Buzz
Fuzzrocious Pedals Introduces Heliotropic Stompbox
Fuzzrocious has just introduced the Heliotropic, a new pedal that combines a modified big muff circuit and preamp. The new stompbox was inspired by a song of the same name by the band Failure. “Failure coaxed some amazing and unique sounds out of their instruments,” Fuzzrocious builder Ryan Ratajski stated. “I have been chasing those tones ever since I started...
Progressive Scales: A Bass Player’s Guide to Learning Scales and Improving Reading Ability
I’ve written in the past about the importance of scale work to solidify instrumental technique (see the Lowdown archives for those columns and more). If we are new to learning a particular scale it is probably wise to start by playing from root to root (e.g. C-C in C major) until we are comfortable. This may prove helpful at first,...
Marcus Miller Band: “Slippin’ Into Darkness”, Live at the Thanks Jimi Festival
Earlier this year, Marcus Miller and his band took part in the Thanks Jimi Festival in Wroclaw, Poland. Here’s one of the best fan-shot videos I’ve ever seen, capturing the band in their performance of WAR’s 1971 tune, “Slippin’ Into Darkness”. And it is awesome. This tune made it to Marcus’ recent release, Renaissance (read our review).
Weekly Top 10: New Gear, Constructing Bass Lines, What Makes a Great Bassist Discussion, Top Videos and More
1. Schecter Unveils Sean Yseult Signature Casket Bass Sean Yseult now has her own signature casket bass from Schecter Guitars. The new coffin-shaped axe is based on the bass she designed for White Zombie’s AstroCreep tour in 1994, which led up to the release of AstroCreep: 2000. The bass features a mahogany body and 3-piece mahogany neck with an ebony...
Smoke & Jackal: Kings of Leon Bassist Jared Followill Debuts New Band with First Single
Kings of Leon may be taking a break, but that’s not stopping bassist Jared Followill. Followill has launched Smoke & Jackal, a new band with Mona front-man Nick Brown. “Coming together just worked,” Followill said. “I think it’s because we took such an easy approach to it, we didn’t bring any egos to it. We just talked about each other’s...
In Memoriam: Charles Flores
Cuban bassist Charles Flores has passed away, after a two year battle with cancer. Flores’ career included work with a host of Latin and jazz superstars including Michel Camilo, with whom he had played with since joining the pianist’s trio in 2002. It was with Camilo that Flores won a Grammy for the album Live at the Blue Note. “It...
Mattia La Maida: All Bass Arrangement of “Come Together”
Here’s bassist Mattia La Maida, performing a Brian Bromberg-inspired solo bass version of the Beatles’ “Come Together”, which of course features Paul McCartney’s highly recognizable bass line. And in case that’s not enough bassists mentioned, a photo of Jaco Pastorius also makes a cameo appearance. And in case all of that is not distracting enough, Mattia has a pretty sweet...
Evan Marien & Dana Hawkins: Flashes
We’re huge fans of the combo of bassist Evan Marien and drummer Dana Hawkins, and it is clear that No Treble readers agree. Here’s the duo with one of their most recent videos, performing the tune “Flashes”.
Sly and Robbie Release “New Legend – Jamaica 50th Edition”
Reggae masters Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare have done it again with New Legend – Jamaica 50th Edition, a new album of 10 original tracks celebrating Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of independence. The drum and bass duo are joined by a new band called the Jam Masters, which is filled out by guitarist Earl “Chinna” Smith, keyboardist Robbie Lyn and vocalist...
The Beatles’ “Magical Mystery Tour” Coming to DVD
The Beatles’ third and decidedly psychedelic film Magical Mystery Tour is coming back to life this Fall as the 1967 film has been fully restored and will be released on DVD and Blu-ray. Written and directed by the Fab Four themselves, the loose plot is a “dreamlike story of a coach day trip to the seaside” accompanied by six songs...
Kauer Guitars Introduces Daylighter Bass
California-based Kauer Guitars has introduced the Daylighter Bass, modeled after their popular series of guitars by the same name. With several feature options, the company says the bass can cover ground from “classic Motown vibe straight through the most aggressive modern bass tones.” The Daylighter’s body is made of Spanish Cedar and is available in a plethora of color options....
New School: Jayme Lewis
With a new album and videos (see below) to accompany its release, Jayme Lewis has been taking the online bass community by storm with his awe-inspiring playing and tight band compositions. Lewis puts the bass out front in all the right ways, letting his equally skilled bandmates take the lead when the time is right. Beginning on piano at age...