Whitinsville, Ma– Bergantino Audio Programs is proud to welcome Matthew Meyers to our household of artists.
Matthew Meyers hails from Sydney, Ohio and isn’t solely identified for his massively spectacular Appalachain-style beard however his funky and soulful bass enjoying. Examine what drives this mild big and the way he shaped into the participant he’s right now.
Okay Matt, proper out of the gate, we have to learn about that superior excellent beard of yours. It is a query Lee Presgrave made me ask you!
Ah sure, the guess! So, I’m a hockey fan and I’d make a aspect guess right here or there. Seven years in the past, my bearded bassist buddy (say that 5 instances quick) and I made a guess we’d shave our beards if our workforce missed the playoffs and properly…we didn’t and I noticed my child face for the primary time in a very long time. And since then I’ve not shaved as soon as.
What have you ever been as much as recently?
The pandemic actually threw a wrench in my plans for 2020 as I’m certain people as properly. I dumped my fretless bass funds right into a Professional Instruments studio construct and started studying to make use of that DAW. It actually is sweet to have the ability to manage your ideas and to have an outlet for concepts. I additionally started Jeff Berlin’s classes to enhance my studying/writing expertise and that has been a tremendous expertise. I’ve recorded bass with The Funk Manufacturing facility on our EP we launched this summer season and I’m again within the studio Dec fifth and sixth to do one other EP so we’ve been busy writing in addition to doing dwell streams and restricted out of doors occasions.
The place have been you born and raised?
I used to be born in Xenia, Ohio after which moved to Cellular, Alabama at an early age. I went to high school in Cellular Alabama, Marietta Georgia, and Sidney Ohio rising up.
What makes the bass so particular to you and the way did you gravitate to it?
Bass is one of the best a part of the music I grew up with, all the Motown and music my mom performed rising up. I used to be uncovered to among the finest bass gamers of our instances. So, I’m certain that must be what made me admire the instrument and possibly obsess a bit, too! It’s superb to listen to what people have performed with the instrument all through the years from the introduction and reintroduction of tapping and slap bass to how bass-forward the combo bass has develop into in fashionable recordings.
How did you study to play?
After I was nonetheless in highschool, my finest buddy, Mitch Lawson, performed guitar in a steel cowl band on the weekends and their bassist departed every week earlier than they’d a present. He actually confirmed me methods to play 13 songs in every week and I practiced on my mother’s outdated acoustic with 5 strings till his brother lent me his bass to make use of. We went on to type the primary authentic band I ever performed with who’re nonetheless an excellent band enjoying right now! Ever since then, I’ve been attempting to adapt to completely different kinds and enjoying methods whereas engaged on studying and music principle as I’m a “self-taught” bassist.
Are there another devices you play?
I’ve been identified to play bass and drums on the similar time when there isn’t a drummer out there and I did get my first drum lesson from Doug Johns at a clinic however I’m simply going to stay with bass if it’s all the identical.
How has your enjoying developed over time and have you ever made adjustments out of your begin till now?
I’d say that my enjoying has made some drastic development in life, little question. I began off with steel, then after studying some punk covers we started to write down and I’ve been doing largely authentic music ever since. Thus far I’ve performed with punk bands, steel bands, bluegrass bands, jazz bands and jam bands. I began enjoying a 4 string with three fingers to study that gallop within the Iron Maiden songs then moved to utilizing a decide for quick punk rock. Then I heard Les Claypool and started studying methods to slap and faucet which threw me down the rabbit gap of Flea, Victor, Larry, Marcus and the oldsters who can do it justice. Alongside the best way I’ve discovered the significance of giving the songs what they want on bass and to serve the music in no matter method I take advantage of to method it.
Describe your enjoying model, tone, strengths and areas that may be improved on the bass.
I’m an enormous (6’3”) fan of range in music so I prefer to play and study as many kinds as is humanly potential. I can do slap, double-thumb, fingerstyle, plectrum, tapping, and right-hand muting properly. I might like to know extra about soloing vocabulary and harmonics, in addition to studying and writing so these are components that I deal with probably the most in my each day routine.
The place do you see the instrument 5, 10 and even 20 years from now?
