Mr Bassman, boom boom, thwack thwack, talks exclusively, dang dang, chacker chacker, to Making Music, thock thock, thwackadang

Mr Funk Bass shows you how

Mark King, master bassist with a string of hit albums to his name as leader of Level 42, has reaped many of the rewards that pop stardom can bring — but satisfaction with the music industry is never guaranteed, as Paul Tingen discovers.

A Man With A Gift

In between tours with Ultravox and appearances on Live Aid, Midge Ure somehow found the time to discuss the writing and recording of his first ever solo LP 'The Gift' and his No1 single with Ian Gilby.

funk and hi-tech facilities

Gary Hopkins lends an ear to the Caledonian Crooner

What goes twang, thump and pank? Probably Mark King, bass player and vocalist in Level 42, then again it might just be his right thumb. We discuss digits, strings and things.

shrugs and knock 'n' knowall

Wrenched from video filming (with a ballerina no less) and quizzed on gear and blushes.

Creating The Future

Anyone can dream about the studio of the future, but it takes a unique talent to build it in the present. Wally Badarou's personal studio defies conventional ideas of studio design, substituting voice-controlled DMP11s for a large console, and putting the musician first. Paul Tingen listens in.

Level 42 keyboardsman Mike Lindup takes a break from recording of the next album to talk to Tim Goodyer about Fairlights and Synclaviers, among other things.

Golden boy of the teeny bop scene a closet guitar hero? It's true, all true. Muso musings captured for posterity by Dave Burrluck and Susan Rookledge.

Is there life after Limahl? Yup. The four shy boys take turns to explain how they do it, and what they do it on.

The co-producer of Level 42's last two records has also lent his keyboard playing skills to the likes of Grace Jones, Robert Palmer, Mick Jagger and Talking Heads. He discusses his roles as programmer, synth player and producer with Paul Tingen.

your bass enquiries answered

Four-stringed readers of Making Music show one-stringers how to go further.

Basscheck

It's Mark King time again. A handmade beauty with a gorgeous body. The bass, not Mark King

news from the front

newsworthy items for your interest

Pino Palladino, Mark King, Robbie Shakespeare and Geddy Lee — student of the groove Chris Maillard gets some lessons

Level 42's Svengali gets his comeuppance

Who you (the readers) voted as best musician, and what you (still the readers) voted as best gear. We shake the world.

Bass Slate

The life history of the bass guitar.