Tommy McKenzie of The Flaming Lips sat down with us at Fret12 inside The Salt Shed in Chicago to talk about his path into the band, his early Oklahoma days, his favorite basses, and what life is like on the road with one of the most unpredictable live shows in the world. We get into his rig, his approach to learning the Lips catalog, and the chaos and creativity that come with touring nonstop.

Welcome Ollie, bassist of High Fade, as he takes us behind the scenes of life on tour across the US. Hear about the challenges of the road, the band’s unique busking approach to building a fanbase, and get insider tips on bass gear and tone. Ollie also reveals how they capture their live energy in the studio. Whether you’re a bass player or music fan, this episode is packed with valuable insights and stories to inspire your own musical journey.

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Bakithi Kumalo’s bass playing helped define one of the most iconic albums of all time: Paul Simon’s Graceland. But his story goes far beyond those legendary fretless lines. In this episode of The Bass Nerds, Bakithi talks with Marc and Jody about his early days in South Africa, finding his voice on the bass, and what it was like recording with legends like Simon, Herbie Hancock, and Harry Belafonte. He also shares insight into his gear, his musical instincts, and how he continues to mentor the next generation of players while staying deeply rooted in joy and groove.