Buzz
Ryan Madora’s Band Releases Debut Album
No Treble columnist Ryan Madora has released her debut album with her Nashville-based instrumental trio, The Interludes. The self-titled album melds the feel and groove of bands like Booker T. & the MG’s with the exploratory qualities of groups like Medeski, Martin and Wood. The trio, featuring Billy Nobel on keyboards, and Lynn Williams on drums and percussion, recorded the...
Weekly Top 10: RIP Chris Squire, Bill Wyman’s New Album, Mark Egan Podcast, Angled Endpins, Top Bass Videos & More
Leading off this list of the most popular stories and videos on No Treble for the week is the sad news of Chris Squire’s passing. News like that always makes it hard to share these lists we otherwise celebrate each week. Thanks as always for reading, commenting, watching and sharing. 1. In Memoriam: Chris Squire Bass legend Chris Squire, who...
ObsidianWire Introduces J and P Bass Wiring Upgrades
Attention mod junkies: ObsidianWire has just unveiled a J and P-bass upgrade wiring harnesses. Utilizing solder-less connectors, the sets are designed to be drop-in replacements for American and Mexican series Fender basses. Both harnesses are built with hand selected and matched CTS pots that ObsidianWire says offers greater clarity and consistent response. Other features include NOS paper in oil capacitors...
Crash Kings: Saving Grace
It has been a while since we’ve seen Crash Kings, but this band holds a special place in our hearts ever since we shared their “Evolution of Guitar – With No Guitar” video back in 2011. Here’s something much more recent, with brothers Mike Beliveau (bass) and Tony Beliveau (keyboards and vocals) performing “Saving Grace” during their Firepit Sessions.
Damian Erskine Releases “Within Sight”
Damian Erskine has released, Within Sight, an album that explores the boundaries of the bass in jazz fusion. The long-awaited followup to 2010’s So To Speak features the bassist’s unique voice on nine original compositions that vary in tone and texture for an intriguing listen. “This album is my attempt to put it all out there,” Erskine writes. “The chance...
Warwick Introduces 5-String Streamer CV Bass
Warwick’s Streamer CV bass is getting a little bigger with the introduction of a five-string model to the lineup. The model, which was originally debuted in 2013, combines the company’s Streamer model with a vintage aesthetic. The Warwick Streamer CV 5 is built with a US swamp ash body matched with a one-piece maple neck topped by a rosewood fingerboard...
Colin Trusedell: Amerika, The Beautiful
We’re celebrating Independence Day with a clip of U.S. Air Force bass player Colin Trusedell performing his take on “Amerika, the Beautiful,” as popularized in the bass world by Jaco Pastorius. The track comes from Trusedell’s latest recording, All By Myself. Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!
Neil Young Pairs With Promise of the Real on New Album
Neil Young’s latest album, The Monsanto Years, sees him teaming up with the rock band Promise of the Real, which is led by legendary musician and songwriter Willie Nelson’s sons Lukas and Micah. Making the ecologically and environmentally oriented record was a thrill for Promise of the Real members, who even named their band after a line from a Young...
Bass Gear Roundup: The Top Gear Stories in June 2015
Time for yet another GAS-inducing list of the top 10 reader favorite gear stories on No Treble. Enjoy, and thanks for reading! 1. Gruv Gear Fump Bridge Muter/Dampener Music accessory company Gruv Gear has expanded their string dampening products with the Fump, a muting device that slides over the strings against the bridge of your bass. The Fump works with...
Tech 21 Introduces VT Bass 500 Bass Amp Head
Tech 21 has unveiled the VT Bass 500, a bass amp head that marries their all-analog SansAmp preamp with a 500-watt Class D power amplifier. The amp, which is adapted from the SansAmp Character Series, weighs in at 6.5 pounds. A key point to the amp’s circuitry is its Character control that alters the overall tone of the unit from...
Steve Harris and British Lion: Eyes of the Young, Live
Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris is getting ready to take his solo project British Lion out on the road for a month-long tour of the UK. For a teaser of what’s to come, the bass legend posted this live clip of “Eyes of the Young” from his 2012 album. Harris brings his signature snarling tone and driving bass lines to...
The Who’s 1982 Shea Stadium Show Released on Video
The first official video release of a 1982 Shea Stadium show by The Who has arrived on DVD and Blu-ray. Featuring restored video and newly mixed sound, the concert shows a band in its last days with its second drummer Kenney Jones. The tour promoted the band’s album It’s Hard, and would be its last until 1989. Of course the...