David Pastorius Interview

David Pastorius – Big Game Hunter
By Brent-Anthony Johnson

Meeting David Pastorius is like playing full-contact chess! He is brilliant, aggressive, with a great sense of humor, while being at the same time thoughtful and engaging. His conversation is the verbal articulation of the vicious swing of his playing ability and compositional style. The fretted 4-string stalwart blends, boxes, weaves, and fearlessly leads Local 518 and ElephantGun the pair of hard funk/punk/groove outfits based in Melbourne, Florida. If you haven’t heard David yet, it’s definitely time to man-up and get some!

BAJ: What’s good, David? Welcome to Bass Frontiers! Man, I was listening to ElephantGun’s “Tacoma” again-and-again while I put the interview together! What’s a cool thing, and what a cool contrast to Local’s “Bridge To Nowhere”. Let’s talk about your compositional concept and how tunes begin in your brain!

DVP: The tunes for both bands start in a lot of different ways… Some start with chords, and others start with a bass line – like “Bridge To Nowhere”. Occasionally, I’ll just hear something while I’m on a walk, or a drive! Other times, I’ll just think in patterns while looking at the bass! Sometimes I’ll take the last 4-digits of a telephone number and develop patterns from that! The tunes come from a lot of places, man! I’ve always loved patterns and mathematical thoughts, and it is a big influence on the way I approach the bass.

BAJ: Let’s talk about your musical beginnings and your first musical experiences! Also, describe to us how important your geographical location is to your musical sensibilities?

DVP: I was 15-years-old when I started, and I wasn’t really into music before then – beyond listening to the classical music my parents constantly played in our home. I was even a shy about admitting I liked a tune – whenever I found a sound I liked! It didn’t feel macho enough to me, or something… Originally, I got into punk and metal – and that influence is still around in the music I play now. A buddy of mine played bass and I also fond myself being attracted to the instrument – around 1992, or so. There’s a lot of metal in Melbourne, and also a lot of blues! Though, I’ve not listened to a lot of blues, personally. Actually, Orlando also has a lot of music – beyond the “Boy Band” stuff. (Laughter) Maybe the Melbourne area has influenced me a little. But, musically, it was the fact my parents listened to really cool music like Donny Hathaway, The Police, Elvis Costello, in addition to classical music… As a result of my parents’ influence, I listened, and was exposed to, everything!

BAJ: You attack several styles of music, particularly in Local 518. At the same time there is an inner harmony between the players o more so than the actual music being played! There’s a friendship that can be heard in the music itself! Let’s take a moment to talk about your musical collaborators, and how a typical “musical huddle” works in your world?

DVP: Most of the tunes begin with me, somehow. I’ll then develop many of the tunes with Al Bodeur, as I have for the past 7-or-8 years, or so. He is a great guitarist! But, he isn’t a “shredder”, per se… He’s really more an Andy Summers-type player, which is really cool and his style works well with my playing approach. Al is also a great producer! Otherwise, any given tune begins with me, I guess. From there, I take it to the band and we play the music together until it feels right. We’re also bringing-in vocals into the band concept more-and-more.

BAJ: What is your technical center (technique) and let’s also talk bout your general approach to the electric bass guitar?

DVP: Most of the time, I don’t really “practice” in the traditional sense – I just play a lot! When I grab the bass at home, I’m usually trying to write something. I only have one bass at this time – the Fender Jazz Bass® I’m always seen with! I used to play 5-string exclusively. But, I’ve returned to the 4-string “J”, and its cool…

Most bass players who are really good have their “thing”, right? I’ve heard several amazing players and I’ve thought, “WOW!” But, many guys don’t do what I do, anymore than I do what they do. So, I guess the 4-string, fretted bass guitar is my “thing” right now. I don’t have a problem thinking or knowing that could change drastically tomorrow! (Laughter) But, for the moment, I’m enjoying doing what I’m doing…

BAJ: How has being a father affected your life, music, and worldview?

