Buzz
Rhythm Bass? What To Do When the Rhythm Guitar is Missing
Q: I play bass in a rock/metal band with only one guitarist, who does plenty of guitar solos. I was wondering if you had suggestions on how to fill up the space, so to speak, to overcome the lack of rhythm guitar. Any insight you might have would be greatly appreciated! A: Although it’s been a while since I played...
Tom Tom Club: Genius of Love
I’ve been hooked on listening to Tom Tom Club lately, after the news of their new album coming out this month. A splinter group of The Talking Heads, the band was formed by bassist Tina Weymouth and drummer Chris Frantz in 1981. “Genius of Love” is not only a huge hit for them, but its hypnotic groove has also been...
Dave Matthews Band Releases “Away from the World”
Dave Matthews Band has released Away from the World, the band’s eighth studio effort and first since the 2009 release, GrooGrux King. Matthews, who formed the band in 1991, recently told NPR that he’s surprised he’s made it this far. “I can remember saying ‘I can’t imagine that I’m going to be doing this when I’m 45’ — and I’m...
Reader Spotlight: Ben Clarke
Meet Ben Clarke, a bassist who got his start on clarinet and sax and moved on from there to the most awesome instrument on the planet. Ben is our player in the spotlight for the week of September 11, 2012. Bio: Starting formal musical training on clarinet, then baritone & tenor saxes in Junior High. Picked up the guitar and...
Top 10: The Most Watched Bass Videos (August 2012)
Of all the awesome bass videos we shared in August (all 31 of them), 10 of them ruled supreme, based on No Treble reader views. August included our popular “isolated bass week”, and many of those made the list. Enjoy! 1. Red Hot Chili Peppers: Flea’s Isolated Bass on “Scar Tissue” Flea can be a crazy funk-rock bassist, but here...
The Funky Knuckles: Barbosa
Steven Smith sent in this video of The Funky Knuckles playing their tune “Barbosa” while opening for Snarky Puppy at Matt Garrison’s Shapeshifter Lab in New York City. Starting with a bass solo from Wes Stephenson, the group launches into an awesome funk-fusion jam that’ll leave you bobbing your head. Stephenson sets up a bouncy groove while keeping it tight...
Atoms for Peace Release Single, Announce Album for 2013
Atoms for Peace have released their new single, “Default,” along with the news that their debut album will be dropping in 2013. The project, which features Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke, producer Nigel Godrich, and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, has been getting a lot of buzz since their inception. “I have a new project, it’s called Atoms for Peace,”...
Dethklok Announce Tour with Machine Head, All That Remains, and the Black Dahlia Murder
Animated death metal outfit Dethklok will be hitting the road this fall with Machine Head, All That Remains, and the Black Dahlia Murder in support of their upcoming release Dethalbum III. Kicking off October 30th in Norfolk, Virginia, the North American trek will cross all of the U.S. with stops in Toronto and Montreal for Canadian fans. Dethklok’s bass duties...
Trill Exercises for Bassists
For better or worse, trills grab the listeners attention. If a trill is quick, clear and under the performer’s control it can generate excitement in the listener. If it is slow, clumsy and uncontrolled, however, it can have a most deleterious effect. To ensure trills are at our command, we should train our fingers to execute them well. The exercise...
Matthew Kniffin: The Evolution of Consciousness
As a freshman heading to Berklee College of Music, Matthew Kniffin may be young, but don’t let that fool you. He’s been playing for 11 years already, and has already released a solo bass EP called Awaken. The bassist describes himself as socially conscious and creates his music to “reflect ideas of how we must change our relationship with Earth...
Weekly Top Ten: New Bass Gear, “Havona” Transcription, 12 Year Old Bassist, Top Bass Videos and How To’s
Here are the most read stories and most watched videos on No Treble for the week of September 2-8, 2012. Thanks for reading, commenting and sharing! 1. Vox Introduces Apache Series Bass Guitars Vox has expanded their bass lineup with the Apache series of basses, which pick up where their predecessors from the ’60s left off. The new travel instruments...
Gibson Announces Grabber 3: ’70s Tribute Bass
Gibson first introduced the Grabber bass in the 1970’s, with the company completely redesigning their version of the electric bass following their successful run with the EB series. Gibson is going back to the Grabber with the introduction of the Grabber 3, a ’70s tribute bass the company says “recaptures the best qualities of the original version, produced from 1973...