Gear: I use several basses, but my favorite is a fretless RIC 4003. I use Ashdown amplification and sometimes employ a variety of effects. I have an assortment of other instruments too.
Influences
As a bassist & musician (in no order): Paul Chambers, Justin Chancellor, Tony Franklin, Charles Mingus, Marcus Miller, Pino Palladino, Christian McBride, Jaco Pastorius, Victor Wooten, Tony Levin, Stanley Clarke, Chris Squire, Anthony Jackson, Jack Bruce, Tal Wilkenfeld, Paul d'Amour, Travis Meeks
As a songwriter/arranger (somewhat in order): Travis Meeks, Radiohead, Tool, Tori Amos, Tricky, Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Bill Evans, Jaco Pastorius, Marcus Miller, Robert del Naja, Daddy G, Tal Wilkenfeld
As a lyricist (somewhat in order): Travis Meeks, Maynard James Keenan, Tori Amos, Nick Cave, Tricky
My name is Joshua Chandler. I'm a Denver, CO-based bassist, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, as well as a doctoral student, and I got my start playing live music in Springfield, MO. I have been playing bass for just over six years and studying music in general for more like 15 years. However, my utter devotion belongs to the bass these days. I can (and do) play other instruments, but my heart always belongs to the bass no matter what I'm doing.
I switched to bass in 2002 when I was focusing on guitar. I found that I always wanted to transcribe bass parts instead of guitar parts--they seemed more interesting and I preferred the wide range of tones of the players I was listening to at the time, like groove-twister Justin Chancellor and the instantly classic Paul Chambers. When my high school jazz band needed a bass player, I jumped at the chance, buying a used starter bass and adapting to the bass clef.
Later on I was picked up by Chris Wainscott to play bass for hard rock outfit Poetica, fronted by himself and Tosha Allen. I gigged with Poetica for a year, then left the band amicably when national touring came up, in conflict with my plan to go to college.
I was selected by Drury University to play jazz on a scholarship, allowing me to have a musical outlet while I pursued a chemistry/biology double major. For three years I played in large ensembles and intimate combos for Drury before finally giving it up to focus on my last year of undergrad. I graduated in May 2009. Now I'm shooting for a Ph.D. in Toxicology, based out of the University of Colorado.
Back to my music. In late 2005, I was contacted by Adlar (Rhett) Roberson to write some songs together. Josh Reece joined us on drums. The three of us formed Apia, which lasted two and a half years before an untimely argument split us up. We did come out with one formal album (Breathe) before we disbanded, but we never got to hold a CD release party to celebrate it. It was unfortunate to lose this improvisational power trio just as it seemed to be getting off the ground, but it inspired me to grow as a bass player, and I created this web page to freelance and network. I'll also try to blog a bit in the way of bass guitar maintenance, etc.
Currently I am in the middle of my move to Denver from Springfield. Some of my most recent "freelance projects" include trombonist Chris Spivey's jazz band, my own original jazz group, Steam Jazz, and gigs for Tony Menown and his band, the Expectations. I have also contributed to recent recording projects with bassist/engineer Derek Ross, saxophonist Kurtis Foster, and my former bandmate Adlar Roberson.
If you would like me to play bass with you, help you with lyrics or songwriting, or anything else, send me a message. I would be glad to work with you. I look forward to getting my feet "wet" in Denver (shouldn't be hard with the record rainfall this year).
The songs offered above are just some glimpses into what I have done. The majority are raw, single-take tracks. Take some time to enjoy them and hit me up if you like them.
...One of my greatest experiences as a musician: meeting Travis Meeks, a musical savant who I have been listening to for more than a decade. I adore this man and his work. I told him how his music made me feel and he gave me a hug, then proceeded to deliver one of the greatest musical performances I have ever witnessed. Thanks, Travis.
Me too! I was born in Denver you know, Aurora actually, but moved away when I was young and then lived there again a year or so before I went into the navy. I still have friends out there. You should check out http://www.myspace.com/bonedoggie2008 That's my friend Melissa's page. She's a great singer and still lives there in Denver. Rock on Bro!
Dude, I LOVE YOUR MUSIC!!! And, your deep level of commitment to yourself and the level of respect you pay to those who inspire you causes me to one knee in your honor Sir. I hope that we can truly get to know one another. I feel that I could learn much from you.
