The SBL Podcast

Even Green Day’s most famous bass parts come with a few surprises! Mike Dirnt takes Ian through his basses and rig, revealing which instruments he actually played on Dookie and Longview, demoing his beloved Gibson G3 and signature basses, and explaining how he gets that unmistakable punch. Expect plenty of bass playing, a few gear revelations, and road stories from instruments that have survived hundreds of shows.

Stu Hamm has spent his career making the bass do things you didn’t know it could do, from the explosive lines he played with Steve Vai and Joe Satriani to his unmistakable solo work. Ian and Stu revisit the lines that turned heads, and once Stu picks up a bass, you hear exactly why they still do.

Ever walked out of a lesson feeling worse than when you walked in? Scott and Ian swap stories about incredible teachers, downright traumatizing lessons, and why learning bass has never been one size fits all. Hit play... you might never look at bass lessons the same way again.

What does Green Day bassist Mike Dirnt never leave home without?

Scott sits down with Mike to uncover the 10 things he can't live without, from always having a bass within reach to the surprisingly personal items that keep him comfortable on the road. Expect great stories, a few unexpected picks, and a peek into the daily life of one of punk rock's most iconic bass players.

Fender just lit the gear world on fire.

Scott and Ian dive into the backlash surrounding Fender's cease-and-desist letters, why builders across Europe are furious, and what this could mean for some of the most iconic guitar and bass shapes ever made. Is Fender protecting its legacy, or creating a PR nightmare?

Josh Paul’s bass playing has powered everything from the aggressive energy of Suicidal Tendencies to the deep funk grooves of Infectious Grooves. In this conversation with Ian, he breaks down the lines, tone, and gear behind some of his most recognizable parts, along with the stories and approach that shaped his playing along the way. Turn it up and dig in.

This band broke the internet… and you’re not ready for who’s behind it. 

In this episode, we dig into Angine de Poitrine, where one player is somehow covering guitar and bass at the same time, stacking warped microtonal riffs while the drummer drives these unpredictable, high-wire grooves. It’s chaotic, it’s locked in, and it keeps you on edge the whole time. 

Trust us… the reveal is worth it.

Scott and Ian dive into the story behind the Walrus Audio Mantle DI, the pedal that somehow managed to make the internet furious. Ian shares why he reached out to Walrus to build it, what he was chasing after years of using boxes like the Noble and Jad Freer Capo, and the studio gear that inspired the design. Along the way they get into transformer tone, simple vs overcomplicated pedals, gig reliability, and what bass players actually want from a great DI.

Ian is joined by Mike Dirnt to break down the bass lines that shaped the sound of Green Day. From “Longview” to “Basket Case,” Mike shares how he builds his parts, what inspired them, and how simple ideas turn into massive, melodic bass lines that drive the song. Tone, attack, feel, and singing while playing — it’s all here.

Scott sits down with bassist Ellen Alaverdyan to break down some of her favorite bass lines, from iconic grooves like Money by Pink Floyd to Come On, Come Over and more. Ellen shares what makes these lines stand out, how she learns them, and the practice habits that help her really lock them in and make them feel great.