Buzz
Allan Holdsworth Live with Skuli Sverrison: Letters Of Marque
Here’s a live performance of Allan Holdsworth at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA on October 7, 1992. This performance of “Letters of Marque” features a solo by bassist Skuli Sverrison. Gary Husband is on drums and Steve Hunt is on keys. Thanks to Sigurdór Guðmundsson for sharing this with us.
Avenged Sevenfold Release “Nightmare”
Avenged Sevenfold has released their newest effort, Nightmare. This is the first album not to feature the band’s original drummer, Jimmy “The Rev” Sullivan, who passed away late last year. In his stead for the album and subsequent touring is Dream Theater’s Mike Portnoy. “Mike Portnoy has always been a hero of ours and Jimmy’s,” bassist Johnny Christ told Bloody-Disgusting.com....
Weather Report: Live in Hamburg 1971 DVD Released
A 1971 performance of Weather Report, originally broadcast on the German TV show “Beat Club” has made its way to DVD. Released this week, Weather Report: Live in Hamburg 1971 features the early line-up of the group including bassist Miroslav Vitous, co-founding members Joe Zawinul (keyboards) and Wayne Shorter (sax), with Alphonse Mouzon on drums an Dom Um Romao on...
Getting in the Scene
Q: I have some questions regarding studio bass work and other bass-related job possibilities. Since you are a man of many groups and projects, I was hoping you could share some of your valuable insight and experience about diversifying one’s opportunities as a bass player. What is the first step, besides practice of course, to becoming a studio bassist? Are...
Igor Franca: Tight Trite Night (Bass Version)
This is Brazilian bass player Igor Franca, performing a 6-string bass version of the tune “Tight Trite Night”, written by the amazing acoustic guitarist, Don Ross.
Glenn Hughes Announces Solo UK Tour
Former Deep Purple and Black Sabbath member Glenn Hughes has announced a fall tour of the UK. “I’m thrilled to embark on the most extensive U.K. solo tour of my career,” he reports. Most recently, Hughes collaborated with drummer Jason Bonham and guitarist Joe Bonamassa in the supergroup Black Country Communion. Glenn Hughes Solo Tour Dates: Sep. 23 – Academy...
Reader Spotlight: Joel Gregory Ciulla
Meet Joel Ciulla, our bassist in the spotlight for July 27, 2010. Bio: Joel has performed and recorded with hundreds of great musicians such as Alex Acuna, Bennie Maupen, Gerald Clayton, Dr. Bobby Rodriguez, Poncho Sanchez, Justo Almario… just to name a few. He is currently working on his new CD “Cha Cha Bop”, featuring all original compositions. Location: Los...
Custom Shop: An Interview with Pierre Erizias
While checking out all the booths at Summer NAMM last month, we ran into custom bass builder, Pierre Erizias. Based out of Montreal, Pierre wowed us with not only his basses, but his cool story of how he got started building. We were able to catch up with him recently to dig a little deeper and find out about his...
Francois Lamouche: Shazam Kadazam for Solo Bass
The following is an extract of a tune Francois Lamouche is working on for his street playing. He calls it “Shazam Kadazam”.
R.E.M. Finish Work on New Album
Bassist Mike Mills and R.E.M. have announced that they have completed work on a new album, which will be due out sometime spring 2011. This will be the group’s 15th studio album, following 2008’s Acceleration. Though the group has been keeping the new album’s sound secret, they revealed in an online post that their recording location in Berlin has affected...
Gear Watch: Industrial Radio Standard Midi Bass 4
Industrial Radio has released the Standard Midi Bass 4, a hybrid bass guitar and MIDI controller that connects and controls synthesizer and sampler technology. The fret-sensing neck and multi-sensor approach to MIDI conversion is designed for both the studio and live environments. The bass is also a standard bass guitar, so bassists can enjoy real bass and switch to synth...
The Lowdown with Dr. D.: Reader Questions
I constantly receive questions in my email box from aspiring bassists. Unfortunately sometimes these pile up and I can’t always get to everyone’s question in a timely manner, or even send a personal response. So for a few installments, I thought I would take some time here on The Lowdown and answer a few of the more common questions that...