By Joe Gagliardo

In 1977 or thereabouts, Joe Cetner attended a Cheap Trick gig at the Brat Stop, a venue just over the Wisconsin border, and he was blown away by Tom Petersson’s bass playing.

The following night, he went to see Chicago legends, D’ Thumbs (Cliff Johnson’s band immediately before Off Broadway, which also included drummer Tommy Aldridge following his tenure in Black Oak Arkansas, and shortly before he would wax platinum albums and traverse arenas with Pat Travers, Whitesnake and Ozzy Osbourne).

Once again Joe was blown away by a bassist with a Cheap Trick connection: Jon Brandt, who would go on to replace Pete Comita – who took over the bass chair from Petersson. Brandt anchored the Rockford, Illinois Rock and Roll Hall of Famers from 1981-88.

Driven by those live club experiences, and influenced by Paul McCartney and John Entwistle, Joe made the decision to play the bass guitar!

Equipped with a 1972 Sunburst Gibson Thunderbird, Joe quickly became a regular on the Chicago club scene, including gigs anchoring Pin Ups, who were among the hot, local late 70’s club bands.

In the 80’s Joe played with Tommy Holland in a latter-day configuration of The B’zz.  As that band wound down, Joe became part of Tommy Holland’s next project, Holland, which was signed to Atlantic records, and also featured drummer Brad Rohrssen and guitarist Michael Angelo Batio.  Holland’s LP, entitled Little Monsters, produced by Tom Werman, rocks hard and fast!

At that time Joe switched to one of his 1963 Fender Jazz basses as his go-to instrument.

Check out Holland’s “Wake Up The Neighborhood,” a song that was featured in the 1985 movie, Girls Just Want to Have Fun   https://youtu.be/hkw0r3Hf2ZQ

… and “High Life” https://youtu.be/z0RuuAqL1Ng

In the early 90’s Joe and Kevin Lee were in California and formed Kevin Lee and the Lonesome City Kings.  Inked to the MCA imprint, the band released one LP, Restless, co-produced by Don Dixon.

 Check out these two tracks:

 “Standing in the Line of Fire” https://youtu.be/X6v3e_SuGXY

“One Little Promise” from the Kill the Power Show  https://youtu.be/z0RuuAqL1Ng.

Weary of Chicago winters, Joe packed up and moved to Florida in the mid-1990s.  In addition to playing music on the beach and for various charities, for the past twenty-five years Joe has been living his dream of being a boat captain: an endeavor which takes him back to his childhood – racing home from school to watch Where The Action Is—sun, sand, beaches, waves and music!

By Tony Senatore

Tony’s study of the bass guitar began in 1977, under the tutelage of Al Faraldi, who, interestingly enough, was not a bassist. Faraldi was primarily a jazz guitarist that played classical guitar. The core of Mr. Faraldi’s teaching was his emphasis on reading, the Carol Kaye Bass Method, as well as Bach’s Six Suites for Violincello Solo and the Charlie Parker Omnibook.

After three years with Faraldi, and a brief stint with Jeremy Steig in 1979, Tony left New Jersey for the Berklee College of Music, where he spent a semester, but soon realized that he could forge a more personal style on his own.

Although Tony reunited with Faraldi from 1983 to 1984, he came to the realization that what he was looking for could only be found through real world experience. Thus, the streets and bars of New York became his college campus, and his professors were his heroes, ranging variously from Jaco Pastorius, Gary Willis, to Ray Brown and Ron Carter.

These days, Tony enjoys playing live with his band Billy Panic, whose 2015 release entitled ISH is a musical tour de force of all that Tony holds sacred: melody, harmony and the groove. He also is the house bassist at the weekly jam session with his band The Dogs at The Peddler Jam in Cresskill, New Jersey.

He enjoys the challenge of the endless array of styles he is confronted with each week, and he particularly enjoys mentoring and nurturing younger players. Tony also maintains a rigorous daily practice schedule on his upright and electric basses and has learned a lot from Rufus Philpot’s bass instruction videos.

Tony feels that Rufus is one of the best players and educators available anywhere.

In summary, unlike many of his contemporaries, Tony Curatola’s strength as a musician is realizing what he doesn’t know and having the humility to learn it.

