Session legend Nathan East reflects on the business of bass By Nick Wells published 21 April 24 Nathan East looks back at some of his biggest tracks, and why he’d love to have a career like Pat Metheny or Marcus Miller
“I grow the nails on my right hand as long as I can”: Steve Harris on Iron Maiden’s Wrathchild By Nick Wells published 19 April 24 Every would-be metalhead should learn from the best: Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris
Best looper pedals 2024: go it alone with the greatest loop pedals for practice, live performance and jamming By Alex Lynham last updated 19 April 24 Whether you're writing songs or woodshedding solos, using a loop pedal will make you a better guitarist – these are the best looper pedals from Boss, TC Electronic, Line 6 and more
Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament names 11 bassists who shaped his sound By Gregory Adams published 18 April 24 From Dee Dee Ramone to Eric Avery, fretless to 12-string bassists, Jeff Ament believes all his influences can all be heard on the latest Pearl Jam album Dark Matter
Listen to Geddy Lee’s “flamenco” strumming technique on Rush’s Snakes & Arrows By Nick Wells published 16 April 24 Geddy Lee’s signature sounds abound on Snakes and Arrows, but was there a new twist in his bass playing?
Why Klaus Voormann’s bassline on John Lennon’s Whatever Gets You Thru The Night is a must-listen By Chris Jisi published 14 April 24 The German musician and artist was John Lennon's bass guitarist of choice for two decades
Listen to John Deacon’s isolated bassline on Killer Queen By Chris Jisi published 13 April 24 John Deacon’s bass playing on Killer Queen is guaranteed to blow your mind
Bad Religion’s Jay Bentley on his bass-playing influences and the “best sounding P-Bass he’s ever heard” By Jonathan Herrera published 12 April 24 Vomit and blood may be punk rock, but it’s not what you might expect from longtime Bad Religion bassist Jay Bentley
Verdine White picks his top 5 Earth, Wind & Fire basslines By Nick Wells published 11 April 24 Earth, Wind and Fire’s pocket-perfect bassist names his best basslines
“Playing at the Super Bowl is the easy part. It’s the musical director responsibilities leading up that’s stressful”: Adam Blackstone heads up the biggest gigs on the planet – now with a 5-string Jackson bass named after his grandmother By Amit Sharma published 10 April 24 The Emmy and Grammy winner has led the musical charge for everyone from Rihanna to Eminem and Justin Timberlake. He explains why he went for Jackson over Fender for his signature bass, what makes five strings essential to his style, and how he leads the band while laying down the groove
“It was always magical playing bass with Tony Iommi. To me, he's the greatest guitarist ever”: Geezer Butler’s 10 best basslines with Black Sabbath By Nick Wells published 7 April 24 When it comes to influential metal bands, few can hold a candle to Black Sabbath. These are Geezer Butler’s 10 heaviest rock riffs
“He already had his signature tone and touch, and a few of his signature licks, too”: A year before he was discovered, Jaco Pastorius laid down this classic R&B bassline on Little Beaver’s 1974 hit, I Can Dig It Baby By Nick Wells published 7 April 24 Recorded a year before he was discovered by Blood Sweat and Tears drummer Bobby Colomby, I Can Dig It Baby finds Jaco Pastorius in his prime
“I’d be there with bass pedals, a triple-neck guitar and keyboards, and Robert Plant would ask, ‘Can you sing, as well?’” How John Paul Jones became Led Zeppelin’s ultimate wingman By Nick Wells published 5 April 24 Armed with years of experience as a session bassist and arranger – having worked with the Yardbirds, Jeff Beck and the Rolling Stones – John Paul Jones could do it all
“Steve Vai is always evolving… he continues to achieve what others thought impossible, and he finds new things to try every day”: How Philip Bynoe keeps up with the world-leading virtuoso By Andrew Daly published 5 April 24 The Berklee grad on what drew him to six-string basses over fours and fives, why sometimes it’s important to compromise on tone, and modern playing techniques versus the joy of “a simple melody you can’t stop humming”
“I bought a right-handed Hofner, re-strung it and learned to play like a lefty, which was a nightmare”: How The Bootleg Beatles’ Steve White became a carbon-copy Paul McCartney By Joel McIver published 4 April 24 Think you can play a bit like Sir Paul? It’s not as easy as you think, says Bootleg Beatles bassist Steve White
“John Lydon once made a stab at poaching Flea for Public Image. At which point Flea keeled over and passed out”: Anthony Kiedis takes a nostalgic look back at Flea’s finest hour from Blood Sugar Sex Magik By Joel McIver published 31 March 24 Flea’s reputation as a killer bass player almost saw him lured away from the Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Bono always wanted me to play that part with a pick, but I get a different reaction from playing bass with my fingers. There’s nothing quite like that contact of pulling the wires”: Adam Clayton on the U2 sound By Brian Fox published 31 March 24 Whether he’s playing steady eighth-notes or a rocking counter melody, U2’s Adam Clayton seems to have the perfect tone for every song
“I totally respected Jaco's bass playing, but that 16th-note triplet funk thing – it just wasn't in his repertoire”: Weather Report drummer Chester Thompson on why Jaco Pastorius struggled to swing By Nick Wells published 29 March 24 In 1975, Jaco Pastorius replaced Alphonso Johnson in Weather Report, but for drummer Chester Thompson, playing with Jaco was “like oil and water”
“I gravitate more towards Victor Wooten than the straight-up shredding of Billy Sheehan, but I’ve ripped pages from both books”: Jacob Umansky unpacks the origins of his cutting-edge slap technique By Nick Wells published 25 March 24 How the Intervals and JIA bassist powered up his slap technique – with the help of Victor Wooten and Billy Sheehan
“Both Joe and Guthrie play a mean, funky rhythm guitar on a song like Stevie Wonder’s Superstition. That counts for more than you think”: Bass supremo Bryan Beller reveals what it’s like to play with Joe Satriani and Guthrie Govan By Alison Richter published 23 March 24 The prolific bassist explains why Satch’s music isn’t as simple as it seems, while it’s a case of keeping up with Govan’s high-speed improv… but the pair do share a certain funkiness
