Buzz
Remco Hendriks: Funk Bass & Drum Grooves
Our friend Mark Barletta sent us a note to check out some videos by Remco Hendriks, a bassist from the Netherlands. Remco calls this “Fingerstyle Funk Bass & Drum Grooves”. The part with the octaver really rocks.
In Memoriam: Rutger Gunnarsson
Bassist Rutger Gunnarsson, who made waves with Swedish pop sensation ABBA, has passed away. He was 69 years old. Gunnarsson was born in Linköping, Sweden in 1946. Originally a guitarist, he was studying at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm when a friend convinced him to audition for the Hootenanny Singers, a folk band that included future ABBA frontman...
Paul McCartney Adds “Out There” 2015 U.S. Tour Dates
Paul McCartney has plotted more U.S. Tour Dates as part of his continuing “Out There” trek, including two festival appearances. The former Beatles bassist, who is currently making his way through Japan and South Korea, will be heading back to the States starting June 19th at the Firefly Music Festival in Dover, Delaware. He then heads to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before...
Schecter Introduces Diamond Plus Basses
New for 2015, Schecter has built upon their Diamond Series of basses with the Diamond Plus Series. The new lineup includes the Diamond-J Plus and Diamond-P Plus in a variety of finishes. Both models are built with a choice of swamp ash or alder for the body, a 6-bolt maple with carbon fiber reinforcements, and either a maple or rosewood...
The Winery Dogs: You Saved Me (Live)
The Winery Dogs released their debut album back in 2013 and followed it with a tour. During that tour, they recorded a show for a live DVD, Unleashed in Japan. Here’s the band performing “You Saved Me”, with one very cool intro – and outro – by Billy Sheehan.
Jethro Tull Releases 40th Anniversary Edition of “Minstrel in the Gallery”
Jeffrey Hammond’s last album as a bassist, Jethro Tull’s Minstrel in the Gallery, has been reissued in a 40th anniversary edition. The two-CD/two-DVD 40th Anniversary La Grande Edition includes the original 1975 album, expanded to feature the b-side “Summerday Sands,” outtakes and alternate session material on one disc. The second disc is a live recording of a show at the...
Ernie Ball Introduces Slinky Flatwound Bass Strings
Ernie Ball is fusing the elements of two types of strings with their new Slinky Flatwound Electric Bass Guitar Strings. Developed with the company’s patented cobalt steel alloy, the strings are described as having the sound of round wound strings with the smooth feel of traditional flatwound strings. The strings are constructed with a cobalt ribbon wire wrapped around a...
Groove – Episode #5: Juan Alderete
Juan Alderete doesn’t remember me. Fair ball. The last time I saw him, he had long hair, tight jeans and was playing bass for a hard rock band called The Scream back in the early nineties. That band is most notable because frontman, John Corabi, later went on to replace Vince Neil in Motley Crue. Back then, Juan was known...
Nenad Vasilic: Deep Purple’s “Burn” Solo Bass Arrangement
Double bassist Nenad Vasilic is back with a new cover video of Deep Purple’s “Burn.” While the whole arrangement is acoustic, check out his innovative method for getting “distortion” to match the ’70s rock vibe.
In Memoriam: Craig Gruber
Bassist Craig Gruber, best known as an original member of Rainbow, has passed away from prostate cancer. He was 63 years old. Gruber’s rise in the rock world began when he joined Elf in late 1973. The band was fronted by Ronnie James Dio, who also covered bass duties before Gruber’s introduction. The bassist was featured on two studio albums...
Spector Introduces Limited Edition Mike Starr Signature Euro4LX Bass
Spector Basses has introduced a new Mike Starr Signature version of their Euro4LX bass. Available as a limited edition, the bass is crafted in the company’s Czech factory and will only be available for order in the 2015 calendar year. “We started working with Mike on this before he passed away,” Spector’s PJ Rubal told us. “He’s known for his...
Learning Music: A Discussion on Bass Tab, Notation and Ears
Q: I have been interested in music all my life, but never played an instrument. Now that I’m retired, I have taken up playing the bass for the last six months from an instructor. I started out learning the notes on the bass itself and one song using notes. But since then, all of my learning has been by the...