The thoughts and pontifications of Billie Marshall
GearHeads - Emma Anzai of Sick Puppies
by Billie Marshall,posted Oct 11 2010 8:15AM
Name: Emma Anzai
Band/Artist: Sick Puppies
Instrument: Bass
Why did you decide to start playing bass?
In the beginning I played guitar and when I met Shim (lead singer) in high school I moved over onto bass because Shim played guitar and sang. My main priority was to play in a band regardless of what instrument.
After that I really embraced bass and started to really get into it. I checked out bass players like Flea, Les Claypool and Victor Wooten. I got their instructional videos and tried to learn as much as I could!
What was the first song you learned on bass?
I think it was "Hitchn' A Ride" by Green Day.
What brands/models do you use to record?
I play Warwick basses both live and in the studio. I use the Streamer stage 1 and for amps I use Ampeg, SVT Classic heads. For cabinets I also use Ampeg 8 x10's and 2 x 18's for the sub.
Do you find yourself really sticking with one certain bass manufacturer? Yes. I only use Warwick basses. I guess ever since I started playing bass in high school my dream was always to get an endorsement by Warwick and so when it actually happened I couldn't believe it. I was so stoked! Ever since then they have been super supportive. I actually really am happy sticking to it because my bass (Streamer stage 1) is light in weight so it allows me to move around better and I just love the woody sound of it. I also love to slap and Warwick has a great slap sound, too.
Any challenges while learning your craft? Any techniques that are a bitch?
When I first started playing I was really impatient and wanted to be able to play all my favorite songs NOW but that was far from the case. I had to learn the basics before I could even try and play my favorite songs. I found that it took me a long time to "get" something so I would spend hours and hours trying to get it. It would take it's toll on my hands so I learned the importance of warming up before I'd start going crazy playing for hours.
Any advice for people who wanna learn to play but might be nervous to do so? Just make sure you have fun, that's the main thing, play because it makes YOU happy, use it as an outlet, something you can call yours. Everything else is a bonus.
Sick Puppies are currently out on the road supporting our album, Tri-Polar.
What brands/models do you use to record? 
Any challenges while learning your craft? Any techniques that are a bitch? 
Sick Puppies are currently out on the road supporting our album, Tri-Polar.