As the world continues to recover from the Coronavirus, we’re all finding ourselves in unfamiliar territory given the subsequent lockdown that is keeping us off of stages and confined to our homes. Luckily, there’s comfort in the fact that we’re all in this together, and that there are still many outlets for us musicians to keep us active and sane throughout this quarantine. We’re checking in with bass players from all over the world to see what they’re doing to stay entertained, healthy, productive, and safe during this trying time. 

Bass Player: Vincent Dennis

Bands & Artists: Body Count

Home: Sun Valley, California

How have you been passing time during the lockdown?

I’ve been watching tons of music documentaries, writing lots of new music, staying indoors, and staying safe, as I encourage others to do.

What have you been working on in terms of your bass practice routine?

Honestly, I don’t have a bass practice routine because I do a lot of recording and that helps more than anything with my time, chops, note selection, and more.

What music, songs, recordings, artists, bass players have you been listening to as a source of comfort and inspiration that you can recommend?

I’m not listening to any players or genre in particular. I have four iPods and they’re always on shuffle, so I listen to whoever is playing bass on the song. The artists include Elvis, Pestilience, Morbid Angel, Discharge, Prince, TSOL, Con Funk Shun, Carol Kaye, Japan, Motorhead, Marvin Gaye. There are tons of great bass players!

What bass gear have you been playing and trying out?

I use Hartke amps. I’ve been trying out EBS, Darkglass, and Pigtronix bass pedals, the latter of which I used on the latest Body Count album, Carnivore.

What non-music activities books, shows, movies, or workout recommendations do you have?

I’ve been watching and listening to tons of Led Zeppelin; John Paul Jones and John Bonham, those two are pure maniacs when it comes to holding the rhythm and the groove.

What projects do you have coming up when the world gets going again?

I’m a guitar, bass, and keyboard tech, and I’m more than ready for the world to resume working again. I know it’s going to be insane; everyone is going to want to get out there at the same time. As for Body Count, we will resume our plans.

What advice can you offer fellow bassists for staying positive and keeping morale high?

Stay positive, stay safe, don’t lose sight of your goals, and hang in there; this will all be over someday soon.

Read all 180+ Bass Magazine Check-in Features: Here

All check-ins compiled and edited by Jon D’Auria & Chris Jisi