Doug, if you ever get a chance to read this. Dude, not to sound like a little girl, but, you are MY Chris Squire. Been grooving on everything that your moving for many years now. We were supposed to see you early this summer, but, ended up being so broke that I remember wanting to break down. Ended up having to sell my US Tele Dlx. Sad day. We're still hoping to see Kings-X come around again. I had played Pro/Semi-Pro bass for a lot of years. I've tried to emulate your tone, without really intending to do so, just could never get over the MIND-BLOW of your style. This interview has been around for so long, I'm amazed I missed it. Their are others, but, this was different. I'm sure that all of your fans would agree. You can't often get under the veneer with the scripted things, if you feel me. Been playing guitar for a quasi-garage band, working on some original stuff. Now If find myself dorking around with Ty's parts to fit a cover or two into a set. Whole different ball game (Ty rocks, Jerry too you are together very organic - Yes or Beatle-like, sure you've heard that before). Anyway, enuff of the star-struck, self-indulgent rant. Just to say, I feel you. Thanks for sharing with us.
It's so great to see how passionate Doug is about music. King's X, for me, are one of the greatest rock bands ever. It's the geniune love of music that makes those guys truly unique.
One of the most underrated bass players ever !!! His bass work is phenomenal.....and seeing Kings X live was a highlight of my life !! You rock DUG !!!
I became a huge fan of King's X in 1990. I love them today the same as I did back then. Dug has been the single biggest influence for me as a bass player. Love him. Met him once. Very kind person.
Doug is a good example of it never being too late to start playing a instrument. 23 is actually a late start even though its a young age. I started at 11 and began playing very seriously by 13 so by the time I was 23 I was really good but my dad started playing when I did, he must have been in his early 40's. My Aunt's husband started playing banjo in his 50's and now he plays out with other people and really loves it. There are several musicians in my family and I'm the only one who started before my 20's. I'm really glad I started young. Its cool that my elders come to me for advice and information about music but its even cooler that they were inspired to play and they actually went for it. I had some friends I tried to teach when I was around 17 and they were around 20 - 21 but sadly they didn't stick to it. I think when your older you want results quicker than is possible without intense practice. When your young you have the time to practice for hours and hours all day long. I couldn't have done that in my 20's. My practice regiment in my later years was cut down to a couple hours a day but even that much practice will produce results. The point is if you want to play then just do it. Its never too late. If you dedicate yourself to learning the craft you may be surprised at how much you can accomplish in a relatively short amount of time. Just get the instrument, identify want you want to accomplish and begin working toward that goal. Its very rewarding if you are a music junkie like I am.
Love this perspective. I did start early, I bought my first bass at age 13 and luck landed me in a working cover band the following year, but that's just me. To everyone else I say do what you want to do, as a musician, when you want to do it, no matter how old you are.
Its far beyond the time to recognize a true talent in the worldwide music scene. Doug Pinnick... Musical Genius. He knew the heartbeat theory..........Every great I have met knew to play from the heart.
Doug has always been cool to talk with. Him and Geddy Lee are my favorite bass player's and I'm a guitar player. My dream would jam with kings-x or Rush!
King's X ... Respected by all of their peers; even the ones who managed to crack the mainstream! Still, it's a shame that so many people haven't been exposed them.
I love these Sweetwater interviews, this guy is such a fantastic interviewer. Always asks short, concise questions and just lets the musician do the talking. I don't even have to particularly like the artist he's interviewing and it's just a great interview. In this case I'm a huge King's X fanboy so it just happens to be more awesome - but there are a lot of awful interviewers on the internet these days. You sir, are not one of them. Thanks for another good one!
I've had the Schecter dUg Pinnick signature Baron H Bass for 3 months now and it's absolutely the best 4 string Bass I've ever played. I didn't know, I didn't know. It's a pleadure to play and sounds AWESOME ! Thanks dUg.
I love King's X, I've been hooked since 1989. Schecter is the most Lefty-Friendly guitar companies I know of. They make most all of their models in Left Hand. The prices are reasonable, their well made with name brand hardware.
