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Morning Bound: An Interview with Panagiotis Andreou
It’s easy to get wrapped up into a specific genre, but there’s a whole world of music to discover and explore. No one knows that better than bassist Panagiotis Andreou. The Greek-born bassist is a student of all types of music, and that’s not just lip service. He’s been playing bass since he was sixteen and has studied loads of...
Alissia Benveniste: On The Go
Funk bass phenom Alissia Benveniste is back with a new song and music video, and if you’ve been following her, you know this is about to make your day. “On The Go” brings all of the bassist’s thick slap grooves to an upbeat track that will have you tapping your foot. “My vision for my music is to inspire people...
Sublime With Rome Releases Second Album
The sound of reggae/rock band Sublime remains alive via its bassist, Eric Wilson, through the band Sublime With Rome. Wilson is the only Sublime member currently in the group, which has released its second album, Sirens. The album is being billed as a return to the band’s roots, with a rawer sound like that of the original band. See if...
DigiTech Reissues DOD Meatbox Subharmonic Bass Synthesizer
Another legendary pedal is getting reissued as Digitech has announced the DOD Meatbox Subharmonic Bass Synthesizer is being put back on the market. The pedal, often championed by Juan Alderete, has been updated with several new features including true bypass, a TRS output, a 9-volt power supply input, and a blue indicator LED. The Meatbox is much more than just...
Should I Use an Amp, a Monitor or In-Ears?
Q: I want to choose a new rig. I’m quite happy with my basses and my effects I own at the moment, and I am searching now for a way to amplify my signal. I have a very good, portable upper-middle-class halfstack, but I can rarely use it because I often do small gigs and it is a little bit...
Yoni Ha: Shreds of Madness
Yoni Ha sent me a note about an interesting tune he wrote, “Shreds of Madness”. Yoni uses nothing but bass to create the layers of the tune, which includes some great percussive slapping.
Miles Davis Box Set Features Newly Released Live Music with Jazz Bass Greats
Almost four hours of previously unreleased live music by legendary jazz trumpeter/composer Miles Davis and the musicians he chose to play with over the course of 20 years are featured on Miles Davis at Newport 1955-1975: The Bootleg Series Vol. 4. The four-CD collection includes performances by Davis and his bands from 1955, 1958, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1973, and...
Reader Spotlight: Seth Tackaberry
We love getting reader spotlight submissions from the younger generation of bassists. Seth Tackaberry is a young man who not only started at an early age, he also has a great outlook for music and learning. Enjoy his story… Bio: I am currently 16 years old and I like spend my time grooving / transcribing / composing / arranging /...
Guild Unveils Chris Hillman Byrd Bass and Starfire Bass II
Guild Guitars is introducing two new basses this summer with the Chris Hillman Signature Byrds Bass and the Starfire Bass II. The company revealed the instruments at the 2015 Summer NAMM Show in Nashville, Tennessee. Chris Hillman anchored the Byrds during the mid-1960’s and used a Guild Starfire to record the songs “Turn, Turn, Turn,” “Eight Miles High,” and “The...
Louise Petit & Russ Sargeant: Lights
Our friend Russ Sargeant shared this video with us of his interview and performance with singer-songwriter Louise Petit on Big Comfy Sessions. The tune, “Lights” appears on Petit’s 2014 album, Louder Than Your Drum. The video starts with the interview portion. The music begins at the 3:58 mark.
Documentary Offers Intimate Look at The Police
A new documentary film offers an inside perspective on The Police, from the stellar rock band’s formation, through its rise to fame, breakup and reunion. No — the up-close perspective doesn’t come from Sting, the band’s famed bassist and primary songwriter who went on to forge a highly successful solo career – but from guitarist Andy Summers. The movie, Can’t...
Bass of the Week: Modified Rickenbacker 4001 Piccolo Sitar Bass
And now for something completely different. We recently featured a video by Indian music enthusiast and seven-string bassist Jason Everett. While a seven-string may be outlandish to some, he sent me some info on a special bass he modded to fill another role for his style. After being inspired by John McLaughlin’s guitar work with Shakti, Everett turned his Rickenbacker...