Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I hope some of you chaps are familiar with Colin and his amazing bass playing with XTC. Although Colin doesn't own a Rick he discusses them quite favorably in a recent interview that focused on his song "Frivolous Tonight" from the "Apple Venus" disc.

TB: Do you remember which bass you played on this song?

CM: Yeah, it was the Vox. An old-fashioned Vox Apollo.

TB: That was the bass you got from T-Bone Burnett?

CM: Indeed. I love it. It's got real old-fashioned bassiness.

TB: It really punches through nicely on this song.

CM: I'm not sure "punch" would be the appropriate word -- for me, it's "balls of bass," you know? It's not got any bark about it, which a lot of active-circuit basses and modern basses do.

TB: I guess that's what I meant by "punch" -- it's a very round-yet-forceful tone.

CM: Yeah. I love that McCartneyesque "Rain" sound, or the sound he gets on "Paperback Writer." I think that's one of the best bass sounds ever. Nobody's topped it yet.

TB: Given that, have you ever thought about getting a Rickenbacker? Have you ever had one?

CM: I wish someone would give me one! [laughs] My son is a fan of The Groundhogs. He talks to the drummer of that band quite a bit, and I always loved the sound of the bass player, who had a Rickenbacker. His name is Pete Cruickshank, I think. I said to Lee, "Ask the drummer if Pete's still got that Rickenbacker bass, and does he want to sell it?" [laughs] So I'm still waiting on that one.

There are different types of Rickenbacker basses, of course. I think Paul McCartney had an early 4001. Of course, there are subtle differences in the later ones that came out, so it's not that simple.

TB: Chris Squire is also famous for using a Rickenbacker, of course.

CM: Indeed! That guy sold more Rickenbacker basses than any bugger! In the '70s, everyone wanted one after hearing "Roundabout."

TB: Talk about a distinctive sound....

CM: Exactly. He used to have a lot more bark on his. Another player was Dave Paton, from the band Pilot. You don't know Pilot, do you?

TB: No, I haven't heard of them.

CM: They're an English group that had some really good Pop singles in the '70s. Have you heard "Magic"? [sings] "Oh, oh, oh, it's magic"...

TB: Oh, sure! Of course.

CM: That's Pilot. They had a follow-up called "January," I think. Very good guitar player, as well. I always liked the bass sound that Dave Paton got, and he had a Rickenbacker as well. Of course, Maurice Gibb also used to also play one on those disco hits. That sounded great as well.

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colin is yet another wonderfully inventive/melodic english bass player---good to hear him mention the (mighty) groundhogs and pilot as well. pete cruikshank was a big favorite of mine from the 70's,but i remember him playing a custom zemaitis bass rather than a ricky...."i loves you,miss ogney" is a great track.....thank u for posting that!

Ah, Colin Moulding! One of the best, most understated, tuneful bassist to play before the Fall of Taste and Decline of all Things Musical in Western Civilization.

He was yin to Andy's yang -or the other way around. Great musician.

ah Colin Moulding, I always reference him to bass players. He is a working creative original bass players' bass player.
He is the one that put the Epiphone "Newport" on the map for me.
Listen to the hits first if you have to....Towers of London, Senses working overtime. A nod to the fabs, but he rides no coattails, trust me
"Life begins at the hop" is in my top 10!

I'm sure I saw Colin playing a Rick in the video for 'Mayor of Simpleton'. And yes, XTC were great.

chucksimms wrote:I'm sure I saw Colin playing a Rick in the video for 'Mayor of Simpleton'. And yes, XTC were great.

No you didn't, it was a very cheesy Ric copy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Da9sc6YDBo

Whatever bass was played on the recording sounds totally bitchen!

His beloved Ibanez faker!

shamustwin wrote:Whatever bass was played on the recording sounds totally bitchen!

I can help there. It was a Wal Custom on that track.It was one of the few tracks where Andy Partridge essentially wrote his bass line for him too if I'm not mistaken. He wanted all these implied notes in it, so had to be sure it was played as intended. Colin did put his own stamp on it though.

Joe Jackson also wrote the bulk of the bass part for "Sunday Papers," which bassist Graham Maby will freely relate to anyone. I know this has nothing to do with XTC, but it's a neat factoid.

My favorite Ric 12-string part is probably Dave Gregory's part on "Senses Working Overtime." I usually relate that every time I post in an XTC thread.

Great song.

bummer; the original video is no longer available on You Tube, just a couple of live performances.

rickboy88 wrote:Joe Jackson also wrote the bulk of the bass part for "Sunday Papers," which bassist Graham Maby will freely relate to anyone. I know this has nothing to do with XTC, but it's a neat factoid..

I've met Graham a couple of times, very nice guy...just had a conversation about how that little half step bass note in "Is she really going out with him" has made its' way into the collective consciousness of all powerpop bassists, and sympathizers of course!
I don't know if Colin has achieved/lucked out w/ that yet??

I'd like to get a good email address for Graham again! We conversed a couple of times when he had a website with email shown. Yes, very nice fellow. He emailed me when he put his "Look Sharp" bass on ebay. It sold for way more than I could have paid for it.

My fiance and I have seen Joe Jackson (and Graham) play in Boulder twice in the last year or two. He plays on Joe's latest CD with the original "Look Sharp" drummer. They were good concerts. Graham has gone to a 5-string bass with big humbucker sound, but at times he'll use a pick and get some edge.