RIFFS OF MY YOUTH 02: 6:00 I can still remember the first time I heard Dream Theater - they previewed the album ‘Awake’ on the BBC 1 Rock Show and this was the first song they played. What an opener. It’s a riff that sits right in the middle of grooving and challenging, so it feels FUN to play. It’s my @sandbergguitars 5 string through my @ebsswedenofficial rig with @elixir_strings and a little splash of distortion from Parallax X. #Metal #bassist #dreamtheater #studio #prog

Getting set up for the @simonmcbrideguitar tour in March. It’s amazing fun to be back together again in this crazy trio. Video to follow!!

RIFFS OF MY YOUTH 01 - I was looking for something new to practice and instead I went back to my early days and dug out my favourite riffs. I could play this when I was 16 and it’s still sounding pretty respectable. It’s my @sandbergguitars 5 string through my @ebsswedenofficial rig with @elixir_strings and a HEALTHY amount of distortion. For me, PANTERA were the greatest metal rhythm section of all time. Playing their stuff is a challenge and a pleasure. #Metal #bassist #pantera #studio #plectrum #pickbass

Lovely to meet the legend that is @stevelukatherofficial backstage after the @totothemselves gig in Glasgow with my guitar brother, the amazing @simonmcbrideguitar #toto #guutar #deeppurple

On a little road trip with @simonmcbrideguitar @donnamcbrideart @lconaghan to see @totothemselves in glasgow!

We hit the studio after NAMM to do a session for @roswellproaudio - always a blast to have musicians of this calibre to play with. We decided to jam on The Red One - a wonderful song by @patmetheny - Drum sounds come courtesy of the amazing @jakobtopfloor and Charlie @ultimatestudiosinc has vibes, dog and gear to make your dreams come true. #studio #music #sessionmusician

Just arrived at @ultimatestudiosinc and the best thing about my whole day is right here!!!! #dog #studiodog

I brought the Irish weather with me! Hopefully this destroy all chance of further wildfires!!!!

Another crazy NAMM experience - we got an exclusive look at the music AI that @dreamtheaterofficial keyboardist @jcrudess is developing. Wonderful, inspiring and unsettling in its brilliance. Fun times with @justinguitar @darbytodd and @jakewillson1 #ai #music #keyboard

Well that was a thing. @bassmagazineonline Awards 2025 were insane. TOOL brought the fire 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Well that was mental. Last night the @bassmagazineonline awards show was FILLED with bass and friends - we got to see Tool live(!!!) @johnjpatitucci @monofartsneon and @lesclaypool - and it was great to hang with @scottsbasslessons @henriklinder @beneath_the_bassline @sheplaysbass @solobasssteve @dingwallguitars @guerillabass and @mattissonbass - all in all, an awesome night at NAMM!!!

Welcome to NAMM!!! #music #musicians

NAMM here we come!!! @darbytodd and I are listening to some @dvntownsend to get us in the mood. @british_airways - let’s go!!! See you all in Anaheim!

It’s almost here!!!! The new album from bona fide Rock legend @donaireykeys featuring @simonmcbrideguitar @jonfinnigandrums @mitchelemms and @carlsentance sounds INCREDIBLE - we recorded this before lockdown with @piersmortimer and it’ll be available at the end of March on @earmusic - really hoping we get out to play it live some time in 2025!!!

I’ll be heading to NAMM next week with @darbytodd @jakobtopfloor @jakewillson1 and @scarguitar - let me know if you’re gonna be there and let’s hang!!!

This is just about as good as it gets - if you haven’t already checked her out, so listen to / watch @alexandra.tirsu she is at the top of the top. And a wonderful human being too!

