Post by Dudu on Dec 11, 2004 5:52:55 GMT -5
Bass Vs. Bass
Interview done by Dave Pybus with the other 3 bassists on the Head bangers ball tour - Arch Enemy, Bleeding Through and Himsa.
Firstly, how are you all?
Ryan (Bleeding Through) - Started off a little rough with a few of us being sick and tired from the last tour but excited to start this one. So all and all, l'm good and ready to break things.
Derek Harn (Himsa) - Right now I'm sleepy. I just got up to give our bus driver gas money. We're in Canada and our Tour Manger isn't allowed to come into Canada because he threw a water balloon at an old lady when he was 17 so now I am doing the tour managing for us and Bleeding Through. I forgot how crappy tour managing was. I usually do it loosely for Himsa when we are out doing van tours, but I've been trying to get away from it because all the touring we've been doing lately has been wearing me down. I'd rather party with you and the other Cradle guys. I tend to take on a lot of responsibility for the band because I've been in it the longest and I'm the oldest - which makes me the wisest! ha!
Sharlee D'Angelo (Arch Enemy) - I'm good thank you. How are you? (I'm good, thanks for asking - Dave).
Thoughts about the tour so far?
Ryan - The turn outs for the shows are great. The company is great too. You never know how the other bands are going to react to you at first and everyone on this tour is getting along extremely well. It's hard to stay out of trouble with all you guys. With all the late night rage "parties" and belt beatings that some of our groups call fun, it just looks painful to me, but to each to his own. And the fact that everyone hangs out together is awesome. It reminds me of a big grown up summer camp.
Derek - Overall, this tour has been amazing, despite it's rough beginnings. To be honest, I really thought we weren't going to get along with you and the Arch Enemy people before this tour started, but I couldn't have been more wrong. Both you (Cradle) and the Arch Enemy people are so genuine and amazing that you've elevated yourselves in my personal kingdom of rock. Cradle was
already one of my all time favorite bands, and I was skeptical about meeting you guys for fear that your music would not mean as much to me if you guys were total dicks. I'm so happy you guys are only marginally dicks (ha-ha!) and that you're letting us tour with you, this is a tour that we had only dreamt about previously. You guys are a lot of fun to tour with and I look forward to seeing your ugly faces every night. Not to mention, you and Martin have saved me a few times from wanting to hang myself on this tour and that means more to me than you probably realize.
Sharlee - Well, it's all been going really well. All great shows. But then again the headliners are complete and utter bastards, ha ha. But then again that's what I like. It's been very good, so far, knock on wood, baby... oohhh-ooohhh-oohh-oohhh (sings and laughs)
Any funny tour stories?
Ryan - I think just the belt beatings are a story in its own, just to painful to describe. And I still think that Bleeding Through should wear all the leather and paint and you guys (Cradle) should come out dressed in normal clothes. I think it would freak kids out. It would be great.
Derek - I think my favorite memories of this tour are going to be the circle game and how I've managed to stay out of it so long. Seeing the bruise on James' arm was insane - and the welts on Martin and Thomas' backs and stomachs from hitting each other with belts is crazier! What's with you masochists? Other highlights include:
North Carolina - me making a fool out of myself by putting on one of the bras in the bus and calling myself a ginger man while head-banging was good. I also bit Sarah on the neck that night - true love always Sarah!
Austin - being on your bus watching the stripper give someone in Bleeding Through a lap dance to Pig Destroyer was amazing. Then getting my own wasn't bad either. Oh, and then Johnson put on that orange skull mask, Martin's cowboy hat and a bra, went outside and tried to sign autographs - classic.
San Diego - going around and taking pictures proved to be worthwhile that night. Chad and I got some great candid shots, but we didn't get any of me jump roping with the air duct insulation. I still have a bruise from falling flat on my face from that.
Sharlee - It's not like the good old days that i've heard about. We got nice and sensible people in our band. Apart from me getting drunk every night. Don't think I've seen so many people with bruises on tour before. The moment that sticks out most is Martin and Thomas belting each other's bare feet. That was something. Especially since Martins aim was a little off (he was drunk). I'm afraid theirs no dirt on Dave Nuttbrown (Our sound guy)... well, not yet anyway.
