Interview with Billy Sheehan

IWDC: Who/what first influenced you to start playing bass?.

Sheehan: A neighbor "Joe" was a bass player in a band. He started me off, and I took it from there.

IWDC: You have one of the most unique tones in bassdom. What currently comprisesyour rig?

Sheehan: Pearce or Ampeg SVP-BSP Pre-amps, Ashly Compression, Ampeg SVT 4 Pro's, 37 years of cumulative tweaking and fine tuning.

IWDC: How important is your bass and rig to your sound? If you walk into a store, grab any bass and any amp, do you still sound like Billy Sheehan?

Sheehan: People say I do. That's a good thing! Certain things require the equipment to be in sync & cooperative though. I can "get by" on any gear, but the closer to my ideal set-up, the more comfortable I am.

IWDC: Most of us came to know you as a hard rock bass god. What led to you to your jazzier explorations with Niacin?

Sheehan: Just wanted to take a left turn. I never want to be limited to playing one "style". Whenever I break out of one style into another, everything I play benefits. In my opinion, too many players limit themselves. I've played in jazz bands when I first began and have touched on or specialized in dozens of styles. Its quite an adventure to play bass for so long and use it in so many different ways.

IWDC: What sort of exporations/ surprises can we expect from you in the future?

Sheehan: Lots of stuff. New Solo CD (more bass heavy), New Niacin coming, New Steve Vai.

IWDC: Take us through a typical Billy Sheehan practice session. Is there some area of your playing you are currently trying to improve?

Sheehan: All of it! I put as much creative energy into coming up with what & how to practice as I do many other things. It's an art in itself, but one must never get stuck in it and lose sight of its purpose - to play & communicate on your instrument more effectively for what YOU are trying to get across.

I'm always fine tuning, left turning, reversing, rebuilding, recovering, and rehabilitating some aspect of playing. I approach it from every possible angle, backwards, forwards, upside down. WHATEVER it takes to get me to the point where I feel free on my instrument and don't need to think about anything.

IWDC: A young fan comes up to you, stars in his eyes, and tells you that he is taking up bass after hearing you play. What advice do you give him?

Sheehan: Get in a band & start. Simple as that. That's how you will align your priorities very quickly. Don't worry about if you have the right gear or are good enough or anything else. Get in there and START. All else will follow.

IWDC: Is there one skill more important that any other when it comes to playing bass?

Sheehan: Time is essential, but having said that - this is Art. It is what you make of it. What is essential is getting what you have in you out to
another. The bass is a canvas. Paint as you please.

IWDC: What are some of your interests outside of music? Do your non-musical interests influence your music?

Sheehan: They can, but I'm usually focused on music. I don't have many outside interests. I actually still love to just pick that thing up & play. With or without spectators, recording gear, or anything else. I love to play bass. I have them all over my house. I'm so happy (and lucky) that after 37+ year of playing, it is still a supreme joy to me to sit down with it and play.

IWDC: What discs are you currently listening to?

Sheehan: None right now. I'm on tour. I'll go for long periods of no other musical input, then flip flop and listen to stuff every day. Usually all across the stylistic spectrum. Sinatra, Dead Can Dance, Paco DeLucia, Ray Brown, Fear, Judas Priest, Debussy, The Hollies - you name it.