Eric Axelson

Band: Maritime

Washington, D.C. / USA

Born: April 29, 1971
I chose to study drums instead of bass at age 8, figuring it would be easier to bring drumsticks to school instead of a double bass. After 8 years of percussion/drums, realized that I'd made a grave mistake, and started playing an upside-down Fender in a punk band called the Milkcarton Children.
Went to college and briefly dabbled in guitar before buying a left handed Hondo 4 string. Formed the band, The Dismemberment Plan, where I played the Hondo so hard that one night the pick-ups dropped back into the body.
Bought a lefty Fender Jazz to record our first album, which I played for about 4 years. Bought my '74 Fender P-Bass as a back up, but during the sessions for our 3rd record, started to use it exclusively and haven't changed gear since.
We currently tour 6 months out of the year, and I only bring the P with me, with the Jazz next to my computer for home practice.

The only other bass I'd want at this point is a custom A-E-A-D or B-E-A-D 4 string.

Main Bass: 1974 Fender P-Bass (American) with Bartolini pick-ups and a Bad Ass II bridge

Back-up Bass: 1994 Fender Jazz Bass (Japanese)

Back-Up head: 70s era Peavy Mach III and a Dave Eden Roadrunner 600

Main Amp: Ampeg Pro-II head into an Ampeg Classic 4x10 with the horn off

Korg DTR2