Local artist profile: John Bullen (JB)

THIS week we chat with the bass player from local blues/rock band The Flannos, John Bullen (JB), who advises all young regional aspiring musicians to not wait to be perfect, and to just get out there and have fun.

What initially motivated you to take up the bass?

I knew a band that needed a bass player and at the time I had more money than sense, so I went and bought a bass and an amp and joined.

We were young and our ambition far outweighed our ability, but I fell in love with the bottom end and haven’t looked back.

That was nearly 40 years ago and there’s never a shortage of work as a bassist.

How would you describe your style?

The first few (groups) I was in were Sydney-based indie-rock bands in the late 80s, and of course, the old favourite 70s-80s cover bands.

I love all styles of music and occasionally just want to jam along to something different.

For the most part, the work I’ve had in the last decade or so has been more blues rock and jazz blues, but that’s just part of living in Bendigo where the blues scene is so big. On the bass, I like to be sensitive to the rhythm and melody of the song being played.

It’s my job to try to lead the dynamic of the song, building when needed and pulling the band back when needed, while providing the overall feel for the others to do their parts.

Which other bass players inspire you?

Most people would expect me to say Jaco Pastorius since he is considered the Hendrix of bass, but I prefer the work ethic of Carol Kaye.

She’s been one of the most prolific recorded bass artists of all time.

She isn’t complicated or show-offy, she just sets the pocket for the rest of the band to sit in.

It’s what a bass player is meant to do.

What are some highlights you have from your career so far?

I’ve been fortunate enough to play alongside some fantastically talented vocalists and musicians.

It’s often humbling, and it makes you wonder how on earth you ended up being on the same stage.

One of my bigger gigs was performing at the Christmas Carols in Wollongong.

The band I was in at the time had to perform a rock gig to get thousands of people in the mood before they switched over to carols.

I thought my band wasn’t necessarily the right choice for the event, but a gig is a gig, so we went out and played hard, and the crowd went bananas.

You can’t beat a local pub gig where the locals get into it, dance, and sing back louder than the band.

In recent times, the “Live and Local” event in the Botanical Gardens as COVID was coming to an end was also special to me.

Is there anything you’re working on now?

I’ve been writing more lately.

One of the good things about getting older is you have more material.

I’ll slowly start introducing the songs to the boys in the Flannos.

What would you say to young regional aspiring musicians who are thinking of making a go of the creative life?

I would say don’t wait to be perfect.

Get out there and have fun.

Putting yourself out there takes guts, but the more you do it, the better you’ll get, and don’t be afraid to stretch yourself.

The most important advice is to have fun – it’s infectious.