Dig Tony with Billy Panic:

“Work Shoes” https://youtu.be/YSyAEtoPcu4

“Hudson River Walk”  https://youtu.be/dGVnZ1gEKkw

“Running with the Bulls” https://youtu.be/8ymhQzYhJ2s

Tony Curatola in his own words…

How do I judge me…” Let me count the ways.  

Two-five-one that’s right, for many years I not only studied jazz,  but I used it as a barometer to judge myself not only as a bassist but as a musician overall. 

Although I am relatively learned and fluid in the style and admittedly it has taught me much in terms of theory, composition and the like, in all honesty I have to admit two things. First and foremost, I don’t enjoy it, I never did and second I’m not much more than proficient at it. 

It wasn’t until recently when I had a conversation with pro bassist and confidant Tony Senatore who quite literally told me “its okay,” yes okay to openly admit that I don’t care to play jazz anymore.

It wasn’t the music of my time. I grew up in the seventies listening to Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and the all the super bands of the time (none of which played jazz). Since then I’ve come to happily emulate the music I grew up on and really enjoy playing. I no longer judge myself by two-five-one, but I do count to four at the start of most tunes.    

Nowadays I mostly play on a stage not a “bandstand…”

In four extraordinary interview segments with Alan Mair filmed at Terminal Studios in beautiful downtown Bermondsey, the bassist / composer / recording artist / producer / haberdasher discusses his career with The Beatstalkers, as a haberdasher, and bassist with The Only Ones, among other endeavors!

Special thanks to Amanda Thorpe, Sal Maida, and Edward Rogers for their editorial inspiration.

Alan Mair Know Your Bass Player on Film Season Tres https://bit.ly/2QAk64A

Alan Mair Part 1 

In the first of four extraordinary interview segments with Alan Mair filmed at Terminal Studios in beautiful downtown Bermondsey, the bassist / composer / recording artist / producer / haberdasher discusses his tenure in The Beatstalkers who were considered the “Scottish Beatles.” Among the band’s notable collaborators included a young singer songwriter David Jones, later known to the world as David Bowie – who composed and sang back-up for the group.

Alan Mair Part 2

In the second of four extraordinary interview segments with Alan Mair filmed at Terminal Studios in beautiful downtown Bermondsey, the bassist / composer / recording artist / producer / haberdasher discusses his transition from Beatstalker to boot-maker at Kensington Market, wherein he employed the former Farrokh Bulsara – later to be known to the world as Freddie Mercury.

Alan Mair Part 3 

In the third of four extraordinary interview segments with Alan Mair filmed at Terminal Studios in beautiful downtown Bermondsey, the bassist / composer / recording artist / producer / haberdasher discusses tenure in The Only Ones.

Alan Mair Part 4

“I want some of that!”

In the fourth and final interview segment with Alan Mair filmed at Terminal Studios in beautiful downtown Bermondsey, the bassist / composer / recording artist / producer / haberdasher recalls the unlikely reunions of both The Beatstalkers and The Only Ones.

Alan Mair: Season Tres Behind-the-Scenes: Rockers ‘n’ Schmatas!

Beatstalkers / The Only Ones bassist Alan Mair, who employed Freddy Mercury as a salesman in his Kensington Market boot shop, discusses fashion with Mark, who has familial ties to the garment industry. Derek reminisces about The Who with Alan.

By Joe Gagliardo

When Andre Howard was growing up, he had an uncle who would regularly visit his home and play blues guitar and sing.

Andre’s dad had a house full of instruments too, and Andre would sometimes join in with his with his uncle, playing trumpet or drums.  Then one day his uncle arrived with a friend who brought along his bass guitar, and everything changed for Andre!  With minimal instruction that day, Andre learned to play a basic blues pattern, and he never looked back.

With his Teisco bass, Andre began soaking up the plentiful blues, soul and rhythm and blues music being played on Chicago radio.  While still in high school, Andrew was gigging five nights a week in the clubs.

Eventually Andre’s pursuit of music took him to Nashville, where he did studio work, and performed regularly with Victor Wooten’s talented Family at 3rd and Lindsley, one of the great authentic blues bars outside of Chicago.

Since returning to Chicago in 2000, Andre has been a mainstay at the top Chicago blues clubs, including the Kingston Mines, B.L.U.E.S., Blue Chicago, and Buddy Guy’s Legends, often playing 5 nights a week.

He has played with a virtual who’s who of blues royalty, including, Lonnie Brooks, Magic Slim and the Teardrops, Eddie “The Chief” Clearwater, Liz Mandeville, and Big Time Sarah.

