February 2008

Gear MTD Kingston Heir 5-string (with Nordstrand pickups and Aguilar preamp), Kinal MK5-B 5-string, fretless MTD Kingston Artist 5-string, Lakland Duck Dunn, Ashdown ABM 500 RC EVO II head, Aguilar GS 212 2x12 and DB 112 1x12 cabs, Aguilar DB 900 DI, Bayou Audio cables, MTD, DR, and D’Addario strings

Day job Private bass teacher (at a specialized music-program high school)

Why I started playing My high school music teacher noticed I showed a basic talent and recommended I take private lessons. I did and immediately devoted all of my time to learning proper technique instead of learning songs. I learned to read music from the beginning, and that kept me working.

Why I play today I play to support the music and musicians I’m playing with. I get satisfaction from making the band feel and sound great—as well as supporting the soloist. I also love being able to move a song in a new direction by changing one note or a single rhythm. It’s something only bass can accomplish.

Light bulb moment Playing in my first original band. For my whole life as a player I had been playing other musician’s lines, and for the first time I was asked to be me. It was difficult, but it was very motivating and helped me develop my style as a bassist and musician.

Hear my music at www.martinletendre.com

Talk to me at martin@martinletendre.com or on talkbass.com (username: 1kinal)

Jonny C.

Hometown Boston, Massachusetts

Years experience 10

Gig Rogue Heroes

Gear Ibanez Soundgear, Fender Jazz Bass, Mesa head and cabs

Day job Brazilian jiu-jitsu instructor

Why I started playing I played guitar, and a friend of mine bought a bass so we could play together. He left the bass at my house and never got it back.

Why I play today Getting a crowd going. It’s a rush I live for.

Light bulb moment Moments, actually. The first occurred when our guitarist broke two strings during a sold-out show and had no backup guitar. As he restrung backstage, the drummer and I went at it, drum-and-bass style. Before long, girls were pushing their way to the stage so they could shake their bootys. That’s when I realized bass was a seriously sexy instrument. My second moment came after our first UK tour. My father killed himself the day after I arrived home. I resented myself for going on tour after he had checked himself into a mental ward, even though he told me, “You have to go on tour.” I went, and never saw him again. I quit my band, blaming myself for my father’s death. Then one day, my two-year-old niece woke me from a nap by shaking the bass that my father had bought me while saying, “Jonny bass. Jonny bass.” I picked my bass up and started playing for her. She started dancing. I saw joy in her eyes and thought to myself, What the hell was I thinking quitting the band? This is who I am. Bass is what I do.

Hear my music at myspace.com/rogueheroes