Austin Underground by Robert Jenkins
Clockwise from top left: Tony Salvaggio, Rain Nox, Amy Humphrey, Mike Swarbrick, & KYBP Scoop Reporter Rob Jenkins
Amy Humphrey
Amy Humphrey Courtesy Rob Jenkins
For well over 10 years now, husband & wife duo Clatter have been creating rhythm section chaotic goodness. Hailing from Missouri, and soon to be hailing from Sweden, Clatter (Amy Humphrey, bass & Joe Hayes, drums) recently performed a quick run of gigs in Austin, Texas.
Amy Humphrey is a self taught bassist and her unique style and tone are an integral part of the sound of Clatter.
With her trusty Rickenbacker bass, Amy uses a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier with a matching 4×12 cabinet and an SWR SM-900 with a matching 8×8 cabinet simultaneously by using and A/B splitter box. This rig, combined with her unique plucking style creates some gnarly but beautiful tones.
Amy is not afraid to play her bass with the zeal of a flamenco guitarist in order to get what she needs from the instrument. And on top of those wacky bass lines she also holds down the lead vocal duties in the band. If she’s not on your bass radar then look her up.
You won’t regret it!
Amy also has an extensive rig rundown and deconstructed bass lines series available via their YouTube channel.
Clatter’s latest single and video can be heard here: https://youtu.be/hbJLgYmfpYM
Clatter’s discography is available here: https://clatter.bandcamp.com
Mike Swarbrick
Mike Swarbick Courtesy Robert Jenkins
Cortége is an Austin, TX bass/drum duo with bass duties held down by Mike Swarbrick. With an ethereal, otherworldly sound, the duo traverses vast soundscapes that have a uniquely Spaghetti Western feel to them. Not only does Mike cover bass duties he also plays a variety of synthesizers and tubular bells! In December 2021, Swarbrick took over low end duties for Destroyer of Light.
Cortege “Horizons” https://youtu.be/5au1abxvDP4
Rain Nox
Rain Nox Courtesy Robert Jenkins
Rain Nox is the second of two bassists in the Austin, TX based rock band Rise From Fire.
Rain is an accomplished musician, holding a degree in music composition from the University of Texas at Austin. Not only does Rain cover lead vocals and hold down the low end in her band, as an accomplished pianist and vocalist she also has her musicals and mini operas performed in Austin. As a bassist, she does her job expertly, keeping the groove and laying the foundation for her husband’s ‘lead bass’ riffs and solos. Rain can be seen performing with Rise From Fire around the Austin club scene.
Rise From Fire “Serenity” https://youtu.be/4uSsmUfmFUI
Tony Salvaggio
Tony Savaggio Courtesy Robert Jenkins
Tony has been an active bassist in the Austin underground scene since approximately 1996. He plays bass in his band Deserts of Mars and is also the primary lyricist and songwriter. With his wife, Rain Nox, he serves as ‘lead’ bassist in the all bass & drum group Rise From Fire. Tony’s style is rooted in metal, drawing heavily from the late 70’s and 80’s metal styles (Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden). Both bands can be heard regularly around the Austin metal club scene.
Deserts of Mars “Return from the Void: 01 Raise the Pyramids” https://youtu.be/5UinzorUkMs
Rise from Fire “Die by the Sword” https://youtu.be/NKNwtRHfdP0