Will Lee & Fab Faux

[MonetBass]

YouTube version (Vimeo wouldn't work for me):

 

[20db pad]

OK, this question may belong in Technique, but what the heck. I've seen the Fab Faux multiple times in the past few years and saw them in D.C. a week ago. My question is about Will Lee's technique with the pick: all up strokes. No down strokes, ever. Can anyone tell me why? Please? It's been driving me crazy. And yeah, he has no problem playing fast like that.

Though he's mostly a fingerstyle guy, Will was playing pick style like that from day one on Letterman decades ago. He always said that playing all upstrokes just felt natural to him as a kid from the beginning. Over time, he never had the time or desire to change his unusual picking technique, since it was working for him quite well.

 

[wraub]

If I recall correctly, we were there together with a few other bass brethren. Nice time and great performance. Ah, the good ol' days when wraub was still in NYC...

Hey man, don't rub it in.
Wish I was still there almost every day.

 

[Slevage]

Volume - the sound guy seemed to indicate that it was what the band wanted. Amazing show (and Will signed my Epiphone Viola bass after the show), but it was almost painfully loud.

Band cant fully hear FOH----- sound man is FOS

 

[buldog5151bass]

Band cant fully hear FOH----- sound man is FOS

This was in a little theater - not exactly a rock venue. He may have been FOS, but he seemed to understand why I was asking. I've seen Floyd and the Who in stadiums - I could take those easier than this.

 

[mysteryclock]

Amazing - have to show this to my son who's a huge Beatles fan.

 

[20db pad]

This was in a little theater - not exactly a rock venue. He may have been FOS, but he seemed to understand why I was asking. I've seen Floyd and the Who in stadiums - I could take those easier than this.

Strange - the Fab Faux have been using inears the last few years, too....

 

[buldog5151bass]

This was about 8 years ago or so.

 

[20db pad]

This was about 8 years ago or so.

I think they went inear about 2011 or so. I thought they were loud as hell over 8 years ago, but not obnoxiosly so.

 

[buldog5151bass]

But @#$%%!, they are good.

 

[shadven]

My band does the entire B side of Abbey Road. It is often the highlight of the night.

 

[muggsy]

They are amazing. I've seen them three times and will go whenever they come to the DC area. The level of musicianship in that band is just astounding, and it all starts with Will Lee.

This was from the most recent shows in DC last week.

 

[nixdad]

This is absolutely killer. Headphones are a must to truly be appreciated.

 

[pbass6811]

That was so much fun to watch!

I absolutely LOVE the fact that Will Lee is singing Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight! That combo along with Paperback Writer are my favorite Beatles tunes!

Now I just need to hear 'em do Rocky Raccoon!

 

[Skokiaan]

That was so much fun to watch!

I absolutely LOVE the fact that Will Lee is singing Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight! That combo along with Paperback Writer are my favorite Beatles tunes!

Now I just need to hear 'em do Rocky Raccoon!

Here ya go.

 

[dave64o]

I've seen them a few times and they're definitely a show worth seeing. They're all top notch musicians on their own, they cover their parts extremely well, and the vocals and harmonies are spot on. If you've never seen them, make it a point to go see them the next time they're in your area.

 

[pbass6811]

Here ya go.

You, sir, are a gentleman and a scholar!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Here's a video of Will Lee talking to Paul McCartney about the Fab Faux, although he is rudely interrupted by Pete Townshend.

Will Lee is a career sideman. Being interrupted by a headliner probably does not phase him. The funny thing is in terms of pure chops, he can probably bury both of them. That said, no one gets to be a superstar from chops alone, not even Jaco.