I first saw Dug in the 80s with Morgan Cryer at my church when I was maybe 13. Didn't know who he was. This black bass player with tall spiked hair looked crazy different than everyone else, wearing all black, walkin around all tall and punk. Crazy! In 1991 I discovered King's X and loved them. It wasn't until years later when I realized Dug from King's X was that crazy looking bass player that toured with Morgan Cryer and played a concert at my church in St Augustine. It was also very likely that Ty and Jerry were on guitar and drums.
Such sincerity in that face. I've only met him the once in a shoeshop of all places but wish I could meet him again to say other things I've thought of since. I hope he is aware of how valued he is 'out here'.
I love this interview. dUg almost reminds me of Sting, the way he describes the role that bass plays in a band. I wish there were more people specifically like him in rock music.
I'm not usually one to go out of my way to bother celebrities, certainly not any of my heroes, but Doug is one exception that I'm certain would be the coolest you'd ever want to meet given the oppportunity. 100% class. Great interview. Although I would argue that Doug's playing is hardly just a mere "thumping"! Also, I've never heard him talk about Chris Squire before, had no idea he was an influence; so cool.
Dug is such a great Bass player I talked to him about his Bass Playing more then his Voice and he said that was cool because most people know him more about his voice I ask him about his Hammer B-12 12 string to his Yamaha and him switching over. His tone and groove is dead on.Great Interview and it looks like he has a new bass on the way.
It nice to confirm what I had originally suspected - what a great guy. He knows he has something special but seems humble and very non-"rock God" about the whole thing. Hoping to see King's X in 2018 in a city near me.
When they are talking around 7:30 to 8:30 or so.. I call that (The Excalibur) moment.. I've played guitar and bass in bands and even though I love to play leads and cool chords on the guitar there is something about holding the right bass that makes you feel like you are holding Excalibur and taking control of the tune.. Big Kings X fan!!
I'm a left-handed player and, even though I've recorded an LP of my guitar-driven songs, I've always played without the strings inverted (unlike dUg obviously!). dUg's introduction to bass sounds like mine to the guitar....ie. untaught....and yet someone must've led him to invert the strings. I'd love to ask him about that if I ever bump into him again. :)
That was interesting the fact that Doug was invited by Greg X Volz to join Petra, which is another good band. I'm glad the way things turned out, though, with Doug Pinnick ending up connecting with Jerry Gaskill and Ty Tabor to form Kings X.
KingsX has a cult following similar to RUSH, their fans are RESPECTED, TREASURED, LOVED, and this feeling extends to live shows, you feel as though you are home, other bands that achieve this are Tesla, Black Label Society, Yes
Doug and Glenn Hughes have the greatest bass tones I've ever heard... If you don't know GH, search for "Music For The Divine" or for the ultimate bass experience, the album "F.U.N.K." from 2008
Alan Lindberg, what do you mean "Doug's self abuses are so bitterly visible"? In the seems very clear and coherent and looks healthy to me, unless you see something I don't.
PLEASE make that Schecter that dUg is playing on the dUg pinnick model. If schecter makes that bass as his signature model, I will buy it right away. That is one beautiful bass. The problem with the one that schecter makes, is that it doesn't have the p-bass configuration, and it sounds nothing like that monster dUg is playing. Schecter please make that bass for dUg so I can buy it.
yeah...if he started playing at 23 then hes old. they started out in Houston back in the day. I remember they were in heavy rotation on Hit Video USA...Im old...
A big part of it is he plays through guitar amps...turns the bass way down and treble really high. At least he used to do it that way when he didn't really use pedals.
I just read that he's always got his tone by running the high frequencies into an ampeg I wanna say svt? (I'm not a bass player). But a big powerful amp. And running the lows thru something a lot less powerful. It sounds completely backwards but that's what he says has been the key to his sound.
I luv King's X like nothing else in music, Doug's self abuses are so bitterly visible, without it King's X would STILL rock the massive crowds! Doug is a Rock Gawd absolute! The curse of over indulgence is a horrible blight on amazing talent. King's X will always have a following awaiting it's rediscovery!