These days, Andre’s basses of choice are a 7-string Ibanez, a 5- string Schack, or a 4 string Steinberger.

If you have been in a Chicago blues club in the last twenty years, there is a good chance that you have seen and heard Andre perform.

You can catch him supporting a blues legend, playing with Frank Bang and the Cook County Kings, or with his critically acclaimed Andre Howard Band.

Check out Andre’s soulful grooves with Frank Bang & The Cook County Kings, and it’s is readily apparent why he has become known as “Da Funky One!”

The Blues Don’t Care LP  https://youtu.be/t3KCYVa18s4

Live at “The Funky Biscuit”  https://youtu.be/qyHY8hnRhA0

By Tony Curatola

Eddie Jackson, cofounder of Queensryche, is arguably one of the most underrated bassists of our time!

Mr. Jackson is also commonly known among those in-the-know as “Edbass” and “One Take” both of which speak to his tremendous knowledge and facility on his instrument.

Born in Robstown, Texas in 1961 Eddie came up as a player in a golden era of the instrument which gave us John Paul Jones, Chris Squire, Jaco Pastorius, and John Entwistle – to cite a few who raised and set the bar extremely high for upcoming players.

Eddie Jackson’s sound is reminiscent of Chris Squire – who I’m sure we can all agree was one of the premier players as bassist and anchor for Yes – Mr. Squire’s work needs no introduction!

Eddie “One Take” Jackson clearly embodies the best of the best in progressive music and has always done so with impeccable modesty. His discography is as extensive as his talent. Any time spent listening to Eddie and his work (and his approach to the nuances and complexity of the music) is time well spent for bass enthusiasts as well as “Joe Listener.”  Perhaps “Silent Lucidity” says it all. Pun intended!

Eddie Jackson’s weapons of choice include Fernandes, Spector NS-2, Spector 5LX extended range, Tobias 5-string, and Hartke amplifiers, bass cabinets.

My choice tracks which I feel demonstrate Eddie Jackson’s diversity include…

“Jet City Woman”  https://youtu.be/EHapAsmvGEU

“Light Years” https://youtu.be/qqI4OfolPuo

“Hundred Mile Stare” https://youtu.be/N9gYGpFltOA

“The Killer” https://youtu.be/qYLxGa57YGs

By Joe Gagliardo

How does a guy from Chicago, via Peoria, Illinois, end up being the lead singer, bassist and producer for an Australian group that had achieved massive success all over the world?  You are about to find out!

Wayne Nelson was raised in a musical family: his father was a drum major in college, and his mom loved classical music. Surrounded by majestic music playing in the house, his parents also sang in their church choir, and got Wayne involved at a very early age. Singing in the choir, while standing in front of the pipe organ, Wayne developed a love for the bass and cello sections.

In high school, Wayne formed his first band, serving as a bassist and lead singer. Starting out on a lemon yellow Teisco, dubbed the “yellow submarine,” Wayne graduated to a 1968 Fender Precision bass, and ultimately to his current basses, a 5-string Victor Wooten model Jazz Bass and a 5-string  Ernie Ball MusicMan StingRay.

Among Wayne’s bass heroes are a varied group with regard to genres and playing styles: James Jamerson, Paul McCartney, Bill Wyman, Peter Cetera, Jim Fielder (Blood, Sweat & Tears), Jaco Pastorius, Jack Bruce, Larry Graham, Ron Carter, Charlie Mingus and Anthony Jackson.

Those influences have served Wayne well.  While in Chicago, he was in The Grip, which included former American Breed and Rufus members, Lee Graziano and Paulette McWilliams, who, in addition to her solo career, went on to sing with Marvin Gaye and Luther Vandross, among others, and he appeared on Paulette’s LP, Never Been Here Before.

He also played with Wooden Nickel singer/songwriter/ recording artist, Megon McDonough; Koala, which was a blue-eyed soul funk band, and John Bishop, a jazz guitar player.

Moving to Los Angeles at the suggestion of one of his former band mates, Wayne played bass with singer Eloise Laws, the sister of Hubert and Ronnie, and the drummer, coincidentally, was Andre Fischer, who was the drummer on the first Rufus LP with Chaka Khan.