I'm interested in all your Bass equipement, personal playing style, musical thoughts?
Ryan - I use a Tech 21 bass head with boss bass overdrive for mix, an ampeg 8x10 cab for a bass I use a Washburn natural finish 5 string and a ESP natural finish 5 string. When it comes to my equipment personally, I like a clean natural sound with just as much highs as my lows because i'm use to playing a jazz or pop punk style and I want to be able to hear the rang of sound from the bass notes to some of the slapping I do. And if you can't afford your desired amp just make sure you have a bass you are pleased with cause they can always change the mix in the house sound. Having a bass you like, I think, makes a world of a difference in how you play confidence wise.
Derek - This tour I've been playing my Dean Demonator. It's the ugliest/most metal bass guitar made. I just started feeling really comfortable with it a few shows into the tour and when Dave Vincent brought me my custom Sledge bass I loved it, but I'm still rocking the Demonator because I like the sound a lot better. I'll get the Sledge dialed in when i get home. As far as my sound goes, I like it to sound growly. I've always loved the sound the Cro-Mags got on their "Best Wishes" album. It sounds like a lion is going to come out of your speakers and maul you to death - I like a lot of attack!
Sharlee - Rickenbacker 4001 guitar, Bass Ampeg SVT 2 (un)Pro, Effects is Maestro parametric filter and colorsound supawah. Ibanez bass stack. TC electronic Phaser. I use a pick and my style is, I'd say, amature noise haha. I can't really play bass at all and that's why I got all these things, to make the sound for me haha. That's the thing we have got in common Dave haha. (but I don't use any effects! - Dave)
Any personal bass influences?
Ryan - I listen to everything, from punk to jazz, pop punk, rockabilly, blues, hardcore, metal and I think the more you listen to music, the more your style differs from everyone else. My style comes from a mix of pop punk, funk, and jazz. I listen to a lot of Descendent's, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Rancid for those fast walking bass lines that are all over the neck of the bass. And I always challenge myself to improve by trying things that I can't do yet and take lots of advice from people that have been playing longer than I have, cause they probably have some good tricks for you to learn. What works best for me is listening to records and trying to figure out the bass lines by yourself. It can be hard but it helps you a lot. If you get pissed off, you just put your bass down and come back to it later. Bass is one of those thing that you only get good at by practising a lot. These are just a few things that influence me and help me practice and improve, everyone has a different method, there is no wrong way.
Derek - You! I've already started stealing some of your facial expressions that you make on stage. I wish I could look that evil! I guess if I didn't have huge, frizzy, red hair I could look more evil, but I love watching you play and the looks of disgust you give regardless. The bass player for Cannibal Corpse is amazing too. I love that he does tapping solos with the guitars. Aside from your evil faces, I don't really feel like I try to imitate anyone. I just go out and bang my head as much as possible and try not to stand in one place too long. I've had people tell me they love that I do the figure 8 circle bang. I tell them I never really learned how to do hair whips when I was younger because this is the first time I've had long hair (I'm fake metal). I just started swinging my head around and that is how it worked out.
Sharlee - Oh god. Theres like so many. OK, first big bass influence was Gene Simmons, just because he invented the Gene Simmons slide. I grew up on 70's music, Deep Purple, Rainbow, Uriah Heep, Alice Cooper, All these bands had outstanding bass players. Another hero is Steve Dawson of Saxon, cause he knows exactly when to stay on one note and not do anything else. Cliff Williams (AC/DC) and Ian Hill (Judas Priest) were also both masters at that. The influence of the Rickenbacker was more Geddy Lee (Rush), Roger Glover and Glenn Hughes, and say Chris Squier (YES) and not really Cliff Burton, which is what a lot of people think. Actually, my biggest influence is Jim Beam (Laughs).
Dave - We decided to get the pics done onstage after soundcheck and the front row was already there in the venue, so it was a little rushed. Hope people can find this a little more in depth and interesting than the straight ahead 'tour report' which these days is more to help me remember where I have been the last three years. Thanks to Derek, Ryan and Sharlee (Charles, as I call him) for being cool and helping me do this.
