By Joe Gagliardo

Like so many players of his generation, when a young, impressionable kid from the Chicago metropolitan area named Joe Cuttone tuned into the Ed Sullivan Show on a Sunday night and witnessed Paul and The Beatles…. you know how the story goes!

His first instrument was a Tescio. And after a seven-year run of playing the Chicago club circuit from five to six nights per week with Jerico, a popular band Cuttone formed while still in high school – fate intervened. Joe and bandmate Glen Rupp received a life-changing call from music promoter and manager Barry Fox.

Joe and Glen accepted an offer from Fox to immediately fly out to Los Angeles where The Hounds, who were also a fixture on the club scene, were getting ready to record their first LP for Columbia at the legendary Record Plant.  Joe and Glen hightailed it out to the City of Angels, and within a few weeks Unleashed was recorded.

A mix of hard rock, glam. and punk, the track “Another Drugland Weekend” was aired every Friday at 5:00 PM on iconic Chicago rock radio station, WXRT. Using his Guild B-301 bass guitar, The Hounds were led by John Hunter.

The Hounds “Another Drugland Weekend”  https://youtu.be/XmPEt-WTykM

Shortly thereafter, Joe and Glen were full-fledged members of The Hounds, and they recorded a second LP for Columbia at the Record Plant in Sausalito; Puttin’ On The Dog.  A mix of originals, and revved up covers, including “Under My Thumb” and “Who’ll Be The Next In Line” – on this record Joe used his  modified ’72 Fender Jazz bass – he swapped out the neck for an Alembic graphite neck, and added a badass bridge and 2 EMG pickups!

The Hounds “Under My Thumb”  https://youtu.be/QQzq9D36KYs

After The Hounds five-year run, Joe and Glen were part of the John Hunter Band, which released two LPs; Famous At Night which spawned the hit “Tragedy” which reached #39 on the Billboard Top 200 and More Than Meets The Eye.  

Check out Joe with John Hunter on American Bandstand https://youtu.be/MfmYmjjBaT0

Nowadays you can catch Joe with BannedJoe, a country and rock band, which features Cuttone on bass banjo. Being a versatile and aggressive player with a strong stage presence, you can catch him playing Who covers with Who’s Next; Led Zeppelin covers with Black Dog, and ACDC covers in another repertory ensemble.

Check out more of Joe’s playing:

Beatles Medley https://youtu.be/ad5Q0bTkJQg

BannedJoe https://youtu.be/znB4xMZtaKk

There is something extra special about bands that have made music together for a long time.  Big Head Todd and the Monsters (BHTM) are among those special entities, and Rob Squires has laid down the bottom for that band for the last thirty-four years.

Inspired by his brother to play guitar, Rob and a pal signed up for a guitar class in their junior high school. When they couldn’t find a bass player, Rob took up the instrument. Fast forward to high school and a call to drummer Brian Nevin. That meeting resulted in a fun musical jam and Neven was added to the band. Brian had a friend named Todd Park Mohr from the high school jazz band, and he was added to the ensemble, playing piano and sax. They gigged for a few years, then headed off to college.

Rob, Todd and Brian attended the same college in Boulder, Colorado, and began playing together.  By that time, Todd had developed as a strong vocalist and an excellent guitarist – and that was the actual beginning of BHTM in 1986.

Playing bars and parties in the college town, they built up a strong following, and took their show on the road—first stop, Chicago, then Minneapolis, San Francisco, Austin, the Mountain States, and beyond.  The band built its following by playing continuously on the road and in Colorado.

In 1989 the band started its own label, and released its first LP entitled, Another Mayberry, followed the next year by Midnight Radio, which featured the artwork of Chris Mars from The Replacements.

The band’s large following attracted the attention of manager, Chuck Morris, Irv Azoff of Giant records, as well as Frank Barsalona from Premier Talent Agency.  Having joined forces, with Morris, Azoff and Barsalona in the early 90’s, the band’s Sister Sweetly LP went platinum, and the band took off from there; releasing eleven records, and playing large shows and festivals.  The band still tours and continues to release music today.  BHTM’s three-piece line-up remained the same until 2004, when Jeremy Lawton was added on keys.

Rob’s bass playing philosophy is geared toward the band’s overall sound–figuring out how the bass fits into the band’s uniqueness, and helps move the songs forward. Among the bassists Rob admires include Gary Tallent (E Street Band), Howie Epstein and Ron Blair (Tom Petty) and John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin).

Rob’s bass arsenal includes three Warwick Thumb Basses, MusicMan StingRay basses, a 60’s Sears Silvertone bass, a 5-string Modulus with a graphite neck, and a Fender Light Precision bass.  The Modulus and Fender are his go-to basses live, and he runs them through a rig he has been using for thirty years—an SWR 800 amp, on top of SWR 4×10 and 1×18 cabinets.

