Bass Musician Magazine - 8th Anniversary Issue with Stu Hamm | Page 14
Along with his solo and lead bass work, Stu’s
However, applying the “monster” status as a
contributions as a sideman should not be
thin identification, based only on technical
overlooked. In fact, Stu will attest to being
ability, does not do justice in this case. He is
a bass player first and a soloist second. Stu
absolutely a great player, but is also a monster
is well known for accompanying guitarists
composer, bandleader, clinician, accompanist,
Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, both separately
soloist, and more. The impact of his pioneering
and during the G3 guitar series. Stu has also
playing and the contribution of those ideas
joined guitarist Frank Gambale and drummer
to the bass community have truly altered the
Steve Smith for 3 recordings as a group known
course and history of our instrument.
as GHS. In addition, Stu maintains a steady
workload of recording for a wide range of
Stu Hamm, much more than a monster.
artists.
What is the story that you are telling
As if these roles weren’t enough, Stu
through “The Book of Lies”?
bassmusicianmagazine.com | 08.15
collaborates with Warwick to design innovative
instruments that meet his playing demands. A
As you become a more mature bass player, you
self-described “bass geek”, Stu has worked
care less about the reception of your music
alongside Warwick’s designers to develop
and I certainly continue to evolve as a bass
instruments from the ground up. The attention
player and as a composer. Especially earlier in
given to wood, pickups, and strings is of the
my career the records were, in some way, an
same intensity that is put into Stu’s playing.
attempt to appeal to markets like the Satrianiand Vai-heads to sell some records. But now,
Looking back at the aforementioned introduction
it’s a recording – it’s a recording of the music
to Mr. Hamm as a monster, the label still holds
that I was writing at the end of 2014 and a
true. His playing abilities, viewed years after
reflection of what I was going through in my
my first introduction, are absolutely scary.
life and the experiences I was having.