Buzz
How To Get “Your Sound” In The Studio
Q: I was recently listening to your newer album and was really loving the tone you get. Can you talk a little about how make sure to get “your sound” in the studio? Also, any general tips for recording in the studio would be helpful, too. I’m about to record our band’s first album and want to make sure I’m...
Franklin Peredo: The Romantic Hippo
Franklin Peredo sent us his latest video, and once again, his remarkable right-hand technique and musicianship is on full display here. Check out “The Romantic Hippo”.
Sixx: A.M. Releases Fourth Studio Album
Sixx: A.M.’s fourth full-length studio album has arrived: Prayers for the Damned, Vol. 1. The band, led by bassist Nikki Sixx (Mötley Crüe), is at its most creative place thus far with the album, according to Sixx. “For James [Michael], Dj [Ashba] and myself, we think it’s the perfect time to release so much quality music to our fans who’ve...
Reader Spotlight: Felipe Gomez
Meet Felipe Gomez – aka Felipe the Bass Invader – who easily has one of the most interesting stories we’ve shared here in Reader Spotlight. Felipe is a solo artist who travels by bicycle. And we’re not talking about riding a bike to a local gig either. Felipe, his bike and gear have traveled across Asia, North America and South...
Talking Style: Prince’s “Uptown”
It has now been one week since my hero passed away. Like everyone else on the planet I am still in great shock and disbelief. Even though I had another episode “in the can” and ready to go I thought that it would be most fitting to share with you the first bass line that I ever learned, “Uptown” by...
Bass Battle and Absurdcus: k?an
Bassists Absurdcus and Bass Battle, aka Laszlo Demeter and Bogdan Diaconeasa, regularly put out fantastic bass videos, and now they’ve teamed up for the sublime “k?an”. The ambient tune gives a floating feeling as they utilize bass chords and the higher register to tug at your heartstrings.
Snarky Puppy Changes It Up On Latest Album
Fusion band Snarky Puppy has returned to its fully instrumental roots with its 11th album, Culcha Vulcha. However, the band, led by bassist Michael League, departed from its live-from-the-studio film and audio style for the record, preferring to record at a Texas studio situated in the middle of a pecan ranch, and taking opportunities to overdub. And League liked the...
Bass of the Week: ESP E-II Stream SL-5
This week we’re taking a look at the ESP E-II Stream SL-5, a bigger variation on the bass model they debuted in 2014. The SL-5 is a five-string version with a 35-inch scale and larger body than its predecessors. As part of the E-II series, the Stream SL-5 is built in ESP’s Japanese factory. Available in Deep Red Metallic Satin...
When You Can’t Get To It All In Practice Sessions
One of our No Treble readers has this to say: I understand how to structure my practice, but I’m still having trouble figuring out how to set up practice sessions because I have so much stuff to work on. I’m a bit frustrated. Do you have any suggestions? The first thing I’d suggest is to check out this column on...
Songhoy Blues: Sekou Oumarou
Until today, I had never heard the band Songhoy Blues. So I looked them up. According to Wikipedia, the band is a “desert punk / blues music group from Timbuktu, Mali.” I have no idea what that means, exactly, but I dig whatever you want to call this fine music. Here’s the band performing “Sekou Oumarou” live at Jazz Club...
Happy Seventh Birthday, No Treble!
It’s a tradition around here – celebrating No Treble’s birthday with a post. Seven years ago today, we pushed the button and made this site live. Many of you have connected with us on Facebook, and we just hit 200,000 bass playing friends there last week. Some of our big additions since our last birthday include the launch of some...
Blue Öyster Cult Founder Releases New Music
Blue Öyster Cult founding bassist Joe Bouchard has released his fourth solo album, The Power of Music. Bouchard, who plays with The X Brothers and Blue Coupe — the latter with former Alice Cooper bassist Dennis Dunaway — produced and appears to have played all the instruments on his record, which features a cover of his former band’s song, “Career...