Getting to Know: Radkey, Fernando Rosa, and Shame

Get To Know: Brazilian thump master Fernando Rosa has all the makings of an original groove master from the 70s, but living firmly in the 2000s. With influences ranging from soul and jazz, to traditional Brazilian music, Fernando has a deep knowledge and feel for groove. Since picking up bass at 10-years-old, Fernando has played with countless South American musical acts, but it’s his social media pages that really put his skill on a world stage. Fernando also has recorded performances with musicians like Bob Mintzer and Randy Brecker, former members of Jaco Pastorius’ band. Fernando also offers his “Groove Masters Methods” for those looking to partake in the funk bass groove we find so infectious. It doesn’t hurt that he finds a lot of love in his Ernie Ball Music Man – StingRay basses as well. 

Sounds Like: Louis Johnson, Jaco Pastorius, Bootsy Collins, Marcus Miller

Listen: Spotify

Follow: Instagram, Facebook, YouTube

Gear: Flatwound Regular and Hybrid Slinky bass, and Hybrid Slinky bass strings Ernie Ball Music Man – StingRay 4-String bass.

Get To Know: Garage Punk trio, Radkey was formed when three brothers, dug through their father’s record collection of punk and metal. Isaiah Radke lent his brother Dee a bass to play in a local cover band, and they wanted in on the action and when the youngest brother Solomon picked up drums, Radkey was formed. After their second EP, the band was featured on BBC’s ‘Later’ with Jools Holland and UK’s famous Download Festival. The band’s popularity grew so much that their father quit his job at Walmart as a loss prevention officer to become their full-time manager. In 2020, Radkey released their album Green Room, a record full of dynamic guitar riffs, downstroke bass, and traditional rock-inspired approach but owning it and making it their own.

Sounds Like: Plague Vendor, Reignwolf, The Bronx, Misfits

Listen: Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music.

Follow: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube.

Gear: Ernie Ball Super Slinky Paradigm electric guitar strings and Ernie Ball Hybrid Bass Slinky.

Get To Know: South Londoners with grit and spit lay everything out on the line between raunchy guitars, overdriven bass, and a vocal delivery that instantly grabs your attention by the ears. Growing from borrowed rehearsal flats, and van’s that can only turn left, to earning a reputation as one of the most entertaining live acts to catch from the UK at a young age. (Mel B from the Spice Girls approved) SHAME has pushed beyond their loud fast ways to dig deeper for their new ambitious efforts Drunk Tank Pink. Recorded in France with James Ford, producer of the Arctic Monkeys. The record is full of sharp pointy guitars, pushing rhythms, and twitchy breaks that send you on a wild ride with the brakes cut.

Sounds Like: IDLES, Slaves (UK), and Viagra Boys

Listen: Spotify, Apple Music

Follow: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube

Gear: Ernie Ball Regular Slinky electric guitar strings and Regular Bass Slinky strings.