This interview was conducted by Dave Roberts of ExtremeGuitars.com. We have published some of his Ax Facts & Stats interviews before and seeingas how they are so popular we hope to bring your more.
My name is: Bryan Bassett.
My current job is: Lead and Slide Guitarist for Foghat.
My hometown: Born in Pittsburgh PA currently living in New Smyrna FL.
My current album or project is: Last Train Home.
Former bands: Wild Cherry, Molly Hatchet.
My guitar influences growing up were: The British Invasion blues guitarist Beck, Clapton, Peter Green, and Jimmy Page.
The guitars I use are: Gibson '61 SG reissue, Gibson Les Paul, '96 Schecter California Custom PT.
The strings and tunings I use are: D’Addario 9.5 set and .10 set ….Standard and open E tunings.
My current rig setup consists of: Stereo Marshall 900s. G Major effects rack unit, Boss Compressor and tuner, Vox WAWA, Sana Amp MIDI MOUSE.
The greatest invention for guitars is: Humbucker PUs
My normal songwriting process consists of: Working with another talented musician/writer.
My favorite guitar solo from our band: “So Many Roads so Many Trains.”
My favorite all-time guitar solo (from another guitarist): “Comfortably Numb” – Pink Floyd.
Favorite all-time song (any artist) is: “Cant Find My Way Home” – Blind Faith.
Favorite song by our band: “Slow Ride.”
Favorite song to perform in front of a live audience: “Stone Blue.”
My Career highlight thus far is: Playing Pittsburgh’s Civic Arena with my parents in attendance.
My most embarrassing moment on stage: Tripping and falling on stage. Not bad though, most thought it was on purpose.
Other than my guitar and amps, the one piece of my gear that I cannot live without is: iPhone 🙂
The first song I ever mastered on guitar: “Last Time” – Rolling Stones.
My first guitar was: Harmony Rocket I.
The first time I ever heard our band on the radio was: “Play That Funky Music”. After practice in Weirton WV
If I am only sure of one thing in life, it’s: I'm going to play until I drop.
The one ritual I always perform prior to going on stage is: Playing Bejeweled on my iPhone.
The exact moment I knew I would pursue a career in music was: When we started drawing big crowds in the local bars.
The one thing most fans don't know about me is: I'm a computer geek.
The best advice I could give beginning guitarists: Learn your craft and value the importance of being a good rhythm guitarist.
CD(s) I'm listening to right now: Modest Mouse, Peter Gabriel.
My 3 all-time favorite albums: Beck-Ola, Allman Bros Live at the Fillmore, Led Zeppelin 1.
Best gig: all of them!!
Favorite junk food: Twizzlers.
My biggest pet peeve: Out of tune instruments.
The word or catch phrase I say too much is: “Well, you know…”
The hardest part of my job: Early morning flights.
What I like to do in my “off” time: Play with my 3 children.
The first thing I do when I come home from touring is: Flop in my easy chair and whine about traveling for a bit.
Previous or first day job: Door to door magazine sales.
Right after this interview I'm going to: Go to sound check.
I couldn't imagine being on the road without: Headphones.
If I wasn't doing the musician thing, I could really see myself working as: Teacher, Which I just started doing at a college.
Favorite movie: Lord of the Rings.
My mission in life: Be happy and be a good husband and dad.
My guilty pleasure band or artist: Jeff Beck.
My next goal is: Lunch.
The greatest contribution guitars/music have brought into my life is: A lifelong passion.
Check out our Website at: www.foghat.net
The one musician I would love to work with that I have not yet had the chance would be: Jeff Beck.
If I could have three wishes, they would be: good health, good friends, and happy children.
When it's all said and done, I want the world to remember me for: Being a good guy and a pretty good musician.
Copyright 2010 Dave B. Roberts & www.extremeguitars.com & www.AxFactsandStats.com; the web home of Ax Facts & Stats interviews written by Dave Roberts. All materials are Copyright 1999-2010 Dave Roberts and Extremeguitars.com; All Rights Reserved. Used by GuitarSite.com with permission.
Hi Brian I went to grade school St Roeselia I proud to have known you
I’m terribly sorry about your daughter. I graduated with her and she was truly a beautiful and amazing person. I hope she got to finish some of her goals and lived the best life she could considering all aspects. She is missed and loved by many.