Buzz
Mr. Big Releases Track from Upcoming Album
Billy Sheehan and Mr. Big are gearing up for their ninth album, due to be released on July 7th. Defying Gravity will feature the original lineup of Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert, Sheehan, and Pat Torpey, although Torpey shares duties with drummer Matt Starr after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The album will also see the return of their original producer....
Fender Issues Update on Use of Rosewood
At the beginning of the year, new CITES regulations went into effect for all species of rosewood. The wood is very common in basses and other stringed instruments as a fretboard material. To address the issue, Fender released a statement on how they are changing their instruments to deal with the new regulation. “Fender is committed to the continued use...
Mike Watt with Dave Grohl and Eddie Vedder: Walking The Cow
Ever since the Ring Spiel Tour ’95 album came out last year, I’ve been hooked on this song. “Walking The Cow” is an odd little tune written by Daniel Johnston and reimagined here by Mike Watt along with Dave Grohl, Eddie Vedder, Pat Smear, and William Goldsmith. Watt lays down a perfect bass line accented by a few pops and...
Ask Damian: More Album Recommendations
Q: I really dug the last column about albums to check out, if you want to get into jazz. I found a ton of great stuff that I actually liked in there! Do you have any more suggestions that extend beyond the jazz genre? A: Thanks! I’m glad that you discovered some new music. That’s great to hear. I’ve gotten...
Davie504: Fidget Spinner Jam
It seems like you just can’t get away from fidget spinners right now. Luckily, YouTube bassist Davie504 decided to put one to good use. Here’s a cool clip of him using a fidget spinner to play the main theme to “Misirlou”. The fad toy makes for good tremolo pick.
Reader Spotlight: Liam “Leroy” Owen
Growing up in what he describes as “the wildest and weirdest parts of West Wales,” Liam “Leroy” Owen lived in a home without a TV signal. “So music was what we did,” he shares. His dad – a guitarist – had plenty of instruments around, and when it came time for Liam to choose one, he chose the bass. Liam...
Phil Jones Bass Announces the Bass Pulse One and Cab 47
Phil Jones Bass is introducing a handful of new products this year including the new Bass Pulse One bass amp and the Cab 47. Debuted at the NAMM Show, both the amp and cab are lightweight and carry on the PJB tradition. The Bass Pulse One pumps out 350 watts at 4 ohms while weighing in at only 2.9 pounds....
Bokanté: O La
Bokanté’s debut album is coming next month, and the band has just shared another video to preview the project. As we said in the last video, Bokanté is a new band and experiment by Snarky Puppy founder and GroundUP Music creator Michael League. For the most part, League plays baritone guitar in this group, but he also doubles on bass....
Bass of the Week: Roscoe Guitars Century Standard Plus 5HL
Something (or maybe everything) about this Century Standard Plus from Roscoe Guitars really caught my attention while sifting through my Facebook feed. Between its slick headless design and dynamic cocobolo top, it stopped me dead in my tracks. The five-string was also built with an alder body and pau ferro fingerboard with 24 frets. I really dig the off-kilter Bartolini...
Talking Technique: Speed Permutations
Up for part 2 of our challenge? In part 1 we explored pivot permutations and using the mirror image of permutations. As if that wasn’t tough enough, we are going for speed in this episode! You know I love the power of slow and recommend practicing slowly with your attention rotating (my PORA technique), but in this episode it is...
Chris Robinson Brotherhood: It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue
In August 2016, Chris Robinson Brotherhood stopped by the SiriusXM studios and performed their cover of Bob Dylan’s “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue.” Laying down the low end is Jeff Hill, who took over after founding bassist Mark “Muddy” Dutton left the band earlier that year. What a great cover.
Thundercat Unveils Extensive World Tour Dates
Just a month after wrapping a three-month world tour, bass phenom Thundercat is gearing up to do it all over again. The bassist will be flying between North America, Europe, and Japan starting at the end of May and going through November. Many of the summer performances will be festival appearances, though he will start a headlining tour on August...