DVP: That’s a hard one! Actually, not as much in certain ways, as in ways you’d think. But more so in others… In a way, it did kick me into gear – because being a parent involves more than yourself and your life. Humorously, and gig-wise, I’ve never felt I was serious enough about playing EVERYTHING that comes my way. Now that I’m a parent, I still don’t feel that I need to take every gig. That said, I’ve always loved being in the studio, and I will take any session! Also, when I begin to think about the future and what I’m doing, I go back-and-forth between staying in the game, and getting a “regular job”. But, I think we all do that! I hold on because I simply feel like something good will always happen when I need it to! Certain things I do are very motivated… while other things aren’t so motivated. So, being a parent hasn’t completely changed my motivations. For instance, I’m still not very good at self-promotion, and I should be better at that…

BAJ: What are 3 things you would describe as “wonderful”, “graceful”, and/or “incredible”?

DVP: Man, I really love my wife and kids, and I love playing. Living in Melbourne is cool – even if I don’t go to the beach. (Laughter) Sometimes, I think about a change in geographic location. And then, I leave for a tour and I really miss it here, and being at home. Also, there is so much talent in this area! There are great bands here, and its good to be in an area where so many people are doing forward-thinking things! Today, the coolest thing about being in this area is Studio 101. Studio owner Brendan Paredes is one of the best and nicest people in the world! He’s incredible, and working with him is one of the best things about being in this area! And, as I mentioned before… I really like the session/studio atmosphere, and Studio 101 is one of my favorite places!

BAJ: How do you plan touring, and what are a few things that are essential to your ability to travel comfortably?

DVP: Often it’s a record label – like P-Vine Records in Japan – that calls for us to tour for them. It’s a good feeling to be wanted by a label, or person! Otherwise, we just sell our records locally, and play the gigs we agree that we’ll play! When I tour, I take as little as possible! Usually, I can take all the necessary things in a duffle bag! (Laughter) That’s because I bring so many things back from the tours! If there’s any single thing I have to take… I take a Rosary when I tour! Flying isn’t natural, and I really don’t like it. Does anybody? (Laughter) I kinda sketch-out when I fly… but I’m better at it now than I used to be!

BAJ: Any thoughts on the extended-range bass guitar? You get a lot done with your Fender Jazz Bass®! Do you feel the need to deal with more strings? Are there any other musical tools that call to you (keyboards, guitar, etc)?

DVP: When I first began playing I played a 5-string, because I thought it made a lot of sense, and it felt natural to me. When I decided to go back to the 4-string… I did it because it’s more difficult to play, in my opinion! I really don’t see a point in the 7-string, or 9-string at this time, personally. But, I have developed a way to get the musical things I want to see into fruition on the 4-string… AND it’s a real challenge! I like being challenged by the music and by the instrument. With the 4-string I don’t spend the entire gig in a single position, and I have to move around a lot when I play the 4! To me, that’s a lot of fun! Like I said earlier, everything may change tomorrow and I might need another instrument to express myself! But, for now, it’s the Jazz Bass®!

BAJ: Tell our readers about the forthcoming Local 518 release! What’s different, and what is your musical and marketing strategy for the band? Also, where are you touring with “Local” and ElephantGun over the next several months?

DVP: Local 518 has a new vocalist, Crazed 1, who has a fantastic “old-school” Hip-Hop style… But, Crazed 1 can really sing, too! When I first started playing, Crazed 1 was in a local band, called Fleshy-Headed Mutants that was ridiculously good! The thing about Crazed 1 is that he’s totally “clean” in his Language – and I appreciate that. You can read all about the disc at: www.myspace.com/local518

As far as ElephantGun… we’re playing a lot and we’re finishing the next record. We’re just “doing it”, man! We’re doing what we do, and we’re having a lot of fun! I enjoy both bands a lot, and these are my band mates! I’m just glad people dig what both bands are doing!

BAJ: Back to technique… You play a lot of chordal information in Local 518. Describe your approach and how you developed your formidable technique?

DVP: Actually, I tend to “strum” the bass like a guitar. The double-stop thing is more raking than anything else. I don’t really play chords with my thumb… But that’s something I can do. I just don’t think that way at this time. A lot of what I do is aggressive, and strumming the chords gives me the sound I’m looking for.

BAJ: Talk with our younger readers about the importance of attitude and person-to-person skills in this business of music! Thanks! Along with that… please give our readers a couple definite “DON’T DO THAT!” scenarios.

