Buzz
Cliff Williams Announces Retirement from AC/DC
After 40 years holding down the low end for AC/DC, bassist Cliff Williams has announced he will retire after the band’s current tour. Williams, who replaced Mark Evans in mid-1977, cites the recent departure of other longtime members guitarist Malcolm Young, drummer Phil Rudd, and vocalist Brian Johnson as part of the reason for stepping down. “It’s been what I’ve...
Franklin Peredo: Funktopia Robotica
Franklin Peredo never ceases to amaze me. His latest video is for the song “Funktopia Robotica” and it features the bassist’s crazy right hand technique to make the music sound like the title suggests. It’s not that he’s strumming, thumping, popping and tapping – it’s that he does it so fluidly you forget about the techniques and listen to the...
Incognito Releases 17th Studio Album
Longstanding jazz-funk outfit Incognito — the band’s been around for 37 years — features not only the work of its bassist, Francis Hylton, on its 17th studio album, In Search of Better Days, but also original Jamiroquai bassist Stuart Zender. Zender guests on the album’s opening track, “Love Born in Flames” (you’ll see Hylton on keyboards in the video below)....
Gretsch Announces Tom Petersson 12-String and 4-String Signature Basses
Cheap Trick’s Tom Petersson and Gretsch teamed up to announce a pair of signature basses at this year’s Summer NAMM show in Nashville, Tennessee. The models include the USA Custom Shop Tom Petersson Signature 12-String Falcon Bass and the G6136B-TP-AWT Tom Petersson Signature 4-String Bass. Petersson has been testing the 12-string prototype live on the road. Available in Vintage White,...
MonoNeon, Mr. Talkbox and John Blackwell: “Controversy” Prince Tribute
Musicians around the world have been paying tribute to the Purple One since his untimely passing in April, and they have yielded some incredible moments. Here’s a great clip from a live Prince tribute hosted by Bootsy Collins that features Byron “Mr. Talkbox” Chambers, drummer John Blackwell from New Power Generation and bassist MonoNeon, who was one of the last...
Marc Ribot Teams With Jamaaladeen Tacuma on Live Album
Distinctive and prolific jazz bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma, known for his extensive solo and group work, including a long tenure in Ornette Coleman’s Prime Time band, is also part of a group that draws upon that Coleman band — Marc Ribot & The Young Philadelphians, which has released a live album recorded in 2014, The Young Philadelphians Live In Tokyo. The...
Fund Set Up for Chip Shearin After Moving Accident
Bassist Chip Shearin suffered a devastating blow on when nearly all of his family’s possessions were destroyed on June 22nd. Shearin was in the process of moving his family to Los Angeles when the driver of his moving truck fell asleep at the wheel. The resulting accident ruined most of his children’s toys, his studio equipment, several of his basses,...
The Lightbulb Moment: Support Your Local Economy, Part 1
We live in a pretty hectic world. In addition to our day-to-day worries, such as battling traffic and remembering to buy toilet paper, we can’t seem to escape from the never-ending news cycle. Lately, politics seem to have taken over; there is ongoing discussion of constitutional amendments, how to deal with big business and the global economy, and how the...
Progger: Endorphin
Our friend Bryan Ladd shared a video by a project he’s been involved in over the last year or so. The band is Progger, and this is their tune “Endorphin.” Bryan gets in a short but sweet solo at the end. The song appeared on Progger’s album, which was released back in April.
Unheard Takes of Jazz Legend Charlie Parker and His Collaborators Released in New Set
Fifty-eight never listed studio takes from legendary jazz saxophonist Charlie “Bird” Parker and his groups have been compiled on the set, Unheard Bird: The Unissued Takes. The set features a veritable who’s who of bebop bassists, including Teddy Kotick, Ray Brown, Tommy Potter and Curley Russell. Jazz historian Phil Schaap, currently Curator at Jazz At Lincoln Center, co-produced the compilation...
Greer Amps Introduces the Super Hornet Octave Fuzz Pedal
Greer Amps has released a new octave fuzz pedal called the Super Hornet, which they say works great on guitar and bass. Based on a Foxx Tone Machine, the pedal tweaks the vintage-style circuit by using NOS BC-107B transistors and adding a feature to the octave section. The octave switch can be set to On or Stinger modes. When in...
Groove – Episode #19: Rhonda Smith
In 1996, bass player Rhonda Smith did something that few musicians can ever lay claim to. She joined Prince’s astounding backing band, The New Power Generation. The years, miles, and practice that brought her to this moment cannot be underestimated. Getting on Prince’s radar is tough enough. Getting a place in this ferocious musical tsunami of funk is a whole...