Rast
Bass guitar

"I wish I had a life changing story like Terry,
an epiphany, something I could share
with you all, something to say yes that bass line
that bass guitarist - that's what changed my life
forever. Sadly I don't have that.

For me bass guitar started in the most bizarre fashion
this also says a lot about my character.
More years than I care to mention ago,
a couple of school friends, who were playing
in a very dodgy clubland style duo reported back
to the playground they had 'found' a 4-string
guitar! and did anybody want it?

Before I had chance to say yes, my guitar
teacher said 'You learn to play the proper
guitar before you advance on to that!
To those of you who know me this is the only
kind of incentive to do something I need - tell
tell me I can't or shouldn't"

So I took this funky, bizarre, exciting 'new' guitar and started to knock-out fantastic
solos, riffs etc., making my guitarist friend lock in with the drums - we didn't
really have a clue back then... then... then... we saw Thin Lizzy!

I became the bass guitarist at last - instead of the 4-string lead guitarist
and things kind of dropped into place. From then on my world did change
instead of listening to music - I listened to bass-lines, every song
I heard it would be the bass-line which interested me - the one which
changed my world? Well you've kind of got to remember I was already
playing lead bass! So the revolution of the bass coming to the front in the 80s
kind of passed me by, but the one bass line which changed it all...
'Do you Think I'm Sexy - Rod Stewart' played by I think
Bernie Edwards. Listen to the bass next time you hear the song, though
don't mention the Brazilians!!!

My influences: Phil Lynott, John Paul Jones, Steve Harris, Andy Fraser
Joe Hubbard, Cliff Williams, Rick Savage, Jonas Hellborg.

Bass guitarists I love but sound nothing like (all the above)! plus: John Taylor,
Billy Sheehan, Nick Beggs, Neil Murray damn it anyone who plays the bizarre thing
called the 4-string guitar I admire!

I use now: An Epiphone black Goth Thunderbird, a 25-year old Aria ProII ZZB Deluxe
all gold plated hardware - so beautiful and my faithful 60s Fender Jazz bass - though
this rarely makes an appearance these days
All this goes through my brand new Behringer rig. Flightcases galore, Rotosound
roundwound strings, GHS boomer strings and Dunlop 500 picks.

Best advice I ever had - keep away from the crash and ride cymbals
lock-in with the drummer or you'll end up as a four-string guitarist
and that's NOT the reason you picked up the thing... here hang on a minute"

Take it easy - Rast