• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Billy Sheehan in the Winery Dogs

#81
Savage_Dreams said:
he says hes most comfortable with a 4 strings, so what, lots of people are. there are plenty of legends who have only played 4 sting basses. and besides, he did play a 6 string on Mr. Bigs Just take My heart. its just not his thing.

slap: he has said he was just never that great at it, plus that it never really had a place in most of his rock stuff, but he does slap here and there in Niacin. but again, plenty of legends who have never slapped.

a pick? really? first time ive ever heard of a bassist being crapped on for NOT playing with a pick.

the guys been playing for about 45 years. theres a big difference between knowing what style you like to play and what works for you and being stubborn.
Click to expand...

Absolutely!!

I've seen and read many interviews with Billy (one of my top all time favorite bassists), and attended his clinics. He's a great guy and very down to earth. He also happens to be an amazing bass player.

To shellac him as some here have for such trivial, trite things is shameful. So he doesn't slap, use a pick or play 5 or 6 string basses. So what? He does have a double neck bass, both 4 string. One tuned BEAD, the other EADG. He mentioned it in an interview.

People griping over such petty non-issues really turns me off on this community. I thought people here were better than that.
 
#82
I just saw these guys play tonight at the Chameleon club in Lancaster, PA. Honestly I'd never heard their album, but I gotta say they put on a hell of a show. Easily one of the best (if not the best) three piece bands I've ever seen. I went out because of Billy and Mike I've never heard of Ritchie despite the fact that he comes from Reading. He easily matched the other two with his guitar chops and sang amazingly on top of that. If they come to your town I totally recommend going out to see them.
 
#84
Robdrone said:
I just saw these guys play tonight at the Chameleon club in Lancaster, PA. Honestly I'd never heard their album, but I gotta say they put on a hell of a show. Easily one of the best (if not the best) three piece bands I've ever seen. I went out because of Billy and Mike I've never heard of Ritchie despite the fact that he comes from Reading. He easily matched the other two with his guitar chops and sang amazingly on top of that. If they come to your town I totally recommend going out to see them.
Click to expand...

Dude, that was INSANE!!

I was front row right in front of Billy. Unbelievable how good they were.
 
#86
Billy's tone definitely changed a bit with the move to Hartke.

Interesting was last night when they sound checked his bass. When they checked his top cab, as soon as the tech stopped hitting actual notes, the top cab started to feedback. And not a musical feedback, either. It sounded like a cheap bass sitting too close to the amp.

But when Billy started playing it sounded amazing. And the band was just SO tight. Kotzen is an amazing singer, and the chemistry between the three was at a level we could all only wish for. Portnoy and Sheehan sounded like they had been playing together for years.

I wish I could make it to tonight's show. It was that good. Also, I hadn't heard "Fooled Around and Fell In Love" in forever!
 
#87
null-34.jpg


Invalid Link Removed
 
#88
I bought and have listened to every track on the new Winery Dogs CD and have to say....absolutely love it. I am a fan of Billy Sheehan and have his DVD's and several CD's (Mr. Big, Niacin and Winery Dogs) and agree with others that his tone, in a solo setting, is a little harsh (for my taste) but in a band setting...awesome!

I also agree that I'd love to have his technical knowledge and dexterity to be able to play the way he does...time to go practice!
 
#90
Rip Topaz said:
Billy's tone definitely changed a bit with the move to Hartke.
Click to expand...

dont know if its so much the move to hartke. i think hes just doing things differently. he seems to be using the ebs pedal and the mxr compressor pedal more instead of his rack now. any of you guys notice if he used his rack at the last few shows since he was closer to home maybe?

this was a soundcheck pic from japan. pedals on floor by bass
BPRiwNWCMAAArFq.jpg
 
#91
It's great to see the response to the album, too. In it's first week on the Billboard charts, it's at #5 on the “Top Rock Chart” and on on the “Top 200 Albums” chart, it came in at #27. That's not the "CDs that bass players buy" chart, that's the regular old Billboard top 200.

Not that it's all about chart action, but it's still nice to see people actually forking overs some cash for an album made by musicians who have put so many years into learning their craft.
 
#92
Saw Billy give a seminar in mid 1980's at Atlanta Guitar Show; a featured artist.

He gave all of his ' secrets'.. practice..amps.. bass...strings.. speakers..at that time he used those electric motor-piston cabs, strap position.

He stated he wasn't much of a slap bassist..then gave the best slap demo EVER.

Great bassist/ performer. I would rather see him solo than in group context

As for ADD ADHD ETC....I see symptoms in myself. Looking back to 3rd grade..very bored..highly prone to day dreaming...should have been placed in 4th grade and forced to struggle.. so I was then and now prone to day dream..too many thoughts at once..kind of noisy in my head..yet I get the job done..maybe frustrated some folks along the way..

If thats my main crime other than not being collegiate and growing older..SO BE IT..

Its nice to be important..more important to be nice..call me what you will...
 
#96
That's cool. Small world I guess.

I went to the same high school as Adam. He's a little older than me, but we played in talent shows against each other. They always smoked us lol. I never understood why every time I saw him play he was just playing the rhythm guitar. That guy can play his ass off. Just seemed like a waste of talent.
 
#97
Picked up a ticket to see Winery Dogs tonight at my local theater. Close enough to walk - I prob will have a couple of brews so better that way. Looking forward to it! First time I heard of them was on That Metal Show on VH1 - peaked my curiosity.

Remember seeing Portnoy with Dream Theater in SF around '93 timeframe - were my fav band at that time (Images and Words, Awake, etc.) Was playing drums (no bass) at the time...

Really looking forward to seeing Billy Sheehan - will be first time for that.

SL
 
#100
I must say - quite a good show! I found them to have a unique flavor on the "classic rock" thing, particularly because of Mike's drumming IMO, but also the way their own sound(s)/styles come together. I had never heard Billy play, but man he is a good player and performer. Richie Kotzen was quite a player/singer himself. Band was tight, good harmonies. Good energy in the place...

A cool little extra was that Eddie Trunk (VH1 Classic - That Metal Show) introduced them and we all sang Happy B'Day to him.

Good time - no disappointment here!

SL
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back