The band’s music is diverse, which requires flexibility in Rob’s approach to the bass.  In addition to their original music, which is a mix of rock, pop, soul and funk, the band traditionally adds covers to their live sets, and has
recorded two significant blues albums.   The first entitled 100 Years of Robert Johnson, had the band playing with blues luminaries, including B.B. King, Charlie Musselwhite, Hubert Sumlin and Dave “Honeyboy” Edwards.

More recently, the band released the LP Way Down Inside – Songs of Willie Dixon wherein they were joined by Chicago blues legends, Mud Morganfield, Ronnie Baker Brooks, and Billy Branch.  These two records were recorded under the name “Big Head Blues Club.”

You can catch Rob on tour with BHTM, and check out his playing on…

“Throughout the Years” https://youtu.be/H-qcRZrkA0g

“Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)” feat. John Popper – https://youtu.be/OshNg-N3w6Y

BHTM Live at the Mission Ballroom – “Sunshine of Your Love” with David Hidalgo  https://youtu.be/uwvOulgF8nc

In 1966 Mike Kane was walking back to his house in St. Charles, Illinois, when he came upon a huge crowd of girls from the neighborhood.  Going to check it out, he saw it was Dan Buck (The Boyzz from Illinoizz), who was a few years older than him, making music with two other guys from the neighborhood.  Right then and there Mike decided he needed to be in a band.

Within a few months he was playing in a band with one of the guys from the garage, first using his brother’s 6-string guitar that was missing the B and E strings, and then moving on to a ‘65 Kingston violin shaped bass.

At that time, with music exploding in bars, teen clubs and school dances, Mike was exposed to bands such as Vanilla Fudge and The Yardbirds at the Jaguar in St. Charles.  Mike had an extra advantage–his brother, Dan Davis, was booking bands at The Lottery, a club he owned in Aurora, and Mike was able to hear the music and hang out Rory Gallagher, Manfred Mann, Wayne Cochran and the CC Riders, and Baby Huey and the Babysitters.

By 1972, he was part of the popular Cock N’ Bull Band, with Dan Buck, EZ Dave Haines, Gil Pini and Kim McGowan, playing the local music circuit.

Around 1979- 80, Mike, EZ Dave Haines, Dana French and Mike Hoge formed the band DeLuxury.  By then Mike’s go to bass was a ’76 Gibson Thunderbird. They were later joined by Kent Cooper (The Boyzz) and Gil Pini (The Boyzz).  At the time, DeLuxury was known for playing red hot rockin’ rhythm and blues!

Although there were personnel changes over the years, the band played regularly until 2008.  Phil Miller (Sonia Dada) and Jimmi Kidd, two hot guitar players in Chicago, also did stints with the band.

Over the roughly twenty-eight years that the band was together, Mike held down the bottom for that entire period.  DeLuxury had five record releases, including the all original Crosseyed Cupid; was sponsored by Miller Beer for eight years; toured the Midwest and beyond; and played many prestigious gigs as headliners as well as the opening act for Stevie Ray Vaughan, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, Fabulous
Thunderbirds and Little Feat, among others.

They also had the pleasure of supporting established artists, including Robert Plant and Joan Baez, and jumping on stage to jam with them.

Since DeLuxury, Mike has kept busy playing live gigs, and working in the studio, as well as playing music in his church.

Mike’s bass influences include Bill Wyman, Paul McCartney, James Jamerson, Carol Kaye, and Chicago blues bassists including Willie Dixon.  Like his heroes, Mike lays down a tight bottom, with melodic flourishes.

Mike’s bass collection has grown since the days of the Kingston Violin Bass.  Akin to his hero, Bill Wyman, Mike has two vintage Vox Wyman Basses (Mahogany and Sunburst).  His arsenal also includes an electric standup bass; multiple vintage Fender Precision, Tele and Jazz basses; and a ’69 Gibson Thunderbird.

Check out Mike’s playing on…

“Leavin’ Again” https://youtu.be/3mzdYmcqxZU

“Girl Like You”  https://youtu.be/j2-hHr7u42Q

“Super Bowl”  https://youtu.be/l_gBV_0GEFE

“Hey Baby” Live at Summer Fest https://youtu.be/XcdpGV6ucWc

By Joe Gagliardo

Her career as a hard rockin’ Chicago bassist began as a residual effect of a disciplinary technique in which one is forbidden to leave their place of residence or bedroom, except for required activities!

When a teenage Patti Prendergast was “grounded” for reasons unknown to KYBP– she began to play a banjo that belonged to her father’s friend – and the rest is rock and roll history!

