Buzz
Tribal Tech: Face First & The Big Wave (Live in Tokyo)
Here’s a great fan-shot video of Tribal Tech performing in Tokyo in 2013. Or a better way to describe it: bass in your face! Man, Gary Willis brings it on this one. But he always does, doesn’t he?
TC Electronic Expands PolyTune Series Tuners
TC Electronic’s PolyTune series is getting two new models added to the lineup with the PolyTune Clip and PolyTune 2 Blacklight. Both tuners support both guitar and bass tuning with polyphonic and chromatic modes. The PolyTune Clip clips onto the headstock of your bass and automatically switches between polyphonic and chromatic tuning modes. Its display adapts to flip the display...
Weekly Top 10: Geddy Lee on Technique, New Bass Gear and the Top Videos, How To’s and More
We had a lot of fun this week with some great videos and stories. Looks like that excitement reached NT readers too. Lots and lots of views on this week’s top 10 list. As always, thanks for reading, watching, commenting and sharing. 1. Geddy Lee on Developing His Right-Hand Picking Technique Fender shared a great video featuring Geddy Lee talking...
Jesús Rico Pérez: A Never Ending Winter
It is always exciting to see a new video from Jesús Rico Pérez. Here’s his latest – a solo fretless bass performance of his tune, “A Never Ending Winter”. Once again, Jesús creates such a rich sound on a single instrument, with no overdubs.
In Memoriam: Chris Squire
Bass legend Chris Squire, who stood at the helm of progressive rock in Yes since 1968, has died of cancer. He was 67 years old. Yes released a statement on their Facebook page announcing the news. “It’s with the heaviest of hearts and unbearable sadness that we must inform you of the passing of our dear friend and Yes co-founder,...
Weather Report’s “Sweetnighter” Gets Limited-Edition Vinyl Release
Weather Report’s 1973 album, Sweetnighter, has been released in a 180-gram vinyl audiophile limited edition. The record, the legendary jazz fusion group’s fourth, features two bassists — founding bassist Miroslav Vitous (who handles both acoustic and electric bass here, on what would be his last album as the group’s principal bassist) and multi-instrumentalist Andrew White on electric bass. The vinyl...
The Lightbulb Moment: Super Powers
“We can fly!” “You can fly!” “We can fly!!” “Come on, everybody! Here we gooooooo… Off to Neverland!” With just a few happy thoughts and a sprinkle of pixie dust, Peter Pan, Wendy, John and Michael swooped around the nursery, singing, laughing, and soaring with the greatest of ease. It was off to Neverland for an adventure… second star to...
The Electric Flag: Over Lovin’ You, Live 1967
I love discovering older bands that I missed, and The Electric Flag is definitely one of them. The short-lived band fused blues, rock, and soul for an upbeat sound. Electric Flag was anchored by bass great Harvey Brooks, who also worked with Bob Dylan, The Doors, and Miles Davis. His active bass line drives the energy alongside a young Buddy...
Bikini Kill Reissue Includes Music Previously Unreleased on CD
Bikini Kill, a band at the heart of the 1990s riot grrrl movement, has reissued The First Two Records, which combines the band’s self-titled six-song EP and the Yeah, Yeah, Yeah record into one package. Part of the latter record featuring founding bassist Kathi Wilcox, was actually half of an UK album the band shared with another group to promote...
Geddy Lee on Developing His Right-Hand Picking Technique
Fender shared a great video featuring Geddy Lee talking about his right-hand picking technique – one he says developed after touring with Primus back in the early 2000s. Geddy was inspired by Les Claypool, and incorporated more of a flamenco-style approach as a result.
Motörhead Announces North American Tour Dates
Lemmy Kilmister and Motörhead are headed back out on the road. The band has announced a North American tour for August and September that will span from California to New York with several stops in between. The string of dates kicks off August 19th in Riverside, California with Saxon and Crobot in support. Motörhead will also be playing Riot Fest...
Olivier Babaz: Bass & Kalimba Cover of “Stairway to Heaven”
Olivier Babaz has a specialty in performing double bass, kalimba, and shaker simultaneously to create a unique and beautiful texture. His latest video takes on the iconic Led Zeppelin song “Stairway to Heaven,” and it has to be seen to believed. Babaz starts the melody on the kalimba before switching to focus on bass during the breakdown, while his footshaker...