| Influences | Since I was selected as Hartke’s "Greatest Unsigned Bassist," out of over 4000 scouted players, this MySpace page has been pummeled. I must thank everyone who has ever hit the play button for the interest and the ears. I thank Larry Hartke for forcing me out of retirement as a player and for providing me with loads of encouragement and support.
On my page you can hear the beginnings of my first CD and samples of my playing.
Because I showcase myself with my own bass-driven music some people think that I wouldn't fit into a band, or that I will be given to fits of manic shredding during simple songs. Well, that couldn't be further from the truth, I am a little more versatile than that!
I love simple bass lines. I don't feel like complexity is more enjoyable than simplicity. I think it is all dictated by what you are trying to accomplish musically.
I am an ensemble player first and foremost. When it comes to playing well with others I am a deceptively simple player. If you listen to the underlying grooves in my solo material you will hear that. I want to get the best bass sounds I possibly can, serve the song, support every player on the stage and keep it tight.
Much like Jeff Beck, Joe Satriani or Steve Vai, ONLY ON BASS, as a solo artist I play my own brand compilation of bass-driven instrumental music. I call it “Groove-Rock-Fusion.” Bryan Beller, bassist for Steve Vai, says "this stuff is just plain fun to listen to, and it sounds like he had fun making it."
I grew up around Minneapolis but spent most of my career in Chicago. I have worked as a musical director, toured, played sessions, composed, arranged and produced with top national talent. I have also produced plays, concerts, opera, orchestra, and dance for international artists and arts companies.
I am currently teaching in Clearwater, Florida. If you want lessons (beginners, intermediate, advanced) just shoot me an email.
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| Sounds Like | "Bassist Jim Casey combines a rock steady groove, a sticky-sweet and thick tone, and an abundance of slinky funk chops to confidently support any tune he gets his hands on. You just can't help but move when he's laying it down."
- Bryan Beller, Bassist/Clinician (Steve Vai, Dethklok, Mike Keneally)
“Great music man!!! You are a fine player!!”
- Paul Bushnell, Bassist/Producer (The Commitments, Ednaswap, Kelly Clarkson et al)
"Casey has a unique gift in his playing. Chops for days and intelligent compositions, his bass playing is out-shined only by his musicianship."
- Shane Gibson, Solo Instrumentalist, Guitarist (KoRn, Jonathan Davis)
"He is a team player! Playing with Casey in KLIK was fun. He is technically capable of so much more than he plays, but he understands being a bass player in a band versus being a solo bassist."
- Chrissy Paolillo, KLIK, Rolling Stone Magazine's "Hottest Unsigned Band"
"Listening to Casey is like getting on your favorite roller coaster - ascending up to the top - taking the first dip at double speed and as you turn the corner being picked off by some kinda monster super hero... Yeah, its like that - a total rush!"
- ZO Magazine, A Different Kind of Universe
"Casey, a true inspiration, I love your music and style. It’s jazzy, ORIGINAL, big and electrifying. Casey’s original and monstrous bass playing is intoxicating. He’s a master. A true 'bass monster,' he can mould the sound in any style giving it an edgy yet classy feel."
– Shahin Badar, Grammy nominated vocalist, The Prodigy
"Casey is the Hendrix of the bass guitar! A style and technique all his own, his bass lines are like none other. Laying down killer riffs usually associated with a lead guitar, Casey’s bass is served only one way – full and fat. A Hendrix lyric says it best, “let it groove its own way .. let it drain your worries away."
- Shannon Ambrose, Managing Editor, Artist Launch Magazine
"Casey finds new ways every day to surprise and delight me. He is truly an unselfish person and wants to see everyone succeed to the best of their ability. Those lucky enough to call him a friend would say the same."
- Stephanie Monty, Klik, Rolling Stone Magazine's "Hottest Unsigned Band"
"The bass is deep and funky, clear and extra extra heavy.
Very creative, bold and not afraid to plunk it away. Did I mention how tight it is? Man you are Mr. Monster Bass!"
- Garageband.com
Credits: all the recordings on this page are produced in modest home studios on either Pro Tools LE or Cubase. Strings, Skin, and Simple are produced by Jim Casey for Casey Spinit Music. All performances on these three tracks are Jim Casey except the guitar solo on Skin which is Hans Soeteman. Chaos, Swamp and Yankee Bravo are produced by Hans Soeteman for Dasinu and Jim Casey for Casey Spinit Music. All performances on these three tracks are Hans Soeteman except for Jim Casey on bass.
Gear:
Hartke LH500 Amplifier,
Hartke 2.5 XL cabinets,
Hartke Kickback 12,
Hartke Bass Attack VXL direct box and tone shaper,
LightWave 5 string fretted Sabre and VL fretless basses,
Fender Jazz bass with an Aguilar Preamp,
Luna Muse acoustic bass guitar,
Luna acoustic guitar,
Art DPS II tube to digital preamp,
TC Electronic C300 compressor/gate,
TC Electronic M300 delay/reverb/chorus,
Lexicon Jam Man phrase looper,
Line 6 Pod XT Floor,
Samson Wireless,
Samson microphones, miscellaneous studio gear, and Pro Tools LE 8.0 with enough plug-ins and software to produce and mix Nine Inch Nails.
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