Ben Shepherd

ArmyPunkGuy · #1 06-04-2007, 08:07 AM

As a huge fan of Soundgarden and of Ben Shepherd i was wondering if anybody knew what he was up to these days and what gear he has traditionally used.

zongeek · #2 06-04-2007, 11:26 AM

Ben was doing the Hater project. Supposedly, now, he and Mark Lanegan are working on something together. Otherwise... who knows?

As far as gear, Ben used whatever amps Kim and Chris used. So that's Peavey in his early days and then Mesa in his later days.

Basses: Fender P-bass's and then he switched to Jazz. Every now and again he'd have a Hofner, Mosrite or Ric. He occasionaly used a pic and always used flatwound strings.

Hope this helps.

ArmyPunkGuy · #3 06-04-2007, 11:35 AM

thanks bro

MaskedJackal · #4 06-04-2007, 02:51 PM

Ben lives on the same Island I do- Bainbridge, 35 minutes from Seattle. His family has a long history here. I don't know what he's up to at the moment though....Hater released their 2nd album a few years back.

ArmyPunkGuy · #5 06-04-2007, 02:53 PM

i have the first hater record and to be honest i hate it, but his tone on the Soundgarden records is great

Matt Till · #6 06-04-2007, 04:18 PM

Ben and Mark Lanegan would be an awesome combo.

ArmyPunkGuy · #7 06-04-2007, 05:56 PM

i just wish soundgarden would reunite for at least 1 record

Otso · #8 06-05-2007, 03:54 AM

Chris Cornell's voice sounds so strained that I don't think it would be a great record. Besides, Down on the Upside slightly sucked, although there were a few great songs on it.

Jeramaya · #9 06-05-2007, 09:18 AM

Cornell is washed up. I saw him on Rollins' show the other week and his song was sooooooo bland. I actually liked some of the first Hater disc. I didn't know they released another one. I'll have to seek it out. Shepherd was an individual, something a lot of hard rock and metal guys should take note of.

zongeek · #10 06-05-2007, 12:24 PM

I forgot to mention that Ben used OD as well. Either from his amps or a Mesa V-twin.

Hater: Both Hater discs are amazing and feature some really amazing collaborations and some very eclectic tunes. It not only shows what a great bass player Ben is, but how great of a songwriter he is as well. Those discs also feature John McBain and Matt Cameron.

Soundgarden: DotU was a really far out. That thing is genious. They should never make another record. Not because of Cornells voice or anything like that, it's just that they have this legacy as one of the greatest rock bands ever. I'd hate to see that flushed with a half ass record. Now if Ben and Kim did something (which they always talk about) then I'd love that.

Lanagen: Buy his album Feild Songs; tons of Lanegan/Shepherd work together. Not to mention Mike Pickerel. Great album.

BassJunkie730 · #11 06-05-2007, 01:28 PM

I cannot get enough of the Shepherd/ Cameron combo!

I think they should jsut team up and become a super star "rhythm section"

Mmmmm... tasty!

denton57 · #12 06-05-2007, 01:36 PM

Soundgarden was a huge influence on me in in the early/mid nineties. I got to see them in '94 in Dallas on the SuperUnknown tour. It was awesome! I think that was their masterpiece album (with the exception of Spoonman

) The rest of the album is a classic. I remember him with the black Ric. I bought one a couple months later in a pawnshop! Their next album didn't really do it for me, and Audioslave is not good IMO.

these_go211 · #13 06-07-2007, 10:21 AM

i was lucky enough to see soungarden on the 'badmotorfinger' tour opening for guns n roses, and then again on the 'superunknown' tour as well. i've always liked ben's playing and his p-bass flatwound string tone. and i can't say enough about matt cameron. i think he's one of the best, if not best, rock drummer. tight and inventive. ben and matt make a great pair.

Benjamin Strange · #14 06-08-2007, 11:16 AM

I had the pleasure of playing with Ben Sheperd's stuff when it came through at the Mesa factory ( I was working there at the time). He was using two of the old school 8x10 RR cabs. Those things were over 160 pounds each! But when plugged in with the new (at the time) Big Block 750, I just about blew myself through the wall! Fun stuff.

Best Ben Shepherd bassline: Limo Wreck. Very out, but perfect for the song. Wow.

Would'e? · #15 06-08-2007, 11:30 AM

I love Soundgarden. One of my favorite bands ever. Mostly because of Cornell. I was never too impressed with either of their bassists. I rarely could a hear a bassline anyway, which I suppose is largely attributable to the mix and the fact that the bass usually shadowed the guitar.

BTW I agree "Down on the Upside" is a fantastic album. Soundgarden is the only band I know who, first album to last, got successively and noticeably better on every record. It would be cool to hear if they could continue that trend on another record.

Alternately, I wish Chris would reunite with Stone, Jeff, Mike and Matt in Temple of the Dog. Pearl Jam hasn't been relevant since 1993.

Otso · #16 06-09-2007, 08:49 AM

By the way, I have all the transcriptions from the book "The best of Soundgarden for bass" in only standard notation (I borrowed the book from the library and copied it in notation). If someone is interested I can e-mail them the transcriptions.

zongeek · #17 06-09-2007, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjamin Strange

I had the pleasure of playing with Ben Sheperd's stuff when it came through at the Mesa factory ( I was working there at the time). He was using two of the old school 8x10 RR cabs. Those things were over 160 pounds each! But when plugged in with the new (at the time) Big Block 750, I just about blew myself through the wall! Fun stuff.

Best Ben Shepherd bassline: Limo Wreck. Very out, but perfect for the song. Wow.

Ben, what other of Ben's (that sounds strange) stuff did you get to peck at? Any of his amps? Do you know in particular what Mesa gear he had at the time?

Benjamin Strange · #18 06-09-2007, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zongeek

Ben, what other of Ben's (that sounds strange) stuff did you get to peck at? Any of his amps? Do you know in particular what Mesa gear he had at the time?

He had a few Bass 400+'s... that's pretty much it. He was trading in the 8x10's for something else - I assume for something a tad bit lighter.

Coward Of Reali · #19 06-09-2007, 01:03 PM

Bens the man. I always said Soundgarden was like the 90's Beatles (or the 'grunge' answer to them) and Ben was definetly the angry one.
I really like Overfloater that bass line is so dark and groovy.
I like that F-E-C progression during the chorus of Fresh Tendrils.

Unrepresented · #20 06-09-2007, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otso

Chris Cornell's voice sounds so strained that I don't think it would be a great record. Besides, Down on the Upside slightly sucked, although there were a few great songs on it.

I agree about Cornell's voice having run its course, but I disagree about DotU. I think it was as good as Badmotorfinger but with a less dated mix on the bass and drums.

Of course nothing can touch Superunkown top five favorite albums from one of my top five favorite groups.

However, I honestly can't think of a line of Ben's I really like. I can think of a few that sound pretty bad -- the intro to Jesus Christ Pose has always sounded off to me.