Bass journeyman and entrepreneur Ben Wicks has shared the stage with an array of local and international artists in a career spanning two decades. Initially inspired by the bass licks of Joseph Lucky Scott on Curtis Mayfield’s Superfly soundtrack, Ben dove deeper into the world of bass and discovered the likes of James Jamerson, Bob Babbit, Larry Graham, Willie Weeks and other bass legends. Growing up in the grunge era, Ben then latched onto the sounds of Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic and Green Day’s Mike Dirnt and ever since, hasn’t stopped learning and exploring the myriad bass tones out there in the music world.
Melbourne Guitar Show attendees may have seen Ben providing bottom end this year as part of the Dennis Jones band. The project which is consuming most of Ben’s life these days however, is his Blues Roulette concept. Blues Roulette is essentially a house band which backs a revolving door of local and international blues artists.
Currently you can catch a Blues Roulette event at the Catfish on Fitzroy on a Wednesday night or at Beneath Driver Lane in Melbourne’s CBD on a Sunday night.
We caught up with Ben Wicks at GH Music in Flemington as part of our In-Store series to chat about his influences, gear and Blues Roulette.