Dave Meros
Encyclopedia
Dave Meros is an American
bass guitar
player, best known as the bass player for progressive rock
band Spock's Beard
. Meros has also played with such artists as Gary Myrick, Bobby Kimball
of Toto
, Simon Phillips
, Steve Lukather
, Michael Landau
, Glenn Hughes, Mark Lindsay
of Paul Revere and the Raiders and Big Big Train
, and has the dubious honor of having played for Eric Burdon and The Animals for more consecutive years than any other human (15 years 10 months). He was also tour manager for many of those years and has worked as a tour manager for further artists as well. As a bassist, Meros' musical influences are varied, including Paul McCartney
, John Entwistle
, Chris Squire
, James Jamerson
, Marcus Miller
, Francis "Rocco" Prestia of Tower of Power
, Chuck Rainey
and David Hungate
.
• Studied French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba between the ages of 13 – 18.
- Received Bank of America award for musical achievement, 1974.
- Received John Phillip Souza Band Award, 1974.
- Played in Reno Jazz Festival All Star Band, 1974, as a member of the University of California Jazz Ensembles
.
• Played bass trombone and tuba in the University of California Jazz Ensembles
, 1974–1977, under the direction of Dr. David W. Tucker
.
• Began playing electric bass in 1976 while at the University of California, Berkeley
. Played professionally since 1978. Relocated to Los Angeles early 1985.
• Played bass and tour managed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Eric Burdon and The Animals from January 1990 through November 2005, and toured very extensively worldwide with various bands since the late '80s. His main creative venture since 1994 has been recording and touring with the critically acclaimed progressive rock band Spock's Beard
, that to date has released ten full-length studio CDs plus a large number of live CDs and EPs, Videos, DVDs, and rarities collections. Their tenth studio CD, titled "X" was released in July 2010.
A live DVD was recorded in the Los Angeles area in September 2010 and is due to be released in April 2012.
Also currently plays in the Los Angeles / Orange County based group The Kings Of Classic Rock (a band that incorporates his former "Animals" band mates Dean Restum and Martin Gerschwitz plus David Tyson on lead vocals and ex-Cock Robin (band)
drummer Lou Molino), and Sacramento area based band Rolling Heads featuring Ted Leonard of the prog rock band Enchant.
(Paul Revere and the Raiders) – 1986.
- Gary Myrick
(Geffen recording artist) – 1986 through 1989.
- Bobby Kimball
(Toto
) – 1989.
- Eric Burdon
– January 1990 through November 2005.
- Spock's Beard – 1994 – current.
- The Kings Of Classic Rock - 2007 - current.
4001 bass that's been severely modified to serve a variety of purposes. "A buddy of mine found a really trashed Ric in a pawn shop, and I turned it into a project bass to try to make a 'one bass fits all' for myself" says Meros.
It has a set of Fender Jazz Bass
pickups set in mid-'70s-era spacing (the bridge pickup moved closer to the bridge than in previous incarnations, giving the bass a "tighter" and more midrange tone) as well as the standard set of Rickenbacker pickups in the traditional Ric positions. This gives Meros four pickups total to choose from, with a switch that chooses between the two fairly different "basses", Rickenbacker or Jazz. All four can also be activated at the same time. A BadAss bridge, Hipshot Bass Xtender (otherwise known as a "Hipshot D-Tuner" or simply a "Hipshot" or "D-Tuner" among bassists) for its ability to downtune the low E-string of a bass typically to D at the flip of a lever) and a string mute that Meros can raise or lower with thumb screws (which were fabricated by Meros himself) were also added.
"I did the refinish on the front of the bass, made the pickguard and did a lot of the other little stuff myself, but I had John Carruthers (Venice, CA) do the stuff that really mattered, like route the body for the two extra pickups, cause you only get one chance to do that, and it has to be perfect. He's the man, totally. He also did a really versatile wiring thing for me and one of the most amazing fret jobs I've ever seen."
More recently, after the neck began delaminating from the body, it was completely rebuilt and beautifully refinished by Ed Roman Guitars, Las Vegas NV.
In 2007 Ed Roman built Dave a custom instrument designed with most of the same features and specs as the "Fendenbacker" (see below), with a Rickenbacker-like body shape but with a Fender scale length and neck width and more of a Fender body contouring.
