Buzz
METZ Releases Sophomore Album
Post-punk trio METZ has released its second effort, II, which the band describes as a “heavier, darker, and sloppier” album than its debut. The band, with Chris Slorach on bass, wrote the record over the course of about six months and recorded II in three different Canadian studios. The trio have created a loud, intense sound. Check it out on...
Reader Spotlight: LeRoy Patterson
Sometimes we get a submission on the Reader Spotlight, and I recognize the person. This was the case when I saw LeRoy Patterson’s story come through. I met LeRoy more than once – at Gerald Veasley’s annual Bass Bootcamp. But I didn’t know the complete story until now – and this bass player has a story to tell. LeRoy is...
Top 10: The Most Watched Bass Videos (April 2015)
Have a few minutes? You’ll want them once you see this list of the top 10 most watched bass videos last month on No Treble. Thanks for watching, commenting and sharing! 1. Inside Geddy Lee’s Bass Guitar Collection Geddy Lee may be known for his association with two types of basses, but this clip from a recent episode of That...
Boxwave ft. Moses Barrymore: Ain’t No Stopping Me
John Mustachio sent us the latest video from his band, and it’s another great example of how much music you can make with just three people. Boxwave is a funk/rock/go-go influenced bass and cajon group that’s rounded out by percussionist Brad Ellsworth. Their latest track, “Ain’t No Stopping Me,” features hip hop artist Moses Barrymore rapping overtop of the duo’s...
Hiatus Kaiyote Offers Up Progressive Soul
Australian band Hiatus Kaiyote’s latest album Choose Your Weapon, is a 70-minute monster. Bassist Paul Bender calls it “huge, massive, complex puzzle,” according to The Guardian. The band’s sound has been described as “future soul” and progressive. It’s pretty singular. Check out “Breathing Underwater” from Choose Your Weapon: Choose Your Weapon is , and as a digital download ( and...
Nuno Bettencourt, Paul Gilbert & Mike Szuter: Cupid’s Dead
We’ve featured some clips from “Guitar Wars” in the past, with John Paul Jones on bass. Here’s another lineup from that performance, anchored by Mike Szuter. This group, which includes Nuno Bettencourt and Paul Gilbert, performed “Cupid’s Dead” as part of the show, complete with some nice grooves and some great unison lines thrown in too.
Bass of the Week: MBJ Guitars Nutsy Bass
Joe Kruse has spent the past eight years working with Carl Thompson and two more years in Roger Sadowsky’s shop. Now he’s striking out on his own with MBJ Guitars, which focuses on unique short-scale designs and killer wood combinations. The luthier gave us the rundown on his Nutsy bass, which is our bass of the week. “I used mahogany...
Miles Mosley and Thundercat Get Epic on Kamasi Washington’s New Album
Jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington pulled in not one, but two top-notch bassists for his latest, The Epic. Miles Mosley (Jeff Beck, Joni Mitchell, Common) handles acoustic bass on the record and Stephen “Thundercat” Bruner (Kendrick Lamar, Flying Lotus, ex-Suicidal Tendencies) is on electric in the 10-piece-jazz band assembled by Washington. The album lives up to its name, too: the music...
Weekly Top 10: Juan Alderete Podcast, Fast Fretboard Position Shifting, Finger Independence, Top Videos & More
Another great week comes to a close, but not before we share the best from the world of bass. Here is your top 10 for the week of May 2-8, 2015. Thanks as always for reading, watching, listening, commenting and sharing. 1. Miki Santamaria & Casey Cooper: Bass vs Drums Miki Santamaria just sent me his latest video, which he...
Book Teaches Plectrum Playing, for All Ability Levels
Just about everything you need to know about playing bass with a pick is covered in Stuart Clayton’s Plectrum Techniques for Bass Guitar. The book, with 201 exercises, can be used by every player — from beginner to advanced. The book also includes four study pieces. All are supported by downloadable audio. Chapters cover triplets, as well as rock, metal,...
Wellington, Burbridge and Friends: Shape of My Heart
Anthony Wellington is one of the all time great bassists and bass educators. He’s been a member of Victor Wooten’s band for years, and his Bassology teaching studio continually turns out fantastic bass players. Today we’re celebrating his birthday with a clip from Gerald Veasley’s 2015 Bass Boot Camp, where he took the stage with Oteil Burbridge, Richard Waller, and...
D’Angelo’s “Voodoo” Gets 15th Anniversary Vinyl Release
D’Angelo’s Voodoo was a delight for bass/soul fans, offering up grooves from star session player Pino Palladino. Inspired by old-school soul and R&B, the 2000 record is now considered a classic, and it’s getting the kind of treatment a classic deserves — a reissue on heavyweight white vinyl. The reissue has appeared as D’Angelo prepares to hit the road to...