Really man? He was 60 years old during this interview and looks awesome. I've met him twice after shows since then and he still looks great. What are you talking about?
Aside from being a fantastic singer and musician...He is built like he could be a Welterweight contender of Pro Boxing....Ripped and a long reach.. huge hands...Thick skin...
higher than god is cool song but attack on a god in real life is unfortunately. But is your choice. Is like in song title happy. Very cool but words god is decay
Doug will be 67 this year... an amazingly positive guy. The light shines through him... :)
Doug, if you ever get a chance to read this. Dude, not to sound like a little girl, but, you are MY Chris Squire. Been grooving on everything that your moving for many years now. We were supposed to see you early this summer, but, ended up being so broke that I remember wanting to break down. Ended up having to sell my US Tele Dlx. Sad day. We're still hoping to see Kings-X come around again.
I had played Pro/Semi-Pro bass for a lot of years. I've tried to emulate your tone, without really intending to do so, just could never get over the MIND-BLOW of your style. This interview has been around for so long, I'm amazed I missed it. Their are others, but, this was different. I'm sure that all of your fans would agree. You can't often get under the veneer with the scripted things, if you feel me.
Been playing guitar for a quasi-garage band, working on some original stuff. Now If find myself dorking around with Ty's parts to fit a cover or two into a set. Whole different ball game (Ty rocks, Jerry too you are together very organic - Yes or Beatle-like, sure you've heard that before).
Anyway, enuff of the star-struck, self-indulgent rant. Just to say, I feel you. Thanks for sharing with us.
John I really don;t think a class act like Dug would call you down for such a nice compliment.
dUg is absolutely my favorite bass player. That sound, that touch, it's magical.
It's so great to see how passionate Doug is about music. King's X, for me, are one of the greatest rock bands ever. It's the geniune love of music that makes those guys truly unique.
dUg is the man and Kings X is the band.
Great interview.Thanks
Doug is awesome and his vocal abilities are second to none. What a truly great musician!
This guy is a credit to all musicians.
Amazing bass player and lovely guy Doug is . So underrated as a player and singer songwriter also . He oozes class .
Dug Pinnick is an amazing vocalist and musician. Always a great memorable live show!
One of the most underrated bass players ever !!! His bass work is phenomenal.....and seeing Kings X live was a highlight of my life !! You rock DUG !!!
Just saw Kings X in New Haven last week. IT WAS AWESOME. If anyone second thinks seeing them, GO!
I became a huge fan of King's X in 1990. I love them today the same as I did back then. Dug has been the single biggest influence for me as a bass player. Love him. Met him once. Very kind person.
Doug is a good example of it never being too late to start playing a instrument. 23 is actually a late start even though its a young age. I started at 11 and began playing very seriously by 13 so by the time I was 23 I was really good but my dad started playing when I did, he must have been in his early 40's. My Aunt's husband started playing banjo in his 50's and now he plays out with other people and really loves it. There are several musicians in my family and I'm the only one who started before my 20's. I'm really glad I started young. Its cool that my elders come to me for advice and information about music but its even cooler that they were inspired to play and they actually went for it. I had some friends I tried to teach when I was around 17 and they were around 20 - 21 but sadly they didn't stick to it. I think when your older you want results quicker than is possible without intense practice. When your young you have the time to practice for hours and hours all day long. I couldn't have done that in my 20's. My practice regiment in my later years was cut down to a couple hours a day but even that much practice will produce results. The point is if you want to play then just do it. Its never too late. If you dedicate yourself to learning the craft you may be surprised at how much you can accomplish in a relatively short amount of time. Just get the instrument, identify want you want to accomplish and begin working toward that goal. Its very rewarding if you are a music junkie like I am.
Love this perspective. I did start early, I bought my first bass at age 13 and luck landed me in a working cover band the following year, but that's just me. To everyone else I say do what you want to do, as a musician, when you want to do it, no matter how old you are.
