Planet Bass – The Gonzo-Bass Interview May 2004

What inspired you to first pick up a bass and what were your first attempts at playing it like?

My first inspiration was my older brother Danny. He taught me my first bass riffs- "Peter Gunn", Led Zeppelin's "Communication Breakdown", simple walking
lines... and some beginning technique like finger picking chords.

Who were your early influences and what did you learn from them?

Early influences? I would have to say Steve Harris from Iron Maiden. What I learned from Steve was writing on the bass guitar, he showed me my way around the E Minor scale, and also proved that the bass player can be the leader of the band.
Later on, in college, I was exposed to many, many great bassists. Of course Jaco... Jeff Berlin, Marcus Miller, Mr. James Jamerson, Victor Wooten, Jonas Hellborg, Billy Sheehan, Michael Mannring, Beaver Felton, Stanley Clarke...(probably the same list as every other bass player who actively researched).
I feel I also gained a lot from listening to Miles on horn, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Stanley Jordan and Steve Vai on guitar as well as my classical listening widening my scope and dynamic range.

Did you take lessons or are you self-taught?

I am self taught except for my college music classes, which were taught mostly on the piano.

What's the most important bit of advice you were given by another musician?

There is a big difference between a musician and a rock star.

What's the most important bit of advice you could give to new bassists?

Why limit yourself?

Where do you stand on the old fingers vs. plectrums debate and why?

I have used both when the technique is appropriate.
As for the "Why?":
See the previous question...

Do you play 4, 5 or 6 string basses mainly? Fretted or unfretted?

Strictly 4 string fretted here.
Although I am planning on owning a fretless soon and I do have an 8 string (but it is 4 pairs). I also have one 4 string which is strung B-E-A-D so I have those five other low notes when they are called for.

How would you define your style of playing?

Solo Bass.

Tell us a little about the artists you have worked with, and how/if you adapted to playing with each of them?

I believe I've probably played (or taught) damn near every style there is at one time or another...
I have been hired for what I do, and I have been hired into situations where I have had to adapt. The trick (to me) is knowing when to put my stamp over a track and when to adapt my playing to fit the track and THEN to be able to adapt only enough that I still sound like myself. There is a fine line there and it calls for judgment as to what you can and can't get away with. Experience helps.

Who was the most inspirational and in what way?

I would say that would have to be my younger brother Aaron. He was my drummer for years and years, so our musical bond as a rhythm section was wordless
to the point of bordering on telepathy. There was nothing I was afraid to try, nothing that I couldn't go for, nothing that I couldn't express, that Aaron wouldn't encourage and be able to follow convincingly. I could truly be musically honest with Aaron and vice versa. In the years since, I have learned to appreciate even more how rare that bond was and I miss it terribly.

Do you warm up before a concert and if so how?

I'll play some wide stretches, chromatic scales vertically up and down the neck in all positions, touching every fret on the neck for a slow five count each, swing some scales in thirds forward and backwards in different positions... singing or at least humming the pitches, play a little Bach to get the hands in synch, then on to a groove... let your neck work... bring in some technique... By then you're pretty much ready.

Do you have any other last minute rituals or habits before a concert?

Nap.

What do you drink onstage?

Pitcher after pitcher of water with no ice (I sweat a LOT) and then black coffee if the night runs long.

Have you ever played while drunk or under the influence of drugs?

Yes, but I have been sober for many, many years now (for very good reasons) and I would just like to say that drugs suck. Period.

What's the biggest disaster you've ever had onstage, and how did you cope with it?

Probably my amp head vibrating of my cabinet and cutting off in the middle of a song. This is very obvious in a one guitar situation! Lucky for me, I play Gallien-Krueger and it took the fall like a champ. I plugged the speaker cord back in and finished the song with a laugh. Later I applied Velcro tape to the feet of the head which stuck to the carpeted cab and it never happened again.

What's the biggest disaster you've ever had in the studio, and how did you cope with it?

I was once handed a chart that the "singer/songwriter" had labeled as 2/3 time. Now in case you didn't know, there is no such thing as 2/3 time. I just listened and relied on my ears to discern his mystery time signature. I never mentioned the error to avoid any embarrassment and I still have the chart in my scrap book.

What's been your proudest playing moment?

Maybe taking second in a state wide guitar contest playing bass.

What's been the most fun playing moment, and why?

Smashing instruments live with my older brother on guitar.
Why?... Ha ha ha! Ever done it?

What's been the least fun playing moment, and why?

Hmmm... Nothing comes to mind here. Sorry.

What equipment do you use live and in the studio and why?

I endorse Gallien-Krueger Amplification and Wilkat Guitars.
My GK takes all the abuse I give it, and sounds great. What else could you ask for from an amp?
Wilkat Guitars worked closely with me to design the bass I always dreamed of playing... down to the smallest details. This was no small feat but they truly went above and beyond to give me a bass that feels and plays great, with a wide range of tonal options. Between the Gonzo Bass and my GK, there isn't a sound I hear in my head that I can't create with these tools.

Are you fairly flexible about the equipment you use or must you always play with the same gear?

I would definitely prefer playing through my rig, but have played through many setups when it is unavoidable. When that is the case, you do the best with what you got. It makes me appreciate mine even more!

What one piece of equipment would you advise all bass players to own?

A good chromatic tuner.

Do you read music?

Yes.

Do you play any other instruments, and how well?

Rudimentary keyboards, mandolin, basic beat drums, percussion and I can make both an acoustic and an electric guitar sound.

Do you write or co-write songs and if so do you write on the bass?

I do write, but it doesn't come easily to me. I think I am too self-critical, but when I do write it is on the bass.

Do you ever play cover versions, and if so how do you learn the originals note for note or do you improvise you own parts?

I think everyone starts out on cover tunes. If the line is a signature riff, I will play it as true to form as possible, but if the line is more of a jam line or just plain sucks (in my opinion) I will take liberty with it. Of course if I feel I can take the tune somewhere else by making it my own, I will try.

Do you sing? Do you feel it is important?

I have done both lead and back up vocals. I think it helps in a hiring situation if you sing as well as play and being able to sing helps to internalize your music. (If you can sing it, you can play it)

If you could nominate one song that you've recorded to sum up your playing style and feel which one would it be?

I am proud of "Cathi's Song" which is a one take, "live in the studio" track off my self titled first solo CD. In other words: all the bass you hear is going down at once. You can hear a short excerpt from it here.

What have you been doing recently?

I am writing and recording for my second solo CD entitled "Second in Command" to be released by CGNK Music Corp.

Do you have a personal or band website? Or would you like to recommend any other useful websites?

You can visit me on the web at- www.GonzoBass.com
There you will find some more info on me and samples from my all bass CD.

Aloha for now-
Gonzo