Show Notes
Our first episode of The Bass Nerds Podcast! In our first episode we welcome Jake Serek of Serek Basses. Serek Basses are handmade in Chicago and Jake has a great story to tell. Everything from meeting Lemmy, working at Lakland, and building custom basses for some of the best players on Earth. https://www.serekbasses.com/ https://www.instagram.com/serek_basses/
More from The Bass Nerds
To celebrate the release of the new Rex Brown Signature Spector bass, Rex joins The Bass Nerds for a deep dive into its design, electronics, powerful low mids, and road ready tone. He also discusses recreating his Far Beyond Driven sound, touring stadiums with Metallica, playing with a pick, and why Spector still feels like home.
In this episode of Bass Nerds, we sit down with bassist Eva Gardner, known for her work with P!nk, The Mars Volta and more. Eva shares her journey from growing up in a musical family to touring the world on some of the biggest stages. We talk about her approach to bass tone, adapting to different artists, and what it takes to succeed as a professional touring musician. If you're a bass player looking to build a career, improve your tone, or understand the realities of touring, this conversation offers real-world insight from a top-level working musician.
Tommy McKenzie of The Flaming Lips sat down with us at Fret12 inside The Salt Shed in Chicago to talk about his path into the band, his early Oklahoma days, his favorite basses, and what life is like on the road with one of the most unpredictable live shows in the world. We get into his rig, his approach to learning the Lips catalog, and the chaos and creativity that come with touring nonstop.
Welcome Ollie, bassist of High Fade, as he takes us behind the scenes of life on tour across the US. Hear about the challenges of the road, the band’s unique busking approach to building a fanbase, and get insider tips on bass gear and tone. Ollie also reveals how they capture their live energy in the studio. Whether you’re a bass player or music fan, this episode is packed with valuable insights and stories to inspire your own musical journey. https://www.instagram.com/thatseventiesbassist/ https://www.instagram.com/highfademusic/ https://highfademusic.live/
Bakithi Kumalo’s bass playing helped define one of the most iconic albums of all time: Paul Simon’s Graceland. But his story goes far beyond those legendary fretless lines. In this episode of The Bass Nerds, Bakithi talks with Marc and Jody about his early days in South Africa, finding his voice on the bass, and what it was like recording with legends like Simon, Herbie Hancock, and Harry Belafonte. He also shares insight into his gear, his musical instincts, and how he continues to mentor the next generation of players while staying deeply rooted in joy and groove.