Its far beyond the time to recognize a true talent in the worldwide music scene. Doug Pinnick... Musical Genius. He knew the heartbeat theory..........Every great I have met knew to play from the heart.
Doug has always been cool to talk with. Him and Geddy Lee are my favorite bass player's and I'm a guitar player. My dream would jam with kings-x or Rush!
What a cool guy, has one of the coolest bass tones in the business!
King's X ... Respected by all of their peers; even the ones who managed to crack the mainstream! Still, it's a shame that so many people haven't been exposed them.
I love these Sweetwater interviews, this guy is such a fantastic interviewer. Always asks short, concise questions and just lets the musician do the talking. I don't even have to particularly like the artist he's interviewing and it's just a great interview. In this case I'm a huge King's X fanboy so it just happens to be more awesome - but there are a lot of awful interviewers on the internet these days. You sir, are not one of them. Thanks for another good one!
This is the most interesting and engaging interview I've seen in a long time! Great stuff, guys!
I've had the Schecter dUg Pinnick signature Baron H Bass for 3 months now and it's absolutely the best 4 string Bass I've ever played. I didn't know, I didn't know. It's a pleadure to play and sounds AWESOME ! Thanks dUg.
Kings x rocks just saw them last saturday great show
I love King's X, I've been hooked since 1989. Schecter is the most Lefty-Friendly guitar companies I know of. They make most all of their models in Left Hand. The prices are reasonable, their well made with name brand hardware.
Wonderful interview!!!
Met all the guys from Kings X,all very humble and great
amazing!!!
I first saw Dug in the 80s with Morgan Cryer at my church when I was maybe 13. Didn't know who he was. This black bass player with tall spiked hair looked crazy different than everyone else, wearing all black, walkin around all tall and punk. Crazy! In 1991 I discovered King's X and loved them. It wasn't until years later when I realized Dug from King's X was that crazy looking bass player that toured with Morgan Cryer and played a concert at my church in St Augustine. It was also very likely that Ty and Jerry were on guitar and drums.
Such sincerity in that face. I've only met him the once in a shoeshop of all places but wish I could meet him again to say other things I've thought of since. I hope he is aware of how valued he is 'out here'.
Jerry Gaskill (King'xs X drummer) starts his new solo album next month at Michael Wagener's WireWorld Studio.
What a great post....Thank you!!!!!!
Great interview.
I love this interview. dUg almost reminds me of Sting, the way he describes the role that bass plays in a band. I wish there were more people specifically like him in rock music.
I'm not usually one to go out of my way to bother celebrities, certainly not any of my heroes, but Doug is one exception that I'm certain would be the coolest you'd ever want to meet given the oppportunity. 100% class. Great interview. Although I would argue that Doug's playing is hardly just a mere "thumping"! Also, I've never heard him talk about Chris Squire before, had no idea he was an influence; so cool.
I love Doug Pinnick!!!
Monster Man!
Great tone and grooves
Awesome interview!
Dug is such a great Bass player I talked to him about his Bass Playing more then his Voice and he said that was cool because most people know him more about his voice I ask him about his Hammer B-12 12 string to his Yamaha and him switching over. His tone and groove is dead on.Great Interview and it looks like he has a new bass on the way.
I agree. Great interview.
Hell of a good singer and bass player. Awesome dude!
Love King’s X.
It nice to confirm what I had originally suspected - what a great guy. He knows he has something special but seems humble and very non-"rock God" about the whole thing. Hoping to see King's X in 2018 in a city near me.
When they are talking around 7:30 to 8:30 or so.. I call that (The Excalibur) moment.. I've played guitar and bass in bands and even though I love to play leads and cool chords on the guitar there is something about holding the right bass that makes you feel like you are holding Excalibur and taking control of the tune.. Big Kings X fan!!
Doug is my rock N roll hero.
He was 60 in this interview?? Man, dUg ages well. Seems like a super cool guy, would love to hang out with him 👍
Second post..this is a damn good interview so much info!!
