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How Larry Graham's hand-picked replacement supercharged this 1973 hit for Sly & The Family Stone
By Chris Jisi published
On Graham’s recommendation, Rustee Allen arrived at the Record Plant in California to overdub his iconic If You Want Me to Stay bassline

Glen Matlock opens up about Sid Vicious replacing him in the Sex Pistols to become one of punk's most iconic figures
By Phil Weller published
Vicious’ bad-boy image may have underpinned the band’s legacy, but Matlock insists he’s no shrinking violet either

Was Paul McCartney singing while he recorded this bass track? There are audible cues in the final mix
By Chris Jisi published
Legendary session bassist and member of the Fab Faux Will Lee takes a closer look at Abbey Road classic Oh! Darling, and unpacks Macca's genius approach to reimagining a doo-wop bassline

Watch Indian band Girish and the Chronicles deliver a searing hard rock take on an Adele classic on America's Got Talent
By Janelle Borg published
With sixteen years and a solid repertoire under their belt, the hard-hitting band have also shared stages with Guns N' Roses and TesseracT

Dave Murray says Iron Maiden stuck out from the pack because because they have a bassist as the lead songwriter
By Phil Weller published
The guitarist has opened up on Harris’ songwriting lead and why he’s happy taking a back seat in one of the biggest metal bands in the world

Why Larry DiMarzio decided to start a pickup line that would change the face of guitar music in the 1970s
By Janelle Borg published
DiMarzio started his career as a guitar repairman in New York, when his distaste for stock pickups prompted him to make his own

How Tommy Shannon stumbled onto the foundation for one of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s biggest radio hits
By Bryan Beller published
What started with a rehearsal room groove ended up an SRV classic. We dissect the anatomy of bassline that walks the line (you might even call it a Tightrope) between blues, rock and funk

Eric Bell recalls his very first rehearsal with Noel Redding – who hated the sound of his guitar
By Janelle Borg published
Bell’s departure from Thin Lizzy led him to Noel Redding – but tensions ran high during the pair’s early days together

Eva Gardner recalls her audition with one of the world's biggest pop stars
By Janelle Borg published
Gardner – who has also toured with Veruca Salt, Moby, and Cher – points out the differences between playing with alternative outfits and a global pop star

Valeton’s $80 GP-5 looks to take the TONEX One’s crown
By Phil Weller published
Packed with over 100 effects and a healthy bank of presets, the NAM loading pedal offers stiff competition to 2024’s best-selling mini modeler

He was Zappa’s bassist and remains a low-end enigma – but Scott Thunes has never held back on his opinions
By Nick Wells published
Scott Thunes blazed a unique trail with Frank Zappa – but maintains solo bass is a complete no-no

Why Paul McCartney’s violin bass was essential in creating his most playful bassline on Sgt. Pepper’s
By Karl Coryat published
The Beatles took Lovely Rita into Studio Two of Abbey Road on February 23rd, 1967 – McCartney’s faithful Höfner came along for the ride

Fender drops Fender Studio – a free DAW for mobile, desktop, and tablet devices
By Phil Weller published
With authentic amp sims, pedals, and a suite of editing controls, Fender Studio injects some fresh competition into the DAW market

Former Oasis bassist reportedly confirms his involvement in the band's reunion tour
By Janelle Borg published
Other Oasis alumni rumored to be joining the spectacle include Gem Archer and Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs

Bootsy Collins’ Space Bass design was turned down everywhere he went – his ‘last straw’ proved the winner
By Janelle Borg published
Back in 1975, the funkateer had a larger-than-life vision for his dream bass – one which would see him knock on the door of many a luthier and music store before it became a reality

Electro-Harmonix launches the Oceans Abyss – taking on the likes of Strymon and Meris
By Phil Weller published
With two independently programmable reverb engines, 10 voices, and a bevy of effects, the Oceans Abyss is throwing its hat in the ring for 2025’s best one-stop ambience machine

Carol Kaye on why it is not who you are but how and what you play that defines you as a musician
By Nick Wells published
As one of L.A.’s top studio musicians during the ‘60s, Carol Kaye’s credits rival anyone's. In this classic 2009 interview, she talks influences, teaching, and how she feels about being a role model

Krist Novoselic achieved harmony through Kurt Cobain’s chaos – and was the making of this Nirvana classic
By Bryan Beller published
All great bands have players that fit together, and Nirvana was no exception