Der Basser

Artist: Der Basser
Real Name: Mathias Klingner
Birthplace: Ochsenfurt, Germany
Location: Ochsenfurt / Wuerzburg, Germany
Genre: Rock
Sub-genres: Progressive/Post Rock, Jazz

Biography

Der Basser is the artist name of Mathias Klingner. Mathias plays guitar and bass professionally and is one third of the Togeo Music Project. He also is a current member and bass guitarist of the German rock band Cheap Thrills.

First of all… I was born in February 1981 and started playing music (guitar, bass-guitar) when I was 14. My first influences were bands such as metallica, Nirvana and guns ´n roses.

At the age of 16 or so I discovered the 70´s progressive rock bands such as Yes, Genesis, King Crimson and also modern progressive bands such as Dream Theater, Spastic Inc and so on. I was largely influenced by the Dave Mathews Band. I was really impressed and inspired by Mathew´s singing and Guitar playing.

In the last five years my musical bandwidth was extended to modern electical music (Jazz, modern composing) and I started listening to MAGMA, ZAPPA and some of the newer King Crimson music.

My favorite musicians and strongest influences are: Magma (Christian Vander and Jannick Top), Dave Mathews and bassists such as Chris Squire (yes), Geddy Lee (Rush), Tony Levin and good old Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers).

I played in several different Bands,the most well-known being Cheap Thrills, here in Germany. Lately I have been interested in spontaneus improvisation and computer-based composing as well as performing. I still haven´t found my definitive or final sound and try to experiment with all sorts of styles as in singing/songwriting, rock music and improvised electronic sound.

Starting the journey…a little history.

When I was about 14, my old friend Toby (Sum-1) showed me how to hold a guitar right. From him I learned basic chords and different ways of playing. My primary goal (to impress girls) failed, thats when I discovered that you don´t impress girls by playing Punk-Rock and Metall stuff. And I just didn´t like Love-ballads. Then I started listening to music by Crimson or Magma, my circle of fans got even smaller.

Also, When you go camping, bring your guitar and start playing.DO NOT start with a 12-tone extravaganza or a zappa-song about “frogs with dirty little lips”! The audience will hate you.

A while later I found people who I could share my music with. A guy named Richard (Drummer) brought me to the Backstage, a small club in a town nearby. Each thursday, they had an open-stage night. You just go up on stage, plug in your bass, and start jamming with the other music freaks. Usually, later at night, when all the grey-haired blues-grandpas left, there would happen fantastic things on that stage. We didn´t play cover-songs, no blues-jams, we didn´t fit in any expectations, just Wild, free musical expression. That was the aim or my goal….

…and still is.