"Rock Bassist" Tommy Dowd Interview
On Facebook
Interview by Roger Zee (05/25/22)
Roger Zee: Who inspired you to take up the bass? Do you sing or play any other instruments?
Tommy Dowd: My father loved music and high fidelity. I used to sit on his lap, probably from birth, and he'd sing an entire Irish songbook to me, eg. "Oh Danny Boy." So subliminally, I absorbed that. Also seeing the first wave of the British invasion on the Ed Sullivan show -- The Beatles, Dave Clark Five, Herman's Hermits. It opened up my mind to bands.
During grammar school, I grew up listening to AM top 40 radio. And then the second British invasion really blew me away -- Zeppelin, Cream, Black Sabbath, Queen, Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, etc. Watching them all at Madison Square Garden pretty much set the ground work.
At that point I did sound for my friend's band and began learning the bass. When I got to a point where I could play, though not very well I should say, myself and a drummer would go on all the auditions throughout the city. A brutal way to learn but pretty valuable experience. I don't sing or play any other instruments.
RZ: Tell me about some of the musicians and groups you gigged and recorded with.
TD: My first band was Speed Racer. Then came Racer X, Tokyo Rose, U2 Tribute Vertigo, and a few others that escape my mind at the moment.
RZ: What basses/string/amps do you currently use?
TD: That's a whole page. My first real new bass was a 1973 Fender Precision that eventually got stolen out of my car in Greenwich Village, NY. Next came a Washburn Rudy Sarzo bass. Now I rotate a 1985 Fender Jazz Bass Special, a 2021 Fender Precision, a 1950's reissue, a 1987 Fender Jazz Bass Special, and an Ibanez SR/GR500.
First amp was an Acoustic 120, Now I run Eden Cabs, 2-10 and 2-12's, with Eden heads, a WT 600 and WT 900, also a Ampeg SVT pro 7 that I play with all cabs and a home made 1-15" that I'm starting to love -- just more bass with a 15" speaker, LOL. I use Allen and Heath mixers, Sennheiser mics, and a DBX vocal compressor.
RZ: Talk about your home studio.
TD: Its pretty much all the above equipment set up in my basement when not gigging.
RZ: What and how do you practice.
TD: I constantly go over all my current set lists. However, to keep my fingers going and to learn, I always play John Paul Jones, Geezer Butler, Jack Bruce, Paul McCartney, etc. I like to practice at almost stage volume. I feel that's the only way to perfect your tone.
RZ: Do you teach music privately?
TD: No.
RZ: Tell me about your internet radio station, RocketRadio.NYC.
About five years ago, I launched an internet radio station that broadcasts world wide. Our motto's "Live, Love, Rock." I used to go live with my female co-host, Robin Rich. We'd go out to dinner, get lit, then come back to the studio and do a live broadcast. The great chemistry between us made for very entertaining radio!
Unfortunately, doing the shows at a high level required 40 hours a week and I just could not make the time. The station still streams and people continue to show interest. I'm working on firing up those rocket engines again -- hopefully by June 1, 2022. Will keep you posted. Follow me at Tommy Dowd on Facebook.
RZ: How has the Pandemic affected you?
TD: I had booked a big St. Patrick event on On March 17, 2019 at the Winery with Vertigo, my U2 Tribute band. I hired Irish Dancers, a bag pipe player, and took out radio spots on WXPK. Then on March 15, COVID became official and they cancelled the gig.
RZ: What's on the horizon?
TD: Very good question. Keeping a band or two together's not an easy task. I really just want to be in one high quality project. However easier said than done. Looking forward to outdoor gigs.
RZ: Describe your most special and/or unusual gig.
TD: Have to say my most special gig probably was my first one at CBGB's -- playing with Racer X.
RZ: How do you see the future of the music business?
TD: As far as live performances in local venues, sorry to say the big picture looks bleak. When I go to clubs now, it's all Baby Boomers on the stage. Do the math. Once our generation's gone, I feel the Millennials, X gen, Y gen , Z gen don't have the work ethic to keep a band together.
RZ: What advice do you give up-and-coming musicians?
TD: Rule #1: practice, practice, practice. Rule #2 and most important: don't waste time. Always surround yourself with the best musicians possible. Even if they're better than you, eventually you will catch up. A band's like a relationship and you know how you can waste years in a bad one.
RZ: Do you live with any animals?
TD: No. Not a fan of animals running through my house hawking the dinner table, etc.
RZ: Anything else you'd like to add?
TD: On Friday, May 27th, I'm playing a Wounded Warrior Benefit at Lucy's in Pleasantville, NY with three of my bands -- U2 Tribute Band Vertigo, Tokyo Rose, and Jessica and the Boys.
YouTube - "Whole Lotta Shaking Goin' On" - Tokyo Rose
YouTube - "Bullet the Blue Sky" - Vertigo
©2022 Roger Zee
