Features
Interview with Mark King by Bob Considine
Meet Bob Considine –
(Mark King Image Courtesy of Iain Renicks)
Mention Level 42 to anyone who knows or remembers them and you’re bound to get two different accounts in return.
One is that of an amazingly proficient jazz-funk outfit that catered to the U.K muso crowd and beyond and the other is that of a 1980’s hit-maker that landed some 20 toe-tappers on the U.K. Top 40, not to mention a couple of U.S. Top 10ers in “Something About You” and “Lessons In Love.”
The one constant driving the multi-faceted band, of course, is bassist and singer Mark King.
Renowned for his slap-happy lines that echo the likes of Stanley Clarke and Larry Johnson as well as his distinctive vocals, King, 51, has directed the band to over 30 million in sales, while creating a devout subculture of bass-under-the-chin followers who dare try to emulate his rub-your-stomach-while-patting-your-head style on YouTube and other outlets.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Level 42 and to celebrate, King and company – original keyboardist/vocalist Mike Lindup, guitarist Nathan King (Mark’s younger brother), saxophonist Sean Freeman and new drummer Pete Ray Biggin – are playing dates in the United States for the first time in 22 years (see www.level42.com for details).
In this chat with Bass Musician Magazine, King reveals some secrets behind his propulsive playing style, the band’s history and also talks of some soon-to-be-released new material to go with the band’s year of reflection.
Bob: Well Mark, it’s been 22 years since Level 42 graced these shores as a band. So what went into the decision to finally come here in 2010 for some dates? You’ve certainly made a lot of your U.S. hardcore fans happy.
Mark: Thank you, Bob. We are really excited to be coming over there again after so long, but it isn’t really down to us. It’s down to the business end of having local promoters take the risk and bring us over. It isn’t quite as simple as “hop on a plane and do a show wherever we like.” But we are coming this year, so all is well.
Bob: Level 42 may not have been successful here as it was in the UK and Europe, but the band’s success here in the 80s seemed, from a distance, to mark kind of a dramatic turning point. On one hand, it reached new success internationally with some Top 10 hits here and MTV exposure, not to mention your increased standing as one of the world’s best bass players. But at the same time, it seemed to mark a tipping point in the direction of the band with original drummer Phil Gould and guitarist Book Gould leaving the band. So are your memories of the U.S. happy ones or bittersweet in anyway?
Mark: The 1980’s were a great time to be on the road in the U.S. and I have far more good memories than bad. It was very hard work at the time as we were advancing on two fronts, as it were, trying to break out in the U.S., but keeping the momentum we had created back home going where we were having some pretty sizeable success. Inevitably, something has to give under those circumstances and, as you say, we underwent a line-up change in 1987, which was at the height of it all for us. Fortunately one of the perks of loads of work is that we could look for some amazing replacements, which we found in Gary Husband and Alan Murphy – great players, and even lovelier guys to hang with!
Bob: What kind of audiences do you think you’ll be playing to when you take the stage from America?
Mark: Humanoid almost certainly. Ha! But I’ll be very happy to see any and all faces at the shows.
Bob: Before getting into a little bass chat, I did want to ask you what your thoughts of the band’s history and highlights are? You probably didn’t think we’d still be talking about Level 42 when you left your job selling basses at Macari’s Music Shop in London 30 years ago.
Mark: Well, I was 21 when the band began and, at that age, it’s hard to see three years down the line, let alone 30. I do remember thinking that guys over 40 should have the good grace to step aside and let the new talent through and at 50 they should be living in a home for the aged somewhere. Needless to say that, now I’m 51, I consider those thoughts hurtful, not to mention childish. But the 30th anniversary is here and though, in my mind’s eye, I see it as just one more year that follows the last, it is still a long time to be in the in the same band.
Bob: The story of your evolution as a bass player, starting as wanting to be the best drummer on the Isle of Wight, is pretty well-documented. At the time band started, you really hadn’t been playing bass that long – yet your playing quickly became a band signature. Were you ever surprised how naturally you took to the instrument and playing slap?
Mark: I don’t think you see it that way when you are heads down and charging for the line. And to be perfectly honest, I thought my tenure on the bass would be a short one, at least until I could get behind the drums in a band somewhere. But Level 42 was proving to be a great vehicle for an up-coming bass player and because my influences were drawn from the 60’s and 70’s and the fusion, funk, jazz, and rock that had exploded into my ears, I thought it gave me free license to try anything. And as a drummer-in-waiting, transferring that percussive approach to the bass seemed quite natural. Having heard guys like Doug Rauch, Stanley Clarke and Louis Johnson doing their thing, I thought this was the way to go.
Bob: At what point did melody and notes start becoming important to you, versus just playing percussively and fast?