Striking a pose with @thelimitlessorchestra and @hanszimmer at @dubaiopera

Beautiful to get rocking out with these two nutters in @dubaiopera over the weekend. @hanszimmer has been a constant source of inspiration in my musical life and @igudesman is so exceptional, creative and awe-inspiring, that I always say yes. Before I know the location, the project, the fees - just YES. This time, I collaborated with Aleksey to create From Time To Time: Inception Variations - and Hans joined us to play it onstage. I learn, grow and meet so many awesome people every time we get to create together. Both of these men have enriched my life to no end. #livemusic #orchestra

My bass tone is crushing it on this gig! There’s no better feeling than arriving on a stage with an @ebsswedenofficial rig behind me. @bosse_bas you’re a legend!!! And my new @sandbergguitars.uk bass is still blowing my mind. Beautiful photography by @viktor.andriichenko.fotograf and amazing vibes with @thelimitlessorchestra and @hanszimmer #livemusic #bass #bassguitar

This week has been MENTAL. So much joy, creativity, laughter and HARD WORK with @thelimitlessorchestra and @igudesman - we’re making final touches before we connect with @hanszimmer at @dubaiopera - it’s gonna be EPIC. #live #livemusic #orchestra #hanszimmer

Straight from the airport into tech setup with @thelimitlessorchestra. Rehearsals start first thing tomorrow morning and then a week of experiments before we fly to Dubai to connect up with the one and only @hanszimmer

Time to get a fresh set of @elixir_strings on my Barnes and Mullins resonator. @the.guitaristsworld will post some clips once they’ve settled in. #resonator #resonatorguitar #guitar #guitarstrings #folk #country

Well. The @worldofhanszimmer Autumn tour is done. It is, without a doubt one of the most incredible things I have ever done in my life. As a little memory capture, what started as a backstage jam has now been turned into a little single. I recorded people in backstage rooms, hotels, onstage and in any corner where we could make it happen. A pair of Roswell mics and a lot of ingenuity got it sounding fabulous. Recording is all about capturing what’s in front of you, and having a cast of astonishing musicians on hand means there was magic at every turn. Thank you so much to everyone who gave their time, love and energy to it. Special mention for @jeroensimons013 for tech help at every show. #wohz #tour #hanszimmer #recording #acoustic #acousticguitar #bass #tourlife

The end of Inception absolutely devastated me tonight. We have one more show to play. It’s a lot of feelings. The audience shone all their phone lights for us, and one by one they went out until @berfinaksu was left playing alone. @sandra.tomek has created something truly special with this show - through the people she has entrusted with it. We get to touch something truly numinous here and through that, we get to share something transcendent with a room full of strangers. There’s nothing but love in the room. #wohz #tour #livemusic

One more show to go and the backstage fun continues. We have all xmas themed quotes as we head into the final shows!!! #wohz #tourlife #tour #grinch #christmas

We’ve just arrived in Malaga and the sun is BEAMING. Loving life as we head into the penultimate show. #wohz #tour #tourlife

@worldofhanszimmer rocking Pamplona tonight! You guys were beautiful and we loved playing for you!!!

Tonight was a real trip. I met the legendary @officialjohnmclaughlin way back in my early 20s when he was playing with The Heart of Things and tonight he came to see the @worldofhanszimmer show. He was humble, charming and had words of warm encouragement - back then and again tonight. Special thanks to @julian_v.s.touring for inviting him along. It’s always a delight and an honour to perform for a master.

So much fun playing DOBBLE on the boys bus!! #WOHZ #tourlife #dobble

Just unbelievable. The energy in the room tonight was on another level. They charged us up and we blasted it back. Words do a poor job - if you were there, you know already. @worldofhanszimmer #wohz #livemusic #tour #hanszimmer #

It’s starting to get weird in the @worldofhanszimmer boys dressing room. @encyclopia says she’s just trying to challenge me. She is succeeding. I’m not sure if I am. 1000xp for anyone who I can tell what this from. Welcome to my table read. #auditon

We’re getting philosophical in the backstage at WOHZ. Special thanks to @encyclopia for keeping the backstage intellectually challenging. This tour team is the BEST #philosophy #kant #tourlife

Every night, the magic never wears off. It never even wears thin. It’s just deep and rich and fills up your heart. I love this show, this band and this incredible team that makes it all happen. @worldofhanszimmer #wohz #livemusic #tour

