Trevor Bolder is a bassist, producer, composer, and singer known for making music combining hard rock with lots of melody and harmonies. He’s a heavy rock bass player who plays fast, hard, and with a lot of melodic bass runs. In 1971 Trevor Bolder played bass on David Bowie’s album, Hunky Dory with Mick Ronson (guitar) and Rick Wakeman (piano) and later on Bowie’s anthem The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. After performing on Dana Gillespie’s album, Weren’t Born as a Man together with Mick Ronson and David Bowie, Bolder joined the Mick Ronson Band. A year later, Slaughter on 10th Avenue was released.
In 1975, The Spiders from Mars were formed consisting of Trevor (bass), Woody Woodmansey (drums), Dave Black (guitar), Pete McDonald (vocals), and Mike Garson (keyboards). An album with the same name was recorded and released in 1976 with Trevor composing the songs, “Prisoner” and “Rainbow”.
In September 1976, Trevor replaced John Wetton in Uriah Heep. He stayed there until March 1981 and played on the following albums: Firefly (1977), Innocent Victim (1977), Fallen Angel (1978) and Conquest (1980). Also in 1981, Trevor left Uriah Heep and joined Wishbone Ash. In 1982, “Twin Barrels Burning” was recorded at the Jimmy Page home studio for the mini-label AVM. The band then toured Europe until February 1983.
In April 1983, Trevor returned to Uriah Heep and has been there ever since, not only as a bassist but also as a songwriter and producer and he has appeared on the last 12 albums. In 1995, the Spiders From Mars were reformed for a Mick Ronson tribute festival. Joe Elliot and Phil Collen from Def Leppard joined the Spiders on a few occasions, as well as a live album recorded under the name Cybernauts.

Why did you change out your stock pickups?
“I broke my first original Fender pickup on my Precision bass on tour in the USA in 1986. I had to buy a new one; the guy in the shop recommended I try a Seymour Duncan. I can’t remember the model number but it had 3 white switches on it so you could change the EQ sound of the pick up. I loved it, the sound was great! ”
Which pickups do you use and for which bass?
“I use the SJB-2B for my 1971 Fender precision and my 2011 custom built Sandberg (to my own spec). It has a fat and punchy sound but it also gives me a warm soft sound for melodic bass parts. I don’t use a neck pickup, just the bridge. It helps me to create the sound I need to play my style of bass playing and it helps my playing because of the sound it gives me. I’ve used Seymour Duncan pickups for 26 years and always found them to be the best pickup on the market and I have no reason to use any other pickup. They suit my style of playing. Superb.”
What advice would you give to a bassist to help develop his/her own style?
“Listen to lots of different styles and players and develop what is appropriate for yourself in your vein of music.”
How much of your career is luck versus luck you created?
“Luck is always involved but you have to take your chances when you get them.”
Any advice on composing?
“Persevere – the more you do, hopefully the better your writing becomes.”
How important is hanging out with your bandmates?
“When putting a band together and tour, the chemistry between band members and the crew is very important.”
For tour dates, please go to:
http://www.uriah-heep.com/newa/livedates.php
You can visit Trevor at:
http://uriah-heep.com
http://www.myspace.com/trevorbolder