News - Page 440

The rockers in Black Rebel Motorcycle Club posted a message on their web site seeking help in tracking down some stolen gear, including a 1968 Ampeg Scrolltop fretless bass and a 1964 Black Fender Precision. The gear, which belonged to bassist/singer Robert Levon Been’s father, was taken out of band’s personal storage locker. Also taken was a Fender 1954 Esquire...

Larry Graham is back! The original bassist for Sly & The Family Stone and pioneer of the slap-thumb method of bass playing is taking his group, Graham Central Station, back on the road. Graham Central Station was formed in 1973 and performed together until 1979. Graham re-formed Graham Central Station after Sly and the Family Stone’s induction into the Rock...

If your dream is to become the next rock star, you might want to consider attending this year’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp in Los Angeles. The camp, now in its 12th year, allows musicians to jam with legendary rock stars and play major concert venues. This year, bassists Michael Anthony (Van Halen, Chickenfoot), Lemmy Kilmister (Motörhead), and Rudy Sarzo...

We’re still digging up videos from NAMM here and there… Here’s Michael Manring, playing his Signature Bass at the Zon booth during NAMM 2010. Crank up your speakers a little, the audio is a little light.

The new Red Ripper Fuzz for bass from Tech 21 is more than your ordinary distortion box. It actually responds to the dynamics of your touch, so if you play harder you get more fuzz and higher harmonics, and if you play softer you get less fuzz and enhanced lower harmonics. Very nice for dynamic contrast. The Red Ripper’s “R.I.P.”...

Three years ago, keyboardist Alan Pasqua put together a band to honor drummer Tony Williams, who passed away. Pasqua recruited Yellowjackets bassist Jimmy Haslip along with drummer Chad Wackerman and guitarist Allan Holdsworth to the project, and the group recorded throughout their tour. Blues for Tony, originally released on DVD, is now available as a double CD. From the editorial...

Les Claypool has just updated his 2010 tour schedule to include some dates in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas in April: 4/19 at Stubb’s in Austin, TX 4/20 at House Of Blues in Houston, TX 4/21 at Lakewood Theatre in Dallas, TX 4/23 at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, OK 4/24 at The Village in Little Rock, AR Pre-sale tickets are available....

The debut recording for the Dave Holland Octet has been announced, with a release date of March 23, 2010. Pathways features Holland along with Chris Potter (tenor, soprano), Robin Eubanks (trombone), Steve Nelson (vibes, marimba), and Nate Smith (drums). Added to the front-line are other Holland collaborators Antonio Hart (alto saxophone), Alex Sipiagin (trumpet), and Gary Smulyan (baritone saxophone). The...

Jazz bassist Michael Janisch has just released his new album, Purpose Built on Whirlwind Recordings. This is his first album as a bandleader and features Aaron Goldberg (piano), Jim Hart (vibraphone), Jason Palmer (trumpet), Paul Booth (Tenor Saxophone), Mike Moreno (guitar), Patrick Cornelius (alto saxophone), Phil Robson (guitar), Walter Smith III (tenor saxophone), and Johnathan Blake (drums). Preview and download...

The massive line up for the three day Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival has been announced, boasting over 120 performing artists. The headlining artists for each night are scheduled to be Jay-Z, Muse, and Gorillaz. Bass players will be happy to hear from the likes of Les Claypool, Them Crooked Vultures, Sly and the Family Stone, and many more....

Peavey has introduced two new basses guitars to their modern metal inspired PXD Series: the Tragic 4 and Void 4. Both the Tragic and Void are 4-string neck-through-body basses that feature an alder body, maple neck, and ebony fretboard. Both models also enjoy the incredible tonal control of Peavey VFL active pickups, which are the same proprietary electronics that Peavey...

Bryan Beller recently updated us on the next WesFest Benefit Concert, now in its fifth year. The concert is in honor of Wes Wehmiller, a Berklee grad and good friend of Beller who passed away in 2005 from thyroid cancer. Each year, the concert raises funds for a scholarship endowed in Wehmiller’s name at Berklee. The scholarship winner from the...