Sean Malone - Gordian Knot

Fishbrain · #1 03-11-2008, 04:28 AM

I've recently discovered Gordian Knot and I really like it, I'm finding it very difficult to find out any info about Sean Malone or Gordian Knot. From what I understand is it basically the 'Sean Malone band' with other session musicians?

I'm just after some more info really on what Sean Malone's done and what everyone else views on him are.

neurotictim · #2 03-11-2008, 04:39 AM

There are a lot of Sean Malone fans here at TB, and I'm definitely one of them. Gordian Knot's two albums are collaborative efforts between him and other session musicians, but also other musicians from the likes of Genesis, Yes, King Crimson, and Watchtower. It is essentially his brainchild, but the efforts of the others involved help make it as powerful a sound as it is.

Sean was also (hopefully will again be in, but doubtful) Cynic, a progressive metal band that I rank above Dream Theater and DGM, and a handful of other things.

IIRC, he's spending most of his time now teaching, but according to the most recent post on his blog, he is doing some writing, so we'll see what happens there.

Fishbrain · #3 03-11-2008, 04:50 AM

Interesting stuff.

You got any idea what gear he uses?

renniw · #4 03-11-2008, 04:57 AM

During the Cynic era he was using a Kubicki factor fretless.

He now use a Gary Willis signature bass and also some chapman stick.

I think I've read somewhere that he used ampeg amps and cabs.

neurotictim · #5 03-11-2008, 04:59 AM

I don't know exactly what gear he plays, but I know he's a big fan of the Chapman Stick (which I want but know I can't really justify) and has a monstrous fretless tone.

Fishbrain · #6 03-11-2008, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renniw

During the Cynic era he was using a Kubicki factor fretless.

He now use a Gary Willis signature bass and also some chapman stick.

I think I've read somewhere that he used ampeg amps and cabs.

do you know if its the older cheaper GW or the new £1000+ version?

I know he uses the stick a lot on that GK album that I've got

Kyo6JM · #7 03-11-2008, 06:29 AM

Sean Malone is one of my favorite bassists and composers. The
two Gordian Knot albums are among my favorite CDs of all time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by neurotictim

Sean was also (hopefully will again be in, but doubtful) Cynic

According to his blog he will be joining them at the Wacken Open Air and it seems he might be playing on the upcoming second Cynic album after all:

http://smgk.blogspot.com/2008/03/re-focusing.html

It would be great if I could finally see Sean in a live setting at last. Although Chris Kringel (who took his place originally and played with the band on the 2007 reunion tour) is really good, too.

Kyo6JM · #8 03-11-2008, 06:49 AM

And by the way, the first Gordian Knot album evolved out of a band that never really happened. I think Malone, guitarist Glenn Snelwar and drummer Sean Reinert (another one of my favorites, also a member of Cynic) were part of that band along with a vocalist. When that didn't work out, Malone reworked the material into purely instrumental pieces.

StanFan · #9 03-11-2008, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyo6JM

Sean Malone is one of my favorite bassists and composers. The
two Gordian Knot albums are among my favorite CDs of all time.

According to his blog he will be joining them at the Wacken Open Air and it seems he might be playing on the upcoming second Cynic album after all:

http://smgk.blogspot.com/2008/03/re-focusing.html

It would be great if I could finally see Sean in a live setting at last. Although Chris Kringel (who took his place originally and played with the band on the 2007 reunion tour) is really good, too.

That's pretty cool, although I think Chris did and would do a great job if he continued to be in Cynic.

Ian Perge · #10 03-11-2008, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishbrain

do you know if its the older cheaper GW or the new £1000+ version?

The original GWB-1. Another great project that Sean's been a part of is "OSI", the Moore/Matheos/Portnoy sideproject with Sean on bass and Chapman Stick (he's on credited as a writer and band member as he couldn't write with them and had to fly in his tracks Pro-Tools style) and Porcupine Tree's Steven Wilson guesting on the first album. Amazing "let's make true Progressive music" and not the "I solo, you solo, we play in unison, we play in harmony, and then with double bass!!..." prog genre.

dannoman · #11 03-11-2008, 02:06 PM

This is a really cool vid of him...

You will need Real Player though...http://www.seanmalone.net/Downloads/...M_Solo_Bass.rm

And here is a rush tribute he did with Mike Portnoy and Paul Gilbert ....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldjl3gqiQGI

Celestial · #12 03-11-2008, 02:13 PM

Malone is about 25% of what made me pick up the bass. Although I like Gordian Knot, I think the best work he's done is with Cynic. If he's truly going to play on the new album, I'll be extremely happy!

grace & groove · #13 03-11-2008, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannoman

This is a really cool vid of him...

You will need Real Player though...http://www.seanmalone.net/Downloads/...M_Solo_Bass.rm

1:12 is SICK!

Valerus · #14 03-11-2008, 03:41 PM

I freaking love his work in Gordian Knot.

#15 03-11-2008, 06:30 PM

Indeed one of the best. His work with Aghora is actually what inspired me to go all fretless.