"Bass Rocker" Jimmy Brogan Interview
www.Facebook.com/JBrogan
Interview by Roger Zee (05/04/21)
Roger Zee: Who inspired you to play bass? Do you sing or play any other instruments?
Jimmy Brogan: A friend of mine from the Bronx, Paul Timmons, inspired me to play bass. As a goofy thirteen year old, I would gather after school with a bunch of friends at Paul's house and listen to Beatles and Byrds albums. Mike, Paul's older brother, owned a bass and began teaching us the basics. Although Mike got us started, Paul inspired us with his passion for bass playing!
My major influences include Paul McCartney, John Entwistle, James Jamerson, and Duck Dunn. McCartney hooked me the first time I saw him on The Ed Sullivan Show. Entwistle got me because he used the whole neck. Jamerson and Dunn, because they both used Fender Precision (P) basses and always stay true to the song -- something I desperately try to do. I currently sing some lead and backups for the JAF band. I also play guitar, piano, mandolin. And I'm currently learning the ukelele!
Roger Zee: Tell me about some of the musicians and groups you've gigged and recorded with.
JB: In the Bronx and Westchester, NY, I played with Earth, Split Second, The Kicks, and Fradkin Thorton and Unger who actually used Paul and Linda McCartney to sing backup on their single, "God Bless California." Also worked with George Ravin's Chop Shop and Billy and the Boys.
Up here in the Hudson Valley, NY I worked with The Erol Ogut Band, Hudson Blue, Bark and Bite, The JAF Band, Thrown Together, The Die Hardz, Cruise Control, and Gayle Donnelly. I also made some earlier recordings with Split Second, Ricky Penza, and my own stuff.
RZ: What basses, strings, and amplifiers do you currently use?
JB: I favor Fender Jazz Basses. Got four. Also own a super P Bass that I currently use for recording with the band Rowynn. Also love to play live on a Fender PJ Jazz with Seymore Dunan Quarter Pounders. While rehearsing, I play a Peavy Grind bass. For strings, I use D'Addario NYXL 45-100. For amps, I use a Trace Elliot 715b head, given to me by Bill Mazolli of the Happy Crabs band, and a Trace Elliot 4-10 cab with a Trace Elliot Elf for standby backup. On smaller gigs, I bring a TC Electronics 2-10s. I practice with a Fender Bronco 40.
RZ: Do you teach bass privately?
JB: No! it requires patience. I have none!
RZ: Talk about what and how you practice.
JB: Usually two hours of scales, riffs, and new tunes. I also go over my bands' song lists and try to get them better.
RZ: How has the Pandemic affected you? What's on the horizon?
JB: Well it obviously killed the eight gigs a month I used to play. The clubs got hit hard. Business didn't seem that great before this mess. But some club owners continue to fight the good fight! I see gigs coming back but at a slow rate. Full bands now compete with duos which I find a little disturbing.
RZ: Describe your most special and/or unusual gig.
JB: I imagine my most memorable gig came when we opened up for Blood, Sweat, and Tears with Fradkin Thorton and Unger in Connecticut. My most unusual gig? Probably with Split Second on a night I decided to dance onstage while doing Prince's 1999 and got my P bass stuck in a chandelier!
RZ: How do you see the future of the music business?
JB: I see a big rush to original music streamed online and so I started recording in Connecticut towards that goal. Lets face it, live gigging, though I love it, seems stagnant.
RZ: What advice do you give up-and-coming musicians?
JB: Find your sound and stick to it. Ask an old timer for advice. Don't give up. Remember, all the record companies rejected The Beatles!
RZ: Why do you dress like you do on stage?
JB: I always feel the need to outdress my audience in Rock 'n' Roll fashion. No one wants to see someone looking like the lawn guys!
RZ: Do you live with any animals?
JB: Yes, with my Rock and Roll cat, Richter. Love him!
YouTube - Purple Rain - JAF Band Live
©2021 Roger Zee
