Cover
Bass Musician Magazine: Feb/Mar 2010 Featuring Jonas Hellborg
His musical endeavors wove him through a myriad of musical styles, from his efforts on one of his earlier CD’s The Word featuring his work with drummer Tony Williams and a string quartet, to projects such as Zenhouse displaying his Eastern influences. He then continued on working in various fusion (in the true sense of the word) projects, one of them being the entity Artmetal, a blend of Southern Indian classical music with math-metal elements (interesting), right up to his work on Beethoven’s concerto for piano, violin, and cello, replacing violin and cello with guitar and bass. I also found it refreshing that he spends part of his musical time working on pieces by Bach and Mozart, and his only musical need is to perform them by himself, for himself in his living room.
This is what I’m referring to when I speak in terms of a 21st Century context. This type of non-prejudicial musical openness is at the heart of some of the finest voices I hear in music to date. Armed with his Warwick signature bass, he continues to leap genres with grace and an obvious respect for each of them, and after speaking with him, I have no doubt that this individuals mantra centers around music for music’s sake.
Jake: I know your earlier work in the seventies with John McLaughlin was a big turning point for you. Can you tell me something about what was happening for you at that time?
Jonas: It wasn’t such a turning point in terms of musical direction or bass playing actually, it was more a career turning point. It was a time of more recognition and acknowledgement of work that I’d already done. I was able to step into the limelight a bit more, and play the type of music I had been working on for quite awhile. It wasn’t really that earth shaking in terms of changing my direction, or learning a new stuff. Leading up to that, I had really worked hard on different things like chords on bass. The original inspiration was Colin Hodgkinson from Backdoor who I had heard in the mid seventies, and he really inspired me to start to explore that technique. So I was really working very hard on getting that together. And then I sort of stumbled into the slap thing, very leisurely, and that sort of developed very quickly and naturally for me. At the same time, I was already into Indian music. I didn’t know much about it at the time. I was very inspired by the sound of tabla, for instance, and that kind of inspired my slap technique quite a bit.
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Leland Sklar, Over Half a Century of Bass, March 2024
We all have enjoyed Leland Sklar’s Bass lines for over half a century.
You might remember that we had him on our cover back in 2017 and did an update when he launched his book “Everybody Loves Me” in 2020. It was exciting to hear that The Immediate Family had got back together in the studio to work on their own music in 2019 and are now up to two albums.
Just last December, Magnolia Pictures released a documentary titled “Immediate Family” where we got a behind-the-scenes look at the massive contributions Danny Kortchmar, Waddy Wachtel, Ross Kunckle, Leland Sklar and Steve Postell have made in countless songs that are the very essence of our daily personal musical soundtracks. Seeing the astronomical roster of performers they have supported over many years is very eye-opening. It is a must-see for any music lover!
Now, I am thrilled to bring you a special chat with Leland Sklar where we go more in-depth into the bass side of his musical journey.
Photos: Header, Rob Shanahan – Cover Photo, Jay Gilbert/Chris Schmitt
Featured Videos:
Skin In the Game – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhbnzIrdjJ8
from new album Skin In The Game
The Toughest Girl In Town – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVQLZIRfLjU
from new album Skin In The Game
Fair Warning – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DN18DYwLsU –
from the self-titled album The Immediate Family
Visit Online
www.immediatefamilyband.com/
www.facebook.com/TheImmedFamily
www.instagram.com/theimmedfamily/
Bass Videos
Ricky Phillips, STYX Bass And More – February 2024
Ricky Phillips, STYX Bass And More…
I have always been a huge Styx fan. Their music kept me awake during countless nights studying and gave my imagination a place to escape when I had a moment to take a break.
I had the immense opportunity to chat with STYX bassist Ricky Phillips for our August Cover in 2017 and follow his projects as time passed. Now, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to catch up with Ricky as he has been super-busy over the past six years.
Join me as we take a deep dive into the band’s most recent album “Crash the Crown” and EP “The Same Stardust”. Ricky shares some insights into the herculean team effort behind the scenes and the musical process that keeps them ever so busy and how he has updated his sound.
Without further ado… Here is Ricky Phillips!
