By Spider Monkey, bassist of Simeon Soul Charger:
“Just before the new year each year I usually attempt to write some sort of insightful recap, but when trying to be insightful I realized it usually just kinda comes off dorky and pretentious. So this holiday season I figured I’d just list off some of my favorite bassists I’ve got to see play in 2012. (Sorry that took so long to realize… Lol.)
Given, since I moved to Europe in March 2011, I’ve performed at roundabout 180 concerts, parties and whatnot and also recorded an album (that was about a 10 month process locked in the studio) I wasn’t able to attend as many concerts/local shows as I would’ve hoped to and not nearly as many as I averaged in the years before. Nevertheless, a few bassists made an extreme impression on me and I feel the need to acknowledge their hard work and inspiration they shared with me in the world of bass guitar and frequency. I’m sure I missed a couple and no offense if I left you out, these ones just came to mind.
Side note: This ended up being significantly longer than I thought it would be. Should it be more than you think you’ll get around to reading, then please please PLEASE (I beg you!) skip my review and just check out the bands of the incredible musicians I selected to talk about. There’s a link at the end of each section, it’s much more important than my thoughts that you listen to these guys! Thank you so much, you won’t regret it. :)
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In no particular order, here they are…
Tom Manhart - "rescue Annie” - Freising, Germany […]
J Weisbarth - “Lackluster” - Columbus, Ohio […]
Jonas Fischer - “Hokum” - Freising/Munich, Germany
Now, I have to be honest right off the bat, I unfortunately didn’t get to see Hokum play in 2012. But I did in 2011 and they made such an impression, my poor musician ass bought their album and their shirt. And I’m ashamed to say, I normally don’t do that, because I’m typically out of money by the time I pay the door cost. But this time I had the cash. And I spent it. Fantastic album. Sweet shirt. Money well spent. Their singer André even jabbed me in the ribs a few times to make sure I got the right size, then knocked 2 Euros off the price cuz they liked our band too. Super cool guys.
Anyway, on to the music. I saw them play twice in 2011, once at the Tipifest Festival near the Bavarian woods and once at the Red Corner metal festival in Moosburg, Germany. I also avidly listen to their album “The Creation of Pain” when I’m in the mood to listen to heavy, progressive, thrashy music.
Their bassist is Jonas Fischer. Absolutely fierce and gives the appearance he’s harpoon fishing for a deadly catch while on stage. He plays a mathematical game of cat and mouse (him being the cat, of course) with the rhythm, while scurrying around wearing a face of blood thirsty insanity and utterly pummeling his bass guitar. Back to the harpoon fishing reference, it wouldn’t shock me at all if mid stride, he just let go of his guitar, thrusting it through some innocent spectator or large shark.. or maybe a bear.. something big and girthy you wouldn’t expect to see get impaled by a bass guitar. He’s a total head hunter of a bassist and his brash, expert playing generates the feeling you’re being attacked and welcomed at the same time. He’s also one of those rare, machine-like finger bassists that play faster with two or three fingers than most people hope to play with a pick. Or a turret gun for that matter. Combining finger tapping, breakneck speed, wacky time signatures and low B-string sludge Jonas is an incredibly well rounded and well versed bassist with an extremely refreshing approach to metal bass guitar.
The band Hokum has a lengthy catalog of videos, live and studio, (and even live IN the studio!) so it’s hard to pick just one. Check out their homepage and maybe the right video will find you first. www.hokum.de
I’m so lucky as to bump into the good gentlemen in Hokum from time to time when we’re not too busy touring ourselves and on top of being great musicians, they’re really nice guys! Don’t let the death metal explosion of sound fool you, I don’t think they’ll intentionally harpoon anyone anytime soon.
…Well, Jonas might if he lets go of his bass on stage. But that would be an accident.
AH HEM. Keep up the good work guys! See you again soon.
Derek Murphy - “The Most Beautiful Losers” - Canton, Ohio […]
Raffi AKA Echnaton Zacharias - “Savora” - Passau, Germany […]
Mario Schönhofer - “Stefan Dettl Band” - Chiemgau, Germany […]
Murad G. Shorrab - “The Zou” - Youngstown, Ohio […]
Willy “Pollo Loco” - “Termofrigidus” - Valencia, Spain […]
“Shefboi” R.D. Hanger - “The Nomads” / “Save The Farm” - Akron/Wooster, Ohio […]
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Thanks so much for those of you who took the time to read all, or at least most of this. And thank you to everyone who made my personal 2012 a great one. (Chances are if you’re reading this, you did whether you know it or not.)
I hope 2012 treated you well and 2013 treats you even better. I also hope you enjoyed the article and found a new band you’re interested to check out in the new year.
Many blessings, let’s see what next year has in store.
‘Till next time,
-Spider"