Beck 1997 Saturday Night Live Performances - Flashback

[funkytoe]

Hey Justin,

Over the weekend, I happened to catch a repeat of the 1997 SNL episode with Kevin Spacey hosting. You are playing with Beck (Where its At and Devil's Haircut) and just tearing it up in this awesome, spastic fashion. It is a fantastic performance that I recommend to everyone here on TB.

You were playing your old Schecter Hellcat bass with the three lipstick pickups and sounding HUGE. That was your signature bass for a while as I recall, and I have never seen another artist play one like it. So, my obvious question is, what happened to it? Do you still have it? Any chance of seeing you play it on again on tour or in live performance?

Thanks.

funkytoe

 

[vegas532]

For the record, the "retro cool" of that particular bass is so appealing!

 

[p-lo]

I'm just going to leave this here. ;o)

 

[jmjbassplayer]

haha thanks! "spastic" for sure, but I like how that came out. that was fun. Yes, the Hellcat is sitting in my garage, happily and eagerly waiting for another opportunity to shred. Maybe I'll bring it back sometime. Cool sound. Esp. through the Mesa 400+.

 

[jmjbassplayer]

I have an 8 string version of the same bass that's wonderful, which I used for a couple of songs on records, including the song "Static" from Mutations.

 

[funkytoe]

I knew you had that 8 string too. Sounds great. I thought maybe you had an endorsement deal with Schecter that went south or something - thus the lack of sightings for the Hellcat over the last few years. Nice to know its still around. I fully agree with Vegas on the retro-cool assessment. Would love to see you bust it out and rock it again.

Yes, please accept "spastic" in the best possible way. The playing was energetic and fluid. It was the movement of all the band members that led to the "spastic" comment. Almost in the same way Devo used to perform. Loved it.

This is not the SNL performance I saw, but you are using the Hellcat and I suspect it was around this same time;

 

[jmjbassplayer]

Oh no, trust me: "spastic" is high praise. We've always been about keeping that feeling alive, via our idols from Devo to Pussy Galore to The Cramps to James Brown.

 

[jmjbassplayer]

Man that "sessions" footage is sick!

 

[p-lo]

Yes it is. I stumbled across it a few years ago and go back all the time. I think this is my favorite.

 

[markjazzbassist]

that keyboard shell is awesome