Mark: Developing as a singer within the band, I suppose. We all know that if you play guitar or piano you can support yourself harmonically and rhythmically while you sing. But bass is good for that too if you are willing to move away from the root note and ‘flesh’ the piece out. Throw in a portion of percussive slap and you’ve got yourself a one-man band.
Bass Videos
Interview With K3 Sisters Band
K3 Sisters Band Interview…
It is very rare when I talk to a band where all the members play bass. The K3 Sisters Band is a perfect example of a group where Kaylen, Kelsey and Kristen Kassab are all multi-instrumentalists and take turns playing bass.
Hailing from Texas, these three sisters have been playing music since they were very young and have amassed an amazing amount of original music, music videos, streaming concerts, podcasts, and content that has taken numerous social media platforms by storm. On TikTok alone, they have over 2.5 million followers and more than a billion views.
Join me as we hear the story of their musical journey, how they get their sound, and the fundamental principles behind these prolific musicians.
Here is the K3 Sisters Band!
Photo, Bruce Ray Productions
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Interview With Bassist Danielle Nicole
Bassist Danielle Nicole…
Blues music has universal appeal. We all have our ups and downs and this particular musical genre often fits our reality. Just hearing that we are not alone makes us feel a bit better.
Danielle Nicole writes and sings the Blues. She does an amazing job at delivering both exquisite smoky vocals but plays just the right bass line to drive the tune home. Danielle recently released “The Love You Bleed” last January and will be touring the album this upcoming year.
Join me as we learn about Danielle’s musical journey, how she gets her sound, her plans for the future and more.
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Photo, Missy Faulkner
Features
Bergantino Welcomes Karina Rykman to Their Family of Artists
Interview with Karina Rykman…
Karina Rykman…The high-energy bassist discusses her path on bass, her upcoming tour, how she came to find Bergantino through another Bergantino artist, and more!
A lifelong Manhattanite diehard New Yorker, Bergantino welcomes new Artist Karina Rykman. Jim and Holly had the privilege of meeting Karina and her band in Boston to see her perform. She lights up a stage with her charismatic passion as a bass player and singer – a true powerhouse of joy and energy. On stage, she smiles from ear to ear, hopping, jumping, and dancing; the entire room overflowing with positivity! If you don’t know this titan of bass yet, you will soon enough. Karina’s JOYRIDE 2024 tour picks up this month with the debut of her new album. We had the opportunity to ask Karina some questions about her career so far.
You have quite the career that began at a very young age. You have so much going on!! Can you share some of your musical path highlights you are most proud of?
Oh man, thank you! What a long, strange trip it’s been. I’m proud of still being so absolutely enthralled by music after playing in a million bands and finally ending up at this current juncture: being able to make my own music and tour under my own name. It just seems completely surreal – every gig, every recording…I’m on cloud 9 being able to continue to do this, and we’re just getting started. I’m extremely proud of being so young and being able to learn so much from Marco Benevento, without whom I’d be absolutely nowhere. Being put up to a large task with enormous shoes to fill, and stepping in even though I barely knew what I was doing at the time. Every gig with Marco is extremely special to me.
Tell us about your new album release Joyride and your 2024 tour.
Joyride is my debut record! It came out in August 2023, and we’ve been touring behind it nonstop ever since. You only make your first record once, and I’m so proud of this one – it’s fun, searing, lush, with chantable choruses and, of course, incredibly thick bass and infectious grooves. It was produced by Phish’s Trey Anastasio, who also contributes guitar parts to 5 of the 9 tunes.
What makes the bass so special to you particularly, and how did you gravitate towards it?
There’s nothing quite like feeling the subs rumbling under your feet in a venue and being responsible for those sounds is thrilling. I played guitar first, at age 12, but essentially completely switched over to bass when I was 22 and got the gig playing bass with Marco Benevento. I haven’t looked back since, except for a few gigs on guitar here and there (notably in the house band on Late Night with Seth Meyers and on The Today Show backing up Julia Michaels).
People hate this question, but: If you were constructing your personal Bass Mt. Rushmore, who are the four players that would make the cut and why?
Geddy Lee, Cliff Burton, Bootsy Collins, Les Claypool. The list goes on and on, of course, but those four have imprinted their unique styles upon my brain since I was so young, and I’m perpetually learning from them – even in the case of the deceased Cliff (RIP), going back and watching Cliff ‘Em All videos is something I do all the time. Endlessly compelled by these four players and their original takes on the instrument.
How did you learn to play?
I never took lessons, but in middle school and high school, I just surrounded myself with equally music-obsessed people. All we did was play music and go and see live music, which is wildly accessible when you grow up in New York City. I had a really tight-knit crew of amazing players as my friends, and everyone would teach each other riffs and licks. I was fearless – playing with people much better than me and saying “yes” to every cool opportunity that came my way. I essentially learned from playing in a million bands and playing along to Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin records.
Are there any other instruments you play?