Inspired by such iconic 1970s bassists including Jaco Pastorius, Geddy Lee  John Entwistle , Pete Way (UFO), Tom Petersson (Cheap Trick), and Bruce Thomas (Elvis Costello & The Attractions), Patti moved to a candy apple red Fender Mustang so she could play along with a guitar-slinging friend.

During the DIY (do-it-yourself) era, Patti found herself playing the Chicago club circuit in a few different bands.  In the early ‘80’s, Patti joined Bitch, an all-female band. Bitch was a club favorite, releasing an eponymous LP and touring the US extensively. That band ultimately became Tough Love, and Patti remained with them until the mid-80’s.

After taking a break from the music business to raise a family, Patti hit the stage again with the Demolition Dolls, HAG, and Burning Bridges. Nowadays Patti is holding down the bottom with Kevin Lee & the Kings. A bundle of energy, she wields her salmon – tangerine maple-neck MusicMan bass with authority, working the pocket and rendering melodic lines.

Patti also plays a ’67 Fender Precision bass….as pictured below!

The Kings have recently released a CD entitled Sticks & Stones, and are currently working on an EP.

Check out Patti’s playing on these videos/tracks, and catch Kevin Lee & the Kings, when you can!

“On Top of the World”  https://youtu.be/_jPTeMZL0Rc

“End of the Line” https://youtu.be/7GfeSvYygkc

“Sticks & Stones”  https://youtu.be/hUYpX0KrBho

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 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 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 Joe Gagliardo

Derek W. Brand had been listening incessantly to Jimi Hendrix since early in his teens, in particular, side one of the iconic guitarist’s legendary performances as captured on the historic Monterey International Pop Festival LP.

One day, Derek flipped the record over to side two, and when he heard Otis Redding’s live version of “Try A Little Tenderness,” and Donald “Duck” Dunn, he decided to play the bass guitar.

Within a few years, after responding to an ad in a music store, Derek was playing professionally with older, more seasoned musicians. It was an experience that prompted a shift in his focus from soul / rhythm and blues music to roots and Americana music of The Band, and similar artists.

Looking to study music in depth, Derek enrolled in the Chicago Music College, however he was forced to study piano as the school did not yet have a curriculum for the electric bass.

A chance encounter with Chuck Rainey led Derek move to California where he became a student in the first class of the Bass Institute of Technology (BIT). Derek studied with Rainey, who served as BIT’s first director.  Note that BIT was among the first schools in the country to have a full-time curriculum dedicated to the bass guitar.

Returning to Chicago, Derek was playing with Jim Desmond, who was popular in local music circles. This choice gig afforded Derek the opportunity to share stages with U2, Captain Beefheart, John Cale, Nico, and other notable national and international acts.

After working with Desmond, Derek commenced did an eight-month run with a show band, playing four to six sets a night, six days a week.  Derek credits this time as a significant learning experience.

In 1983, as the show band was concluding their engagements, Derek and a high-school friend by the name of Nicholas Tremulis, began a collaboration which continues to this day, and spans about a dozen album releases, including two for Island Records, and scores of live performances.  Nicholas Tremulis remains among the most prolific and active songwriters and performers to come out of Chicago.

Although the band has gone through a few changes over the years, the NTO’s continuity of core of musicians still make them the among the premier ensembles on stage and in the studio.

Based on the strength of the band’s musicianship, the Nicholas Tremulis Band / Orchestra has performed a series of shows as the back-up band for a number of artists, including, Rick Danko (The Band, solo), Peter Wolf (J Geils Band, solo), Willie Nile, Blondie Chaplin (Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, solo), David Johansen (New York Dolls, Buster Poindexter, solo) Hubert Sumlin (Howlin’ Wolf), Maceo Parker (James Brown, solo), and Charlie Sexton – among many others.

As I, Joe Gagliardo, am witness, the term “back-up band” does not describe the experience!  Derek and the band absorb the artist’s music so deeply that they are at one with the performer.  If you didn’t know, you wouldn’t know!

Derek has also maintained a busy schedule with projects such as playing “house music” along with producing and playing bass with The West Sidewinders.

Derek’s playing style is influenced by Willie Dixon, Duck Dunn (Booker T & The MGs), and other players, most of whom started on upright.  Not surprisingly Derek’s sound is rooted in early Chicago soul / rhythm & blues / blues music, and Stax records. He plays to serve the song and recognizes that what he plays touches the other musicians in the band.

Brand’s brand of playing style has also been affected by the fact that he has worked as an engineer in recording studios and run stage monitors for live shows.  Over the years, Derek has played numerous instruments, including his 1966 Fender Jazz bass, and a 1962 Fender Jazz bass which he removed the frets and had the neck epoxied. Sound familiar? If not, refer to Jaco!