Interview done by Dave Pybus with the other 3 bassists on the Head bangers ball tour - Arch Enemy, Bleeding Through and Himsa.
Firstly, how are you all?
Ryan (Bleeding Through) - Started off a little rough with a few of us being sick and tired from the last tour but excited to start this one. So all and all, l'm good and ready to break things.
Derek Harn (Himsa) - Right now I'm sleepy. I just got up to give our bus driver gas money. We're in Canada and our Tour Manger isn't allowed to come into Canada because he threw a water balloon at an old lady when he was 17 so now I am doing the tour managing for us and Bleeding Through. I forgot how crappy tour managing was. I usually do it loosely for Himsa when we are out doing van tours, but I've been trying to get away from it because all the touring we've been doing lately has been wearing me down. I'd rather party with you and the other Cradle guys. I tend to take on a lot of responsibility for the band because I've been in it the longest and I'm the oldest - which makes me the wisest! ha!
Sharlee D'Angelo (Arch Enemy) - I'm good thank you. How are you? (I'm good, thanks for asking - Dave).
Thoughts about the tour so far?
Ryan - The turn outs for the shows are great. The company is great too. You never know how the other bands are going to react to you at first and everyone on this tour is getting along extremely well. It's hard to stay out of trouble with all you guys. With all the late night rage "parties" and belt beatings that some of our groups call fun, it just looks painful to me, but to each to his own. And the fact that everyone hangs out together is awesome. It reminds me of a big grown up summer camp.
Derek - Overall, this tour has been amazing, despite it's rough beginnings. To be honest, I really thought we weren't going to get along with you and the Arch Enemy people before this tour started, but I couldn't have been more wrong. Both you (Cradle) and the Arch Enemy people are so genuine and amazing that you've elevated yourselves in my personal kingdom of rock. Cradle was
already one of my all time favorite bands, and I was skeptical about meeting you guys for fear that your music would not mean as much to me if you guys were total dicks. I'm so happy you guys are only marginally dicks (ha-ha!) and that you're letting us tour with you, this is a tour that we had only dreamt about previously. You guys are a lot of fun to tour with and I look forward to seeing your ugly faces every night. Not to mention, you and Martin have saved me a few times from wanting to hang myself on this tour and that means more to me than you probably realize.
Sharlee - Well, it's all been going really well. All great shows. But then again the headliners are complete and utter bastards, ha ha. But then again that's what I like. It's been very good, so far, knock on wood, baby... oohhh-ooohhh-oohh-oohhh (sings and laughs)
Any funny tour stories?
Ryan - I think just the belt beatings are a story in its own, just to painful to describe. And I still think that Bleeding Through should wear all the leather and paint and you guys (Cradle) should come out dressed in normal clothes. I think it would freak kids out. It would be great.
Derek - I think my favorite memories of this tour are going to be the circle game and how I've managed to stay out of it so long. Seeing the bruise on James' arm was insane - and the welts on Martin and Thomas' backs and stomachs from hitting each other with belts is crazier! What's with you masochists? Other highlights include:
North Carolina - me making a fool out of myself by putting on one of the bras in the bus and calling myself a ginger man while head-banging was good. I also bit Sarah on the neck that night - true love always Sarah!
Austin - being on your bus watching the stripper give someone in Bleeding Through a lap dance to Pig Destroyer was amazing. Then getting my own wasn't bad either. Oh, and then Johnson put on that orange skull mask, Martin's cowboy hat and a bra, went outside and tried to sign autographs - classic.
San Diego - going around and taking pictures proved to be worthwhile that night. Chad and I got some great candid shots, but we didn't get any of me jump roping with the air duct insulation. I still have a bruise from falling flat on my face from that.
Sharlee - It's not like the good old days that i've heard about. We got nice and sensible people in our band. Apart from me getting drunk every night. Don't think I've seen so many people with bruises on tour before. The moment that sticks out most is Martin and Thomas belting each other's bare feet. That was something. Especially since Martins aim was a little off (he was drunk). I'm afraid theirs no dirt on Dave Nuttbrown (Our sound guy)... well, not yet anyway.
