Talking about Bruce Thomas (Elvis Costello & The Attractions) with Dave Derby (Gramercy Arms, The Dambuilders, Lloyd Cole)

Four Strings and the Truth

When a planned interview with Bruce Thomas fell through for…reasons, we dusted ourselves off and decided to consult with bassist/songwriter/singer Dave Derby (Gramercy Arms, The Dambuilders), no slouch on the four string himself (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFcGRQROIt0).

Dave and I volley our favorite BT performances - too many to name! - and reflect on Elvis Costello’s genius/occasionally wonky pitch, Bruce’s musical auto-bio “Rough Notes” and the importance and difficulty of shaping your own legacy.

Gramercy Arms’ amazing new album “The Making of The Making Of” (https://gramercyarms1.bandcamp.com/album/the-making-of-the-making-of)

The Dambuilders (https://open.spotify.com/artist/3b5zJp91jHNhz6AByOoURk?si=JwEgkbsvRheB22WCAFnaHA)

Elvis Costello and the Attractions (https://open.spotify.com/artist/4qmHkMxr6pTWh5Zo74odpH?si=IVDwwVhCS5ecS_Pew0fIEg)

Bruce’s book “Rough Notes” (https://www.brucethomas.co.uk/?page_id=84)

The (very reasonably priced) Bruce Thomas Profile bass (https://www.basscentre.com/left-handed/bruce-thomas-profile.html)

This episode was brought to you by "The Bastard Instrument: A Cultural History of the Electric Bass," the essential new book that illuminates the origins and impact of our beloved instrument in all its glory. An amazing read. Buy it at Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Bastard-Instrument-Cultural-Electric-Tracking/dp/0472056816/) or your favorite book slinger. And check out author Brian F. Wright's amazing website (https://www.brianfwright.com/) for unreleased content from the book and more of his writing.