Blues Traveler's new bassist

billjr · #1 07-25-2006, 01:07 PM

Has anyone seen Blues Traveler since they added a new bass player and keyboards? They recorded their 4th of July concert at Redrock, and I think they are trully phenominal now. When I saw them live several years ago, there was no doubt that the bassist was wasted, and he screwed up every bass solo he had. I was so sad because he was really good on their early stuff. There is an HDTV channel that shows concerts every week, and Blues Traveler was on a couple of weeks ago. They were really good.

The new bass player is Tad Kinchla, and has got to be related to the guitarist. I don't know if they are brothers or cousins.

**j-raj** · #2 07-25-2006, 01:27 PM

new bassist?

Hasn't he been playing with BT for a while now? Yes, he is the guitarist's Brother.

It is sad about Bobby Sheehan, but he OD'd and passed on August of '99... I'm pretty sure that BT has been using Tad since then....

JPJ · #3 07-25-2006, 01:29 PM

He's a Benavente endorser...check Brian Barrett's site for photos of Tad playing his Bennie. And yes...he has been playing with them for quite a while now.

superbassman2000 · #4 07-25-2006, 03:04 PM

this thread caught me offguard

i was just watching BT on ACL the other day and Tad was there, then say this and got worried!

yeah, i remember when Tad came in...i first heard about it in a BP mag

billjr · #5 07-25-2006, 03:57 PM

I guess I really didn't mean new, as in brand new, because your right, he has been playing for a while. Just new in the sense that he was not the original. Plus, it seems that at my age, six years goes by so fast that it seems he only started playing with them yesterday.

I think one of their best songs was the tribute song "Pretty Angry" that John Popper wrote for the first release after Bobby Sheehan's death. Some really powerful songwriting.

jerry · #6 07-26-2006, 08:31 AM

I'm a longtime fan and have seen the band with both bassist, both are unique. I really like the energy and groove Tad has brought to the band. Like Gov't Mule, both bands have lost a great bassist and have really landed on their feet, I think both Bobby and Woody would approve!

**j-raj** · #7 07-26-2006, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry

I think both Bobby and Woody would approve!

+1

**MAJOR METAL** · #8 07-26-2006, 12:14 PM

I really enjoyed their last bassist playing , RIP Bob.

Planet Boulder · #9 07-26-2006, 05:27 PM

I dug Sheehan a lot. On some of their earlier tunes, I felt that his playing was a bit busy (example: "But Anyway"), but he matured nicely and I really became a fan of his.

rulyøngo · #10 07-27-2006, 08:06 AM

Although I also miss Bobby sheehan's playing... specially on the live cd!!!... I think Tad is very good and adds another style to the BT Recipe...

Christopher · #11 07-27-2006, 09:05 PM

Tad's a pro alright. He sounds like a session dude plopped down into a jam band. But it works.

Spencer! · #12 07-27-2006, 09:09 PM

Tad's good, but Sheehan was phenominal. His fretless playing was inspiring.

**SoComSurfing** · #13 07-27-2006, 09:20 PM

Tad really was the perfect choice to step into Bobby's shoes. Not only is he Chan's brother, but he was Chan and Bobby's #1 tech since the earliest days of Blues Traveller. Fantastic band, fantastic musicians.

Bernie Connors · #14 11-26-2006, 09:04 PM

Like all of you have said, they both brought something good to the mix. I really dig Tad's playing. The band has always been one of my faves...

jerry · #15 11-27-2006, 05:36 AM

The couple songs I've heard off of John Popper's new solo disc have some very nice work by Tad, going to have to pick it up!