Buzz
Buying a Bass: A Checklist by No Treble Readers
As the instrument that expresses your musical ideas, it’s important to choose a bass that fits you and your music. But with so many options available, what do you look for? Active or passive electronics? Maple or rosewood fingerboard? How many strings? Which brand? The choices can be daunting, and finding a worthy instrument can take some time. That’s why...
Andres Rotmistrovsky: “Thriller” Solo Bass Arrangement
We like to celebrate Halloween bass-style each year. Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” shows up on many of the top 10 Halloween song lists we’ve seen, and luckily for us, Andres Rotmistrovsky put together his own solo bass arrangement. I don’t know how he holds down the bass line while playing the chords, but I’m going to be studying that. Happy Halloween!
Jeff Hughell Releases “Chaos Labyrinth”
When you play bass for more than one prominent metal band, you’re bound to make friends with some of the best heavy musicians out there. That’s precisely the case for bassist Jeff Hughell, who has recruited his friends to guest on his first full length solo album, Chaos Labyrinth. Hughell, who lays down the low end for death metal outfits...
How To Groove at Jam Sessions
Q: During jam sessions, I normally have a “hit and stick” approach to coming up with grooves. Essentially, there’s a lull between grooves where I end up peddling notes or playing the one. My keyboard player pointed this out and it bothers me. Is this something that I should be worried about? How do I lead a groove during these...
Rick James: “Super Freak” Isolated Bass
Rick James’ “Super Freak” was a mega-hit in 1981, and listed at #477 on the Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”. Here’s James’ isolated bass from the original multi-track master. Thanks to Rick Suchow for sharing this one!
Greg Lake Keeps Adding to Autobiography
As a former bassist of both King Crimson and Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Greg Lake has plenty stories to tell. So many, in fact, that it’s been hindering the release of his long-awaited autobiography, Lucky Man, which derives its title from a song Lake wrote for ELP’s debut album. “I’ve been writing it for some years now,” he told Sean...
Reader Spotlight: Marek Bero
Meet Marek Bero, a bassist living in London and pursuing the dream. We loved Marek’s story, but even more, we loved the way he tells it. Marek is No Treble’s reader in the spotlight for the week of October 28, 2013. Bio: I am originally from Prague, Czech Republic and two years ago I moved to London, UK. Man, I...
Paul McCartney Ends Grudge With Yoko Ono
One of rock’s longest standing feuds appears to be over after Paul McCartney told Rolling Stone that he’s over having hard feelings toward John Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono. The two figures, who often fought over songwriting credits, recently made up with Macca even referring to Ono as a “badass.” “I thought, ‘If John loved her, there’s got to be something....
Viaceslav Svedov: All Bass Performance of Megadeth’s “Train of Consequences”
You just gotta love bassist Viaceslav Svedov, who brings great all-bass arrangements, tons of energy and plenty of epic bass faces in each of his videos. Here’s Viaceslav doing his thing with the Megadeth tune, “Train of Consequences”, from the band’s 1994 album, Youthanasia.
David Ellefson’s Autobiography is Here: “My Life with Deth”
This one seemed like a long time coming. We reported back in December, 2012 that David Ellefson was working on his autobiography. Today, that book hits the shelves. My Life with Deth: Discovering Meaning in a Life of Rock & Roll chronicles the bassist’s time with Megadeth, which began in 1983. The behind-the-scenes look details the ups and downs of...
Herbie Flowers: The Story Behind Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” Bass Line
The news of Lou Reed’s passing this weekend led me to revisit some of his music, including the legendary musician’s smash hit “Walk on the Wild Side.” Here’s an awesome clip taken from The One Show – an interview with the man that created one of the most famous bass lines in rock history: Herbie Flowers.
Perri Ink Guitars Unveils the Rocky IV Bass
L.A.’s Perri Ink Guitars has unveiled it’s first custom bass guitar, the Rocky IV. The U.S.-made bass is crafted with a contoured solid alder body and a one-piece maple neck that’s fitted with black block inlays. For more visual flair, the body is embellished with 12K gold leafing by the artist “Sonny Boy.” The Rocky IV is fitted with a...