I see dwell instrumental music coming again into the fold once more and that’s an excellent future for all bassists. I’ve just lately gone with a Midi setup and that adjustments the sport on the flexibleness of the bass fairly a bit and it’s a brand new street for me and one I sit up for exploring.
What 4 bass gamers influenced you probably the most?
Rising up within the punk scene, we have been fortunate sufficient to have people like Matt Freeman present us the ropes on rock bass and methods to destroy a 4 string. The primary time I heard “Crusing the Seas of Cheese” by Primus, I locked myself down and actually started to see the instrument in an entire new mild, so Les Claypool for the win and the rationale I play 6 string basses. I’m not precisely certain the way it occurred and I consider that each one bass gamers have him of their blood the primary time a damaged string cuts you, however Jaco has been an enormous affect however extra as an idol than a direct affect. “Soul Intro” is simply large and his model of “Donna Lee” is thoughts altering. Lastly.was Mr. BakithiKumalo. I’d give credit score to my people for listening to Paul Simon lots and giving me the chance to listen to, as soon as once more, what potential the instrument has. His model of talking with a fretless bass is mesmerizing. I’ve by no means been a fretless participant myself however he positively makes you need to be one.
Tell us what you might be presently engaged on.
I’ve a recording studio now so I’ve been onerous at work studying methods to use Professional Instruments. I’ve additionally gone Midi with my results pedals and that has fairly the educational curve, however I really like the convenience of operation now. The Funk Manufacturing facility has an EP out and we’re headed to the studio to file our subsequent album.
How’d you discover Bergantino, and might you share your ideas on our bass gear?
Ah, Bergantino…the worst stored secret of NAMM. I first obtained to listen to the B|Amp on the winter NAMM present and was glued to the ground listening to the flexibleness and tone that it put out. That was my first time listening to the place I wished to be, sonically. So, now I’ve a forté HP and an HG312 cupboard. I actually couldn’t be extra content material with my tone. I feel there are two crowds within the bass world: The baked-in-sound amp people and the clear amp people. I’d prefer to suppose I fall within the latter class. I’ve a really, very good bass and I like to take heed to it sing. I feel my Bergantino forté HP actually lets the instrument come by way of with out being sterile or dry. I assume it’s magic however my EQ is fairly close to impartial now and it’s HUGE sounding!
Inform us about your favourite bass or basses.
Simple Query: I’ve one bass, It’s fairly well-known and I name her Helga. Helga is a Michael Tobias Design 635-24 made with an ash physique and neck with a birdseye maple fretboard and a myrtle burl prime. In the event you may pull the sound a bass makes out of my head, that might be it.
What else do you love to do apart from enjoying bass?
I’m an avid gamer and in the future would like to have a restaurant as a result of I like to prepare dinner. Bass is just about my life for some time, actually.
What have you ever had extra time to work on or discover since COVID?
I’ve actually had extra time to deal with studying music and getting concepts out of my thoughts and into recorded materials. It’s a whole lot of enjoyable to discover concepts and listen to the ultimate end result as you initially anticipated it to prove after which have your band mates take it a step additional to its fullest potential. I don’t have a lot time to place concepts down whereas out enjoying on a regular basis so it actually is sweet.
Is there anything you want to share with us?
Sure, I want to let people understand how variety and useful all the people at Bergantino have been to me and allow you to know you might be appreciated very a lot by so many within the bass world. I can’t wait to see what you consider subsequent! Thanks everybody who loves music and due to my sister Sue, I miss ya…
Please listing your whole social hyperlinks that I can share on this publish.
https://www.facebook.com/matthew.c.meyers
https://www.instagram.com/matthewcmeyers
https://thefunkfactory.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/FunkFactoryToledo
https://www.facebook.com/birdintobear
https://www.facebook.com/dragonwagonband
About Bergantino Audio Programs:
Bergantino Audio Programs has been devoted to growing and constructing the best high quality audio merchandise and bass guitar amplification methods since 2001.
We’ve acquired quite a few accolades throughout the musical instrument trade and proceed to look ahead with our designs and our distinctive method to growing merchandise. https://bergantino.com/
