Buzz
R.E.M. Releases MTV Unplugged Complete Sessions
R.E.M. was the only band to ever headline MTV’s acoustic “Unplugged” series twice, and now both those performances — from 1991 and 2001 – are available in a . The 1991 performances features the entire original band — vocalist Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry, while the 2001 performance occurred after Berry left the...
Weekly Top 10: The Best in Bass for the Week of May 11th
There’s enough bass for this to go to 11, but it is called “Top 10” for a reason. Here are the most read bass-focused stories and how-to’s and the most watched bass videos for the week of May 11-17, 2014. Thanks as always for reading, commenting and sharing. 1. Ben Rouse: Bach Cello Suite No.1 – Prelude on Kala U-Bass...
Jeff Beck Group and Stanley Clarke: “Lopsy Lu” Live
In 2006, Jeff Beck’s group took the stage at the North Sea Jazz Festival, with Randy Hope Taylor on bass, Jason Rebello on keys and Vincent Colaiuta on drums. During the performance, Stanley Clarke joined the band to perform Clarke’s tune “Lopsy Lu” (with Taylor continuing to hold it down, and a little Hendrix thrown in). Enjoy!
Down Releases “IV Part II”
Down has followed up the 2012 EP Down IV, Part One, fittingly enough with the 6-song set, . The group, which includes pedigrees from Pantera and Corrosion of Conformity, features a new guitarist, Bobby Landgraf. And the new EP, recorded at bandleader Philip Anselmo’s New Orleans home studio, also known as “Nodferatu’s Lair,” is full of the heavy riff the...
TC Electronic Announce Four New Mini Pedals
TC Electronic has released a new line of Mini Pedals, which takes their existing TonePrint stompboxes and retools them to fit into smaller enclosures. The lineup includes the Flashback Mini Delay, Shaker Mini Vibrato, Corona Mini Chorus and Vortex Mini Flanger. Each of the pedals has been reduced to a three-knob interface for adjusting on the fly, but they’re also...
Jonathan Scales Fourchestra: Pink Brigade
The Jonathan Scales Fourchestra has released a second video from their latest album, Mixtape Symphony, and it’s a killer. Bassist Cody Wright locks in with drummer Phill Bronson to set the tune up with a great groove and ear-bending melodic content. Hold on to your hat.
Incognito Returns with “Amplified Soul”
Legendary jazz funk band Incognito is back with its 16th studio album, , and as the records have since 2005, the lineup features phenomenal bassist Francis Hylton (Chaka Khan, Lulu, Miki Imai.) Although Incognito is 16 albums into their long career, the band’s sound remains as vibrant as ever, as the single “Hats (Make Me Wanna Holler)” – featuring Tony...
Spector Releases Limited Edition Alex Webster “Zombie Drip” Euro5LX Bass
Spector is now shipping a limited edition version of the Alex Webster Euro5LX, featuring a reverse “Zombie Drip” design over a red finish. The new color design is rounded out with red outlined Spector fret inlays and a red Spector logo on the black headstock. Only twelve of the basses have been produced. Similar to the standard Alex Webster Euro5LX,...
Rush: “Working Man (Vault Edition)”, Isolated Bass & Drums
On March 18, 1974, Rush released their self-titled debut. Among the tracks on the album was “Working Man”, which was the tune that put them on the map in Cleveland, as the story goes. In 2008, the band discovered an alternate version of the tune which they dubbed “Working Man (Vault Edition)”, and they allowed it to be used in...
In Memoriam: Akihiro Yokoyama
Japanese bassist Akihiro Yokoyama of the veteran thrash metal band United has passed away at the age of 49. The cause of death was not declared, but a statement called his passing sudden. “It happened totally out of the blue and it is very hard for his family, UNITED and the staff to accept it, but we wanted to share...
Bass of the Week: Godin Shifter
Available in 4- and 5-string versions, the Godin Shifter bass is an interesting take on old school aesthetic. Its neck, headstock, and body will look familiar to many, but its pickup system is the real magic. The Shifter has three soapbar, passive single coil alnico pickups with extra large magnets. Each pickup can be selected individually or used in combination...
Profiles in Tone: Robert “Bubby” Lewis
If you’re going to play with some of the top hip hop and R&B names, you’ve got to know a thing about tone. That’s why we reached out to bass phenom Robert “Bubby” Lewis as part of our Profiles in Tone series. Born in Flint, Michigan, Lewis wanted to be a drummer until listening to Tom Kennedy on Dave Weckl’s...