I wanted to get someone that was local to me for this interview. For some reason, the area that I live in breeds some really good musicians. It recently struck me how many great bass players we also have in this area, and Trev Lynes from the band “Kingskin” is certainly one of them. Kingskin are one of the most hard working bands I know, and they are accumulating some brilliant musical press.

The band’s website is here:

www.Kingskin.com

And their myspace is here:

My space

If you like the Funk rock sound. then these guys are definatly worth a look!

Ok, onto the Interview with Trev:

1. What are you up to right now, musically?

I’m playing bass with Kingskin, building up for our new CD out in July. Mostly trying to get the best gigs we can, the best being the good crowds! I’m also playing trumpet in Battleska… I recently got myself a trombone so I’m going to practice up on that. I started out at school playing trumpet, I’ve been playing way longer than I have bass. Its given me a good knowledge of theory and reading music.

2. Who are your main musical influences and why?

This is a tough one because there have been many influences over many years! Going way back to the start when I was playing in jazz bands at school, then Glen Miller. That was really my introduction to playing in bands and performing. His pieces were always loads of fun to play, which without a doubt made me realise I wanted music and playing to be a big part of my life.

Skip forward a few years to when I was starting out on bass, Mike Dirnt from Green Day. The bass lines on Dookie are fantastic, they’re not too hard but so well written they’re instantly memorable. Then you’ve got Nirvana as a whole, I could go on about each of them but for me it really comes down to the passion and energy and excitement I get when I listen to them.

Next up is Flea: he makes it look so easy! Hes definitely my main influence. To jump around and bash the hell out of your bass while playing at 100mph and still managing to get every note right? I wanna play like that guy!

3. What made you want to play bass in the first place? What did you dream?

I started bass at a time when I’d just finished school and had a lot of free time. I wanted to get into a new instrument, but wasn’t sure what one. I happened to be thinking about it one day, then I bumped into someone who happened to be selling a bass! I didn’t know anything about it to start withso I just used what I knew of scales and notes and translated that onto the strings.

I’ve always wanted to make a career out of playing music, and although I’ve been playing trumpet longer I couldn’t see myself going down that road. Playing bass has given me the means to do it, but I’ve still got some way to go yet.

4. What equipment do you use? Is good equipment important to you?

I use peavey amps and speakers, I think that a good understanding of how your gear works is more important that having the most loud expensive gear. If you know how it works you’ll know what will suit your needs best, which in turn will help you get ‘your’ sound.

I’ve spend literally years figuring out what gear I want. The end result is a bi-amped clean/dirty set up, with crossover on the clean line and compression on both. With something like 7-8 effects pedals. Ive settled on 10” speakers for the high and an 18” for the sub. Its definitely overkill for most gigs but in my opinion I didn’t get it so I can say ‘Ive got the loudest amp’, its about bass, not volume. I don’t have to sacrifice low end for a pretty effect now. In the end its all about low end!

5. Have you exceeded what you thought you may become when you first started to learn the bass?

When I started, I practiced and practiced the intro to Around The World by the Chili Peppers. I just could not get it right. So my goal was to one day be able to play it! For years I couldn’t get it right, then one day I suddenly got it. I never knew about rock bands and gear and gigs and vans and the record industry back then… so yes I’ve done more than I thought I would. I’m sure I’ll be able to say the same in 5 years time!

6. If you have one, what is your favourite technique?

I don’t have a favourite… I’m trying to get them all up to the same level. My fingering is better than my slap, so I work harder on practicing that. I don’t do tapping: I play in a band with 2 guitarists so it’d just be lost underneath the noise! But its something I’m going to work on in the future. In fact I do have a favourite: the stomp on the overdrive technique :D

7. Do you have any good practising tips for newer players?

Unfortunately yes- scales! They are boring. But if you learn any instrument in the world, they’ll say the same thing: scales, long notes, again and again and again, up and down the neck till your fingers get sore. But it helps strengthen and stretch the fingers.

I’d say to anyone who’s starting out rather than trying to be the fastest or the flashiest, think about how solid your playing is. Whats the point in being able to show off to your friends if youre speeding up and slowing down all over the place? Build up a solid foundation of the basics and you’ll be a much better player.
But to be fair showing off is awesome, just don’t do it in public till you’ve got something to show off about!

8. Do you ever get stuck in a rut, or get “writers block”? Do you do anything to remedy this horrible dark place?

Yes I do, in fact I just got out of one. Time is the great healer. Its frustrating if you really try to get out of it and you can’t. I find it easier to turn my attention to something else, like going back to the basics or something like that. After a while you find you’re back on top of your game.

9. How can you see the bass evolving?

I’m sure someone is going to find a new fancy way to play it. The gear will get louder & more expensive. They’ll stick more strings on it and someone will play the mario theme on that one too. I think more people are replacing the bass with a synth player… mostly in electro music but I’ve seen it happen more often recently. Maybe theyre will be more of a bass/synth crossover?

10. Any parting words of wisdom?

Bass gear is heavy: get someone else to carry it

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