Wayne played with Jim Messina for two years and anchored the former Buffalo Springfield / Loggins & Messina guitarist’s debut release, Oasis.  His tenure with the Messina band included a two week tour in 1980 opening for the Little River Band. During that trek, Wayne was asked to join as the bass player.  Fast forward 40 years, and Wayne is now the bassist, lead singer and producer of the Little River Band.

Keep up with Wayne and the Little River band here: www.reallittleriverband.com

Check out Wayne’s singing and bass lines with the LRB:

“It Was The Night” https://youtu.be/2qsQrsjkPpM

“How Many Nights” https://youtu.be/OdOxR_GkWMU

“It’s Just a Matter of Time” https://youtu.be/G4UOCkJ9YeE

In the early 90’s Wayne was also part of the LA Cowboys, with their sole release Endless Summer, produced by Wayne and Jim Studer, and included Michael Thompson, Michael Landau, Tris Imboden and Greg Bissonette.

Check out the title track “Endless Summer”  https://youtu.be/3SsQ4-Kd4zA

By Robert Jenkins

Forebode bassist Guillermo Madrigal is a force of nature.

He stands close to nine feet tall and weighs almost 700 pounds of pure muscle!! Okay, maybe 6’3” and 250 but it’s still pure muscle; and he looks like he can bench 400….

Frighteningly, Guillermo’s bass rig matches his physique!

His main rig consists of a Sunn 300T and an Ampeg SVT2 both running into a Worshipper 4×15 speaker cabinet. FOUR. FIFTEEN. INCH. SPEAKERS!

His bass of choice? A vintage Peavey T-40, which is, of course, the heaviest bass ever made. Guillermo is also an avid collector of vintage Peavey basses and guitars, sporting three T-40 basses in his collection. Needless to say; he can move some air.

Asked about his fascination with the T-40 Guillermo simply replied that when he first tried the instrument as a beginning player – “it just felt right!” And he puts all of them to good use!

Forebode is a crushingly heavy band, leading the “Doom Metal” scene here in Austin. In my honest and humble opinion, Forebode is the heaviest band on the scene right now. They have one EP and are currently working on a full-length album, hopefully due out in 2020.

Despite his intimidating physique and stage presence, Guillermo is one of the nicest people you could want to meet. A recent devotee to the bass, Madrigal was naturally drawn to the instrument. Once again, the instrument “just felt right for him.“

His influences are wide and varied, however when I asked who his favorite bassist was he had to call it a tie between Jaco Pastorius and Al Cisneros.

Guillermo can be seen and heard with Forebode regularly around the Austin metal club scene and in the surrounding metro area.

Check out Forebode on their most recent EP

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_laW3j9z7YihhA8kws_bn853KunVHSados

By Joe Gagliardo

During his senior year of high school, singer / guitarist Mark Dawson was told by his bassist that he was quitting the band and heading off to college. At the suggestion of the trumpet player, Mark picked up the bass, started playing, and realized how natural it was for him! This decision created a trajectory no one could have predicted.

In the mid-70’s Mark played bass with several area bands in an era when radio rightly supported local artists – much like the 1960s.

Mark’s band Street Kids had their namesake song “Street Kids” on the WKQX 1977 Hometown Album.

From 1983-1995, Mark was with the All Night News Boys, who had several releases on cassette and CD.

A few years earlier in 1980, Mark played with Dreamer, and The Loop (WLUP) added the band’s song “Radio” to the Chicago Rocks, Volume One LP.

In 1995, Mark moved to Florida. As a result of a casual conversation with another customer in a pizza place a few years later, Mark began singing high tenor with a group of vocalists from New York, called themselves Street Lites.  That group focused on doo-wop and Motown and lasted for about eight years, playing along Florida coast.

In January 2008, Mark received a call from an old Chicago friend, Jim Lenz, who asked him about his familiarity with The Grass Roots’ songbook.  At that point, there was a need to sub for Rob Grill for a handful of shows.  Luckily, Mark loved The Grass Roots from his youth, and was familiar with their music. He was given just four days to learn the show on bass and lead vocals!

That offer to play a handful of shows led Rob Grill offer Mark the opportunity to stay with the band. Mark ultimately accepted and took over as lead singer in addition to his bass duties.  Mark has been a fixture with The Grass Roots for the last twelve years.

Mark’s first bass was a 1972 Fender Precision, which was his go-to axe for years.  While he owns several vintage basses, his road bass is an Arctic Blue late 90’s Fender Precision that he had put together: Mark changed the neck, added EMG pickups, and a pickguard that showcases the
Arctic Blue color.

