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Rob Kloka-mo'
Featured Bassist
This feature is going to be in a slightly different format. Any regular on a.g.b. knows at least a bit about Rob - the infamous penguin lover. So, this time we're going for the old question and answer routine, in the hope of unearthing something new and intriguing about this wise guy that we have all come to love in one way or another!
Lynda LeCompte
Q. What inspired you to play bass after experimenting with guitar, flute, sax, and piano?
"Guitar and piano were too hard, and a birth defect prevented me from getting far with flute and sax. Then, like everyone else, my friends formed a band, and the only thing not spoken for was bass."
Q. What was your first bass and rig?
"First bass was a Vox Beatle Bass, 50 watt Vox amp and a 12" Vox cabinet. Complete coincidence that all three (bought at different places) were Vox."
Q. Which is your axe of choice right now and why?
"The only bass I've played in the last three months is the Merchant Vertical EUB I got four weeks ago. I wish I would have gotten an acoustic upright instead."
Q. How did you learn bass? Did you have lessons or just work it out for yourself?
"Had private lessons for six months, but all he showed me was whatever song I wanted to learn that week. I didn't care. Tried real lessons, but that was too hard. What little else I know, I've read myself."
Q. Who do you aspire to in the bass world?
"Nobody. I'm having trouble finding a upright bass idol."
Q. Do you think you will play in a band again and if you could, what genre would you prefer to play?
"Not with the bass guitar, and it's going to be some time before I can even consider playing the upright live."
Q. If the government discovered that they could create an energy source on the moon by using trillions of CDs to reflect the suns rays (come on, use your imagination...) and they decided to take everyone's CDs away to do this, apart from five that you were allowed to keep, which five CDs would you hold onto?
"In no particular order:Thomas Dolby, "Aliens Ate My Buick"
The Clash, "London Calling"
Led Zeppelin, III
Jimmy Haslip, "Arc"
Jamey Aebersold, "Play along, Major and Minor in every key, Learn to Improvise Jazz"
Moving away from bass and music...
Q. What's your fave restaurant/food and how often do you eat there/it?
"Favorite food: Coffee, non-fat hazelnut creamer, sugar, and a non-menthol cigarette. Daily, or else!"
Q. What's the craziest thing you've ever done and did anyone get hurt?
"Boating has nearly killed me several dozen times, But... I would have to say that being *involved* with a former friend's adult web site was the most sought out craziness I've ever experienced. The half faded picture of the Zon Sonus Special, in the "banner-o-basses" that adorns the front page to altguitarbass.com is a picture from her web site. Her 1/2 nekkid body had to be edited out. The 4x10 she was sitting on, and the bass she was posing with now belong to two other a.g.b. members. :-) "
Q. What is the fascination with penguins? And be honest, even if it's icky...
"I love watching them swim. I have sat and watched them for hours at a time. It just amazes me. The speed and agility blows my mind. Their gracefulness when flying through the water contrasts their near inability to walk, or fly like most birds. And... the black and white color scheme is my favorite. More contrast. Hmm..."
Q. So you have a boat now. Do you think you might ever sell all of your belongings and go and live in a van down by the river?
"I've already lived in a van, a boat, a covered wagon, and a Tee-Pee. I wouldn't willingly choose any of them for permanent quarters, but there is a popular term: "Boat Poor". It's when you've poured all your money into that hole in the water called "your boat."
There are no heroes, only heroic deeds. It is inside of everyone to be a hero, and in our own way we all face our time. Whether a person makes the right choices, fumbles miserably, is recognized, or dies instantly, we are all heroes by merely facing that moment. Even if we're curled up and hiding from it. Or... If you've worn an E.G.A.
Well, I think we've uncovered some hidden depths. I was beginning to get a bit worried about the penguin fascination, but as we've read, it transpires that the interest stems from a rather tender appreciation of the beautiful creation that is penguin. I understand now.
Thanks Rob, for sharing.
| | | | | | | | | | | LeCompteBass.com
May 12th, 2007