| Brian Gibson | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Born | July 25, 1975 |
| Origin | Providence, Rhode Island |
| Genres | Noise rock |
| Occupations | Musician |
| Instruments | Bass guitar, drums |
| Labels | Load |
| Associated acts | Lightning Bolt, Wizardzz, Megasus Netmen |
Brian Gibson (born July 25, 1975) is a musician and artist based out of Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Gibson is best known as the bassist for the band Lightning Bolt, alongside drummer and vocalist Brian Chippendale, and as the drummer of Wizardzz, with Rich Porter of Bug Sized Mind, and Megasus. Gibson was also previously in the band The Netmen, with John Dwyer. He is a lead artist working at video game company Harmonix.
Brian Gibson is particularly known for his unique and complex set-up, tuning, and use of his bass guitar. Before its destruction, Gibson was a member of Fort Thunder, part of an abandoned, pre-Civil War textile factory in Providence, Rhode Island known as a work-space for local, avant-garde artists.
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The majority of Gibson's playing draws on fairly simple loops and major/minor chord structures, yet also employs more advanced guitar techniques, such as tapping. Gibson uses a high amount of distortion, feedback and effects. In juxtaposition to Chippendale's frenetic drums, Gibson's playing often acts as a rhythm section of sorts. With the use of his many effect pedals, Gibson often creates multiple layers of his own bass riffs. Due to the high level of distortion used, "lead" playing style, and high register tuning of his instrument, Gibson is often mistaken for a guitarist.
In the Peter Glantz and Nick Noe film The Power of Salad, revolving around Lightning Bolt's live performances across America, Gibson confesses "I feel like it's taken me years and years to develop this insane setup that I have ... if somebody got my guitar set ... they're just gonna be good: whatever you do sounds good through it. You know, just plucking the strings."[1]
According to Gibson, his bass guitar is set to standard cello tuning, in intervals of fifths (C G D A) with a banjo string for the high A (contrasted with the typical bass guitar tuning of E A D G). He used this four-string setup for several years, but has recently been using a five-string setup, tuned to C G D A E, with banjo strings for the A and E.
Gibson also uses several effects pedals, including a bass whammy pedal (pitch shifter), an octaver, two overdrive pedals, and more recently a delay pedal. A complete list of equipment Gibson typically uses, in order, is:[2]
As of 2007, Gibson has added a Boss PW-10 Wah-wah pedal to his touring gear.
In 2010, Gibson had a custom bass made by Holcomb guitars,[3] based on the Rickenbacker 4001 as used by Cliff Burton of Metallica, consisting extensively of maple wood for an 'aggressive sound'. The bass uses a Seymour Duncan SRB-1B pick-up and the five strings are fitted onto a four string neck, with 1/2" spacing to allow greater playing speed.
In The Power of Salad DVD, Brian says his rig is rated to 3000 watts.
Gibson, like band mate Chippendale, is also involved in visual art. Gibson has provided animations for the films Pick a Winner and created Barkley's Barnyard Critters: Mystery Tail, released on Load Records. He works as a lead artist at video game developer Harmonix providing art for the Guitar Hero and Rock Band series. He periodically updates a Barkley's Barnyard Critters YouTube page with short animations.
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