Being a bassist and singer, it makes sense that his bass heroes include those players who also sing, including Paul McCartney, Sting, and Geddy Lee.

The Grass Roots continue to tour regularly, often as part of the Happy Together Tour.

Catch them if you can—still a great show.

Check out Mark on bass and vocals: “Midnight Confessions”  https://youtu.be/l2s977_pBzU

By Joe Gagliardo

He was influenced by his bass playing 8th grade teacher, and his first instrument was a National EBO.  Following a few early efforts, Clay Tomasek set the instrument aside and opted for life as a roadie. That experience gave him the itch to start playing again, and he teamed up with Lee Popa, a soundman he had been working with, and by the mid-1980’s they had put together the earliest version of the Slammin’ Watusis.

Influenced by the DIY (do-it-yourself) movement that had been a big part of the punk and late-70’s music scene, the Watusis played wherever and whenever they could, often joined on stage with guest musicians who happened to be in the audience.

One-by-one, Clay and Lee added musicians as they went along—Fast Frank on harp and sax, guitarist Mark Durante and drummer Benny Saphire.  With a punk rhythm section, a metal guitarist, melded with the jazz and blues influence from Fast Frank – the Slammin Watusis emerged as a unique ensemble.

A chance meeting with an Epic records executive in the late-80’s, thanks to Jay O’Rourke of The Insiders, resulted in two LPs for Epic, Slammin’ Watusis, and Kings of Noise.  The two albums are hard and raw, reminiscent of the MC5.

The band toured extensively, including stints with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Primus, and Living Colour.

Check out “Livin’ in Sin” https://youtu.be/62NUDmNwabo

Check out “Madness and Mania” https://youtu.be/LQqVdXqoEbk

Clay played a ’71 Fender Precision on the first release, and a ‘64 Fender Precision on their sophomore effort – which remains his go-to instrument today.

Since 1990, Clay has anchored Green, a band that has enjoyed great success in the U.S. and Europe.  Their music is an amalgam of British Invasion, pop and rock, mixed with soul.  Green continues to record and perform live, catch them if you can!

Check out Clay’s melodic bass lines, reminiscent of his influences of Paul McCartney, Bruce Thomas (Elvis Costello & The Attractions), Tom Petersson (Cheap Trick), and Motown.

“Long Distance Telephone” https://youtu.be/lJz-aW9X-1U

“Broken Promises” https://youtu.be/0VPHUvxqgNA

“Bittersweet”  https://youtu.be/SFTN-QUKs3w

By Robert Jenkins “Austin Underground Vol. ll”

Oddly … but somewhat fittingly, Tarantula Mountain gets categorized locally as a “Doom” band.

Are they heavy? Sure! Do they rock hard? Absolutely and without question! 

And yet, when I listen to them – I hear bits of melody and groove that remind me of 1990s indie pop (albeit just a bit heavier) and sometimes the catchy grooves of Duran Duran, or even The League of Gentlemen. 

Through it all Tarantula Mountain is anchored by the solid foundation of Jasmine Jew – laid out on her trusty new Rickenbacker 4003. 

On stage, Jasmine utilizes an Ampeg SVT Pro4 and an SWR 410 cabinet with a few tasty pedal options to enhance that classic Ric – Ampeg growl. In the studio? She just goes right into the board -as it should be IMHO! 

Jasmine began playing very recently in 2013, proving that it’s never too late to pursue a rock and roll dream. And with a position working at the Austin School of Music she has the unique opportunity to learn extraordinary musical skills in a welcoming environment.  

When asked what she treasures most about her vocation, Jasmine replies “I really love working with and encouraging girls and women of all ages to play music.” This bassist revels in her role to inspire and educate the next generation of players. 

In addition to tenure in Tarantula Mountain, Jasmine is working on a true “solo” effort – composing and playing all the instruments. She notes that it may take awhile – but the journey is most of the fun, and she wants to get it right.  

Tarantula Mountain can be seen and heard regularly in the Austin club scene and frequently in north Austin at Anderson Mill Pub.  

Jasmine’s favorite bassist is John Taylor of Duran Duran!  

Check out  Tarantula Mountain’s newest singles…

“Kintsugi” https://youtu.be/bxo_ZxffPwM

“For Once” https://youtu.be/0jCwxkKvN_U