Talented Musicians Blog: Talented Musicians

An Interview with Pete Bremy

Hi Pete, how long have you been playing?
I started music on the piano. I couldn't have been more than eight or nine. That didn't last long because Mom made me and way back then piano lessons were completely rudimentary and boring. I took up drums on my own in the fourth-grade elementary school band. I began playing bass at age 13, 50 years ago, keyboards again a year or so later.

What musicians influenced you?
Musicians that influenced me, in basically chronological order, were Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Ringo Starr and the Beatles (surprise surprise), Jeff Guenther, Mick Lione, Vanilla Fudge as a group and as individual artists. Those artists were my launching pad as a kid, there are countless others, but to name a few in no special order: Yes, ELP, Kinks, and the Rascals. If I had to name my biggest single musical influence, even though I'm mainly a bass player, it would be Mark Stein, lead singer and keyboardist of Vanilla Fudge.

How many bands have you been in?
In all honestly, I haven't been an actual member of as many bands as one would think for a musician of 50 plus years, but I have subbed for many bands. I have developed a reputation for being a quick study, and have been described more than once as a utility bass player. I'm cool with that. Rather I'd say I was more deeply involved with most bands that I was actually a member of and remained with them a fairly long time, so I'm going to guess, ten maybe? In my early years, most notably were Heaven's Sundae and Holy Smoke (I was the drummer). I did two tours with singer/songwriter Essra Mohawk, and of currently, of course, there is Vanilla Fudge, Cactus, and the Vince Martell Band. As we speak, I am cramming to learn a whole set for another sub gig next week with the New Classic Rock Allstars featuring Mark Stein, Mike Pinera (Blues Image and Iron Butterfly) and Albert Bouchard (Blue Oyster Cult).

What's it like to gig?
What's it like to gig? Well, obviously every gig is different, even with the same band, but they all bring about emotion in me: some good, some not so good. I think that's typical for any musician that earns his living from music. We have our dream gigs . . . but nightmares are dreams too. I'm laughing when I say that, of course, but it's true. Even a few Vanilla Fudge gigs have been nightmares, like only recently when we were at Sweden Rock to record and video the show for a 50th Anniversary CD/DVD . . . and the airline lost Vince Martell's guitar, so he was forced to play some crap no name guitar, and the nut split in two in the middle of a song so strings were laying flat on the neck! On the positive side, however, I can honestly say the first time I played You Keep Me Hanging On as the only non-original member of Vanilla Fudge, my favorite band of all time, tears of disbelief were running down my checks.

How often do you practice?
I don't practice my chops enough anymore, that's for sure. However, it's necessary for me to learn new and fairly complex songs frequently, like for the New Classic Rock Allstars gig I mentioned earlier. I still learn quickly, but at almost 64 stuff doesn't sink in as fast as it used to. You can't fluff over things on bass like you often can with a lead instrument. I must be right on, there's no "when in doubt, drop out" with bass, so I do practice more often at those time, so that covers it.

What advice would you give a newbie musician?
The best advice I can offer a bass player is, have a good ear, even an acceptable background voice, and most importantly have a good attitude. Seriously!!! Chops are important but realize no matter how good you are, there is always a dozen other players just as suited, if not more so, for your gig than you are. More often than not it's your attitude that will lock you into your gig. Show up on time, be helpful, and be sure you know your music. It's not necessary to show off to be a working bass player. I am living proof of that. I personally know many players that have better chops than me, but indeed that is not a self-deprecating statement. It is a reality for all of us except maybe a very, very select few. Virtually, we ALL can say that.

What is one of your accomplishments as a musician?
My greatest accomplishment is having two of the greatest sons a man could ask for... haha! You mean musical accomplishment of course. If I am honest about my greatest musical accomplishment, it may not be so glamorous, I'm afraid. It is, however, that I have been able to earn a modest living doing what I love. Seriously that's it. I am also proud to have done two major sessions, with Vanilla Fudge, Spirit of 67, and now Cactus, Black Dawn, due out in a couple of weeks.