Fire the bass cannon!!!!! Another incredible show with @worldofhanszimmer rocking my @sandbergguitars bass, @ebsswedenofficial amps and pedals and my @elixir_strings and it sounds glorious through my @ultimateearspro IEMs!!! #wohz #livemusic #bassist #bassistsofinstagram #hanszimmer

Well this is just incredible. @encyclopia made me a beautiful sign in the @worldofhanszimmer boys changing room. I’ll invite her to do one per gig with a different line and I’ll deliver them in Arnold style until everyone is bored. (I.e tomorrow)

PARIS - you ROCKED!!! what a blast. And we get to do it all over again tonight!!! #wohz #livemusic #hanszimmer

Another green room jam - this one showcases the incredible @futurelove.s_official with @elamirguitar bringing his very own funky flamenco style and @lucy.landymore playing found objects as amazing percussion! We did a cheeky overdub with @saulius.petreikis on bamboo flute and some harmonies from Futurelove. Voice, flute and guitar were all recorded using my @roswellproaudio mini K87s and my @sandbergguitars bass is rocking @elixir_strings through an @ebsswedenofficial microbass 3. Shout out to @encyclopia for her sterling video work!!! #wohz #livemusic #recording #tour #hanszimmer #acoustic #acousticguitar #bass #bassguitar #wonderfulworld #vocalist #flamencoguitar #percussion

Boys bus on the @worldofhanszimmer - up at 4am to see the Paul vs Tyson fight. Let’s RAWWWWK. #paulvstyson #miketyson #jakepaul

Putting my new custom @sandbergguitars California TT V through its paces in the @worldofhanszimmer green room. Today it’s neck pickup, treble rolled off, a little bass boost and some disco funk!!! Recorded into an @ebsswedenofficial Microbass 3 for a bit of extra dirt! #recording #bass #bassguitar #bassplayer #bassist #disco #funk

Another amazing show last night. The audience in Bratislava were absolutely on 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

More impromptu flamenco fun backstage on the @worldofhanszimmer tour with the unstoppable @elamirguitar - @lucy.landymore and I reached for the green room snacks to make percussion happen!! Captured on my beautiful @roswellproaudio mini K87s #wohz #livemusic #tour #recording #acoustic #acousticguitar

More backstage fun on the @worldofhanszimmer tour. Hanging with @futurelove.s_official and the @nairobi_chamber_c and beautiful music just falls out of us… recorded with my beautiful @roswellproaudio Mini K87s #wohz #livemusic #tour #recording #acoustic #acousticguitar #

A wide legged power squat Rock pose, if I ever saw one. I’m available for lessons if you wanna work on your rock stance. Fax me your deets on 1-800-POWERROCKSQUATSTANCEPOSELESSONS

Pre-show jam for Dortmund - @elamirguitar is bringing the fire yet again with some incredible flamenco playing - and the rest of us are grooving along! @sandbergguitars bass into @ebsswedenofficial microbass 3 preamp with @elixir_strings and the mics are a stereo pair of @roswellproaudio mini K87s #wohz #livemusic #tour #recording #flamenco #flamencoguitar #jamming

My new @sandbergguitars bass is crushing it on every single show we play. What an incredible instrument. #wohz #live #livemusic #bass #bassguitar #bassplayer

Stockholm monster guitar summit!!! The incredible @scarguitar and @carlmornerr came to see the show - cue aftershow hang with @elamirguitar and me. Great craic and musical nerdery of the highest order. #wohz #tour #guitar #guitarplayer

STOCKHOLM - you were magical tonight. We loved bringing the. @worldofhanszimmer show and you were such an amazing, giving, generous, fun audience. We LOVED playing for you.