Other basses Meros uses are various Fender Jazz and Precision models (One of his Fender Precision basses was used on 2005's "Gluttons For Punishment" tour" while the Rickenbacker was being repaired), a Carruthers five string, and other fretted and fretless basses.
Other items Meros uses are a Digitech RP-21D tube preamp/digital effects unit for his main tone, distortion, and other effects ("Besides the bass, that's the source of probably 90% of all the sounds that I get"), Eden amplification (Dave's usual bass amp set-up is an Eden WT-800 head, two speaker cabinets: one with 1- EV15" and an EV horn tweeter, one with 1- JBL 15", but often uses rented Eden amps and Eden speaker cabinets on tour when not carrying their own equipment, typically overseas where shipping is a major cost), DR Lo-Rider Strings, Korg Prophecy keyboard triggered by a Fast Forward Designs Midi Step pedal for bass synth.
"For live shows, I go from the bass into the RP-21, then into the amp and mic the amp. In the studio I go from the bass into both a direct box and the RP-21 / POD Pro, then both the DI and the POD go direct into separate channels on the mixing desk."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
player, best known as the bass player for progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
band Spock's Beard
Spock's Beard
Spock's Beard is a progressive rock band formed in 1992 in Los Angeles by brothers Neal and Alan Morse. Neal played keyboards and was the lead vocalist, as well as being the primary songwriter before leaving the band in 2002 to pursue a solo career. Alan plays electric guitar...
. Meros has also played with such artists as Gary Myrick, Bobby Kimball
Bobby Kimball
Robert Troy "Bobby" Kimball is an American singer, best known as the longtime frontman of the rock band Toto.- Early life:...
of Toto
Toto (band)
Toto is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. The group currently consists of Joseph Williams , David Paich , Steve Porcaro , Steve Lukather , Mike Porcaro , and Simon Phillips . Toto is known for a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard...
, Simon Phillips
Simon Phillips
Simon Phillips is an English jazz, pop and rock drummer.-Career:Phillips began to play professionally at the age of twelve in his father's Dixieland band for four years. He was then offered the chance to play in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar...
, Steve Lukather
Steve Lukather
Steve "Luke" Lukather is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, arranger, and record producer best known for his work with the rock band Toto. Lukather has played with many artists, released several solo albums, and worked as a composer, arranger, and session guitarist on more than 1,500 albums...
, Michael Landau
Michael Landau
Michael Landau is a prolific session musician and guitarist who has played on a large number of albums since the early 1980s with artists as varied as Seal, James Taylor, Helen Watson, Richard Marx, Steve Perry, Pink Floyd and Miles Davis...
, Glenn Hughes, Mark Lindsay
Mark Lindsay
Mark Lindsay is an American musician, best known as the singer for the group Paul Revere & the Raiders.-Biography:Lindsay was born in Eugene, Oregon and was the second of eight children...
of Paul Revere and the Raiders and Big Big Train
Big Big Train
Big Big Train is an English progressive rock band that was founded in 1990. Based in Bournemouth, England, the band members are Nick D'Virgilio, Dave Gregory, David Longdon, Andy Poole and Gregory Spawton....
, and has the dubious honor of having played for Eric Burdon and The Animals for more consecutive years than any other human (15 years 10 months). He was also tour manager for many of those years and has worked as a tour manager for further artists as well. As a bassist, Meros' musical influences are varied, including Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
, John Entwistle
John Entwistle
John Alec Entwistle was an English bass guitarist, songwriter, singer, horn player, and film and record producer who was best known as the bass player for the rock band The Who. His aggressive lead sound influenced many rock bass players...
, Chris Squire
Chris Squire
Christopher Russell Edward "Chris" Squire , is an English musician, known as the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for the progressive rock group Yes. He is the only member of the group to appear on every album.-Before Yes:...
, James Jamerson
James Jamerson
James Lee Jamerson was an American bass player. He was the uncredited bassist on most of Motown Records' hits in the 1960s and early 1970s , and he is now regarded as one of the most influential bass players in modern music history...
, Marcus Miller
Marcus Miller
Marcus Miller is an American jazz composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Miller is best known as a bassist, working with trumpeter Miles Davis, singer Luther Vandross, and saxophonist David Sanborn, as well as maintaining a prolific solo career...
