Tag Archive for: bass guitar

SMOOTH UP with BULLETBOYS’ BRAD LANG

Brad began playing bass guitar after watching a friend playing bass guitar in the junior high school band. He loved how the low end of the sound drove the whole thing along. When he moved to high school, he began playing and was soon in a band named “Misty Island Evil”.

In 1986, he joined the band Jet Red. Jet Red was a popular Central Valley band led by Willie Hines and included Billy Carmassi (drums) and Johnny Feikert (guitar). Jet Red produced its debut album in 1989. The album was well received but Relativity Records did not provide the proper marketing and tour support thus dooming the release. Various demo recordings were made for the follow-up album in 1991. This material was eventually released in 2010 with the album entitled “Flight Plan”.

In July 2010, he was contacted by Y&T as they had learned that original bassist Phil Kennemore was diagnosed with lung cancer and unable to tour. In less than 24 hours, he learned the setlist and was on a plane to Wisconsin to play the next day. Upon Kennemore’s passing in 2011, he was asked to become a full time member of Y&T.

In 2016, Brad left Y&T amicably due to personal reasons, soon after joining Bobby Blotzer’s Ratt. This version of Ratt was derailed by a series of lawsuits. Several opportunies lay ahead for Brad, playing with Dennis DeYoung in 2018 and 2019 when his bass player was unable to perform, and jumping in last minute to play with Foreigner when Jeff Pilson needed a sub in 2024.

He joined Doug Aldrich’s Burning Rain in 2019 to record the album “Face The Music” and tour, performed in a Christmas Holiday musical experience named Luminare in 2021, and in 2022, he was asked to join the BulletBoys, where he’s currently touring internationally.

Brought in part by Five Star Guitars.

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LIVING COLOUR’S DOUG WIMBISH ROCKS ALL ACCESS LIVE WITH KEVIN RANKIN

“I’m not just a Bass Player, I’m a Sound System”

As bassist for the legendary rap label Sugarhill Records backing Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five to the pioneering Living Colour, Doug Wimbish has lent his innovative and creative bass grooves and sounds to a roster of world-renowned musicians. Considered a pioneer in Hip-Hop bass playing and in the use of bass effects, alternate tunings and extended hand techniques, Doug’s mastery of the bass is unparalled. As one of the most versatile session and touring bassists in the industry, Doug moves readily from pop and mainstream rock to hip-hop, funk, metal, symphonic metal, reggae, R&B, electronic, world and experimental music.

Doug Wimbish is probably best known as the cutting edge lead bassist in the Grammy Award-winning hard rock band Living Colour, but looking beyond the obvious, one quickly sees that Doug’s influence and impact on the world’s musical culture is much more vast and significant than often written or realized.

Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five’s “The Message”, listed by Rollingstone.com as the #1 Greatest Hip Hop Song of all time, featured Doug’s bass lines as do many other Sugarhill Records classics including “Apache”, “8th Wonder” and “White Lines”. Wimbish wrote the bass line on The Sequence’s “Funk You Up”.

To get an idea of the respect Doug has earned within the music industry, consider that in one week in 1991, Doug received personal phone calls from Living Colour, Bruce Springsteen and Seal, all asking him to work with them. Doug made the decision to work with Living Colour and joined the band, becoming its permanent bassist. He actively records and tours today with his band mates Vernon Reid, Corey Glover and Will Calhoun. The group’s latest album, “Shade”, was released in September of 2017.

In addition to his work with Living Colour, Doug’s highly regarded career spanning all musical genres has also included recording, producing and touring with many world renowned artists including The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck, Joe Satriani, Herb Albert, Annie Lennox, Madonna, Carly Simon, Seal, Al Green, Billy Idol, George Clinton, Depeche Mode, Talib Kweli, Kanye West, James Brown, Mos Def, Tarja Turunen, Ronnie Wood, Freddie Jackson, Michael Bolton, Schiller, Cheb Khaled, Hari Haran and Peter Wolf, to name a few.
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From his early days as one of Hip-Hop’s earliest architects in the Original Sugarhill Records Rhythm Section, to his long-time membership in Living Colour, TackHead, Little Axe, Jungle Funk, HeadFake, and then on to more recent collaborations including DMD the Vibes with Daru Jones & Marcus Machado, Doug continues to prove himself as one of the world’s finest, versatile and most sought after bass guitarists.

Sponsored by Music Millennium, Rhythm Traders and Five Star Guitars

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JOHN MOYER (DISTURBED) JOINS ALL ACCESS LIVE

John Moyer is the bassist for heavy metal band Disturbed. Prior to joining Disturbed, Moyer played in rock bands The Union Underground and Soak, both major label acts hailing from Texas.

Having joined Disturbed in 2004, John’s playing can be heard on the band’s third (Ten Thousand Fists), fourth (Indestructible) and fifth (Asylum) studio albums. All three albums debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and between them they produced eight No. 1 singles on rock radio.

John also played on the last Disturbed release, The Lost Children, a collection of B-sides and rarities. Disturbed was also nominated for a Grammy Award for their song “Inside The Fire” off the album, Indestructible.

Sponsored by Music Millennium, Rhythm Traders and Five Star Guitars

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ALL ACCESS LIVE with DAVID ELLEFSON (MEGADETH, THE LUCID)

From humble farm roots in rural Minnesota, David Ellefson has come a long way, literally and figuratively, to conquering stages around the World as bassist of thrash metal titans MEGADETH. Revered for his unique, hard-hitting playing style, and unwavering dedication to his musical craft, Ellefson has woven a vast professional tapesty as a bassist, songwriter, record producer, clinician and author. As a former member of MEGADETH, he has been awarded 10 Grammy nominations, countless gold & platinum records and toured the world for the better part of 3 decades.

