Bass players are responsible for the hard-hitting, often-grooving, low end of many of the best songs. Spade Ferrer has spent time as that low end for many local bands, and is currently part of reggae-rebels the Ill Eagles. Learn more at www.facebook.com/theilleaglesband. Ferrer is the latest to take The Lucky 13; here are his answers.
What was the first concert you attended?
I think it was the Red Hot Chili Peppers, or an Ozzfest. Both concerts had plenty of stuff set on fire in the standing-room crowd where I was. Welcome to live music, baby.
What was the first album you owned?
Soundgarden, Badmotorfinger, on cassette. It had red lyrics on blue backing, so it was hard to read in the dark. I read them “with my good eye closed.”
What bands are you listening to right now?
Filter, Silversun Pickups, Royal Blood and whatever is on (SiriusXM channel) Turbo XL.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
That country autotune-pop stuff is something else. It’s got more fans than me, though.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
The Doors in their heyday would be awesome. I would add: It has to be a show where Morrison did a Shaman dance.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
Lady Gaga’s older stuff. She puts on a good show; I am an official monster.
What’s your favorite music venue?
The House of Blues in Hollywood. I’ll never forget my bass rumbling that stage. I felt like a god.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“Just another day in the hate land baby,” “Thoughts and Prayers” by Filter.
What band or artist changed your life? How?
Soundgarden, hands down. I was exposed to a lot of music in my youth, from Van Halen to Ozzy, Latin/soul greats like Santana and War, and also all of those goofy hair bands. Then the “Rusty Cage” video changed it all. Finally, (there was) music that could rock like the legends Led Zeppelin, but they’re not wearing goofy outfits and makeup like the ’80s bands. I felt like it was mine.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
I’d ask Chris Cornell: “Why?”
What song would you like played at your funeral?
I’ve got a running list going. Right now, “Mye” from Sparta, and “Fresh Tendrils” from Soundgarden are on that list.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Badmotorfinger.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
“Turn it Down” by the Ill Eagles, or “F.T.W.” from Mother Tongue.