I'm interested in all your Bass equipement, personal playing style, musical thoughts?
Ryan - I use a Tech 21 bass head with boss bass overdrive for mix, an ampeg 8x10 cab for a bass I use a Washburn natural finish 5 string and a ESP natural finish 5 string. When it comes to my equipment personally, I like a clean natural sound with just as much highs as my lows because i'm use to playing a jazz or pop punk style and I want to be able to hear the rang of sound from the bass notes to some of the slapping I do. And if you can't afford your desired amp just make sure you have a bass you are pleased with cause they can always change the mix in the house sound. Having a bass you like, I think, makes a world of a difference in how you play confidence wise.
Derek - This tour I've been playing my Dean Demonator. It's the ugliest/most metal bass guitar made. I just started feeling really comfortable with it a few shows into the tour and when Dave Vincent brought me my custom Sledge bass I loved it, but I'm still rocking the Demonator because I like the sound a lot better. I'll get the Sledge dialed in when i get home. As far as my sound goes, I like it to sound growly. I've always loved the sound the Cro-Mags got on their "Best Wishes" album. It sounds like a lion is going to come out of your speakers and maul you to death - I like a lot of attack!
Sharlee - Rickenbacker 4001 guitar, Bass Ampeg SVT 2 (un)Pro, Effects is Maestro parametric filter and colorsound supawah. Ibanez bass stack. TC electronic Phaser. I use a pick and my style is, I'd say, amature noise haha. I can't really play bass at all and that's why I got all these things, to make the sound for me haha. That's the thing we have got in common Dave haha. (but I don't use any effects! - Dave)
Any personal bass influences?
Ryan - I listen to everything, from punk to jazz, pop punk, rockabilly, blues, hardcore, metal and I think the more you listen to music, the more your style differs from everyone else. My style comes from a mix of pop punk, funk, and jazz. I listen to a lot of Descendent's, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Rancid for those fast walking bass lines that are all over the neck of the bass. And I always challenge myself to improve by trying things that I can't do yet and take lots of advice from people that have been playing longer than I have, cause they probably have some good tricks for you to learn. What works best for me is listening to records and trying to figure out the bass lines by yourself. It can be hard but it helps you a lot. If you get pissed off, you just put your bass down and come back to it later. Bass is one of those thing that you only get good at by practising a lot. These are just a few things that influence me and help me practice and improve, everyone has a different method, there is no wrong way.
Derek - You! I've already started stealing some of your facial expressions that you make on stage. I wish I could look that evil! I guess if I didn't have huge, frizzy, red hair I could look more evil, but I love watching you play and the looks of disgust you give regardless. The bass player for Cannibal Corpse is amazing too. I love that he does tapping solos with the guitars. Aside from your evil faces, I don't really feel like I try to imitate anyone. I just go out and bang my head as much as possible and try not to stand in one place too long. I've had people tell me they love that I do the figure 8 circle bang. I tell them I never really learned how to do hair whips when I was younger because this is the first time I've had long hair (I'm fake metal). I just started swinging my head around and that is how it worked out.
Sharlee - Oh god. Theres like so many. OK, first big bass influence was Gene Simmons, just because he invented the Gene Simmons slide. I grew up on 70's music, Deep Purple, Rainbow, Uriah Heep, Alice Cooper, All these bands had outstanding bass players. Another hero is Steve Dawson of Saxon, cause he knows exactly when to stay on one note and not do anything else. Cliff Williams (AC/DC) and Ian Hill (Judas Priest) were also both masters at that. The influence of the Rickenbacker was more Geddy Lee (Rush), Roger Glover and Glenn Hughes, and say Chris Squier (YES) and not really Cliff Burton, which is what a lot of people think. Actually, my biggest influence is Jim Beam (Laughs).
Dave - We decided to get the pics done onstage after soundcheck and the front row was already there in the venue, so it was a little rushed. Hope people can find this a little more in depth and interesting than the straight ahead 'tour report' which these days is more to help me remember where I have been the last three years. Thanks to Derek, Ryan and Sharlee (Charles, as I call him) for being cool and helping me do this.