Gary Shea (Alcatrazz, New England)
You can tell an exceptional bass player by the company they keep – on stage and in the studio. Which brings us to Gary Shea. A hard-rocking New Englander inspired by the masters: James Jamerson, Bernard Odum with James Brown, Sir Paul, and John Entwistle – Shea forsook the guitar (like so many of us) for the bass and never looked back. A decidedly “no nonsense” i.e., groove player with a melodic flair, Shea continues to anchor two formidable ensembles: Alcatrazz and New England – among other projects.
Gary has also toiled behind the scenes: with R&D for Korg U.S.A, and writing bass programs for the AX1B, The Pandora 3, Pandora 4 and the AX3000B bass processors.
Shea briefly studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Among his stage and bandstand credits include Graham Bonnet, Luther Grosvenor (aka Ariel Bender of Mott the Hoople), Michael Corby, Rock Island Orchestra, Michael Monarch, Herman Rarebell (Scorpions), Peter French (Cooper-Shea), Jimmy Waldo, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Steve Vai…to cite a select few.
Gary Shea Sound & Vision…
New England:
“Shall I Run Away” https://youtu.be/TK2W9q5P2qg
“Don’t Ever Want to Lose Ya” https://youtu.be/oCwzRV0UMhA
2010 reunion https://youtu.be/X9it3OMtkG0
Alcatrazz:
“Island In the Sun” https://youtu.be/SitEuezk_Jw
“Lost in Hollywood” https://youtu.be/7eRLQyXzZ1Y
“God Blessed” https://youtu.be/N19Pu1KM3b4
2017 reunion “Skyfire” https://youtu.be/qahX84Ug-7w
Cooper- Shea “Nickels and Dimes” https://youtu.be/236br8-oj4s
Gary Shea Know Your Bass Player Zoom Zezzions
We consider him to be in a class of preeminent hard-rock bassists of his generation. Gary Shea recalls his early days, influences, his tenure with New England, working with Todd Rundgren and Eddie Kramer, and an intimidating audition with Clive Davis among other stories of a life in rock and roll! Writers/Interviewers: Tom Semioli, Robert Jenkins. Editor: Mark Polott.
Executive Producer: Mark Preston
Gary Shea reveals his approach to anchoring guitar virtuosos Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai, and demonstrates his “patented plectrum prowess!” Writers/Interviewers: Tom Semioli, Robert Jenkins. Editor: Mark Polott. Executive Producer: Mark Preston
Cost of the instrument from Manny’s Music on West 48th Street New York City: $148.00! Gary Shea Modifications: A Precision bass neck. Telecaster pickguard. Bootleg Fender decal on headstock. Elmer’s glue to fix crack in the neck. Quan Badass bridge. White out and filed clay dots on the neck. Notch above neck pick-up where Gary anchors his thumb. Tools used: hot butter knife! Sound of the Gary Shea’s bass unplugged: awesome! Sound of Gary Shea’s bass on record: awesome! Sound of Gary Shea’s bass on stage: awesome! Writers/Interviewers: Tom Semioli, Robert Jenkins. Editor: Mark Polott. Executive Producer: Mark Preston
Is the long-player obsolete? Doomed to extinction? Has playlist and individual song streaming rendered the traditional song-cycle irrelevant? What are the pitfalls, the advantages of digital music? Bassists Gary Shea and Robert Jenkins weigh in. Writers/Interviewers: Tom Semioli, Robert Jenkins. Editor: Mark Polott. Executive Producer: Mark Preston