The Bass Geek

1. Unbolted tires should move away from a car very easily. When they do not, call a friend with a large metal hammer.
2. Truss rod adjustments are miracles and should never be taken for granted. It’s like I have a new bass.
3. Wireless networking (and the gadgets that make it happen) are nice to use but horribly annoying to install.
4. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has posted a countdown clock for training camp, and it depresses me every time I look at it.

Radio Radio salvages part of the the cancelled Rockabilly Rebel Weekend with the Midwest Rockabilly Fest this Saturday. Also, I must start talking early about the visit of Unknown Hinson to Radio Radio on July 3rd. He’s the happy little rockabilly vampire to your left - he plays music and provides the voice for a redneck squid. Frankly, I’m not sure what more he can give you people.

Sam’s Saloon has Deacon Sean and the Bar Brawlers and Dom Weir Saturday night.

Deano’s Vino has the Michael Huston Group tonight and the John Harden Project tomorrow. And it’s Swing Dance Night at the Fountain Square Theater.

Rob G. sits in once again, and it rocks.  Download it directly or listen at the site.

The Warner Gear does some more recording tonight - well, the other folks have been recording for a bit, but I’m just now getting back into the Coop now that I’m not playing three shows a week (for a few weeks) and trying to write two books at the same time.  Therefore, I have no idea where the project stands or what I have to do.  I’m planning on just playing bass wherever they tell me to, and I’m planning on using the P-Bass for the majority of it.

Rock Band gets a virtual P-Bass.

Both Rock Band and Guitar Hero get a virtual MusicMan Stingray.

Although I still like my real ones better (I’m trying to decide which one to use for “The Wiz” next month, as both will work wonderfully for solid, soulful playing), it’s an important step forward for bass visibility.

*cue swelling music*

No longer are we subjugated to bastardized plastic simulacrums of our proud instruments when we waste our time playing a glorified musical Simon game. No, our standard flies high today and forever more. Stand tall and proud, fellow bassists. Tall and proud.

*Fade on satisfying, glorious cadence*

The newest version of Guitar Hero allegedly sports some touch pads on the controller to help simulate the playing of slap bass. Of this, I am skeptical.

Not that I’m bashing the game by any means - it’s fun, and it’s just a game. No biggie. I just think touch pads can’t simulate the feel of the thumb striking and bouncing of the strings without a string-like object there.

It also can’t simulate the rolled eyes and exaggerated sighs you get when you go off-script for a bit during rehearsal and slap out the intro to the song in double-time. Which, after all, is the reason to do such things.