Buzz
Buying a Bass: There’s More to the Budget than Meets the Eye
Investing in a new instrument is a lot like moving into a new house. You have a budget in mind, a good idea of the amenities that you want and need, and a few sources to help you find the perfect place. Finally, you find the right home; it’s in your price range, you sign the lease, and prepare for...
Simon Fitzpatrick: All Bass Cover of Bastille’s “Pompeii”
It is always great to share a new video by bassist Simon Fitzpatrick. This time around, Simon performs his solo bass arrangement of the Bastille tune “Pompeii”. I wasn’t familiar with that tune, so I checked out the original. And then I was even more impressed with Simon’s performance. If you’re interested, here’s the original:
Pino Palladino Joins Nine Inch Nails for North American Tour
Pino Palladino will be going on tour with Nine Inch Nails during their “Tension” North American Tour. Palladino also contributed to the band’s latest release, Hesitation Marks, and NIN main man Trent Reznor called him “probably the best bass player in the world.” The tour kicks off at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota before tackling most of...
Geddy Lee: Rush is Taking a Break From the Road
In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Geddy Lee has revealed that Rush is taking a break from their constant touring schedule. The trio just finished their year-long Clockwork Angels World Tour, and according to Lee, will be taking 2014 off, without discussing their future. “Our manager is talking all the time about the future and we’re choosing to ignore...
Bass of the Week: Mensinger Cazpar
Featuring a 30-inch scale, Mensinger describes their Cazpar bass as designed with players with smaller hands in mind. It also works nicely in both piccolo and standard tuning for versatility. Available in 4-, 5-, and 6-string versions, the Cazpar is built with a body consisting of an alder or mahogany core sandwiched between two pieces of maple as well as...
Sitruss: “I Left America” Solo Bass Cover
A bassist who goes by the screen name Sitruss has turned in one impressive cover of Michael Manring’s “I Left America”. “This one has been in the works for a while,” the bassist said. “Playing solo gives you a lot less leeway for mistakes… it came out pretty good though considering it was the first try of the day! (Out...
Dream Theater Releases New Album and Announces Tour Dates
Dream Theater has released their twelfth album, Dream Theater. Not only is this the band’s first self-titled release, it is also the first to fully feature the band’s newest drummer, Mike Mangini, who replaced Mike Portnoy in 2010. Dream Theater’s longest tenured members, bassist John Myung and guitarist John Petrucci are also joined by vocalist James LaBrie and keyboardist Jordan...
King Crimson Returns With New Lineup
Progressive rock fans rejoice! Guitarist Robert Fripp has announced that King Crimson is back with a new lineup. Originally formed in 1968, the iconic band has gone through several incarnations, the last of which disbanded in 2009 after a cancelled tour. The eighth incarnation of King Crimson will be anchored by bassist Tony Levin. “King Crimson will be back in...
Truly Listening: Playing Bass with Impaired Hearing
Q: I’m an intermediate level hearing-impaired bassist who cannot identify notes or pitch or key by ear. I play songs by memory. How would I go about breaking through to the next level? A: Wow, this may be the hardest question I’ve ever had to attempt to answer. The impression that I have is that with something so outside of...
Nathan Navarro: Bass Effects Demonstration
Nathan Navarro is a total beast of a bassist who really knows how to make effects sound good. Here’s a demo he made to show some of what he can do. Things start out pretty ambient and serene up until the 1:30 mark when all hell breaks loose. Check out those sweeps at 2:00! For the brave, Nathan has the...
Megadeth Releases Countdown To Extinction: Live
Last year, Megadeth celebrated the 20th anniversary of their iconic album Countdown to Extinction with a reissue and tour during which the band played the the whole thing in order. One year later, the group has released Countdown To Extinction: Live, a snapshot of the anniversary tour that was captured at the Fox Theatre in Los Angeles in December 2012....
Reader Spotlight: Boogie Cindy
Meet the bassist known as Boogie Cindy. Cindy anchors the Boogie Wonder Band, a band she founded and has since gone on to play over 2,500 shows in 450 cities around the world. The band is a well-choreographed 1970s Disco cover band. Cindy is No Treble’s reader in the spotlight for the week of September 23, 2013. Bio I am...