Photo: Jason Powell
Featured Videos:
“Crash of the Crown” lyric video
“Reveries” lyric video
“Save Us From Ourselves” lyric video
“Sound the Alarm” lyric video
“Too Much Time On My Hands” Zoom video 2020
Visit online:
www.Styxworld.com
FB & IG @styxtheband
Bass Videos
Jeff Pilson, Foreigner Low End – January 2024
Jeff Pilson, Foreigner Low End – January 2024…
Those of us who were around back in the 70’s remember how certain songs on the radio resonated with us. It turns out that many of these iconic melodies came from Foreigner and they were part of our personal soundtracks!
After all these years, the band is going as strong as ever with Jeff Pilson firing away on bass midstream into a 2-year farewell tour.
I am excited to be able to bring you all the details about Jeff’s musical Journey, the farewell tour in progress, how he gets his sound and his plans for the future.
Cover Photo: Krishta Abruzziini / Video Photos: Krishta Abruzzini, Karsten Staiger, Gina Hyams
Featured Videos
For more news on FOREIGNER and upcoming Farewell Tour dates, fans can visit:
foreigneronline.com
facebook.com/Foreigner
twitter.com/ForeignerMusic
instagram.com/foreignerlive
youtube.com/user/FWebTeam
Also on FB @officialjeffpilson
Bass Videos
Rodney O’Quinn, Rockin’ Hard Through the Years – December 2023
Interview With Foghat Bassist Rodney O’Quinn…
Many rock fans have enjoyed music by Foghat, who originally formed in London back in 1971.
Over the many decades of playing, the band members have changed, leaving behind only Roger Earl as the only original member. Bassist Rodney O’Quinn left the Pat Travers Band and joined the group in 2015 and has been laying down the low end for this iconic quartet keeping the Foghat legacy alive. With a new album titled “Sonic Mojo” which dropped on November 10th, the band is as busy as ever and there is lots of very tasty music to come.
Join me as we learn of Rodney O’Quinn’s musical journey, how he gets his sound, and his plans for the future.
Photos:
Cover, Jake Coughlin
Video Thumbnail, Tom Apathy
Photos used in the video: Kerry Quinn, Chuck Lanza, Kim Granger, Kenneth Strohm, Jake Coughlin, Jay Jylika
Featured Videos:
1st Single from Sonic Mojo – Official “Drivin’ On”
2nd Single from Sonic Mojo – “She’s a Little Bit of Everything Official Video
“Road Fever”- California Mid State Fair – Paso Robles, CA – 7-27-22
“Stone Blue” – Rodney O’Quinn Bass/Lead Vocals – Don Odell’s Legends – Woonsocket, R.I – 10/15/22 – The Stadium Theater
The Earl’s Court – Season 2, Episode 7: Funny Guys
“I Just Want to Make Love to You” – CasinoRama – 6-9-23
FOGHAT “Somebody’s Been Sleepin’ in My Bed” – Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT – 1/28/22
“I Just Want to Make Love to You” – California Mid State Fair – Paso Robles, CA – 7-27-22
Visit Online:
www.foghat.com
www.facebook.com/Foghat
www.twitter.com/FOGHAT
www.instagram.com/foghat_official
www.youtube.com/user/FOGHATMUSIC
Bass Videos
Suzi Quatro, Eternal Powerhouse – November 2023
Interview With Bassist Suzi Quatro…
It is always exciting to have the opportunity to talk to an artist who has been prolific for decades.
Suzi Quatro has been rocking our world since the sixties and has been super-creative as a bassist, musician, actress, singer, songwriter, author, radio show host and so much more. Most recently, Suzi released a new album titled “Face to Face” where she joined forces with KT Tunstall and together they are a force of nature. (See our video with Suzi about the album release)
Join me as we hear about Suzi’s musical journey, her many projects, how she gets her sound and her plans for the future.
Here is Suzi Quatro…
Featured Videos:
Suzi Quatro & KT Tunstall – “Truth As My Weapon” (Official Music Video)
“Shine A Light” music video (from the upcoming album)
“Bad Moon Rising” music video (from 2022):
Bass-Solo / Live in Prah? 1979
Glyserine Queen / Bass solo – Tampere Finland
Follow Online:
suziquatro.com
IG @suziquatroreal
FB @Suziquatrorocks
TW @Suzi_Quatro
Photos:
Video – Andrew Whitton
Cover and Header Photo – Courtesy of Suzi Quatro
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