Top bassist on the reviving qualities of tea and a ghastly experience at 35,000ft
What was the first gig you played and how did it go?
“My first public gig to a real audience? The Allman Brothers. I sat in with them when I was 19 years old. A couple of the band members saw me playing in clubs in New York City, like jazz clubs. But, technically, my first gigs were playing to five or six people in little clubs when I moved to NYC [from Australia] at 18. I’d been playing bass for maybe a year and I was determined to study all the time by playing live – the best kind of study.”
Describe your current stage rig…
“In terms of basses, I have a 1969 P-Bass in Pelham Blue, that’s my main bass. Then I play a Harmony, I’ve no idea what year that is, and then I play a Sadowsky five-string with a high C. I have some guitars: an old Epiphone, an old Gibson and a baritone acoustic. There’s no make [on the baritone]; Jackson Browne put that instrument together, he kinda designed it. I have a couple of TC Electronic pedals, a delay and a reverb. I have an EBS OctaBass pedal that I guess I use a little bit… that’s really about it. I haven’t figured out what I’m playing through at the moment, amp-wise; there hasn’t been anything completely consistent. I was playing EBS stuff for a while and then I played Ampegs for a little while. I’m just sort of floating.”
What’s on your rider?
“Our rider usually has smoked salmon and avocados on it… It’s all healthy stuff. Apple cider vinegar, tea – I’m a big tea drinker. That’s about it. I generally try to make a smoothie backstage, too.”
What’s your tip for getting a good live sound?
This story is from the July 2019 edition of Guitarist.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 2019 edition of Guitarist.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Sonic Shaper
Electro-Harmonix revisits the effect that launched the company with the LPB-3 Linear Power Booster and EQ
Platinum Blonde
PRS has updated its Texas-voiced David Grissom signature amp with more features, lower wattage and a more approachable price tag
TAN LINES
Many of us regard straps as a bit of an afterthought, but to find one that matches the quality of a custom or vintage guitar, Rod Boyes of Pinegrove Leather can help
ELECTRIC STRINGS
Your tone starts with your strings - strike a balance between sound, tuning and durability with six of our favourites
DIFFERENT WINDS
While there's no end to repros of all the classic pickup styles, more and more pickup makers are mixing things up to move forward - Cream T is a good example
Long termers
A few months' gigging, recording and everything that goes with it - welcome to Guitarist's longterm test report
Top Guns
Chapman's new factory move coincides with a bit of a rethink. We track down the key players all around the world
the Wishlist
Dream gear to beg, borrow and steal for...
Reach For The Star
Earlier this year Guild reorganised its 70s-era Polara range. We spent some time with this mid-range 2024 model: a modern pawn-shop prize or a copy too far?
HIGH FLYER
Adrian Thorpe of ThorpyFX remembers the flight path - and turbulence behind Chris Buck's Electric Lightning overdrive/boost, named after a fighter jet and packing a bona fide valve