Buzz
NS Design Introduces WAV4 Radius Bass
NS Design has expanded their bass guitar offering even further with the introduction of the WAV4 Radius, a bass that follows the design of their Radius series with a more accessible price point. It carries many of the same features of its predecessors, including a diradial body, a headless design with self-clamping tuning system, an advanced truss rod design, and...
Bela Fleck and The Flecktones: Stomping Grounds (1996)
On December 26, 1996, Bela Fleck and The Flecktones appeared on The Conan O’Brien Show to promote their album, Live Art. They played “Stomping Grounds”, which is a terrific showcase for Victor Wooten and the rest of the band.
Tower of Power: Soul With Capital S (Java Jazz Festival – 2006)
Here’s a great clip of Tower of Power performing “Soul With Capital S” – with some trademark funky bass by the one and only Rocco Prestia. And how about that honkin’ bari sax? This performance was recorded at the Java Jazz Festival in 2006.
Hot Tuna Announce Summer Tour Dates
Legendary blues rock duo Hot Tuna is hitting the road again this summer with a string of tour dates in Hawaii and the Northeast. Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen will be performing mainly in their acoustic setting to start the tour, which begins on June 19th in Honolulu. Their tour wraps up with four electric shows ending at the Capitol...
Bass Players to Know: Paul Chambers
Name any genre of music and certain bass players immediately come to mind. Rock and roll? Paul McCartney. Blues? Willie Dixon. Funk? Larry Graham. They are the ones who stick out as paving the way, defining the roll of the instrument in that particular music, and creating those classic lines that we can’t help but listen to, learn, and hope...
Adam Stevens: Sweet Lullaby
Adam Stevens has shared a new solo bass video he calls “Sweet Lullaby”. Adam said the tune is “inspired by a traditional lullaby from the Solomon Islands and Toronto bassist, Rich Brown.” Sweet indeed.
Armored Saint Returns with Seventh Studio Album
Veteran metal band Armored Saint describes their new studio album, Win Hands Down, as “a vintage crush of classic power propelled by a cathartic blast of life.” Bassist Joey Vera holds down the low end with a gritty tone, but he also co-wrote the majority of the music with singer John Bush. “John and I wrote the majority of the...
Ibanez Introduces ANB1006 Adam Nitti Signature Bass
After years of development, Ibanez has unveiled the ANB1006 Adam Nitti Signature Bass. The instrument, which Nitti helped to design, is hand-built by Ibanez’s Japanese master builders. “For me, this instrument represents the ideal balance of tone, playability, ergonomics, and extended range,” Nitti writes. “I love the wider 18mm string spacing and greater access to the highest frets; both features...
Groove – Episode #6: Michael Manring
How is it that someone can be this in touch with their musicianship and instrument? Michael Manring is one of the most talented musicians that our world has ever seen. He’s not just a bass player of the highest order, he is someone who approaches music with all of his senses and sensibilities. Manring is so good, that he makes...
The Kinky Wizzards: Live
The last time we featured The Kinky Wizzards, it generated some buzz. They’re back with a new video featuring a live performance of three of their tunes. Originally a duo formed by two brothers (bassist Mathew ‘Miffy’ Griffiths and drummer Jonathan ‘Jiffy’ Griffiths), the group has now added guitarist Ryan Elliott to the mix. Here’s the track list for the...
The Darkness Release “Last of Our Kind”
The Darkness is back with Last of Our Kind, a stripped-down album that hearkens back to the original spirit of rock. Anchored by bassist Frankie Poullain, the band’s fourth studio effort was written in Ireland and thematically centers around defiance. It’s also the first and only of their albums to featured drummer Emily Dolan Davies, who replaced original drummer Ed...
Adding Some New School Playing to an Old School Bassist
Q: I’ve been playing a certain way or style (as in thump, pop or blues) for as long as I can remember. Today’s bass players tend to play a lot – it seems way busier. What do you recommend for an old school bassist who wants to update to today’s styles so it sticks? A: That is an interesting question...