Rotosound Music Strings

Considered one of the world’s greatest rock guitarists, Dave Sharman returns with his much- anticipated fourth studio album. Sharman has paved the way for many artists since his rise to fame in the 1990′s. Catapulted into the limelight with a much coveted session on BBC Radio One’s Rock Show, all of Dave’s albums have received BBC Radio 1 airplay. The self-taught guitar prodigy quickly becamse one of the most exciting talents in his genre, receiving siginificant critical acclaim from the mainstream press on both sides of the Atlantic and compared to greats such as Vinnie Moore and Steve Vai. Sharman has toured the world and recorded with some of rock’s most legendary artists including members of Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osborne and Whitesnake.

Dave’s new album, Evolution Machine, is a trans-atlantic rampage of future rock guitar classics, blended with funk and eastern influences. Sharman’s signature finger tapping, impassioned guitar solos and vocals cascade onto each track, displaying both his sophisticated songwriting and technical brilliance. The first single from the album, epic power-ballad ‘Lady’ has been released today.

Rotosound’s paparazzi has been at it again… this time with Jake Burns and Ali McMordie of Stiff Little Fingers! Rotosound’s Nigel Clutterbuck caught up with them backstage at The Ritz Manchester. They’re currently touring the UK, and are heading to Europe shortly for one of their biggest tours in years. Find out more by clicking here.

Chris Malin hails from Birmingham – home of Jeff Lynne, Ozzy Osbourne, Heavy Metal and the Spitfire.

Despite hailing from such an important and historic birthplace, Chris wasn’t immediately seduced by the world of thrashing guitar and thundering bass.  Thankfully, this affliction lasted only until he was fifteen, when everything changed.  The ‘lightbulb moment’ occurred in a school science class, of all things. Perhaps a divine visitation, perhaps something else entirely, Chris was overpowered by an all-embracing certainty regarding his purpose and direction in life. To this day he still has no idea why the concept of playing Bass Guitar came to him. He had no previous experience with the instrument, and certainly no great admiration for it. Nevertheless, how he has since become a consummate master of the instrument.

Propelled by the aforementioned moment of revelation Chris then spent four years practicing for the better part of eight hours a day. His parents, until that time relatively decent, understanding people, became concerned, even anxiety-ridden, regarding their son’s apparent loss of connection to reality.

He would return from school, from work, from anywhere, and immediately he was back to his practice schedule.  Often forgetting to eat, even to sleep, he pursued his goal of musical competence with a degree of unrelenting intensity.  Chris started playing live gigs, he joined bands, and gained immediate attention from both fellow musicians and music-lovers.   Even internationally-acclaimed rock bassist Billy Sheehan – with whom Chris has since undertaken one-to-one tutorial classes – was completely awestruck at what this kid could do.  Billy, having heard Chris – still merely sixteen years of age – play a solo to him personally one afternoon, was sufficiently impressed to comment on his prowess at one of his masterclass clinics.  Chris has since had one-to-one tutorials with Music Radar’s #1 Bassist of All Time, John Myung of Dream Theater.  Word-of-mouth continued unabated, and Chris became someone to look out for, someone to watch, and his subsequent ascendancy has been nothing short of miraculous. Pro session work swiftly followed, playing live, touring, forever in demand. He worked as a songwriter for Sony, penning material for artistes such as Kylie Minogue and Jamiroquai. American rap artist P.Diddy tracked Chris down for his tour, but due to the imminent birth of his daughter Chris had to reluctantly decline.

Chris Malin has played with the best – a real Who’s Who of music greats, including recording with members of ELO, session work with award-winning percussionist, Hossam Ramzy, and on to auditions with such luminaries as Peter Gabriel and Paul Weller.  During the last half decade, Chris has also performed to an average of a quarter of a million people a year in numerous UK and European venues, including Austria, Croatia and Portugal.

Chris is currently on a sell-out UK Theatre tour with Flash: A Tribute to Queen. He is also currently working with members of ELO on various projects. Chris is in the studio working with Woody Woodmansy, standing in for Trevor Boulder (both musicians played with Bowie) on several new exciting projects. Session work is also coming in thick and fast, working with percussionist Hossam Ramzy (Led Zeppelin, Peter Gabriel). They also have an album that they are currently writing together.

I have known Chris for the better part of twenty years. He is a truly remarkable musician. There is nothing this guy cannot do with this instrument. I am relying on him to take the bass guitar back to the forefront of music, just as it deserves.