I’m at the home of great bass tone - @ebsswedenofficial - my bass family for more than 20 years ❤️❤️❤️❤️

If you ever wanted to know what it looks like just before you play an arena in Riga, wonder no more, dear listener…#wohz #livemusic #tour #

Next stop…. SWEDEN. let’s rock. #wohz #tour

The first run of shows with @worldofhanszimmer have been nothing short of epic. A killer band, some of the best music of the last 30 years and audiences…. Well, every night we’re blown away by the love and joy you’ve shown us - it’s been incredible.

Mo’ FIRE!!! Another incredible show with @worldofhanszimmer I love Pirates, pyros and rock. LIVING THE DREEEEEAM #livemusic #hanszimmer #wohz #recording

Jamming backstage with the incredible @elamirguitar on guitar and the inimitable @lucy.landymore on…. Table and sweet bowl. A quick smash out of Spain - raw, real and unrehearsed. My guitar sounds fantastic through my new @roswellproaudio mini K87! #wohz #livemusic #recording #tour #acousticguitar

Chilling before tonight’s @worldofhanszimmer show and the @nairobi_chamber_c popped in to jam with @elamirguitar @gbga and me! Love, good vibes and beautiful music are all around!!! #wohz #livemusic #recording #acoustic #tour

Tour bus shenanigans with these two legends.

Getting after it with @lucy.landymore in the gym today ahead of our @worldofhanszimmer show tonight. We’re so synced up that at times it seems like there’s only one person there. That’s the essence of sitting in a groove. #hanszimmer #wohz #gym #rhythmsection #drums #bass

Godzilla watches over us while we eat.

It sits somewhere between honour, pleasure and privilege to do this show. Everyone involved is an absolute monster on their instrument, and yet there is so much love and generosity for each other that it makes every show a magical experience. #hanszimmer #livemusic #tour #wohz #

Family outing to the Berlin Arena to catch my gig tonight with @worldofhanszimmer !!!

Tonight’s the night!!! My family are here to see @worldofhanszimmer live in Berlin Arena and it’s gonna be IMMENSE. incredible music x amazing band + immense venue = deep joy.

Leipzig - you rocked! We had a beautiful first show, packed with amazing musical memories. Shout out to Mike from @sandbergguitars who made the trip to catch the show with friends and family - you guys made me such a beautiful bass, it was a pleasure to play it for you! #wohz #livemusic #hanszimmer #tour

TOMORROW. #worldofhanszimmer #premier #livemusic #musicians

One day to go!!!! @worldofhanszimmer kicks off tomorrow night in Leipzig. We are ready to bring this incredible show to soooo many cities across Europe!!! #tour #tourlife #livemusic #hanszimmer

Backstage percussion is a real thing. We work with what we find to accompany the incredible @elamirguitar and his beautiful flamenco playing. #tourlife #tour #percussionist #wohz

A beautiful afternoon spent in a cat cafe (yes, that’s a real thing) and then listening to Vaughan Williams as I strolled around the museum.

Come on now world - by the time Xmas is here, we’ll be sick to the teeth of it. I used to love that Halloween was the big deal in October. Then November was like a chill month, then December was all about Xmas. Nope. Now it’s all systems go for 2/3 months before each. Nonsense. #grumpy #rant

Ukulele bass - it’s the future. @kalabrandmusic been having lots of fun putting it through its paces on @worldofhanszimmer rehearsals. #bass #bassguitar #bassistsofinstagram #ukulelebass #hanszimmer

New mics have arrived!!!! The legends at @roswellproaudio just delivered an amazing care package to me. Get ready for crystal clear sound in our backstage vids for @worldofhanszimmer - my new pair of mini U87s are KILLING!!! #microphone #recording #hanszimmer #tour

On a break at @worldofhanszimmer rehearsals…. Here’s a little burst of slap bass to show off the sound of my new @sandbergguitars bass - @elixir_strings, active mode, both pickups on, flat EQ and going into my @ebsswedenofficial 802 amp, Proline cab. BOOM. #bass #bassguitar #slapbass

Rehearsal done! Another day of smashing it with the @worldofhanszimmer team. Every single person in this bus is an absolute LEGEND

Nothing feels better than standing in front of an @ebsswedenofficial rig! Every instrument I plug into sounds clean and clear - and you can hear the different character in each. Perfection in bass amplifiers.

