Mark King on writing & recording at home, how he got into bass, & playing double bass | Rotosound

[@fretlessfender]

I just wanna state.... Mark is not just known for his slapping. Pay attention to his choice of notes... how lyrical he sounds sometimes. That ranks him up to the likes of Jaco... Mark is truly the best bass player alive. Not because of his slapping but because of his musicianship. It must be told more!

[@bassio1969]

I’ve been a huge fan of Mark since around 1986. No mistake there. But the best bass player alive..? No. He doesn’t think so himself either. Take a look at Charles Berthoud. (kzbin.info) That guy is just… insane. Not to forget Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller and some others by the way.

[@ladylaois8184]

Absolute legend ❤from Bath England

[@saintrobski]

Some of the non-slapping stuff he can do is unbelievable. The smooth 16s in the middle of World Machine (the track) and the B section of Almost There for just two examples.

[@martinclay7557]

Just scanning the background in Mark's studio to see if I have something in common gearwise.... ...We have the same patio door 🤣

[@johndoyle1810]

It’s great to see mark king so bright and breezy,long live the funk master mark king

[@OGBrawlerina]

I love how digital-savvy Mark is! Most guys his age are clueless about computers and anything related to them.

[@hersybowle]

I met Mark for the 1st time around 84 in The Hammersmith Odeon & he was a complete gentleman then as he is now,absolute legend👍🏼🎼

[@Mondgeist7777]

I was so lucky to see Level 42 in the 80’s at the old Ritz in Manhattan. 86, and in 87 I met him on the stairs going into the Ritz. This was pure magic. Mark was super cool! I asked him what bass he had used on the Midge Ute cover on “Living the past”, the Jethro Tull song. He said he used his status bass. I ordered a status a few months later. I might add that during this time I myself used the Funk Master set of bass strings, which I mostly purchased at Manny’s Music on 48th street in Manhattan NYC. That string was his secret weapon!

[@TenFalconsMusic]

You can tell how much Mark loves bass by the way he embraces them whilst he's holding them. I didn't realise that I did the same until a mate of mine pointed it out.

[@robertmcshane1038]

What a legend. I've been into level 42 since I bought the 12 inch version of love games. Always being into bass so much so I ordered a status kingbass. Just wish I could have 1 per cent of marks talent. Stay safe and take care 👍

[@user-ft2vf9lk7v]

Nice to hear from you my favorite Bass player, Mr. Mark King. Level 42 fan for life.

[@zibbezabba2491]

My fave level 42 album "Staring at the sun" I love playing it in the car, even in 2021.

[@Funkstar124]

Mark and Mke, it's high time ypu guys put together a new album and the shouted about it. Make it classic level42 and you'll win big time with us fans old and new. Go on! You know you just GOTTA,

[@honeybadgers1996]

I always love to see interviews with Mark King. He’s such a lovely man and a greatest Bassists. Thank you for this wonderful interview.

[@vigulfmusicproduct]

Mark King knows how to use words to explain things:)

[@amandahodgkinson9193]

Great interview and Thank You for including my question to Mark 👍🏻🙏

[@rotosound_uk]

Our pleasure!

[@christianolsson834]

Good question too! 👍😊

[@LordEradicus]

One of the best Mark King interviews ever. The first set of bass strings I ever bought were Rotosounds (after learning they were used on both Level 42 and U2 records in the day), and even now they still have the sound I like the most.

[@yudhychriss2532]

Ngefans banget dengan mark king...

[@CANALROBBY]

Wouah ! 45 mn de durée de vie pour ses cordes 😮... Ca m'a scotché ! Longue vie à Mark King, mon héro depuis 40 ans ☮

[@sheen14661]

Top bloke.. Always liked his style and professional approach to his music.. Think I'll take the bass up.. X

[@CaesarDarias]

I became aware of Mark King through Gizmodrome. I don’t know if the pandemic stopped that band, but they sounded great during the 5-6 live shows they did. I can only imagine what they might have done 20 shows into a tour. He really comes across as a very personable and accommodating person, especially for someone of his stature. Thanks for the video.

[@markhemzy8433]

Refreshing interview. Great to hear a great musician chatting with no side, just a lot of enthusiasm and a real friendly attitude. Thanks for sharing.

[@davidhunt1917]

What a top pair of blokes.,great interview, loved it

[@rotosound_uk]

Cheers, David. It was a lot of fun talking with such a legend who is so down to earth

[@martinballantine247]

Great interview, really enjoyed it

[@BrooksysBassCorner]

Splendid work chaps!!! Excellent stuff!

[@rotosound_uk]

Cheers Brooksy!

[@vigulfmusicproduct]

Nice man, incredible bass player, talented daughter, Love Level 42:)

[@Simonewhitesim-1music]

Yeah we were waiting on you in Sydney. Then bam everything started changing.

[@mercuryrisinginspection9971]

Please come back to U.S.!

[@DerCrackerJack]

❤️ my hero

[@oscarevans4139]

You only need a nugget of an idea and if you’re lucky enough to be around good musicians you trust good things will come. Very wise

[@glennhynes5263]

What a wonderful interview.

[@rotosound_uk]

Thank you Glenn!

[@zilspeed]

I had to pause the video there, a set of Rotosound 45s instead of the usual 30s ? Never thought I'd see the day ;-)

[@larryjonson3550]

Probably for the like of his jazz bass or something! 45 seems normal and actually light for most players. 30s for me for most of my life! Here’s a demo of some rotos on a 1970s bass! Enjoy. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZmmoeYl-l86NrJI

[@bassthumper7331]

Mark King is Gangsta..but so humble.....

[@davebarber3827]

Hero mark is. How is the isle of wight.

[@Bassmanfallon]

Ma man.

[@ariasung68]

Fantastic King ! and thank you for asking about how often his changing the strings ? :D

[@andreasg7834]

Friendly and humorous guy :-)

[@zibbezabba2491]

I was in a very hard working cover band in the 80's in Liverpool. Seven nights a week as well as Sunday afternoons (I kid you not) We must have done more gigs than anyone in the 80's. Half of our set was level 42 songs. When I auditioned I got the job because I could play 'lessons in love' without going out of time. Funny thing was I could never slap but nobody seemed to notice (except Level 42 fans of course) It's interesting you mentioned having a synth underneath your playing to support your bottom end. I was put off slap by watching other bass players popping all over their set without any mind being paid to the bottom end. Everybody was trying to be Mark King those days :)

[@Krogrosen]

So did you fingerstyle lessons in love?

[@zibbezabba2491]

@@Krogrosen No, I used a pleck.

[@Krogrosen]

@@zibbezabba2491 alright

[@mikebuick2332]

What a great interview. I’ve seen Mark using Rotosound Double Ball Ends on his King Bass but there doesn’t seem to be anything in the range for medium scale basses? Any ideas on what you supplied him?

[@rotosound_uk]

Hi Mike. We just produce long scale double ball end strings. We produce medium scale Swing Bass 66 strings (RS66M). As far as we're aware, the KingBass models are long scale.

[@bassthumper7331]

I have seen Many of his Basses in videos hanging on his wall....like a candy shop in that room

[@davebarber3827]

Where is the music shop on the isle of wight I forgot to take one of my guitars when I went.

[@skeelo69]

Mark eats plenty of eggs...blimey a whole studio of egg cartons on the wall...i wonder how many omelettes that was ? 🥚

[@far0n]

They really could have picked a better interviewer. Looked awkward as hell 😐