In addition to Megadeth, David has lent his playing and writing abilities to several other recording and touring projects including Soulfly, F5, Temple of Brutality, Altitudes and Attitude (With Frank Bello of Anthrax) and Metal Allegiance, the “supergroup” formed by Mark Menghi with David, Mike Portnoy, and Alex Skolnick who released their eponymous debut in 2015 on Nuclear Blast.

Ellefson holds a Bachelor’s degree in business marketing and continues to lecture on a variety of music and business related topics, has also ventured out into other related forays, as president of record label EMP Label Group (Ellefson Music Productions), and with his own coffee brand Ellefson Coffee Co.

Sponsored by Five Star Guitars and Rhythm Traders

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ALL ACCESS LIVE with JEFF ADAMS (Starship feat. Mickey Thomas)

Note: Sorry about the audio issues here. If you can get past them, you’ll enjoy Jeff’s personality and hilarious stories!

When you see a legendary band like Starship, it’s tough not to focus on Mickey Thomas’ inimitable vocal range, or the engaging presence of female lead Stephanie Calvert… until you see what an entertainer Jeff Adams is. On his own, Jeff fronts a stellar band in Memphis, Tennessee, and when he’s onstage with Starship, it’s remarkable to hear this guy play bass, sing his ass off, and bring a stage presence that would leave insecure lead singers envious.

I really enjoy Jeff’s energy offstage, too. We’ve been all over the world together, and this was a fun share “backstage”.

Sponsored by Five Star Guitars

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ALL ACCESS LIVE with DAMIAN ERSKINE

Damian Erskine is known for his ability to fit into most any musical situation, extraordinary reading and improvising skills as well, as being an educator and columnist.

He has played in the studio or on the stage with • Peter Erskine • Gino Vannelli • Vince Mendoza and the WDR Big Band • The Jaco Pastorius Big Band • Les McCann • Skerik Band • Jeff Lorber • The Buddy Rich Alumni All-Star Band • Bob Sheppard • John Beasley • George Colligan • Vardan Ovsepian • Antonio Hart • Charmaine Neville • and many others as well as being featured on the GospelChops.com “Shed Sessionz Vol. 1” DVD. Damian is an adjunct professor at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon.

In addition, he regularly teaches abroad with JEA (Jazz Education Abroad) in Shanghai, Bangkok, Cyprus and Beirut. Additionally, he has taught in the US at Gerald Veasley’s Bass Bootcamp, the National Guitar Workshop and Berklee College of Music’s Guitar Week. Damian is also a regular contributor to the popular bass education site, scottsbasslessons.com.

Damian has written for Bass Player Magazine, Bass Musician Magazine, as well as continuing to maintain a popular weekly column at NoTreble.com. Damian has also authored two books, “Right Hand Drive” and “The Improvisor’s Path”.

Sponsored by Five Star Guitars

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ALL ACCESS LIVE with MELVIN BRANNON AND DAVE ABBRUZZESE!

You’ve wished you could hang out backstage with Melvin for decades, and now you’ll get your chance! Lots of crazy history to cover from Mel’s experiences w/ Dan Reed Network, Edgar Winter, Booker T and the MGs, and Stevie Salas’ Colorcode. And as a special guest, we had an appearance from Colorcode bandmate and rockstar drummer Dave Abbruzzese! This will be the highlight of your week, guaranteed! Subscribe at the YouTube channel and hang out with us, shot live on Friday at 3pm Pacific.

Sponsored by Five Star Guitars

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ALL ACCESS LIVE with ROB KOHLER

My earliest mentor, Rob Kohler is a visionary bassist. Rob opened my eyes to sophisticated rock and fusion, and started the first original band I’d ever been a part of: “Energy Positive”. He’s been an educator throughout North America, teaching bass via university and independent programs including Stanford Jazz Workshop, and is currently an adjunct professor at Montana State University. He’s not only a musical phenom, he’s an inspiring human being. We chat about Rob’s inspirations, his journeys, and both of our fathers (who have been friends for over 50 years).

Sponsored by Five Star Guitars

Visit KohlerMusic.Com
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ALL ACCESS LIVE: TANGO ALPHA TANGO

My favorite Portland band (my son Nolan’s, too) is fronted by a lovely husband and wife pairing, but don’t let that lovey-dovey story fool you… this band is ferocious! Nathan Trueb is known throughout the Northwest as a gifted guitarist, wise beyond his years and lyrically? The man’s got those chops, too. When he and Miri forged their union in “Tango Alpha Tango”, their songs became anthems for all of my road trips. Once you hear the songs the first time, you’re hooked. Those of you who know – you know! Join us as we talk about their new band “White Bike”, “TAT” and the adventures that got them to where they are today.

Sponsored by Five Star Guitars

Tango Alpha Tango Instagram White Bike Instagram Nathan Trueb Guitar Channel
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ALL ACCESS LIVE with PANDO

You know him from nearly 2 decades of his tenure with A Flock of Seagulls, but my musical brother has been a part of many other iconic bands, including Missing Persons, Gene Loves Jezebel and more. We’ll share some harrowing and humorous road stories with you if you’ll let us!

Brought to you by Five Star Guitars

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