Derek’s go-to bass for the past fifteen years is a Lakland double-pick up hollow body, which he tried at the urging of fellow band member and multi-instrumentalist, John Pirucello, an owner of Lakland.

If you get the chance, catch Derek and the Nicholas Tremulis Band / Orchestra live.  It’s a show you don’t want to miss!!!

Listen to the Brand…  

Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra with Billy Corgan and Bun E. Carlos, playing Roxy Music’s “Out of the Blue” https://youtu.be/tIJKvhtWM4Q

“Give Me Tomorrow” by Willie Nile and The Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra https://youtu.be/RFASYU87xEs

The Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra with Charlie Sexton https://youtu.be/lMPyuJ8uyCI

The Nicholas Tremulis Orchestra with Alejandro Escovedo https://youtu.be/rYJWuykY9v0

A “short” list of Derek Brand’s Credits: Charlie Sexton, Lonnie Brooks, Sugar Blue, Ivan Neville, Rick Nielsen, Alejandro Escovedo, Billy Corgan, Blondie Chaplin, Sir Mack Rice, Bob Mould, Chris Whitley, David Amram, Jeff Tweedy, Jay Bennet, Bun E. Carlos, Liz Carroll, Marianne Faithful, Graham Parker, Steve Earle, Sonny Landreth, Ronnie Spector, Hubert Sumlin, David Johansen, Mavis Staples, Ian Hunter, Kurt Elling, Peter Wolf, River Phoenix, Maceo Parker, and Rick Danko, to cite a few!

Derek’s Weapons of Choice: Lakalnd Hollow-body bass, Ashdown ABM 500, SWR Goliath Cabinets (Various), Polytone Mini Brute III, Retrospec DI.

Derek’s Influential Albums List: Monterey Pop – the Otis Redding side Natty Dread – Bob Marley and The Wailers Graham Central Station – any record 88 Great Original Motown Hits Jazz Winds From A New
Direction – Hank Garland

Derek’s Favorite Bass Players: Duck Dunn, Aston “Family Man” Barrett, Larry Graham, James Jamerson and Jimmy Garrison.

By Joe Gagliardo

Chicago’s Cryan’ Shames have long been known for their incredible harmonies, but they’ve also had incredible bass players in their line-ups, including Dave Purple and Isaac Guillory.

And the stories behind those two bassists are equally incredible….

Unfortunately, Purple and Guillory are no longer here to tell their stories, however Tom Doody, The Shames’ lead singer is alive and well- and he has shared his insights.

Among the aspects that make Tom’s perspective so intriguing is that he firmly believes that the bass propels what the singer sings and is in tune with the melody of the song, to the extent that Tom can easily hum the bass line of every song the Shames ever played, original or cover!

Dave “Grape” Purple was a classical keyboardist. He first picked up his brother’s bass a day before his audition with the Shames.  With a melodic approach to the instrument, he nailed the audition and less than seven months later, Dave was recording songs with driving passages on his Hofner violin bass.

Check out the band’s first LP on Columbia Records entitled Sugar & Spice and the ascending and descending bass melodicism on tracks including “Sugar and Spice, “I Wanna Meet You,” and the driving grit of “Ben Franklin’s Almanac.”

“Sugar and Spice” https://youtu.be/Fe7RlzkVS3U

“I Wanna Meet You” https://youtu.be/dY7fJv4nMy4

“Ben Franklin’s Almanac” https://youtu.be/KBBuL3yeo3M

However the stress of touring was more than Dave wanted to endure, and he left the band following their debut release.

Yet Purple forged a successful career as a recording engineer with the Stax / Volt recording studios, working with numerous soul greats. Dave earned a Grammy Award for his engineering on Isaac Hayes’ legendary Shaft LP.

Needing a replacement fast, Tom thought Isaac Guillory would fit the bill!

Though Guillory is pictured here with a Fender Telecaster bass, check out Isaac’s lines which were rendered on a Guild hollow-body, propelling “A Carol for Lorelei,” “Mr. Unreliable” and the beauty of “I Was Lonely When.”

“A Carol for Lorelei” https://youtu.be/W-leTE-j_fw

“Mr. Unreliable” https://youtu.be/nb-tQbDYywE

“I Was Lonely When” https://youtu.be/tLP6Yn5gdQ8

According to Tom, in addition to being fine musicians “Grape” and Isaac were great people, and it was great to have them as part of the Shames’ family.

Coda: Big thanks to Tom Doody for sharing this information with us, and you can still catch the Cryan’ Shames as part of the Cornerstones of Rock show featuring many of the Chicago 60’s bands, as well as performing individual shows.