Karl Alvarez

[bassitude!]

I really love Karl's playing and his tone with Descendents is amazing. Does anyone know what type of gear he uses?

[Dave Siff]

Karl is an awesome player! I've had ALL's Mass Nerder in heavy rotation lately. He's a master at writing bass lines that make every part of the song feel good, while showcasing his style. Karl and Bill Stevenson are probably my favorite rhythm section.
Every time I've seen Descendents or ALL live, he was playing a Fender Jazz. But, he's also used P-basses and Music Mans. He's playing a Stingray in the picture on the back cover of Descendents' Everything Sucks, and in the video for "I'm The One". As far as amps, I've seen him live with an SVT and 8x10, but I've also seen pictures of him with what looked like G-K stuff.

[bassitude!]

I didn't realize he changed his gear around so much! His tone must be all in his fingers I've seen some pictures where he was using a Precision with a Badass bridge and I think...a primer gray P/J?

I've been learning his lines recently and it's shown how slack my right hand finger endurance is! Karl's a monster!

[trunkshope6]

yeah hes amazing,really underated bass player, i think he also plays a Fender Jazz Bass Special,I just recently learned sick-o-me,man its just non stop perfection,I think he really knows how to use the instrument for his type of music,but i think he might be a little too busy with some of his lines,or maybe im just jealous because i cant tell what the **** hes doing on some songs

[Dave Siff]

Originally Posted by trunkshope6

I just recently learned sick-o-me,man its just non stop perfection

Nice work! That is probably my favorite of Karl's bass lines. Speaking of "Perfection", that would be another good one to learn.. very similar to "Sick-o-Me".

Originally Posted by trunkshope6

maybe im just jealous because i cant tell what the **** hes doing on some songs

Ha! You and me both.

[WHOAMI?FSI]

He's great. The 'World's On Heroin' bass line is immense

[Dave Siff]

The mighty ALL is back!! This is from the Fuji Rock Festival in Japan, three weeks ago. Scott Reynolds is on vocals, but on their Web site they say Chad is still in the band.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZA0GZekQKSc
Karl looks fully recovered from his heart attack!
They're also playing a Rock The Vote event in Denver on August 29th, and Riot Fest in Chicago on October 12th. Here's hoping a new album will follow.

[HashbrownCOBM]

Karl is the man, but if you happen to be within a few feet of him playing watch out, he druels when he plays. Saw ALL for the Saves tour at the 7th Street Entry in minneapolis and it was over sold so it was PACKED! I ended up having to sit on the front of the stage and I was right under him and not only did I get sweat on but drueled as well. If you enjoy his playin check out Bob Thompson from Big Drill Car. They're gonna be playin riot fest as well. I believe they're playin The Double Door on the 10th and then Riot Fest on the 12th with ALL. Bob is very similar in styles as well.

[Green Mind]

Karl is great but you can't overlook Tony either. I believe I've seen picture where he also used a stingray.

[Planets Collide]

i love the descendents and both karl and tony's playing, but that all video is unwatchable. chad price stinks on ice.

[Dave Siff]

Originally Posted by HashbrownCOBM

If you enjoy his playin check out Bob Thompson from Big Drill Car. They're gonna be playin riot fest as well. I believe they're playin The Double Door on the 10th and then Riot Fest on the 12th with ALL. Bob is very similar in styles as well.

Good call. Bob is another one of my favorite players and a big influence.

[Dave Siff]

I just got tickets to see ALL and Big Drill Car in Anaheim, California on July 18th! Can't wait. I don't think Bob Thomson will be playing with BDC, but who knows.

[MaskedJackal]

Siff, what a SHOW! Have ten tons of fun! I dig Karl's playing too-- have been listening to Allroy's Revenge a lot lately. Related: anyone like the Doughboys? Buddies with both of the aforementioned bands, and also a fantastic pop-punk-then-alternative-band.

[Dave Siff]

Originally Posted by MaskedJackal

Siff, what a SHOW! Have ten tons of fun! I dig Karl's playing too-- have been listening to Allroy's Revenge a lot lately.

You know it's gotta be a big show if I'm flying across the country! Counting the airfare, this will be the most expensive concert I've ever been to.
Allroy's Revenge is awesome. I've been spinning Problematic a lot lately, and Mass Nerder is never far behind.

Originally Posted by MaskedJackal

Related: anyone like the Doughboys? Buddies with both of the aforementioned bands, and also a fantastic pop-punk-then-alternative-band.

I've never heard of them, but I'm gonna check it out. Thanks for the tip!

[Papazita]

Somewhere, buried on an old vhs tape in my closet, is All performing "Million Bucks" on mtv.
He's playing a G&L ASAT with silver sparkle finish. I remember it, as it was the first time G&L really caught my attention.


EDIT: not the live performance, but I found the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpZGWwiW9DA

[Dave Siff]

The ALL/Big Drill Car show last night was awesome! I mean, just amazing. BDC was incredibly tight, and Bob Thomson was indeed on bass, rockin' a beautiful black/tort/rosewood Fender Precision. They have a new CD out with five new songs and 15 old ones, and they played a few of the new tunes as well as all the classics. ALL was killer as usual. Scott Reynolds was singing so they did mostly older stuff, songs off Allroy Saves and Allroy's Revenge, as well as a few Descendents tunes. They brought Tony Lombardo out for the encore to play a couple of songs. Karl Alvarez just destroyed, as you would expect, on a white P-bass. Just a hugely inspiring night with two of my all-time favorite bands. I almost called in sick to work and changed my flight home so I could go see them again tonight in West Hollywood!
Hopefully this three-show thing wasn't just for kicks. It'd be great to see both bands tour again.

[Dave Siff]

There's gonna be a Descendents/ALL movie!!
Filmage Teaser on Vimeo