What’s your current bass setup?
Well to start with I have a few basses, both Upright and electric! But we’ll stick with the upright for now. With The Sabrejets, I generally play an Engelhardt ES9 blond model which I’ve owned for over 20 years. It’s the workhorse and has never let me down . It is fitted with Super Bass Works (D & G) and Rotosound/ Innovation (E & A) nylon strings, and the Shadow ‘Rockabilly’ pickup system currently. All of which I find are very versatile and useable in most situations.

Amplification-wise, I use a Genz-Benz Shuttle 6.0 600watt head and 2 No. Phil Jones C4 400watt cabs. This usually delivers enough, even with two loud guitars to contend with! I also have an old Kay double bass, just like most of the 40’s and 50’s guys would have
used. Unfortunately, I never really get the opportunity to use it these days. Maybe soon!

How would you describe your sound? Has it evolved over your time in the Sabrejets?

Well, my sound was very different when we started out, as I was the drummer! Since I swapped over to the upright, about fifteen years ago, I guess the sound has developed over this time as we became more proficient and the equipment used became better. Not just from a quality point of view, but also becoming lighter! An important factor when you’ve also an ‘acoustic wardrobe’ to transport. Not my term unfortunately!

What motivated you to pick up a bass for the first time?

Although as I’ve said before, I started out as a drummer, I’ve always felt an affinity with bass players and especially the upright sound. Listening to lots of Sun Records and slap bass in general growing up, anytime I had the opportunity to lift an upright, I took it. The
first time was with my first sojourn into Rock’n’Roll, with ‘The Crazy Quavers’ back in the early 1980’s. We had a few stints in England at festivals on the Isle of Wight and around Manchester. Some of your more mature readers may be aware of the band! Since then, I’ve just played with anyone who’ve asked. Dabbling in Bluegrass, Country,
Blues and even…jazz! I believe the best way to improve is to play as much and as many varied roles as you can.

What was playing your first show like?

My very first show was unmemorable, as it was so long ago….I can’t remember! The Sabrejets alone have been at this for more than 30 years! A rarity in the Rock’n’Roll scene. I do remember the excitement of being in a Rock’n’Roll band for the first time though. A distinct aim from the first time I’d listened to Elvis or Gene or Eddie. It must be said, I still get that excitement playing in The Sabrejets! I hope our audiences still do too!

What’s your pre-show ritual, if you’ve got one?

Not really, certainly not a ritual. I don’t like the wait, that’s for sure. I’d rather be playing than the waiting around beforehand. I do now understand the importance of a ‘warm-up’, especially as the upright bass is such a physical work-out. I do also try to double-check that everything is connected as it should be and will function without fault. Not always a guarantee that all will be well!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to learn slap bass?

Like most slappers will usually say at first, “Don’t!”. It’s a long learning curve, as it is with most skills. Today there’s the expectation of instant gratification and ‘overnight success/wealth’, through social media, etc. There’s no alternative to just making a start and to keep playing, trying to improve with every experience. And as I said before, I
would say take every opportunity to improve where possible. Simple advice for slapping the upright? Get the best strings you can afford. And have the instrument properly set-up by someone who knows what they’re doing. Then play and keep playing until your fingers don’t bleed anymore! With the ‘best’ strings, these days your fingers should be able to survive even the hardest sessions though!

Have you ever had a disaster onstage?

A few occurrences over the years. Broken strings, collapsed bridges, dead batteries. Only recently actually, during The Sabrejets’ special 30th Anniversary gig in Belfast, there was a bass gear meltdown! This despite best-laid plans beforehand. The only way to cope is to be prepared and have alternative measures in place. Additional pick-ups,
strings, batteries, bridge, whatever it takes!

What’s on your musical bucket list?

Nothing specific really. I’ve been lucky enough to have had so many great experiences already. Played alongside many of my heroes, such as Chuck Berry, Bill Haley’s Comets, Bo Diddley, to name a few.
I have been fortunate being able to travel and enjoy listening to and playing music with many like-minded souls around the world. Only thing I really hope for is to be able to continue playing as long as is physically possible and provide music that many others still seem to enjoy as much as I do.

Is it difficult to musically transition between such different sounds?
I have been doing it for such a long time, both as a drummer and a bass player. It certainly always needs some preparation. I’d never want to have that ‘egg on my face’ moment as it were. Most of whom that I work with generally know what they want and must feel that I can provide whatever that is. Not sure any Death-Metal band will be
giving me a call soon. But I never say never! I’ve had many great collaborative experiences over the years, most recently including
The Groove Diggers from the North-East of England, The Tennessee Hotshots from Glasgow and also The Booze Bombs, Marcel Bontempi and Ira Lee, from Germany. I’m due to join up with Nick Whitfield (a fine bass player and mighty guitarist!) and The Drugstore Cowboys for a few gigs shortly. Which I’m sure will be another highlight to
savour. He’s promised me some curry, which I’m not sure is a good thing!

As told to Kate Allvey

The Sabrejets’ latest album ‘The Restless Kind’ is currently available on vinyl from Raucous Records, with thanks to Howard Raucous for his continued support.

Bill would like to thank his compadres in The Sabrejets; Brian, Liam and Lou