DVP: First thing: If you agree to do a gig… don’t take another gig for the money. I’ve seen folks shoot themselves in the foot doing that! I say that because, players sometimes forget that they have to continue to do business with the bandleaders in their town! So, taking a gig and leaving a bandleader in a bind can get around town faster than anything! Also, don’t advertise your next gig at another club at the gig you’re currently playing… (Laughter) because bar owners don’t like it when bands promote another bar, across town! I’d only suggest advertising your next gig from the stage if you’re in a horrible band, and you’re warning the audience! (Laughter). Also, don’t be closed-minded about learning tunes! I know several great players who never gig, because they want to consider themselves to be an “artist”, or whatever… There are guys who ride me, and complain to me for gigging as much as I do, while they refuse to play in a cover band. My attitude is: I’m playing (and earning money) while those players are still at home, whining. I guess that’s one of those “DON’T DO THAT!” scenarios!

BAJ: What are a few things you’d like to achieve in the next 1-to-3 years?

DVP: Man, the main thing is to continue to support my family through playing music. That’s my only goal at this time! I don’t care about being “famous”, or “making it”, or whatever that even means! I like playing sessions and playing gigs, and I want to continue that… And I guess it means I’ve “made it” if I can continue to do what I enjoy doing and earning a living for my family!

BAJ: You have relationships with both Fender and Hartke. Have you been able to clinic for them, or are you interested in that sort of thing? Also, how important is teaching to your musical disposition?

DVP: I actually have a couple students right now! I don’t consider myself a “teacher” as I don’t have the patience to deal with the “babysitting” aspect of being a teacher at a local music store. But, I have a couple players who really want to learn, and I can handle that.

As far as clinics… I would love to do more clinics! Fender hasn’t called on me for that… Fender is a really big company, and they have virtually “everyone” under the sun! So, they haven’t afforded me, personally, the opportunity to do more for them! I would like to clinic A LOT if I were given the opportunity. Larry Hartke is a super-cool man! But, I don’t know what’s going on with Hartke as far as doing clinics is concerned. As is the case with Fender, I would love to show what the Hartke can do and develop a mutually beneficial situation with Larry and Hartke! Because I would truly love to present more clinics… I would even be willing to talk with a smaller company, if I could have more opportunities to clinic and represent them! If any manufacturers hear ElephantGun of Local 518 and dig what I’m doing… feel free to contact me personally at 321-536-7319 about clinics! I feel that I would be a beneficial asset to a company who would like to use me in this regard! Thank you bass Frontiers for allowing me the opportunity to say that!

BAJ: What would you change about earth if you could change anything?

DVP: Wow. Man… that’s a hard question!! Dang…! A big thing for me would be that everyone should be a more humble on this planet we’re sharing! That would affect a lot of things… particularly in music! Music isn’t about money, and if everyone could just get over his or her own hype, it would be a much better place to live for all of us!

BAJ: Would you rather, “Walk in the sun”; “Follow no one”, or “Shock and stun”? Also, what is your favorite movie of all time?

DVP: HMMM… The movie I’ve seen the most is Pee Wee’s Big Adventure! The music really affected me, for some reason. I also watched Man On Fire several times in the last couple years! I don’t often watch movies over-and-over… But, those two have made a big mark on me! Local 518 is doing a soundtrack for a film called The Cops Did It, which is a comedy! The President of Troma Entertainment is in the movie! I love Troma movies, and I have for a long time!

BAJ: What are some of your non-musical activities?

DVP: I actually wish I had more hobbies, now that you mention it! I workout every day, and that’s a fun thing I do to keep myself in a good space! I also participate in Martial Arts – I love the discipline! I would fight competitively… if I didn’t play bass for a living! (Laughter) I don’t like fighting. But, fighting competitively is something I’ve thought about… Joe Zawinul was a boxer; Lee Sklar boxes, and many other bass players I’ve met are into Martial Arts! So, maybe it’s in us somehow!

BAJ: What is your happiest memory?

DVP: When my children were born! Hand’s down! I have 2 girls and a boy, and they are so wonderful! I love being a father and husband! I have cool thoughts about each child being born and how it affected me. My kids are so much fun, man!

BAJ: Any closing thoughts for our readers?

DVP: This is the coolest interview I’ve ever done! Thanks for the opportunity. Nothing is cliché at Bass Frontiers and I’ve enjoyed this interview a lot. As far as your readers… JUST PLAY!

Check Out David’s Website!