Jim Quiggins

Name: Jim Quiggins

Age: Too old to die young.

Band: Native Sons https://nativesonsrocks.com

Former Bands: Currently, I'm so in the moment the past gets blurry very quickly. However, I'll give it a go.

Radical Wave: A Louisville-based band that started up late last summer. Fun stuff. Great people. I only played one gig with the band because a one-off last-minute substitute gig for Native Sons turned into an adventure.

Bootsie & Funkabilly: Featuring Deloris "Bootsie" Boone, this band is a no rehearsal funk/blues cover band. A great list of tunes, greasy grooves, and Bootsie's out-of-this-world vocals made this too much fun. If you get the chance, go see this band! Taylor Davis/Dane Saddler Band: A cover band that only played Mugbee's in Somerset. No rehearsal, just show up and jam! Note: Taylor is now the guitarist in Gravel Switch. Edge of Barstow: Grew out of BDG with Jacob Logsdon, who is currently in Solar Flannel, joining on guitar and vocals. Benjamin Davis Group: Ben, Phil, and I had a lot of fun with a rocking three-piece that covered substantial ground.  All My Heroes Are Dead:  This writing/recording project jammed together a lot but never played out. Even though we couldn't break inertia, I developed exponentially as a player while working on this project. I wish we could have gotten this project out, but sometimes it's more about the journey and less about the destination. The Heroes project was how I became friends with Jacob Logsdon and Joe Walden, and that alone makes the trip worth it. Sweet FA: Yeah, I know this one appears to be out of order. I think it belongs here chronologically because we did two reunion shows in 2007. I came home from those gigs and put the Bass under the bed until Jon Huffman called and asked me to jam with what was tentatively called "Blue Rooster JuJu" and morphed into Heroes. Southern Electric: Heavy blues original band based in Lexington. Thanks to my friend and guitarist/songwriter Billy Compton, this band got me playing again after a long layoff. Billy wouldn't stop asking me to join his damn band. I turned him down twice, and then I heard the tunes. There's more, but we'll save that for the book.

How long have you been playing Bass? I pretty much started from scratch when I joined Southern Electric to tell you the truth. At this point, I see 2005 as the beginning.

Equipment: With Native Sons, my primary Bass is one I had built and branded "Eleanor." To get it done right, I enlisted the help of RS Guitarworks and Kevin Stiles. With their help, we put together a really nice bass. Robin Guitars out of Houston, TX, built the black Robin Ranger prototype I use as a backup and for a couple of songs on the road. The Robin was made to my specs during the Sweet FA days. It also served as the inspiration for the "Eleanor" build. 

For the rig, I use an early '90s Trace Elliot preamp with a Quadraverb in the effects loop through a Crown power amp to Eminence Beta 10's in a Birch 410 cabinet. Depending on the situation, it grows to two 410s and maybe add 15s. Occasionally I'll run highs out of the preamp to a guitar rig using a TS9, my '69 Traynor YSR-1, and a 112 Eminence DV-77 just for extra fun.

Influences:  I'm still being influenced every day. Of course, there's the usual list of notable bassists who give many of us a roadmap for a good bassline. Jamerson, Kaye, Jones, Wyman, Entwistle, Simmons, McCartney, and so many more definitely have provided inspiration for me. However, I have to credit Creem Magazine for leading me to a lot of stuff I may have never otherwise discovered growing up way out in the country. Getting that subscription was one of the best decisions I ever made. My cousins John and Glenn were also significant influences. They used to bring Rock & Roll records down to the farm. They get credit for leading me to the obvious and the obscure, including Kiss. Kiss led me to Creem magazine and opened up the world for me. Seeing AC/DC put a fire under me. Also, I have to say, Johnny Edwards. Johnny took the time to answer my questions when I was trying to put It all together in my mind, and his answers helped a bunch. I had a similar experience with Rudy Sarzo, who I met at a hotel bar in Memphis. Rudy gave me a lot of advice during that conversation I'm using today with Native Sons.

My first gig:I think we called our band "Nightwing." The first one was probably on a flatbed trailer in a field.

Hobbies: Just a few months ago, this answer would have been "golf and music." Golf has been pushed aside because I've gotten busy with music. I'm not complaining. 

Favorite movies: Vanishing Point (1971) This movie was also a significant influence on me musically because of the soundtrack. It's a good movie to watch today because, along with being a great story, it beautifully illustrates early '70s American culture. I love mindless comedy, so Caddy's Shack, Stripes, Pineapple Express, and the like always get my nod. Summer of Soul has to be a recent entry to my list.

Favorite food: Bambi Burger (Bambi Bar 2701 Bardstown Rd), Wick's Pizza (975 Baxter Ave.), and the Chicken and Collard Greens from the Eagle (1314 Bardstown Rd) are always in rotation for me. At home, I like to make improv soups and chili.

Favorite place: "In the moment" is my favorite place to be. It sounds easier than it is, but it is really the best place if you can get there. Playing music always puts me in the moment. As far as destinations, Tybee Island and Hollywood are two of my favorite locations to visit.

Favorite sports or team: I enjoy a good game, but not really following sports much lately. Cats and Cards in no particular order. Gotta cheer on the home team. I was really into NASCAR for a bit; I got over it.

What I'm listening to nowadays: As one might imagine, I've been spending time listening to Native Sons demos and studio roughs. Today I was playing some "Seven Year Witch." We played with them in Atlanta a couple of weeks ago. "The L.A. Maybe" jumped on my radar, and I checked them out today. If I need to clear my head, Humble Pie, Stones, Aerosmith, Allman Brothers are some of my go-to bands. I also like to say, "Alexa, play some Motown," and see what happens.

The coolest thing I've done?: Define cool? Like many really cool people I know, I didn't lose my mind while enduring a pandemic, shutdowns, social unrest, and the lunacy of the old political duopoly. How cool was that? Some things I've done that are definitely not normal, which somehow seems to make them cool, maybe? I spent a summer diving for treasure off the coast of Florida. Spent a few years circling NASCAR tracks as an instructor with a racing experience. I was in a band with a major record deal, video on MTV, sold out the Whiskey, and toured the country. However, if I go by what I'm hearing lately, it might be joining Native Sons. I know it's fun, but does that make it cool?

Most embarrassing moment: This is where a blurry recollection helps one cope and stay in the moment. But having to turn around to retrieve the guitars I left by the loadout door was pretty embarrassing. 

Bad Habits: Always being in the moment. Sometimes with a beer and cigarette. 

What was your first concert ever?: Kiss and AC/DC Freedom Hall. AC/DC blew me away.

If you could meet a Rockstar ( past or present ), who would it be, and why?: This is a tricky question to answer, but I'd have to say, Dave Grohl. First of all, Dave just seems like somebody I'd hang out with, so I think it would be a good time. Secondly, Dave seems like somebody I'd like to jam with, plus I bet he would have some great insights into the modern music business.

Who do you love?: When I think about this question, I am lucky that my mind becomes flooded with the names of so many beautiful people I have the pleasure of knowing. Of course, my wife, sons, family, and close friends are the first that came to mind, but I am lucky to know so many incredible people. Even better, I'm meeting new people all the time, so the list just keeps growing.