The legends at @elixir_strings hooked me up with fresh sets for the @worldofhanszimmer tour. Looking very forward to hearing that sparkly ZING through my amp tomorrow!!!!

World of Hans Zimmer rehearsals - day TWO. @lucy.landymore and I just got a @da_rulk workout in on @centrfit I’d like to say we’re glowing, but we’re both destroyed. Love it!!!

Strapped in and ready to fly!!! @think_ns @sandbergguitars @worldofhanszimmer #tourlife #musician #wohz

TIME TO FLY!!!! Dublin to Berlin. @worldofhanszimmer - I’m on my way!!! #letsdothis #wohz #hanszimmer

It fits!!! So much sonic wizardry in this box, compliments of @ebsswedenofficial @neuraldsp a bit of @aguilaramp some @ehx and on Saturday, that 2nd octabass will make way for a @sourceaudio C4. LET’S ROCK

This is not an advert for @ultimateearspro - it’s my genuine reaction to my new IEMs. A bit freaked out, and feeling like a bit of a thicko if I’m being honest. #musician #musicianlife #inearmonitors #protectyourhearing #musiciansofinstagram

One of my favourite parts of tour prep is building a killer board filled with amazing sounds. There’s a great blend of analog and digital here with parts from my long-time bass dream partners @ebsswedenofficial as well as new additions from @ehx @aguilaramp and the heart of my switching system, modulation and verbs - @neuraldsp This board has a wealth of incredible sounds for my new @sandbergguitars bass, my @think_ns electric upright and my @kalabrandmusic bass ukulele. Be warned, it’s gonna sound HUGE!

Prep continues for the incredible @worldofhanszimmer shows in Europe this autumn. The Dark Knight= Dropped-D electric upright bass bowed with sub-octave and fuzz. It’s gonna be MONSTROUS. Big shout out to @think_ns for this incredible instrument. A bunch of @ebsswedenofficial and @neuraldsp on the floor completes the picture! #livemusic #hanszimmer #filmmusic #electricuprightbass #steinbergerbass #electricbassist

The @chinekejuniors brought the 🔥🔥🔥 today at the @southbankcentre - here’s one of my favourite bits of Holst’s masterpiece Mars The Bringer of War. #orchestra #orchestrakids #livemusic

Playing on a beautiful roof garden with the @diamondboysuk as the sun goes down over Munich. Life is GOOOOOOD. #livemusic #acoustic #vocalharmony

What’s up Munich? Rocking the acoustic vibes with the @diamondboysuk for a few days. #livemusic #acoustic

Absolute SMASHER of a gig last night with @thekittsband at Woolwich Works. Monster players + incredible singers x amazing groove = VIBE FOR DAYS

Back in one of my favourite rooms IN THE WORLD. it’s multi time on keys, guitars and Perc at the @royalalberthall #livemusic #musician #music #mutiinstrumentalist

An amazing week teaching guitar, performance and vocal arranging in Tuscany. Glorious weather, INCREDIBLE Italian food, music, laughter and fun. DONE. #guitar #guitarschool #liveband #music

More of my lockdown acoustic adventures finally seeing the light of day. Here’s a beautiful @jonimitchell song that I’ve always loved - Both Sides Now. A simple, yet sweet arrangement for solo acoustic guitar for your delectation. @roswellproaudio and @cranborneaudio providing a delightful signal chain. @softubestudios console one and @uaudio plugs in the mix. #acoustic #acousticguitar #sologuitar #classicsong #jonimitchell #bothsidesnow

Here’s some Celtic rock to get your blood pumping!! There’s a real cast of stellar musicians on this track - and almost all starting with the letter D! @darbytodd on drums, @dmurphy_music on pipes and whistles, @donaloconnormusic on fiddle, @dario.cortese on mandolin, me @davemarks on bass & guitars, and then just to ruin our unbroken streak, @timbofilters on piano. Engineered by @jowebb and recorded at @uniofsurrey and Two Wolves Studios using @roswellproaudio and Cranbourne Audio gear. #celticmusic #irish #irishmusic #composer #recordingsession #uilleannpipes #fiddle

