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Bruce Thomas

#21
My dad is a huge fan of Elvis Costello so I grew up listening to alot of his stuff. Bruce Thomas has such groove and played amazing lines. It's a shame what happened with him and EC. I really like his part on Everyday I Write the Book, his bass has such punch on that one. I love how he just kinda goes nuts during the outro.

As for gear, he used a '60s P bass that was Salmon Pink that was stolen, he used a Wal on Punch the Clock, and has been using his signature bass (based on his '60s P bass) for the past few years. He says he's always used rounds, used to be RotoSound 66s, now some Bass Center-type strings. It was in the interview about his signature bass.
 
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#24
I saw EC & the Attractions many years ago in Orlando; I always like Bruce's playing on the records, but his sound was terrible that night; muddy and just lacking in any definition. I'll blame it on the sound guy.

I've heard since then that he and Elvis have a pretty bad relationship nowadays. Pity, cause he was always the standout guy in that band (besides Elvis, of course).
 
#26
Bruce is my favorite bassist. He is my James Jamerson. He's the perfect example of playing tastefully while carrying the song. EC understands the role of the bass player in the same way that Jamerson played a role in Motown. On a lot of the Attractions songs, the bass and the vocals are in the forefront of the track.

I actually talked to Bruce on his YouTube channel, where he has videos demoing his signature bass and playing some of his signature licks, as well as classics that influenced him. As for his gear, he used to use Ampeg but he told me that he's a fan of the 90's Trace Elliott stuff. In fact the amp he uses in these videos is a TE combo.

http://www.youtube.com/user/brucethomas3000/videos
 
#27
This is kind of off topic... A long LONG time ago, I saw EC & The Attractions at the Long Beach Arena in Long Beach Calif. My persistent recollections of that concert are:

1) EC's set was only about 60 minutes long, and EC only seemed to be performing for the front few rows of fans.

2) I liked the opening act better. Sorry I can't recall who that was.

They gave away free promo copies of "My Funny Valentine" pressed on 45 RPM red vinyl that night. I still have a couple of them.

EDIT: Invalid Link Removed Had to be 1 of those 2 concerts in Feb. 1979. The opening act was The Rubinoos.
 
#28
winterburn69 said:
As for gear, he used a '60s P bass that was Salmon Pink that was stolen, he used a Wal on Punch the Clock, and has been using his signature bass (based on his '60s P bass) for the past few years. He says he's always used rounds, used to be RotoSound 66s, now some Bass Center-type strings. It was in the interview about his signature bass.
Click to expand...

He also used a Jerry Jones Longhorn for a while (which is why I bought one!).
He's so good it's ridiculous. Armed Forces is a melodic pop/rock bass tour de force. It's up there with McCartney's bass work IMO.

Here is with the JJ 'horn--this is a great performance with the original lineup

 

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