Anti-Heroes with Zach Blair – Details, episodes & analysis

Ruinous Media and The Anti-Heroes podcast would like to welcome Why Bass?

Why Bass? Is a podcast that shifts the focus from a bass players history and curriculum vitae to that age old question - why would anyone want to play the bass guitar? Donivan Blair asks this question with bassist’s of all styles and ranges on each episode and allows the guest to tell the audience in their own words who inspired them, why they chose the instrument and their gear of choice.

‘Why Bass?’ Is hosted by Donivan Blair who does not understand why anyone needs more than four strings and has been obsessed with the bass guitar since 1985. He started the punk band Hagfish with brother Zach in 1991, left their hometown of Sherman, TX and never looked back. Touring the world with Only Crime and Armstrong led him to joining the Toadies in 2008. Donivan knows why he plays the bass but is curious to find out why others have decided to follow this particular yellow brick road.

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Jim Dunlop

Schecter Guitars

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Schecter Guitars

Hello! Zach here with a wrap on season 7. I still can’t believe I’ve been able to sit down with friends, family and strangers and chat about the thing I love most.... guitars, gear and music! Music has benefitted my life in countless ways and you, the listeners, have supported me on this journey. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

I also send this season off by re-introducing myself and letting you know where I stand outside of the music world.

Thank you! Until next season!

Rise Against

Episode supported by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Schecter Guitars⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode supported by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Distrokid⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode supported by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jim Dunlop⁠⁠

Mentioned in this episode:

Schecter Guitars

Dunlop

Josh Caterer is the singer and guitarist for Smoking Popes.  In this episode, Zach and Josh reminisce about their long-standing friendship and musical journeys. They talk about their punk rock evolution and the influences that shaped their respective bands.  The two discuss importance of brotherhood in music, the origins of Smoking Popes, and the band's hiatus and eventual return to the scene. Their shared experiences and insights that look at the music industry and the connections formed through it.  Josh and Zach discuss the unique chemistry that different band members bring to a group, the challenges and dynamics of lineup changes, and the importance of collaboration in music. They delve into the creative process behind the newest single featuring Scott Lucas, discuss gear and the significance of their musical journey.

Smoking Popes

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Episode supported by ⁠⁠Distrokid⁠⁠

Episode supported by ⁠Better Help⁠. Visit betterhelp.com/antiheroes for 10% of your first month. We're all better with help.

Episode supported by ⁠⁠⁠Jim Dunlop⁠⁠

Mentioned in this episode:

Dunlop

Schecter Guitars

Zach and Frank explore their intersecting musical careers, the challenges of identity and imposter syndrome, and the joy of creating music together. They discuss the formation of L.S. Dunes during the pandemic, the importance of collaboration, and the rediscovery of their passion for music. They focus on the Ernie Ball Stingray, highlighting its impact on their songwriting and performance. Frank discusses his guitar rig setup, thebalance between analog and digital gear, and the importance of personal connection to instruments. He shares insights on his experiences with touring, the evolution of his sound, and the nostalgia tied to past gear. The discussion highlights the creative process and the unique relationship musicians have with their instruments, emphasizing that there are no wrong ways to play music.

Frank Iero

Episode supported by Schecter Guitars

Episode supported by ⁠Distrokid⁠

Episode supported by Better Help. Visit betterhelp.com/antiheroes for 10% of your first month. We're all better with help.

Episode supported by ⁠⁠Jim Dunlop⁠⁠

Mentioned in this episode:

Schecter Guitars

Dunlop

Steve Bartek is a film and tv composer, an arranger, an orchestrator and is also known for his work playing guitar in and co-producing the iconic new wave band, Oingo Boingo. Zach and Steve discuss Steve’s diverse musical background and how he put his vast music education to use, resulting in an on-going and long career in the business, often collaborating with longtime friend and colleague, Danny Elfman. Steve share’s his view on the importance of collaboration, why he prefers Fender guitars and Mesa Boogie amps and we get his take on using analog pedals as a favorite source of distortion. We learn why Steve is skeptical of digital amps, what he's up to now and looking forward to in the near future.

