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Artwork for Why Bass?

Why Bass? with Donivan Blair

Donivan Blair
Bad Religion
Jay Bentley
Jim Dunlop
Schecter Guitars
Riverboat Gamblers
Mars Volta
Voivod
Bass Guitar
Ruinous Media Network
Orange Amplification
Ampeg
Guitar Center
Rickenbacker
Eva Gardner

‘Why Bass?” Is a podcast that shifts the focus from a bass players history and CV to that age old question - why would anyone want to play the bass guitar? Donivan Blair asks this question with bassist’s of all styles and ranges on each episode and allows the guest to tell the audience in their own words who inspired them, why they chose the instrument and their gear of choice. ‘Why Bass?’ Is host... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes9Founded3 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music CommentaryMusicMusic Interviews

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Artwork for Why Bass?

Latest Episodes

In the episode Donivan and Rancid's Matt Freeman delve into Matt's personal collection, the significance of signature basses, and the affordability of instruments for aspiring musicians. The discussion turns to why only badasses were born on April 2... more

In this episode Doni & Rob talk about getting booed, and why it is bad; why MusicMan basses aren't for everyone, (especially if you're short), Rob's beginnings as a drummer and how he joined Bowling For Soup.

Our partners help make this show happen... more

Today Donivan interviews Dominic "Rocky" La Roche, the bassist for his favorite band, the iconic Voivod. They discuss Rocky's life in music, his early influences, and the evolution of Voivod's sound. Rocky shares personal anecdotes about his first ba... more

Donivan interviews Eva Gardner, exploring her musical journey influenced by her father's legacy as a bass player. They discuss the significance of instruments, early lessons, and personal preferences in bass guitars, while also delving into recording... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Rob Felicetti
Bassist for Bowling For Soup
Bowling For Soup
Episode: Rob Felicetti-Bowling For Soup
Dominic La Roche
Bass player, joined Voivod in 2014
Voivod
Episode: Dominic "Rocky" Laroche-Voivod
Eva Gardner
Longtime bassist from Mars Volta and Pink
Independent musician
Episode: Eva Gardner-Pink-The Mars Volta
Jay Bentley
Bass guitarist for Bad Religion
Bad Religion
Episode: Jay Bentley-Bad Religion
Rob Marchant
The Riverboat Gamblers guitarist/bassist, longtime collaborator with host
The Riverboat Gamblers
Episode: Rob Marchant/ Riverboat Gamblers
Eric Bootow
Bassist in Fourth In Line and founder of Punk Rock Bass Players Community
Fourth In Line; Punk Rock Bass Players Community
Episode: Eric Bootow
Joe Principe
Bassist, Rise Against
Rise Against
Episode: Joe Principe

Host

Donivan Blair
Host of Why Bass? with Donivan Blair; long-time punk/rock musician with deep ties to touring and gear discussions.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 7 ratings
  • More bass!

    Stoked to have a bass centric podcast to nerd out on!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Andy Drowns
    United States2 months ago
  • Donivan is the man

    This podcast is very entertaining and a enlightening dive into the world of bass players. Makes me wish I had learned to play the bass.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gabeskypala
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Host comes across as approachable and knows the gear world well.
Conversations are entertaining and insightful about a musician's journey.
Bass-centric focus feels authentic and inviting for gear nerds.
Guest roster highlights deep experience and varied influences.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Rob Marchant/ Riverboat Gamblers
Q: Who was a guiding light for you?
Didi Ramon was cited as the North Star, embodying spirit and attitude that shaped their approach to playing bass, with emphasis on roots and down-stroking technique.
Eva Gardner-Pink-The Mars Volta
Q: What's it like transitioning from playing bass to singing and playing guitar in your own project?
It's a growth-focused shift that's both challenging and exciting, allowing Eva to explore different musical roles and collaborate with friends who contribute to the instrumentation while she focuses on songwriting and vocal performance.
Eva Gardner-Pink-The Mars Volta
Q: How did you navigate joining Mars Volta and maintaining your own musical voice within a collaborative band dynamic?
The band started collaboratively in a room; later, Omar and Cedric would present songs, Eva would chart and contribute her parts, balancing collective creativity with individual expression.
Eva Gardner-Pink-The Mars Volta
Q: Can you describe the gear evolution that shaped your tone, from early basses to your current setup?
She started with her dad's bass, later choosing a Fender Precision as her main workhorse, experimented with fretless and fretless modifications, and embraced Rickenbackers and Ampeg amps for their distinct tones, while using pedals for color depending on the gig.
Eva Gardner-Pink-The Mars Volta
Q: What sparked Eva Gardner's interest in playing bass, and how did her family influence that path?
Her father was a bass player, which inspired her and gave her early access to stories and gear. A pivotal moment was when his best friend Andy Johns introduced her to bass lessons, which cemented her interest and set her on the professional path.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Why Bass?

What is Why Bass? about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A bass-forward interview series where guests discuss their path to choosing the instrument, the gear that defines their tone, and the practical realities of life as a working bassist. Conversations span punk, metal, indie, and pro touring, often centering on gear philosophy, stagecraft, and the personal journeys that shaped each artist's sound. The show combines nerdy bass detail with relatable stories from touring, collaboration, and independent music careers, making it a strong pick for players, producers, and gear enthusiasts alike. A notable through-line is the community vibe: mentoring younger players, sharing setups, and celebrating the bass as a foundational element of diverse genres.

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Which podcasts are similar to Why Bass??

These podcasts share a similar audience with Why Bass?:

1. Anti-Heroes with Zach Blair
2. Dean Delray's LET THERE BE TALK
3. The Joe Rogan Experience

How many episodes of Why Bass? are there?

Why Bass? launched 3 months ago and published 9 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Why Bass??

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What guests have appeared on Why Bass??

Recent guests on Why Bass? include:

1. Rob Felicetti
2. Dominic La Roche
3. Eva Gardner
4. Jay Bentley
5. Rob Marchant
6. Eric Bootow
7. Joe Principe

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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