Followers who noticed ZZ High throughout their current tour cease in Huntsville, Ala. witnessed an uncommon sight, as bassist Elwood Francis briefly carried out utilizing an outsized 17-string bass.
The mammoth instrument wasn’t only a prop. Francis proved it might truly be performed by utilizing the bass for ZZ High’s first variety of the evening, the 1983 Eliminator tune “Acquired Me Beneath Stress.” In fan-shot video (see beneath) the bassist might be seen strumming alongside on the comically massive machine, a lot to the delight of frontman Billy Gibbons.
No clarification was initially given for the enormous instrument, as Francis moved to a extra conventional bass for the remainder of the live performance.
Because it seems, the behemoth bass was truly the results of some late-night internet looking. Sure, ZZ High found their latest instrument in the identical means that common folks find yourself shopping for bizarre devices and gizmos on Amazon.
“I used to be doing evening web looking [and] turned up an image of this loopy 17 string bass,” Francis defined in response to an inquiry from UCR. “I despatched an image to Billy and we laughed about it and made some jokes about truly attempting to make use of it.”
The story might have ended there… however the place’s the enjoyable in that?
“A couple of weeks later, after I had forgotten about it, Billy reveals up with [the 17 string bass],” Francis defined, describing the scenario as “a type of ‘maintain my beer’ moments.”
Francis joined the ZZ High final following the loss of life of bassist Dusty Hill. Since then, the musician, who had served because the group’s longtime guitar tech, has been a pure match within the trio.
“He is including an excellent little bit of enthusiasm,” Hill remarked in July. “Once I see [drummer] Frank Beard smiling for the primary time in 30 years, I do know one thing good’s occurring.”
ZZ High is within the remaining days of their Uncooked Whiskey tour, ending Dec. 2 in Scottsdale, Ariz. From there, the group heads to Las Vegas for a residency at The Venetian Resort and On line casino. No phrase as as to if the 17-string bass will likely be making a return look.
ZZ High Stay 2022
Photographs of ZZ High performing reside in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio on July 29, 2022.
