urSession.com. Achozen is a heavy hip-hop group that also features members Kinetic 9 and Reverend William Burke. Of the upcoming album,...