Buzz
FORQ: 635 South
Michael League is one busy bassist. FORQ – the band consisting of the Snarky Puppy bassist/founder, along with Snarky Puppy guitarist Chris McQueen, Rudder keyboardist Henry Hey, and drummer Jason “JT” Thomas – has just released another video featuring a tune from their album, . “635 South” was written by Thomas.
Harry Shearer To Release Spinal Tap Bassist Derek Smalls Solo Album
Thirty-three years after the mockumentary that put Spinal Tap on the map, Derek Smalls is making a solo album. The “Big Bottom” bassist, a character played by Harry Shearer, is reportedly in the process of recording his solo debut, tentatively entitled Smalls Change. Shearer talked about the project with GQ, saying it will “shed light on the travails of partying...
Going Wireless: What to Look for in a Wireless System
Q: Every so often, I get a question and have no experience with the subject matter. Rather than ignoring it, I like to get someone else involved who can answer it better than I could. Case in point: I received a question some months ago asking about wireless systems and for suggestions as to what to look for and what...
Thundercat: Show You the Way
Thundercat was on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this week, and man was it good. Joined by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins, they performed “Show You the Way,” from Thundercat’s latest album, Drunk.
On the Road with Peat Rains from You Bred Raptors?: Part 1
Part 1 – Boston/Burlington/Montreal/Toronto Introduction: We’re currently trudging along Queen Elizabeth Highway in Ontario, Canada. It’s a long stretch of nothingness road flanked by featureless forests and rest stops with Tim Horton’s menus in French. It will be a long haul from Montreal to Toronto today. It’s Day Four of a twenty city tour throughout Canada and the United States....
Jeff Berlin: Shenandoah
Jeff Berlin recently shared this video on Facebook, and it knocked me out. “While filming some lesson videos, I decided to improvise a rendition of the American classic, ‘Shenandoah,'” he shared. “Recently, I’ve been improvising tunes on the bass that I know in my head but haven’t worked out. I am curious to see what the present ceiling of my...
The Who’s 2004 Isle Of Wight Festival Released On Blu-Ray/DVD
The Who’s return to the Isle of Wight Festival in 2004 was important for several reasons. First, it was the first time playing the festival since their legendary 1970 performance. It had just been restarted in 2002 after a long absence. Secondly, it was the first time the band played in their home country since the untimely passing of bassist...
Bass of the Week: Moniker Guitars Natural Dixie Double P-Bass
Who doesn’t love a good P-bass? Moniker Guitars knows it only takes some simple elegance to create a tone monster, and they proved it with this version of their Dixie bass. The Dixie Double P-Bass is about simple, natural design with slick curves in all the right places. Its alder body has arm and rib contours for extra playing comfort...
Talking Technique: Pivot Permutations in the Blues
Ready to apply all this hard work in a song? In part three of this mini-series on Talking Technique we are putting all this hard work to good use in a blues. If you haven’t been following along, be sure to check out the past two Talking Technique episodes! So far we’ve been working on using pivot permutations with their...
STIG: Downtown Tom
We last featured bassist Artie Sadtler with his band Planet MicroJam, and their tune “Drunken Longing.” He’s back with another band, STIG, and their very funky tune, “Downtown Tom.” We’re digging this!
Roger Waters Releases Fifth Solo Album
Former Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters is back with his fifth solo album, entitled Is This The Life We Really Want? It’s his first studio album since 1992’s Amused to Death. As one might expect from the songwriter’s past and present stances, the album is politically-charged. Although he regularly expresses his opinions on the current administration, Is This The Life...
GHS Announces BEAD Tuned Bass Boomers
If you like things nice and low, GHS has you covered with their latest set of Bass Boomers. The new four-string sets are designed for BEAD tuning and described as having “deep low end with a midrange crunch that cuts through a band mix.” The BEAD Tuned Bass Boomers come in three gauges – Medium Light, Medium, and Heavy –...