The interviewer is also the former defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints
I'm a left-handed player and, even though I've recorded an LP of my guitar-driven songs, I've always played without the strings inverted (unlike dUg obviously!). dUg's introduction to bass sounds like mine to the guitar....ie. untaught....and yet someone must've led him to invert the strings. I'd love to ask him about that if I ever bump into him again. :)
What a killer tone...!
That was interesting the fact that Doug was invited by Greg X Volz to join Petra, which is another good band. I'm glad the way things turned out, though, with Doug Pinnick ending up connecting with Jerry Gaskill and Ty Tabor to form Kings X.
Dug's da Truth!!
Damn, he's 62? Wow. I didn't think he was that old. I just saw King's X a few years ago, and he looked ripped. Good for him.
KingsX i love youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!!
KingsX has a cult following similar to RUSH, their fans are RESPECTED, TREASURED, LOVED, and this feeling extends to live shows, you feel as though you are home, other bands that achieve this are Tesla, Black Label Society, Yes
i definitely agree with that statement 100% plus!
Doug and Glenn Hughes have the greatest bass tones I've ever heard... If you don't know GH, search for "Music For The Divine" or for the ultimate bass experience, the album "F.U.N.K." from 2008
Alan Lindberg, what do you mean "Doug's self abuses are so bitterly visible"? In the seems very clear and coherent and looks healthy to me, unless you see something I don't.
i agree with your statement bout dUg 100%!
right on.
I read in wikipedia that he born in 1950 and I thought someone had done a mistake LOL
Music is the youth fountain
That 'first bass' story isn't in Greg Prato's book!! Great story.
I would have never guessed he was a squire fan
Rockin'
Sweetwater: Which DR bass strings does Pinnick use? Your site has 6 flavors of 4 string DR bass. Thanks!
PLEASE make that Schecter that dUg is playing on the dUg pinnick model. If schecter makes that bass as his signature model, I will buy it right away. That is one beautiful bass. The problem with the one that schecter makes, is that it doesn't have the p-bass configuration, and it sounds nothing like that monster dUg is playing. Schecter please make that bass for dUg so I can buy it.
dUggggggggg !!!
2022
Interviewer looks a lot like an older version of Armoured Skeptic
As great of a sound Petra had over their career, but I can almost imagine Petra's musical direction if he did join Petra.
yeah...if he started playing at 23 then hes old. they started out in Houston back in the day. I remember they were in heavy rotation on Hit Video USA...Im old...
bryfunkenstein He's in his early 60s now. Doesn't look like it for all the road years he's put in.
+schwarzblatt 65
I want Dougs tone. How does he get it?
A big part of it is he plays through guitar amps...turns the bass way down and treble really high. At least he used to do it that way when he didn't really use pedals.
I just read that he's always got his tone by running the high frequencies into an ampeg I wanna say svt? (I'm not a bass player). But a big powerful amp. And running the lows thru something a lot less powerful. It sounds completely backwards but that's what he says has been the key to his sound.
I luv King's X like nothing else in music, Doug's self abuses are so bitterly visible, without it King's X would STILL rock the massive crowds! Doug is a Rock Gawd absolute! The curse of over indulgence is a horrible blight on amazing talent. King's X will always have a following awaiting it's rediscovery!
Alan Lindberg wtf are you talking about?
Dave Decker he doesn't know.
Really man? He was 60 years old during this interview and looks awesome.
I've met him twice after shows since then and he still looks great. What are you talking about?
his fingers make paul gilberts look like stubs
Wonder if he knew Steve Vai......... Flexable.......
He has seventeen half-brothers and sisters, from three mothers and two fathers.
Aside from being a fantastic singer and musician...He is built like he could be a Welterweight contender of Pro Boxing....Ripped and a long reach.. huge hands...Thick skin...
How the hell is this guy in his 60's? He looks 35
The size of Dougs hands. Geez. ha
Mitch mentioned Doug having a girlfriend. I guess he doesnt know Doug is gay... hahaha
Lots of fret buzz.
higher than god is cool song but attack on a god in real life is unfortunately. But is your choice. Is like in song title happy. Very cool but words god is decay