| My Influences |
| OK, first thing, I would have to say that everybody I've ever seen or heard play bass has influenced me in some way, so these are just some of the highlights. The first songs I ever learned on bass were from the Black Sabbath album "Master Of Reality". I had been playing guitar about 3 years when I first got my hands on a bass, so I knew where the notes were, but to say I fell in love with playing bass is kinda like saying the Pacific is a puddle. I grabbed that Sabbath album, threw if on my record player, and didn't stop until I figured out the whole album. Then I grabbed another album and did the same thing, then another, then another, you get the picture. That pretty much sums up my life for the next bunch of years. I got into Sabbath and other popular 70's bands, then somebody said to me, "You're a bass player, you must be into Yes." I'd never heard of them, but I went to the record store and grabbed "Fragile". Woh, spent the next bunch of time buying and learning everything they ever played. I still say Chris Squire is from another planet. Through him I learned anything's possible with the bass, never stop pushing the envelope. Not much time later another person asked me if I was into Rush. Again, never heard of them, so I checked out "Farewell To Kings". Yep, had to learn everything they ever did, too. An older cousin of mine who plays guitar gave me the first Zep album. Thought it was too bluesy, and didn't give it much thought. Then I heard Zep II. Man, those guys could rock! Had to learn all their songs, too. Then The Who, Deep Purple, Kansas, Genesis, and the list goes on forever. Well, the pattern was set, and it never really stopped. I still look out for new music, and have to learn everything I hear that I like. And that doesn't go for just rock. No way. I grew up listening to all kinds of stuff, from big band to pop, and learned tons of that stuff, too. My dad plays guitar, and lots of times I'd sit in with him and his friends playing 'oldies'. I was also playing with my dad at church every weekend, and I was in my first band before I knew it. While all this bass stuff was happening, I was also playing trumpet, and later, french horn, in the the high school marching and concert bands. Oh, and bass in the jazz band. And a jazz combo made up of guys in the high school band. And a rock cover band. Classic obsessive-compulsive. Couldn't get enough, still can't. My taste in music runs pretty eclectic as a result. Some days I'll be in a jazzy mood and chill out with some Rippingtons, Sade, Weather Report, or big band stuff. Another day it might be all those 80's bands like ABC, the Fixx, Thomas Dolby, Joe Jackson, or Elvis Costello. Then some metal madness with Iron Maiden, Dream Theater, and stuff like that. Maybe some Nickelback, Disturbed, or Stone Temple Pilots. Then calm down with some great James Taylor. It's all good, and it all makes me a better player. More able to play with any band or bunch of guys and play something that fits well and sounds like I belong. The best I can be. All the time. That's what it's all about, right? |