“The Fender Jazz Bass is the sound I was looking for”: Francisco Figueiredo on Grind Fever’s new single, his gear, and composing bass lines

Grind Fever, a rock band from Portugal, recently released their latest single, Zero Sum, showcasing their blend of grunge rock and progressive influences. In an interview with Bass Empire, bassist and vocalist Francisco Figueiredo delved into his choice of equipment, his approach to composing bass lines, and what listeners can expect from the upcoming album.

Figueiredo’s choice of instrument is a Fender Jazz Bass, paired with an Ampeg amplifier. He described his initial encounter with the bass model during a jam session at a friend’s house: “I tried this bass for the first time during a jam session at a friend’s house, and immediately knew this was the sound I was looking for.” He highlighted the bass’s ability to deliver a sound with substantial lows and contour, which he strives to incorporate into the band’s music: “I like my bass sound to have plenty of lows and contour, and in the mix of our songs, I try to fill the spectrum, bringing depth and strength.”

Figueiredo’s journey with the bass began early, spurred by a familial passion for music. “My passion for bass started early. My brother and I have always been very passionate about music since we were kids, and we dreamed of forming a rock band. The idea was for him to be the guitarist and me the bassist. The bassist who fascinated me the most at the time was Les Claypool, although my bass style has nothing to do with his. I started music and guitar lessons at 12, and the following year I switched to bass, where I had jazz training for several years. Then I formed my first band and found my true passion: composition.”

Discussing his broader equipment choices, Figueiredo opts for a natural bass sound, eschewing effects pedals: “I opt for a natural bass sound and do not use effect pedals, which doesn’t mean I might not want to use them in the future. I really appreciate distortion and other effects in bands I admire, but as a musician, I have never chosen to use them in compositions/recordings. In terms of amplification, I really like the sound of Ampeg, a classic sound with power and plenty of lows.”

Figueiredo aims for innovation in his bass lines, seeking melodies that complement other instruments. “I always try to bring novelty when I compose bass lines. That is, melodies that work well with guitars and/or other instruments. In Grind Fever’s compositions, I seek to complement the music by bringing new melodies through the bass, while also integrating power and depth at certain moments of the music.”

Zero Sum, the band’s second single, is described as a defining track for the band’s current sound. Figueiredo explained the selection of this track: “We chose ‘Zero Sum’ as the second single because we think it is the one that defines us the most at the moment. Like ‘Runaway,’ the sound of this new song is cleaner than our first EP, which embraced sounds from doom to stoner. Today, we describe ourselves as a rock band with a strong punch, powerful and progressive riffs, and ‘Zero Sum’ is a good illustration of this motto.”

Recorded and mixed at The Wizard Studio with André Ribeiro and mastered by Tiago Loja, the debut album is anticipated to be released later this year or early in 2025.