Holy cr*p! I just met Bryan Beller

dvlmusic · #1 02-26-2013, 04:52 PM

Total bass nerd moment here, but I can't hold this in any longer.

I've been a fan of Bryan Beller for about 15 years now. The first thing I heard him on was Mike Keneally's Boil That Dust Speck and I've been following him ever since through Z, Bass Player articles, his time at SWR/Fender, Dethklok, The Aristocrats, etc. I have always loved his tastefulness, how down to Earth he seems and hell, I just dig his playing.

So I missed the Dethklok/Machine Head show back in Nov. (broke) and I missed the Aristocrats show 3 weeks ago (broke) but FINALLY got to see him and Kira play a house concert last night

Man, it was just great. He signed the pickguard on my bass, we chatted and he totally placated my nerdiness and was generally a VERY nice guy. I'm very impressed, and left just in time to not ruin things by being a creepy fan-boy.

So here's the payoff:

swspiers · #2 02-26-2013, 04:58 PM

Awesome dude. I'm lucky enough that Bryan is good friends with my bass teacher. I've seen him in concert with Kira, at a bass clinic, and in a half-hour private lesson.

The dude is more down to earth than just about any musician I've ever met!

Thanks for sharing!

dvlmusic · #3 02-26-2013, 08:08 PM

I agree - super humble, very gracious, and of course ridiculously talented. And to get to hang out at a house concert - man, what a great vibe.

I have to say, of the few "famous" I've been lucky enough to talk to, they have all been very humble, easy going folks. Pretty incredible, really.

Anyway, I don't have anyone to nerd out with here so I needed to share.

austentaciousC · #4 02-26-2013, 08:10 PM

Ive been to a couple of his clinics, very down to earth/blue collar working bassist attitude. If more bassists aspired to be like Bryan...well you know.

the_stone · #5 02-27-2013, 08:39 AM

Good to know. I've been a fan of his writing/playing since finding the "Life Of Bryan" blog he has. I'm planning on seeing him and Kira in Dallas in a few weeks, and I'm trying to narrow down which of his and Keneally's CDs I want to ask him to autograph.

dvlmusic · #6 02-27-2013, 08:44 AM

He laughed when I told him about Boil That Dust Speck being the first album I heard him on. He said that he was quite the wee lad when he recorded that.

Gubna · #7 02-27-2013, 08:52 AM

I got a chance to interview him a couple of years ago. Then, the following week I went to his show here in town and met him. They played at Biscuits and Blues. It was the deal where Keneally and Beller have the same players in the band, but each do a set of their own respective music.

I figured since Keneally was in Satriani's band, that Joe might be there, and sure enough. There was a moment which happened right in front of me, the whole band, save Keneally, came over to meet Satriani who was just sitting at the bar.

Beller is a cool dude. check it out the interview here if you wanna: http://www.musicliferadio.com/2011/11/045-bass-player/

the_stone · #8 02-27-2013, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dvlmusic

He laughed when I told him about Boil That Dust Speck being the first album I heard him on. He said that he was quite the wee lad when he recorded that.

I just bought the deluxe editions of Hat and BTDS, and the original footage of those guys recording the album is awesome, as are all the other bonus features, including the original Beer For Dolphins lineup (Keneally, Toss Panos, Doug Lunn) getting together and playing some of the old tunes.

rapidfirerob · #9 02-28-2013, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gubna

I got a chance to interview him a couple of years ago. Then, the following week I went to his show here in town and met him. They played at Biscuits and Blues. It was the deal where Keneally and Beller have the same players in the band, but each do a set of their own respective music.

I figured since Keneally was in Satriani's band, that Joe might be there, and sure enough. There was a moment which happened right in front of me, the whole band, save Keneally, came over to meet Satriani who was just sitting at the bar.

Beller is a cool dude. check it out the interview here if you wanna: http://www.musicliferadio.com/2011/11/045-bass-player/

I was at that concert as well. Great club for fusion. Being a great musician is no excuse for being a jerk, or being talented or famous in any field either. He is one of the talented, hard working, nice guys.

two fingers · #10 02-28-2013, 02:39 PM

Which one is he in the pic?

the_stone · #11 02-28-2013, 03:53 PM

The one on the left.

If you're not familiar with him or his playing, check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXM7W7XGgn4

Mike Keneally band live performance of "My Dilemma," complete with bass solo.

dvlmusic · #12 02-28-2013, 05:45 PM

He's been a hero of mine for a long time, so it took a lot to not make a complete a** out of myself by being a creepy fan-boy. I have always liked his playing, but his writing made me realize that there are other guys out there like me to which jazz is a bit of a conundrum and not the be-all and end-all of musicianship. He has always come from a rock background like myself and I always felt like I had a lot in common with him.

I was right, and it was a very cool experience. I can't wait until The Aristocrats swing through the SF Bay Area again and I can see them. I think that band is easily my favorite of all of his projects and a great venue to show off not only his musicianship but his restraint as well.