Roger Jon Ellory (Best Selling International author, musician, and friend)

What Chris says about Rotosound

‘I have never used anything else. I’ve tried other brands but nothing beats the sound of Rotosound’

Our good friend Eva Gardner has been busy of late – currently touring with P!NK on her Truth About Love tour, Eva’s also working with her own band, Telstar who have recently released their latest offering, Karate Luv. Telstar’s members hail from Atlanta, Los Angeles and Toronto – but Telstar took flight in the spring of 2011 in the City of Angels, where it’s member’s now reside. With years of extensive touring and recording with various artists, Chris, Stew and Eva decided to embark on an adventure and join forces as a rock n roll 3-piece. Telstar’s members draw from many influences, including the music of pioneer songwriter and producer Joe Meek. Their debut release is the Hot Knives EP, released in June 2011. “This act has a real distinctive and fun sound—British Invasion meets biker bar rock.”

What Eva says about Rotosound

‘Rotosound strings help me get that solid, classic bass tone that I know and love’

Image provided by Lisa Skarell-Schulman

Steve Rushton is a session artist (acoustic, electric and bass) who works with X-factor artists live, on record and on TV. Most recently, he’s worked with Olly Murs and Amelia Lily. Steve uses Roto Yellows and Rotosound Swing Bass strings.

What Steve says about Rotosound

I’ve always admired a selection of artists who use Rotosound strings and now I’m honoured to endorse them myself.  When you’re playing live reliability counts and Rotosound delivers every time!

We recently gave you the chance to pose your questions to Jah Wobble, one of our world-class endorsees who was with us at the London Bass Guitar Show. And without further ado, here’s what he had to say…

Do you still have the Ampeg Scroll Neck Bass? Have you seen how much they sell for on e-bay?

JW: Yes I do still have it – no, how much?!

Did you use Rotosound strings on the PiL records? I love them because they’re so punchy, but I know you’re known for such deep tones.

JW: Yes, we did

How do you set your bass and amp to achieve your tone?

JW: Bass up to the max, treble off and mid off

Which bassists influenced you?

JW: Robbie Shakespeare, Family Man, VITU

The early punk movement had so many great bassists and in many cases brought the bass out front a lot more. Are there any particular bass players you especially admired?

JW: Yes, Barry Adamson

We heard that in the studio, to get your sound you’d face your cabinet against the wall and just mike the room. Is this true and if so, do you still do that?

JW: Yes! That’s exactly how I do it.

What was your stand-out career moment so far?

JW: Right now at the Rotosound stand at the London Bass show!

Which Rotosound strings do you use?

JW: Nylon 88′s – they’ve got a really good bottom end

This weekend the Rotosound team descended on London’s Olympia for the London Bass Guitar Show, joined by Mo Foster, Jah Wobble, Eric Rupert and Alex Lofoco. Thank you to everyone who stopped by our stand – we had a very, very busy weekend!

Check out Simon Goulding’s video from his upcoming album, using Rotosound Swing Bass 66′s throughout.

What Simon Goulding says about Rotosound

‘I have used Rotosound for many years. They really give me the tone I want, and are comfortable to play. For me they are the best for any style of music I’m required to play.’

One of gypsy jazz’s brightest stars, Samuel C Lees is set to wow audiences in the Sunflower Pub, Union Street and McHugh’s Bar, Belfast City Centre on 14th March, all in aid of Northern Ireland Hospice.

Samuel C Lees takes the fire and flare of modern guitar players like Jimmy Rosenberg and Joscho Stephen, and harnesses the melodic style of the great Django himself.  He has wowed audiences up and down the UK and in Europe introducing a new audience to gypsy jazz.

You can see Samuel C Lees at a jam session from 5.30pm at the Sunflower, Union Street, and then at McHugh’s from 9pm.  Entrance is free but voluntary donations can be made at various times throughout the night.

Samuel C Lees has chosen to support Northern Ireland Hospice because a close family friend was looked after by Hospice nurses.

“Recently a good friend of both mine and my wife Jennifer lost his mother to cancer and with the help of NI Hospice, a terrible moment in the families lives was made more bearable. We are honoured to come over and play this show and make a contribution to help the N I Hospice for the great work that they do.  I am also so honoured how the people and guitar players of Belfast have got behind these shows”

For more information on the event contact Samuel C Lees at sam@samuelclees.com or phone 07908223625