URIAH DUFFY
Bass Player Extraordinaire
Uriah Duffy is a top notch bass player from the Bay Area who has played with many of the top musicians in the industry.
Uriah has played with the rock band, Whitesnake, The Family Stone Experience, George Clinton's The Brides of Funkenstein, Martin Luther of The Roots and the Bay Area's own, Lyrics Born!
JUSTIN: How long have you been playing bass and what inspired you to pick it up?
URIAH: I've been playing for 21 years, but had always been interested in the bass, even before that. It was when my father started bringing me to see live music that I really began playing.
JUSTIN: What's your favorite style of music to jam to?
URIAH: It's gotta be funk. Real funk. Think Oakland.
JUSTIN: When you toured with Lyrics Born, what was your favorite song to play and why?
URIAH: Well- the live version of "Stop Complaining" shifts gears halfway through and has a killer funk ending jam. I love the beat on "Pack up Remix" as well.
JUSTIN: Do you play any other instruments?
URIAH: No, not professionally. However, I can play music on other instruments from a musical standpoint. I haven't spent the time to be able to really speak fluently on anything other than the bass. I do a lot of music on the computer though- programming and recording and such. I also have a recent accordion fetish.
JUSTIN: What do you like to do besides make music?
URIAH: Meet people. Learn things.
JUSTIN: Who are some of your influences (not just bass)?
URIAH: Larry Graham- The best. George Benson, Victor Wooten, Geddy Lee, Miles Davis.
JUSTIN: What's your favorite drink?
URIAH: Water
JUSTIN: Which bass do you prefer to play - a 4-string, a 5-string or a 6-string?
URIAH: 6's sound funny to me. I use a four whenever possible, esp. for funk and rock. With RnB and pop It's nice to have a big clean bottom, and my 5'r gives me that.
JUSTIN: What's the craziest thing that's ever happened on stage?
URIAH: Ooooo. Gotta think about that one.
JUSTIN: Is there any one band or musician you would sell your soul to play with?
URIAH: My soul is rooming with me 'til I die! I've had a lot of great playing experiences with folks I've looked up to so far. I just take it as it comes. Of course to have the original Graham Central Station band behind ME would be a dream come true.
JUSTIN: If you had to describe George W. Bush in one word - what would that word be?
URIAH: Misguided. He was definitely put here for some other reason than being the leader of our country.
JUSTIN: Do you think music downloading has hurt the music business?
URIAH: As much as I've listened to both sides of the issue, it's still difficult for me to come to a conclusion. think record companies are not hurt at all by the current state of digital music and downloads. Even if so, the big 5 are just trying to maintain their way of business and life... massive overhead, costs, salaries for the exec's. Remember- for every wealthy artist, there's at least ten suits wealthier because of said artist. The system is old and needs a revamp. Imagine if all music was legal and free to download, and everyone (eventually, when we've ALL got computers) stopped purchasing CD's. The industry as we know it would crumble, and any incentive- even for small artists would be gone. But music is magical and unstoppable, and will always be created! So some new form of trade for services (good music) would rise from the ashes. Money in exchange for live performances would probably be first. Feel free to discuss amongst yourselves how the artist would earn a living recording music in a free, downloadable music world. Donations?
JUSTIN: If you had to pick 4 albums to listen to for the rest of your life which ones would you pick and why?
URIAH: Can they be 4 greatest hits cd's? I want it all, or at least a good cross section! Pink Floyd, Sly, D'angelo, Led Zepplin, Stevie, Metallica, Joe pass.
Can I just keep my iTunes?!
JUSTIN: What's your favorite video game?
URIAH: HALO 2! (because Halo 3 aint out yet)! let's go sucka!
JUSTIN: What nationality are you?
URIAH: Mom's from Thailand. Dad's Irish Italian. Grew up in Southern Rhode Island (and Northern California in a buddhist Jewish household).
JUSTIN: How did you hook up with Whitesnake?
URIAH: David Coverdale literally called me out of the blue. I was on tour with LB at the time- in Orlando. I believe folks in DC's camp stumbled upon my website. Never underestimate the power of the web (or the shameless self-promotion people call websites)!
JUSTIN: Name one person, alive or dead that you feel changed the face of music today.
URIAH: John Lennon
JUSTIN: Boxers or briefs?
URIAH: I beg your pardon? Neither.
JUSTIN: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
URIAH: Wow, at 40?! Probably doing more of the same, but with more clarity. Touring and recording are probably what I'll do until I die. Wow, I never thought of it like that!
I do however see music merely as a beautiful part of my life, not my sole existence- so there will be many new wonderful thing s to speak of then.
JUSTIN: What was the last really good movie you saw?
URIAH: X-Men 3! Famke Janssen... Mmmmm.
Visit Uriah's website:
www.uriahduffy.com
And be sure to add him to your myspace page:
www.myspace.com/uriahduffy