Buzz

Godsmack’s Robbie Merrill Announces Rock Dawg University

Godsmack bassist Robbie Merrill has announced Rock Dawg University, a live lesson series where fans will get to the chance to see, hear and interact with him in an “exclusive and intimate online setting.” Currently, there are 10 sessions scheduled starting May 27th and wrapping up July 5th though the schedule is subject to change due to Merrill’s touring. The...

Dealing with Repetitive Stress Injuries

Q: Every morning, when I wake up at about 5 am to practice my bass, I find that my fingers get cold and blood stops going to them. When I stop and rest, I feel the blood rushing back to them. This started happening since I upgraded my practice time from four hours to about seven hours. Have you ever...

Hadrien Feraud Bass Solo

Here’s a clip of French fusion bassist Hadrien Feraud jamming out some solo bass ideas on his signature Ken Smith 5-string. The video was shot by fellow bass monster Janek Gwizdala before he interviewed him.

Alex Bershadsky Releases “Anonymous”

Bassist Alex Bershadsky has released his latest solo effort, Anonymous. The 8-track album is full of Bershadsky’s fusion compositions, with heavy influences from jazz, funk, and R&B. The final two tracks are his arrangements of the traditional song “Ma’oz Tzur,” on which he plays solo bass, and Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The band on the album proves its versatility...

Reader Spotlight: Ryan Ladd

Meet Ryan Ladd, a bassist from Placerville, California and our player in the spotlight for May 17, 2011. Bio: I’ve been playing bass guitar my whole life. I’m in a progressive rock band called “Crimson Sky.” I also play solo bass, and I’m working on an album. I’m what you would call a sonic omnivore, meaning I listen to and...

Bela Fleck & Flecktones Release “Rocket Science”

As we reported back in March, the original members of Bela Fleck & the Flecktones have reunited to record Rocket Science, released today. Pianist/harmonica player Howard Levy returned to the group for the first time since 1991, with bassist Victor Wooten, percussionist/drummer Roy “Futureman” Wooten and banjoist and leader Bela Fleck. The group wanted to avoid doing the “reunion thing”,...

Ain’t No Sunshine: John Mayer Trio Live with Pino Palladino

Recorded during the 2010 Crossroads Festival, here’s the John Mayer Trio performing the Bill Withers classic, “Ain’t No Sunshine”. Pino Palladino really lays down a nice groove, along with drummer Steve Jordan. This performance was included on the .

Peter Hook’s The Light Releases 1102/2011

Peter Hook’s The Light has released their debut 4-track EP on the bassist’s Hacienda Records label. 1102/2011 includes the group covering classic Joy Division songs, including a first ever recording of the previously unfinished song “Pictures in My Mind.” The song was discovered on a recovered rehearsal tape stolen from the band in 1977. Hook, who was the original Joy...

iReal B: A Look Into the New Real Book App for iOS

iReal B, formerly known as “iReal Book” and as you may have guessed, is the Real Book in digital form. This app is an iOS universal app, compatible with iPad, iPhone and iPod touch and available for $7.99. This is one of my most used apps on my iPad. In the most recent version, iReal B only provides chord charts,...

Von Thord: Wedding Night

Jan Östlund sent us this video of Von Thord playing their tune, “Wedding Night”. The duo, made up of David Werthén and John Bergion, say, “this is what the cello and bass were built for wood beating in HD.” We agree.

Here are the most read, most popular stories and features on No Treble for the week of May 8 – 14, 2011. 1. Victor Wooten & JD Blair: Live at Blue Note Milan Filmed from the audience two days ago, here’s Victor Wooten and JD Blair playing the tune, “U Can’t Hold No Groove…” as their finale. The tune is...

Bootsy Collins Announces Tour Dates, Funk University Professors

Bootsy Collins has announced the “Funk Capital of the World Tour,” including 27 dates spread between the U.S., Canada, and Europe. The trek is in support of the funk bassist’s latest solo album, Tha Funk Capital of the World, with which Collins pays tribute to the musical legends that have inspired and affected him. The funk bass icon has also...