We had the good fortune of connecting with Gus Kendrick and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gus, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
At an very early age I was playing air guitar to whatever music my parents were playing at the time. I began playing music in school orchestras around age 7, first on sax, then the flute about a year later. I rode the city bus to school every day and the sax was a hassle to drag along.. I could fit the flute case in my backpack. That’s literally why I switched instruments, lol. In seventh grade, there was a new bassist that joined the middle school orchestra – for some reason I told myself “I can do that, but way better”… And that was the beginning of my life as a bassist. I worked at a christmas tree lot that year when I was 13 and saved up enough money for my first pawn shop bass. I practiced A LOT every day and eventually played in a couple HS projects, nothing serious. About a month before I graduated, I joined a band with guys much older than me. Next thing you know, I have a show scheduled for the day after I graduate HS. That first feel of being onstage, under the lights, and hearing the crowd cheering in dive bar was the moment everything changed for me. I knew that was my calling. Haven’t missed a beat since.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Being a bassist is an awesome thing. To be able to make people dance and move to the music is like no other feeling in the world. The bass is the heartbeat of the music, the glue that brings the rest of the instruments together. I’m very proud that I have been able to adapt to many different styles in my playing career; punk, metal, rock-reggae/ska, jam bands, progressive rock, cover bands, lovers rock reggae – the list goes on. Currently I play with an amazing lovers rock reggae artist, Cappo Kelley; an amazing female-fronted modern rock band, Door 13; and a silly punk rock group called Sideshow. I also do some sub work in 40oz to Freedom, a national touring Sublime tribute band. Coming from a metal and punk background – learning to play “proper” reggae music was like learning a whole new language, as with any new style you jump into. However reggae music taught me more about music on a whole, the notes you dont play are just as important as the notes you DO play. I try to bring this aspect to everything I play now.

From my experiences I’ve learned to be humble, learned to provide what’s best for the music, learned to not make myself the “star”. A supporting role is just as important, if not moreso in some instances. Learned it’s very important to LISTEN to the other musicians you are playing with. Learned that rehearsal and practice are two very different things – knowing that difference will only help your efficiency and productivity. Most importantly – be on time and dont be a jerk.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to credit my parents Mike & Sherry for being open to me making my own choice of pursuing music vs immediately moving onto higher education after High School. They knew education was very important but also that regular life can teach you things you cant learn in a controlled classroom environment. My partner Ellen Rhein is also extremely supportive of my musical goals, she deserves a lot of praise putting up with the noise I have made over the last 20+ years.

I also want to thank every musician I’ve played with. The ones that are better than me have taught me that I can always keep learning, always keep improving. Never stop trying to reach your goals. The musicians with less skill and talent I have played with have taught me to always stay grounded- appreciate the joy they are finding in the music itself, being appreciative that everyone is always learning and growing.

Instagram: @gusto_bassman

Facebook: https://facebook.com/gustobassman

Other: Other IG links

@gusto_door13
@door_13_band

FB

www,facebook.com/door13rocks

YT

www.youtube.com/@door13band

Image Credits
Lead Wolf

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