, Francis "Rocco" Prestia of Tower of Power
Tower of Power
Tower of Power is an American R&B-based horn section and band, originating in Oakland, California, that has been performing for over 43 years. They are best known for their funky soul sound highlighted by a powerful horn section...
, Chuck Rainey
Chuck Rainey
Chuck Rainey, is an American bass guitar session musician, known for playing with many well-known American musicians and acts, including Donald Byrd, Steely Dan, Quincy Jones, and Aretha Franklin.-Biography:Rainey's youthful pursuits included violin, piano and trumpet...
and David Hungate
David Hungate
David Hungate is a bass player noted as a member of Los Angeles pop-rock band Toto from 1977-1982. Boz Scaggs's Silk Degrees album of 1976 included Hungate and several other future members of Toto...
.
Musical history
Meros began studying classical piano at age 9, five years formal training.• Studied French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba between the ages of 13 – 18.
- Received Bank of America award for musical achievement, 1974.
- Received John Phillip Souza Band Award, 1974.
- Played in Reno Jazz Festival All Star Band, 1974, as a member of the University of California Jazz Ensembles
University of California Jazz Ensembles
The University of California Jazz Ensembles, also known as the UC Jazz Ensembles, UC Jazz, or UCJE, is the student jazz organization founded in 1967 on the University of California, Berkeley, campus. Founded in 1967, it comprises one or more big bands, numerous jazz combos, a vocal jazz ensemble,...
.
• Played bass trombone and tuba in the University of California Jazz Ensembles
University of California Jazz Ensembles
The University of California Jazz Ensembles, also known as the UC Jazz Ensembles, UC Jazz, or UCJE, is the student jazz organization founded in 1967 on the University of California, Berkeley, campus. Founded in 1967, it comprises one or more big bands, numerous jazz combos, a vocal jazz ensemble,...
, 1974–1977, under the direction of Dr. David W. Tucker
David W. Tucker
David W. Tucker was a jazz trombonist, music educator, composer of band and orchestral music, record producer, and marching band arranger, most renowned as the director of the University of California Jazz Ensembles from 1969 until 1985...
.
• Began playing electric bass in 1976 while at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. Played professionally since 1978. Relocated to Los Angeles early 1985.
• Played bass and tour managed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Eric Burdon and The Animals from January 1990 through November 2005, and toured very extensively worldwide with various bands since the late '80s. His main creative venture since 1994 has been recording and touring with the critically acclaimed progressive rock band Spock's Beard
Spock's Beard
Spock's Beard is a progressive rock band formed in 1992 in Los Angeles by brothers Neal and Alan Morse. Neal played keyboards and was the lead vocalist, as well as being the primary songwriter before leaving the band in 2002 to pursue a solo career. Alan plays electric guitar...
, that to date has released ten full-length studio CDs plus a large number of live CDs and EPs, Videos, DVDs, and rarities collections. Their tenth studio CD, titled "X" was released in July 2010.
A live DVD was recorded in the Los Angeles area in September 2010 and is due to be released in April 2012.
Also currently plays in the Los Angeles / Orange County based group The Kings Of Classic Rock (a band that incorporates his former "Animals" band mates Dean Restum and Martin Gerschwitz plus David Tyson on lead vocals and ex-Cock Robin (band)
Cock Robin (band)
Cock Robin is an American pop rock band, mostly popular in the 1980s, particularly in continental Europe where they became famous. The band was founded by singer-songwriter Peter Kingsbery in 1982, disbanded in 1990, and reformed in 2006.-History:...
drummer Lou Molino), and Sacramento area based band Rolling Heads featuring Ted Leonard of the prog rock band Enchant.
Touring experience
- Mark LindsayMark Lindsay
Mark Lindsay is an American musician, best known as the singer for the group Paul Revere & the Raiders.-Biography:Lindsay was born in Eugene, Oregon and was the second of eight children...
(Paul Revere and the Raiders) – 1986.
- Gary Myrick
Gary Myrick
-Career:Born in Dallas, Texas, Gary Myrick played guitar and sang in Dallas and neighboring Fort Worth starting as a teenager. Eventually, he built a significant enough reputation to be asked to join Austin, Texas band Kracker Jack, replacing Stevie Ray Vaughan who had left to begin his solo...
