Bassist Jaymz Marcc – Bass Musician Magazine Q&A

Meet Bassist Jaymz Marcc in this Bass Musician Magazine Q&A…

Name:
Jaymz Marcc

Born In What City:
Pueblo, CO

Current Band(s) I Play With:
Awaken the Empire

Former Bands I Have Played With:
I’ve played with a band called Thoz 1 Guyz and From Here to LA but mostly did a lot of solo stuff

CD’s I’ve Released/ Been a Part Of:
Actually, we (Awaken the Empire) just got done recoding a full-length album and hope to have it released soon! That would be my first “Official” CD release.

Describe The Way You Play Bass:
I play a right-handed bass left handed (so everything is backwards) and on stage I am a very aggressive, reckless, emotional bass player with hints of swag (I would think); I play with dirty, gritty tones and effects.

What Made Me Decide to Play Bass:
When I was younger my older brother listened to a lot of hip-hop and my dad to a lot of funk so I was obsessed with drum and bass from the start; and then I heard Nirvana, with their dirty tones, and craziness on stage, I just knew right then I wanted to play an instrument.

Musical Influences:
Nirvana, Rage Against the Machine, Angeles and Airwaves, Cypress Hill, Pendulum, The Offspring, 311, Pretty Lights, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Queens of the stone age, Switch Foot, Incubus, Pennywise, Jimi Hendrix, Bad Religion, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Rise Against, Queen, Dillinger Escape, Deftones, Hella, Team Sleep, Finch

Favorite Musical Styles:
Punk, digital hardcore, grim, bassline, drum and bass, nu gaze, hip hop, Electronic, Fidget house, breakcore, Thrash, pop, country, Rock/Alliterative, Indy, blues…

My Bass(es):
I use a Flea Street Bass, P Bass (Fender) and a Jazz Bass (Fender).

My Amps and Other Gear:
My amps are Ampeg and Markbass and peddles are Electro Harmonix.

Endorsed By:
Clayton picks and Risk Vs. Reward (RVSR)

Best Bass Advice I’ve Ever Received:
“Why do you play your bass like a guitar and upside down? It doesn’t make any sense and you will never make it in a band playing it that way.” Wasn’t “good” advise but it sure motivated me; I love proving people wrong.

One Piece Of Advice For Other Bassists:
Don’t let anybody tell you how you should play it or what style you should play. Never limit yourself as a bass player. Your style is your uniqueness, and don’t be afraid to stand out as a bass player. People who tell you different… well, just put your middle finger in their face and say what Cartman says, “I do what I want.”

Favorite Quote or Life Philosophy:
“Life’s a garden, dig it.”

Most Amazing Gig so Far:
Playing New Heart For Christmas with Kill Hannah.

Dream Gig:
To play with any band at Red Rocks amphitheater in Colorado!

Favorite Tip to Share on Traveling With Your Bass:
Don’t lose it! Tie it down somewhere in your vehicle because you never know when someone is going to hit your car while your gear is still inside and your bass goes flying out the window. Seat belts please!

What Would You Be Doing If You Weren’t A Musician:
I really don’t know… I would probably have one of those job thingies that everyone talks about.

The Question No One Ever Asks Me, But I Have Been Dying to Share:
Someone: Can you clap with one hand?
Jaymz: Well, yes I can. The End.

What You Can Look Forward to From Me this Year:
Touring, destroying things, shows, music videos, throwing oranges at old people …no, no… I wouldn’t do that… I like my oranges.

Find Me Online:

Website: http://www.awakentheempire.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/jaymzmarcc

Facebook: http://facebook.com/awakenthejaymzmarc