Planet Bass – The Randy Coven Interview May 2004

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

Girls! My first attempt at playing was ok cause I played drums.

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

Jack Bruce, Felix Papalaridi (Mountain), Billy Cox (Jimi Hendrix).

Did you take lessons or are you self-taught?

Both.

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

Play from your heart.

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

Get your groove together.

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

If you use a pick you only have one, use your fingers you will have five.

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

Four string fretted with whammy bar.

How would you define your style of playing?

Insane.
(For those of you that haven't heard Randy's playing it includes slapping, popping, two-handed tapping, harmonics and whammy bars! See MP3's below- Ed)

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

I've worked with many different artists mostly guitar players like Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen and Leslie West to name a few. Learn the songs real good and you will have no problem adapting to anyone you play with.

Who has been the most inspirational person for you and in what way?

I guess I would say my Mother cause she used to let us wail out in the basement when i was a kid.

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

Sometimes I'll just pick up the bass and play something.

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

Pacing.

What do you drink onstage?

Beer.

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

No.

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

Having to take a piss cause of drinking beer in the middle of a 3 hour show. Piss behind my amps.

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

Never had one.

What’s been your proudest playing moment?

Getting my first paycheque.

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

I always have fun when I have my bass strapped on.

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

None.

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

GK heads with ampeg cabs. Cause it sounds good.

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

Yes, fairly flexible when it comes to amps but I will only play my basses.

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

A bass.

Do you read music?

Yes.

Do you play any other instruments, and how well?

Yes, pretty good.

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

Both depends on what album I’m doing. I write mostly on bass sometimes I might pick up a guitar to get some cool chords that you can’t get 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?

All my solo CD's have a cover song on them and I try to stick to the original arrangement as close as possible.

Do you sing? Do you feel it is important?

No, yes.

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

Tree (MP3 here) from Funk me Tender or Poem (MP3 here) from Witchway.

What have you been doing recently?

Writing and recording the MCM CD (Masi, Coven, Macaluso).

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

www.randycoven.com

Click here to return to Planet Bass