Steve Bartek

Oingo Boingo

The Strawberry Alarm Clock

Episode support by Distrokid and Jim Dunlop

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Mentioned in this episode:

Schecter Guitars

Dunlop

Eva Gardner is a bass player from Los Angeles. She is a founding member of The Mars Volta and for 15+ years has recorded and toured extensively with P!NK, Veruca Salt, Tegan and Sara, Cher and Gwen Stefani. Eva shares her experience growing up in LA and how her father, bassist Kim Gardner (The Creation) informed her choices on her musical journey. The two discuss the Eva’s early music aspirations, how that led to her joining up with The Mars Volta and how she sees common music industry challenges as opportunities for growth. Eva tells us why she values collaboration, exploring new styles and how being a session musician has reinforced this perspective. Eva shares us how her first bass, a gift from her father, remains a significant, why a balance of touring and personal projects is important to her and of course, Zach and Eva talk gear.

EVA GARDNER

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Dunlop

Schecter Guitars

Pete Loeffler is a guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist for Chevelle. Bonded since the pandemic, Zach and Pete discuss their shared experiences of being in a band with a sibling, the challenges of those relationships and what methods they use to navigate complicated band dynamics and touring fatigue. They delve into tuning, how it informs style and why Pete started playing a baritone. The two talk gear, recovering stolen gear and the newest Chevelle record.

CHEVELLE

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Dunlop

Schecter Guitars

Justin Pearson is a singer, bass player, podcaster (CULT AND CULTURE PODCAST) and operates the record label Three One G. He has recorded, toured with, and founded such bands as The Locust, Dead Cross, Deaf Club and Retox. He latest project, Planet B, is a collaboration with Luke Henshaw that celebrates hip-hop, hardcore and noise, all coated with a danceable sheen of Sci-Fi.  Justin and Zach share their mutual love for the San Diego scene, celebrating San Diego luminaries Rocket from the Crypt, The Locust, and Crash Worship. They talk synths, anonymity in performance, and the importance of creating a reaction from the audience. They discuss their appreciation of unconventional art and their shared love for the Dan Armstrong bass.  Last, two discuss gear and the possibility of future collaborations.

Three One G

Cult and Culture

Deaf Club

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Dunlop

Schecter Guitars

Conan Neutron is a singer, guitarist and founding member of Conan Neutron and The Secret Friends. He also hosts his long running podcast, Conan Neutron’s Protonic Reversal. Conan shares the motivation behind his podcast and why providing a platform for musicians to connect is so important to him. Zach and Conan discuss the concept behind Secret Friends, what it’s like to play with Dale Crover and the evolution of the lineup.  Conan also talks about his previous bands, Replicator and Victory and Associates.  The two discuss the Caterwaul Festival, Milwaukee’s Summer Fest, and the mid-west versus the California scene.  They talk gear, aluminum neck guitars, the significance of reliable equipment on the road and story behind the Conan’s love for Electric Guitar Company guitars.  The conversation concludes with a discussion on influences and their favorite riffs.

CONAN NEUTRON SECRET FRIENDS

PROTONIC REVERSAL

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Dunlop

Sam Coomes is a singer, multi-instrumentalist and co-founder of Portland based band Quasi. Since 1983, Sam has recorded, toured and performed with Heatmiser, Elliott Smith, The Donner Party, Jandek and fronts his solo project, Blues Goblins. Sam shares his musical journey, from playing trumpet in school band to becoming a guitarist and keyboardist in Quasi. He discusses his influences, from Robert Fripp to punk rock and how it opened him up to other styles of music. Zach and Sam discuss the importance of collaboration, the challenges of playing as a two piece and why Janet Weiss is instrumental in creating the Quasi sound. We learn why Sam prefers affordable guitars, how he went from playing guitar to keyboards and the two commiserate on being from the same tiny town in North Texas.

QUASI

SUB POP

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Schecter Guitars

Dunlop