I started on guitar, and still love to write on guitar. I can get around on keyboards a bit, but you’d never hire me as a keyboardist. The same goes for drums – I LOVE playing drums but you’d never hire me as a drummer.
Describe your playing style(s), tone, strengths and/or areas that can be improved on the bass.
I play both with a pick and my fingers, depending on the specific needs of / vibe of the tune. I love playing fuzz bass and writing bombastic “lead bass” moments, which are a staple of my live show. I’d say I’m about the least “traditional” bassist in just about every way – which is both a strength and a weakness depending on how you frame it. I play what I hear, what I like, and I adhere to very few rules. I’ve always hated rules, and I didn’t start playing rock n roll to follow them.
How did you find Bergantino Audio Systems?
I’m pals with Mike Gordon, bassist of Phish, and his tech is named Ed Grasmeyer. Ed suggested he bring Mike’s Bergantino for me to try out at a show I was playing in Vermont, and I fell instantly in love.
You have been using the Bergantino Forté HP2 head. How have you been setting the controls on this and what changes to those settings might you make as you plug into your other individual instruments?
I love my Forté HP2! The versatility and headroom are incredible, and I’ve been having a lot of fun dialing it in at home. The real fun will begin this weekend when I take it out for 2.5 weeks of tour – dialing something in an apartment just isn’t the same as on a big stage with a PA and subs and all that good stuff. I like to roll my highs a bit and I keep “punch” on all the time. So far, it’s been a dream.
You are the inspiration behind Bergantino cab the new NXT410-C. Can you tell us more about this cab and your experience so far?
Firstly, I’m beyond touched to be the inspiration behind, well…anything! But this is truly insane, and such an honor. I love this cab. Not only is it light and extremely good-looking, it can handle all my loudest, most abrasive and obnoxious effects. My old amp didn’t come close, and could just fart out or I’d have to turn down to appease it. I’m a big fan of playing at earth-shattering volumes, so this is going to be a match made in heaven.
We all love your custom-made Goldie Hawn bass guitar! Can you share more with us about this bass design and why it is so special to you?
Thanks! That’s made by “Zeke Guitars” – it’s the second custom bass he’s made for me! He reached out in the summer of 2019 and asked what my dream bass would be, and I said it was basically my 1978 Fender P-Bass, but lighter, whiter, with Lindy Fralins, gold hardware, and shorter scale. And, well..he did exactly that! I love that bass so much. And the gold, which is referred to as Goldie Hawn, was born in December of 2022, and has the same specs. I just love it, it sounds amazing and looks, arguably, even better.
Jim and I were lucky to get to meet you in person when you came to Boston with the band. The members of the band are such a great group of people! Can you share more with all about the band and crew.
I’m so lucky to keep such incredible company. My bandmates, Adam November and Chris Corsico, are not only unbelievable musicians but also incredible humans. We just laugh and laugh, and we’re there for each other when the road gets tough or we’re exhausted or whatever life throws at us. It’s the joy of my life to get to tour the world with these guys. And the crew! That night was Connor Milton on sound and Nick Koski on lights – we have a rotating cast of people who play those roles based on availability, and everyone who works for us are absolute consummate professionals and the sweetest humans. They are my team of experts and I just adore them so much. Shout out to Zach Rosenberg, Jeff Volckhausen, Dylan Hinds, Dom Chang, for being the best rotating crew a gal could ask for!
What else do you do besides music?
Not much! I love going to the beach! I love eating dinner!
Because I am a foodie, I always ask people what their favorite food is!
Oysters, caviar, sushi. I’m a raw bar fanatic.
At a very young age, Karina is a diligent hard worker. She juggles many balls managing her business and is savvy beyond her years. We are very happy to be working with Karina and are excited for her continued success!
Follow Karina Rykman:
Instagram: @karinarykman
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Facebook @karinarykman/
Bass Videos
Interview With Bassist Ciara Moser
Bassist Ciara Moser…
Ciara and I sat down for this interview a few months after the launch of her debut album, “Blind. So what?”
Blind since birth, she is a powerhouse of talent; she is not only a professional bassist, but also composes music, and is a producer and educator. I am just blown away by her talent and perseverance.
Join me as we hear about Ciara’s musical journey, the details of her album, how she gets her sound, and her plans for the future.
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Photos by Manuela Haeussler
Bass Videos
Interview With Bassist Travis Book
Interview With Bassist Travis Book…
Bluegrass music has had a very solid following over many years and I am always happy to hear from one of the pioneers in that genre.
Travis Book plays bass for the Grammy award-winning band “The Infamous Stringdusters” and has recently released his first solo album “Love and Other Strange Emotions”. As if he wasn’t busy enough, Travis also hosts a podcast, Plays a Jerry Garcia music show with Guitarist Andy Falco, and is constantly gigging locally in his neck of the woods.
Photo, Seyl Park
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