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Artwork for Why Bass?

Why Bass? with Donivan Blair

Donivan Blair
Bad Religion
GWAR
Rickenbacker Bass
Jay Bentley
Jim Dunlop
Schecter Guitars
Riverboat Gamblers
Mars Volta
Voivod
Rancid
Rigor Mortis
Blue October
Bass Guitar
Vandoliers
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 monthlyEpisodes15Founded7 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music InterviewsMusicMusic Commentary

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Artwork for Why Bass?

Latest Episodes

Why Ricks?- Donivan discusses WHY he plays Rickenbackers, the answer is Why Not? The discussion includes the person who's been there for his entire 4003 obsession , his brother Zach. They argue over the pronunciation of Rickenbackers, Celtic Frost an... more

This is a big one. What more to say than its Kira! Once again Donivan gets to talk to an inspiration and hero. He asked Kira every question a 17 year old Donvian wanted to ask and more. We hear what she's up too and whats in her bass playing future... more

This week Donivan talks with Matt Reilly, bass player for Avril Levigne. The two discuss the job of the rhythm section, both in terms of driving the song and the power of its absence. Matt shares how a 5 minute meeting leads to the gig of a lifetime ... more

Donivan and Patrick discuss Patrick's journey as a bassist, The Vandoliers new record, and how awesome Flying V basses are. They explore the importance of individuality in music, the ongoing debate between using picks or fingers, andthe significance ... more

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Recent Guests

Kira Roessler
Musician formerly in Black Flag; current solo artist
Black Flag; Enigma (solo project)
Episode: Kira Roessler-Black Flag-dos-Enigma
Matt Reilly
Bassist for Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne band
Episode: Matt Reilly-Avril Lavigne
Patrick Smith
Bass player for The Vandoliers
The Vandoliers
Episode: Patrick Smith-The Vandoliers
Matt Noveskey
Bassist for Blue October
Blue October
Episode: Matt Noveskey-Blue October
Casey Orr
Bassist for GWAR, formerly with Rigor Mortis and Burden Brothers
GWAR
Episode: Casey Orr-GWAR
Matt Freeman
Bass player for Rancid, Operation Ivy, Charger
Rancid, Operation Ivy, Charger
Episode: Matt Freeman-Rancid-Operation Ivy
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

Host

Donivan Blair
Host focusing on why bass and gear, with a long-running background in punk and touring

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 19 ratings
  • More bass!

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Andy Drowns
    United States5 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 States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The conversations feel like a hang with pros, not interviews.
Guests share rich, gear-focused stories.
Production sounds tight and gear nerdy but accessible.
The host clearly loves bass and keeps the tone approachable for fans.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Matt Freeman-Rancid-Operation Ivy
Q: What was the motivation behind creating an affordable signature bass for Freeman?
Freeman wanted a signature bass that fans could actually buy and play without breaking the bank, believing that affordability would help more players connect with his sound and inspire them to pick up the instrument.
Matt Noveskey-Blue October
Q: What role do mentors and producers play in your musical development?
He highlights Dave Costell's practical, no-nonsense approach, which steered him toward Fender and more melodic, song-centric playing, rather than chasing gear for its own sake.
Matt Noveskey-Blue October
Q: What led you to join Blue October, and how did that decision shape your career?
He recounts meeting a manager while in Michigan/Ohio area, moving to Austin to audition, and deciding to join Blue October, which set the course for his long-term collaboration with the band and the Texas music scene.
Matt Reilly-Avril Lavigne
Q: How did you go from producer to Avril's bassist and what did you learn about the role?
He describes moving to LA to pursue production and networking, then getting scouted through clubs and a chance connection that led to Avril's gig; the key takeaway is the importance of being 'the right person' for the gig and mastering the gig's specific workflow.
Matt Reilly-Avril Lavigne
Q: So what's coming up for you guys now? What do you have personally coming up?
Matt talks about ongoing and future projects: finishing a greatest-hits tour, releasing new solo material with collaborators, and pursuing a horror-film acting debut, plus a mix of electronic and 8-bit influenced music projects.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Household Income
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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-focused interview series that spotlights players across punk, metal, and alternative scenes, exploring why they chose the instrument, the gear that defines their tone, and the wild stories from touring and recording. Guests range from legendary punk bassists to metal and indie players, with frequent emphasis on gear nerd-outs, practical stage wisdom, and the musician's path—often balancing DIY hustle with touring life. The show stands out for its approachable banter, deep-dive discussions about tone and rig setups, and its clear devotion to celebrating bass as the foundational driver of a band's rhythm and mood.

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What are the audience demographics for Why Bass??

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How many subscribers and views does Why Bass? have?

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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. One Life One Chance with Toby Morse
3. HardLore
4. The First Ever Podcast
5. Dean Delray's LET THERE BE TALK

How many episodes of Why Bass? are there?

Why Bass? launched 7 months ago and published 15 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. Kira Roessler
2. Matt Reilly
3. Patrick Smith
4. Matt Noveskey
5. Casey Orr
6. Matt Freeman
7. Rob Felicetti
8. Dominic La Roche

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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