Killing some time before a @diamondboysuk with a little blast of @delamitriofficial - off the cuff and a hit rough and ready, but it’s SUCH a great song, we had to do it. #livemusic #live #harmony #vocals #singing #acoustic #acousticguitar #acousitccover

Come to Northern Ireland and you are basically IN Westeros. Last year, I was asked by @petercorryproductions_ to create an arrangement of the wonderful @gameofthrones theme by the incredible @ramindjawadi_official using Irish traditional instruments. Game o’ Thrones, if you will. So I called in the AMAZING @oisin_macanna on pipes, whistle and Bodhran, I fired in the guitars, low whistle and the big drums through my trusty @roswellproaudio mics and @cranborneaudio pres(with a bit of reinforcement courtesy of @spitfireaudio ) and to top it all off, @irmiwolvin brought her world-class sound, feel and expression to the cello part. Huge love to the global GOT family - and especially to my friends @carla_stronge_casting and @andrewmcclayactor #recording #recordingstudio #gameofthrones #gameofthronesmusic #gameofthrones #arranger #coversong

NERD ALERT!!! This isn’t sexy, fly, flashy guitar playing, but it IS the key to sounding better, making your guitar clear, loud and audible in any mix. Get your voicings together!!! It applies to all styles, but I’m dealing with folk / trad / Irish stuff here. #guitar #guitarplayer #acoustic #acousticguitar #guitarlessons #irishmusic #irishmusician

Over lockdown, one of my pet projects was creating a series of solo acoustic guitar arrangements. I may put up a transcription for a nominal fee, if anyone’s interested. The first of three is the incredible ‘Beauty and the Beast’ by @alanmenken and @howardashman - a phenomenal song from a Disney classic. Recorded using my @roswellproaudio Delphois II and my @astonmics Spirit through my @cranborneaudio Camden preamp. #recording #recordingstudio #acoustic #acousticguitar #acousticcover #soloacoustic

Me, @mitchelemms and giant balls in Budapest. WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT??!?

Budapest was a blast - in, out and on my way straight back to London, then on to Belfast. #musician #internationaltravel

A beautiful Irish ballad for your Monday. I wrote this around the time of the Syrian refugee crisis, and although it comes from an Irish place musically, it's meant to reflect the plight of all refugees fleeing from political violence and instability. It features some E-bow fretless bass textures, a few drum hits and the incredible voice of @mattmcginnmusic. Thanks to @jowebb for the mix on this one. #composer #irishmusic #irishballads #studio #recordingstudio #fretless #ebow #vocalist #refugees #politicalviolence

THE CROSSING - here’s a little cue I first created way back in 2014 for a live event in Paris. I dug it up and gave it a makeover with a bunch of @spitfireaudio sounds. #composer #recording #filmscoring #arabicmusic

Backstage hang at the @takethat gig with these legends!!!! Big up @jowebb and @saxes16 for sorting us tickets and passes - what a monster gig!!!

It’s official! The word is out. I’m SO excited to be getting to play the music of Hans Zimmer again - live on stage with some of the best musicians IN THE WORLD. Roll on October!!!

What happens when you take the man that people like @hanszimmer and @rickbeato1 describe as ‘the best guitarist alive’ and you get him to play Irish Trad Fusion with @darbytodd @dmurphy_music, Clare Hadwen and yours truly? MAGIC. Wait till you hear the solo that @guthrie.govan plays on this tune… it’s unlike anything I’ve ever heard. #irish #irishtraditionalmusic #irishtrad #composer #fusion #worldmusic

Making up a track for an event later this year. It’s a cover of a famous song in the style of another artist. Both artists have the initials D.B. Can anyone guess them? (Neither is Irish btw)

Having a super fun day out in Dublin with these nutters.