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Amy Bianco,
what attracted you to playing bass? The "underneath" part of it. I didn't
have to be flamboyant like the metal guitar shredders.
Where are you based – city/country?
Pittsburgh, PA
At what age did you first take a bass in your hands? I was 14.
Did you play any other instrument before you started playing bass? I
played the flute for a year in grade school and I used to have a fairly
decent Yamaha keyboard when I was 12, but no lessons. I would play the synth line for Salt 'n' Peppa's "Push It" and stuff like that.
Can you remember the first piece you ever learned on bass? Unbelievably, I
think it was "Jump Into the Fire" by Nielson Smielson
What was your very first public performance? An open stage in a shitty
little bar. It was with my band, Urban Relapse. We played about 4 original
songs. My knees would not stop shaking!
What’s your current band? Motorpsychos
What’s your main bass?
A black Ernie Ball Stingray with maple neck.
What strings to you like best? Ernie Ball Power Slinky 55-110
What is your backline bass amp setup? Ampeg SVT 3PRO with Ampeg cabs, 4 10s
and a 15
Fingers, plectrum (pick) or both? Pick,
Pick Boy heavies
Have you played double (upright) or acoustic bass? I've played an acoustic
bass before.
What type of music do you play?
Punkrock, metal
Who do you listen to when you’re not playing? Currently, Behind Enemy
Lines, Entombed, Slayer, Clutch, and Lamb of God are in my van.
Have you recorded/released any CDs? Yes, the Motorpsychos have 2
CDs out. I
also recorded a side project demo with my band Reducer a few years ago.
What was your best gig/venue ever? We had the recent opportunity to play
the X Fest here in Pittsburgh. We were the local band on the bill playing on the
second stage. It was incredible! I never saw so many faces! We blasted
through a 20 minute set to end with kids chanting Motorpsychos! I couldn't
believe it.
What was your worst moment onstage? I got cracked in the collarbone with a
mic stand that came down with the force of a sledgehammer! It was our CD
release for the 2nd album, Piston Whipped and the crowd was moshing right
up against the stage. I didn't know what hit me and it hurt like hell!
(There's always one idiot! - Ed.)
Were you ever on a TV show? Yes. I co-hosted an episode of Buck the System,
a local public cable music show. The Motorpsychos had just won a local
rock challenge and our set from the winning night was featured. I did an
interview and introduced some clips. It was really fun.
Do you play/own any other instruments? Guitar. I write a lot of riffs on
the guitar.
Do you sing? I sing lead vox on 1/3 of the
songs on Piston Whipped. Before that, I just sang back up.
Have you played outside your own country? Not yet. We've tried!
What’s your opinion on basses with more than 4 strings? You gotta love it
when you have an even LOWER note to jump down to! I've never played a
5-string and I'm happy with 4, but I can dig the extra bottom when someone
else is doing it!
What do you feel is the bass-players function in a band? To be the one who
doesn't brush their hair! HA!
Also, to be the mortar between the guitar and drums, hold down the rhythm,
ride close to the train tracks.
Did you ever have a famous person in your audience?
Jimmy Bower
(Eye Hate God, Superjoint Ritual)
Sean Yseult from White Zombie (see Sean's interview on this site - Ed.)
Jennifer Finch. I had the pleasure of sharing
the stage with these guys!
What are your ambitions? To be the best bass player I can be, to be able to
play Anesthesia Pulling Teeth, and to keep having fun!
Thanks
Amy. See our Links page for Motorpsychos website - Ed.
thanks to Amy
for being part of BassGirls.Com
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of
Amy Bianco
and
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