Glenn Five, bassist who has played with Canadian Heavy Metal band Anvil.
Anvil Interview
What are your current projects since leaving Anvil?
Currently I have been writing and recording songs, and I am available for touring and session work. I am leaving my options open at the moment, ideally I’d like to join a touring band but I’m not limiting myself to just that. I also would like to collaborate with other musicians and be creative with other creative people. I have been entertaining offers and receiving music to check out and learn, and I’m starting to jam with some great bands.
What can we see from you in 2012?
You can expect to see continued perseverance of my goals to broaden my horizons, to continue to grow as a musician and a songwriter. Given the opportunity I would like to be a musical director and I would like to produce as well. I’m also very interested in doing some session work, that is a great way to meet other musicians and producers and also get a chance to play different styles of music.
What are your current endorsements?
Currently I am supported by Gibson/Epiphone. I’m very proud to play their basses, and they provide me with an amazing tone for my particular style of attack. D’addario has been supporting me for a couple of years now too, which is amazing because I’ve been using their strings for over 20 years now. Peavey has supplied my amps for me. The first time I tried the newer Peavey amps I was blown away by the built in pre-gain that allowed me to just plug in and play with all the power I need without having to add any overdrive or distortion.
What’s your vision on the Internet as a tool to promote and get your music out?
These days the internet is very valuable for any band or musician, new or already established. It is easy to get lost in the shuffle of millions of artists on the internet but the fact remains that if someone is searching for you they can easily find you and listen to your music. If your promotional skills are good then you have an advantage and a better chance of having your music discovered. Also, the internet is a much quicker ‘word of mouth’ avenue than in the past. People have a much wider reach online and can share your music with anyone in the world.
With all the bands coming out today. Do you keep updated with what comes out online at all?
I keep as up to date with new music as I can. As I stated, it is easy to get lost in the shuffle with so many bands on the internet, but having said that there is so much music that people would never hear if it wasn’t for things like Myspace and YouTube, etc.
How is the current Music Scene in your area?
Having been on the road so much for the past few years I’m currently rediscovering the music scene in Toronto. I’ve been going to jam nights and reacquainting myself with musicians I haven’t seen in years, and I am also meeting lots of great musicians as well. I’ve missed that aspect of being an artist. It’s been awesome being in a touring band for many years but it has taken me out of the local loop so-to-speak.
Can you tell us about your bass gear?
For basses I’ve primarily been playing 5-string Thunderbirds. I have a couple Gibson Studio Thunderbirds which are passive and have a very warm bottom but with a sort of growl to them. My other Thunderbird is an Epiphone, which has active pick-ups and, as well as that classic T-bird bottom end, it has quite an aggressive punch when needed. Epiphone has also supplied me with a 4-string semi-hollow Jack Cassidy bass. It has an amazing tone, that because of the semi-hollow nature, cuts through everything and sits up front in the mix without being over dominant. I also have a 12-string Wraith made by October Guitars, which has a very wide full sound to it, almost like playing a guitar and bass at the same time. And lastly for basses is my good old Fender Jazz bass. As far as powering the basses Peavey has supplied me with a couple 700w Tour Series amps and two 8×10 Peavey cabinets. For strings I use D’addario XL Nickel Wound, Regular Light Gauge Strings.
What could we find interesting in your Music collection?
There are many different types of music in my collection. All eras and all genres. In my opinion good music is good music, no matter what style it is. If music can touch my soul and move me to feel then I consider it good music. As a child I listened to the Beatles which is a great basis to start from. Learning the Beatles can only help to introduce you to many different styles of music. Although I predominantly play in metal bands that hasn’t limited me in what I listen to and draw inspiration from. My collection has Tony Bennett and Slayer, and everything in between, including Alice in Chains and Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Green Day and Billy Talent, Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd, Yes and Jethro Tull, Elbow and Coldplay.
Any advice for upcoming bass players in the music scene?
I suppose any advice I have would apply to all musicians and artists, not just bass players. My advise is to play your music and create your art from the heart and soul. Do it because you love it, and do it because you have to do it. An artist has to get the art out, at any cost. Don’t do it to be the next superstar or to make millions of dollars. If those things happen, then great, but don’t make that the reason you do it. Collaborate with as many people as you can, that’s how we grow as musicians. Most of all enjoy what you do.
Check out Anvil Online here https://www.facebook.com/anvilmetal/
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