(Geffen recording artist) – 1986 through 1989.
- Bobby Kimball
Bobby Kimball
Robert Troy "Bobby" Kimball is an American singer, best known as the longtime frontman of the rock band Toto.- Early life:...
(Toto
Toto (band)
Toto is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1977. The group currently consists of Joseph Williams , David Paich , Steve Porcaro , Steve Lukather , Mike Porcaro , and Simon Phillips . Toto is known for a musical style that combines elements of pop, rock, soul, funk, progressive rock, hard...
) – 1989.
- Eric Burdon
Eric Burdon
Eric Victor Burdon is an English singer-songwriter best known as a founding member and vocalist of rock band The Animals, and the funk rock band War and for his aggressive stage performance...
– January 1990 through November 2005.
- Spock's Beard – 1994 – current.
- The Kings Of Classic Rock - 2007 - current.
Equipment
Dave's main bass is what he terms his "Fendenbacker". It's a RickenbackerRickenbacker
Rickenbacker International Corporation, also known as Rickenbacker, is an electric and bass guitar manufacturer based in Santa Ana, California...
4001 bass that's been severely modified to serve a variety of purposes. "A buddy of mine found a really trashed Ric in a pawn shop, and I turned it into a project bass to try to make a 'one bass fits all' for myself" says Meros.
It has a set of Fender Jazz Bass
Fender Jazz Bass
The Jazz Bass was the second model of electric bass created by Leo Fender. The bass is distinct from the Precision Bass in that its tone is brighter and richer in the midrange and treble with less emphasis on the fundamental harmonic...
pickups set in mid-'70s-era spacing (the bridge pickup moved closer to the bridge than in previous incarnations, giving the bass a "tighter" and more midrange tone) as well as the standard set of Rickenbacker pickups in the traditional Ric positions. This gives Meros four pickups total to choose from, with a switch that chooses between the two fairly different "basses", Rickenbacker or Jazz. All four can also be activated at the same time. A BadAss bridge, Hipshot Bass Xtender (otherwise known as a "Hipshot D-Tuner" or simply a "Hipshot" or "D-Tuner" among bassists) for its ability to downtune the low E-string of a bass typically to D at the flip of a lever) and a string mute that Meros can raise or lower with thumb screws (which were fabricated by Meros himself) were also added.
"I did the refinish on the front of the bass, made the pickguard and did a lot of the other little stuff myself, but I had John Carruthers (Venice, CA) do the stuff that really mattered, like route the body for the two extra pickups, cause you only get one chance to do that, and it has to be perfect. He's the man, totally. He also did a really versatile wiring thing for me and one of the most amazing fret jobs I've ever seen."
More recently, after the neck began delaminating from the body, it was completely rebuilt and beautifully refinished by Ed Roman Guitars, Las Vegas NV.
In 2007 Ed Roman built Dave a custom instrument designed with most of the same features and specs as the "Fendenbacker" (see below), with a Rickenbacker-like body shape but with a Fender scale length and neck width and more of a Fender body contouring.
Other basses Meros uses are various Fender Jazz and Precision models (One of his Fender Precision basses was used on 2005's "Gluttons For Punishment" tour" while the Rickenbacker was being repaired), a Carruthers five string, and other fretted and fretless basses.
Other items Meros uses are a Digitech RP-21D tube preamp/digital effects unit for his main tone, distortion, and other effects ("Besides the bass, that's the source of probably 90% of all the sounds that I get"), Eden amplification (Dave's usual bass amp set-up is an Eden WT-800 head, two speaker cabinets: one with 1- EV15" and an EV horn tweeter, one with 1- JBL 15", but often uses rented Eden amps and Eden speaker cabinets on tour when not carrying their own equipment, typically overseas where shipping is a major cost), DR Lo-Rider Strings, Korg Prophecy keyboard triggered by a Fast Forward Designs Midi Step pedal for bass synth.
"For live shows, I go from the bass into the RP-21, then into the amp and mic the amp. In the studio I go from the bass into both a direct box and the RP-21 / POD Pro, then both the DI and the POD go direct into separate channels on the mixing desk."