Gerry McAvoy

Previous bands and history

Ireland - 'Deep Joy', Europe - 'Champion Jack Dupree', Rory Gallagher Band, Nine Below Zero.

Musical influences and preferences

From Beatles to blues, a wide variety, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, Willie Dixon, Jet Harris, Paul McCartney, Larry Graham. These are all bass players who have influenced me.

Personal preferences

Guinness & oysters, french wine.
Dislikes, funny shaped guitars that everybody used in the eighties, bad music and people in bands who think they are better than they are.

Recreational activities

Guinness & Oysters, french wine.

Instruments: -

Black Musicman Bass

Bought off a friend in in 1993 after trying one for the Albert Hall gigs (supporting Clapton). Gerry was impressed with the quality and definition of the sound - it has been his main stage bass ever since. Used on "Hot Music for a Cold Night", "Ice Station Zebro". This and the Silvertone are the two basses that tend to get used in the studio.

Black Silvertone

Gerry bought this Bass in Los Angeles in 1976 from an actor out of "General Hospital" - a day time American soap. Great sound for studio use - it has been used live with Rory and on "Calling Card" by Rory Gallagher, plus the track "On the Road Again".

Fender Precision Bass - Salmon Pink

Fender gave Gerry this bass in1989. From 89-91, it was the main bass used live. Used on "Fresh Evidence" (Rory Gallagher) and "On the Road Again" (The Album).

Fender Precision Bass - Cream 1955

Bought in Milwaulkee, Wisconsin from John Paris (Played in John Lennnon's Elephant Memory & Jonny Winter). Used with Rory for 6 years until a so-called guitar tech was asked if he could make the tone better - this resulted in him cutting a hole in it and putting in another pick-up.

Fender Precision Bass - Cream

Gerry bought this bass in 1975 whilst on tour with Rory Gallagher from the Guitar Centre, San Francisco. There is a marijuana leaf branded on the back of this bass which was there when he bought it. This was used live with Rory Gallagher and on "Against the Grain" by Rory Gallagher. Currently being used live with NBZ.

Trace Elliott SA400 Amplifier & 2 4x10 Cabinets

Purchased from Trace Elliott in 1991 at the start of NBZ (as we know them today) and still going strong - very big, very solid, good sound.