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How and when did you first pick up a bass and
what are your biggest influences as a bassist?
"I started playing when I was 16 and I was inspired by
Geddy Lee and Chris Squire. I don't listen to bass players much these days as I try
to find inspiration in all kinds of music and players, though some of my favorites
are Gary Willis, Mick Karn and Jaco Pastorius."
Did you have any idols as a kid when you were
learning how to handle your instrument?
"Geddy Lee was definitely my idol."
What kind of musical education do you have
and how would you define the bass' role in songs in general?
"I have a Bachelors Degree in Composition and a Masters
Degree in Music Theory from the University of South Florida, Tampa. In general, the
bass part should support the rest of the band but also have an identity independent
of the other players. A good bass line has the perfect combination of those two
elements. Don't think you have to overplay to get attention, by letting others shine,
you shine yourself."
Where do you get the inspiration for your
playing?
"Very hard to answer because there are so many inspirations
musical and otherwise. All I know is that I never pick up my bass unless I want to.
People ask me how much I practice each day and I tell them that I don't have a regular
schedule. I only play when I want to, though it just so happens that it seems I always
want to play."
Do chemicals make a musician more creative
and help him/her going on?
"I'll go on record as saying that drugs/chemicals only
inhibit the brain's ability to process information. There is no drug that makes
you more creative. This is an over-used and tired excuse by people who don't know any
better and need an excuse to do drugs. If you smoke pot - fine, who cares, but don't
try and tell me that it makes you more creative. Regardless of what drugs you are
doing, the creativity is and always has been inside of you and it's your clearly
thinking brain that best retrieves that information, not one clouded by drugs."
What is the best music related experience in
your life?
"Performing Music - A couple of shows on the Cynic tour in
the Midwest and Canada that words could never describe. Listening/Studying Music -
J.S. Bach, The Art of Fugue and The Well-Tempered Clavier I and II.
Bach is the greatest architect of music and anything you've ever wanted to know is
within those works. Watching a concert - Pat Metheny Trio, Glenn Gould performing
Contrapunctus 15 from The Art of Fugue."
And the worst?
"Some of the early records that I've played on."
Could you shortly define the following music
styles and what you think of them:
- Jazz
Compositionally diverse with a great harmonic and melodic depth.
- Death Metal
Pure aggression and brutality, and a very important chapter in the history of music.
- Progressive Metal
Technically demanding with compositional integrity.
What do you think of the following musicians:
- Gene Hoglan, drums (ex-Death, ex-Dark Angel)
1,000,000 miles an hour.
- James LaBrie, vocals (Dream Theater)
Sean and I did a recording with him on the upcoming Rush Tribute disc. A good singer
in a type of band in which it is difficult to be a good singer.
What are your three current favorite
albums/songs?
Glenn Gould - The Well Tempered Clavier Book II (Bach)
Tribal Tech - Any album
King Crimson - Thrak Attack
Are there any chances that Cynic would be
reformed some day and album number two would see the light of day? Afterall, Cynic
seems to have quite a loyal following and the fans are really eager to hear some new
material besides the old demo tapes.
"I don't want to say never, because one never knows. We
are in contact with each other now and again but a great distance separates us. I
think, for some reason, that we might someday play again."
What keeps you busy these days and what are
your main goals in the near future?
"Many recording projects right now. A new album with
guitarist Todd Grubbs for a Japanese release, also John Wesley for a European
release and many local bands here in Tampa. Sean and I completed a 5 song "metal"
demo for guitarist Jim Studnicki at Morrisound with Scott Burns. Sean and I have
decided to form a new band in the spirit of Cynic, though probably all instrumental.
It will certainly be heavy and very technical. Sean and I have decided that we need
to get back to what we were doing with Cynic because that is ultimately what we love
to do most. We are rehearsing for a new demo."
For the last year you have been busy
recording your solo album. Tell us a bit about the recording process, the musicians
involved and how the result is going to sound.
"The record is finished and I'm very happy with it."
Personnel:
Sean Reinert - Drums
Bob Bunin - Guitar
Geoff Caputo - Guitar
featuring: Trey Gunn from King Crimson and Reeves Gabrels from David Bowie
The music is at times very technical and progressive, though not very
heavy. Cynic fans may or may not like it. It's all instrumental. It should be out in
late August or early September. Scott Burns produced it.
Thanks for the interest,
Sean Malone
From Inferno Magazine issue 9
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