(Feature photo: RockNRoll Socialite)
Article by: Leanne Ridgeway
The Gear Assembly interview series is especially for the music gear addicts, or simply the curious like myself.
Each article in the Gear Assembly series features a different musician answering the same questions, highlighting both their varying preference in music gear, as well as their own music that results from using that gear. Hopefully it brings some awareness to both the artists and their gear makers. You’re reading, so we’ve got at least one more. Find new music, learn about who’s making it and what they use to create it…
GEAR ASSEMBLY Series #10:
WARHORSE / CONCLAVE / DESOLATE’s Jerry Orne
A single bassist solidifies the low end of the trifecta of Massachusetts heavy – WARHORSE, CONCLAVE, and DESOLATE. That lone bassist is named Jerry Orne, and he’s here as today’s featured Gear Assembly artist. While all three of these bands are almost shockingly heavy, they are distinctly different in weight and texture. WarHorse classifies itself as “apocalyptic doom” metal; Conclave leads down the sludge doom path; and Desolate is purely pummeling black/death metal.
For all the intimidation his three bands throw at your skull, Jerry Orne is one of the most pleasant and kind gents I’ve had the honor to be acquainted with. I suppose unleashing all possible angst through his bass helps. The bands have been keeping their acrimonious whiplash at bay the past few months due to the current malaise of essential distancing, but we’ll find out what Jerry is up to these days, as he’s here to be our tenth piece in the Gear Assembly! Rock on…
Riff Relevant /Leanne: What instrument(s) do you play?
Jerry Orne:
Bass Guitar
Vocalist
Riff Relevant /Leanne: Give us a rundown of your current live gear set-up.
Jerry Orne:
For WarHorse: A Rickenbacker 4001 (black, 1974) with handmade LanePoor pickups or my Gibson RD Artist (I bought it stripped and beat. Rio Grande pickups now.)
For Desolate: Mainly a BC Rich Mockingbird with EMG X active pickups.
For Conclave: It varies. A Rickenbacker 4001 (white, 1975), BC Rich Eagle, and I’ve got another project going now that I’m dying to play.
Mesa Boogie 400 Plus head with Ampeg 8 10 cab.
Ampeg SVT head with Peavey 3620 cab.
Pedals: Black Lodge Audio custom fuzz, Sovtek Big Muff, Morley bass wah, MXR flange, Orange AB Y box, and a pitch black tuner.
Riff Relevant: When was the exact moment you realized you wanted to play your instrument(s)? Who was your primary influence at that moment?
Jerry:
Exact moment is tough to nail down… but as a young kid, I loved the massive sound of Roger Glover, the lines of Dennis Dunaway, everything about Geezer Butler, and where to begin with John Entwistle…
And don’t forget Lemmy, Gene Simmons, and the almighty Cliff Burton.
Riff Relevant: Which one of your songs best exemplifies you as a musician? Why?
Jerry:
WarHorse, it’s tough to say. I’ll go with “Horizons Burn Red“. My favorite style of arrangement.
Conclave, probably “Cut It Off“. It’s not as heavy as our other songs, but it’s how I tend to write things.
For Desolate, I really don’t write too much, honestly. But I’d say “Blessings End” is right up my alley style-wise.
Riff Relevant: Is there specific gear you prefer to use in the studio that would be different from your live set-up?
Jerry:
Not really. We have a few acoustic things we don’t do live, but otherwise it’s the same.
Riff Relevant: Any type of pre-show/practice warm up rituals?
Jerry:
Just warming up my hands. Especially with Desolate. Getting up to speed.
Maybe a nod to the guys. Various insults, that kind of thing.
Riff Relevant: How do you keep things interesting when able to be out on tour & playing the same set each night?
Jerry:
We change set lists all the time. I love to play, so it’s always interesting.
Riff Relevant: What do you think gives your playing its signature sound?
Jerry:
Attack and dynamics. Plus my crap attitude.
Riff Relevant: Any brand loyalty? Are you partial to one company over another? Any current sponsorships or your own signature gear?
Jerry:
No sponsors. I love all my gear listed above and more. I’m partial to D’Addario strings.
The Black Lodge Audio fuzz is a custom that Chris Giguere made for me, and he also repaired a couple of my old pedals. He’s a setup wizard and is helping big time with the latest project, a Punisher bass.
Riff Relevant: What is the most important piece of equipment currently in your live set-up? Why? What is it about that one?
Jerry:
My ’74 4001 that I’ve had forever. It’s really part of me at this point. We’ve been through a lot together.
Riff Relevant: What do you enjoy doing outside of music, that you feel ultimately contributes to your musicality? (For example, a hobby that you turn to in order to stimulate your creativity.)
Jerry:
I love gear. If I’m not playing, I’m usually messing with something or reading about it.
Creativity can be elusive. I try to stay honest and mentally boil things down to find what they really mean.
Riff Relevant: Are there any newly emerging artists or bands who are currently influencing you (or you just enjoy)? If yes, how so?
Jerry:
New England has such a bad ass music scene. We really are fortunate.
Young bands like Garroted and Graviton are headed for great things. Black Mass is kicking ass all over the place.
Then a few favorites are Angel Morgue, Witchking, Boghaunter, Benthic Realm… way too many to mention. I’d seriously be here all day.
Riff Relevant: If you could give one piece of advice to an up and coming musician, what would it be?
Jerry:
Find what you are, and do more of that. Do not stop.
Riff Relevant: How has the virus pandemic impacted your music life or career? What are some ways you’ve been doing things differently?
Jerry:
It has crushed 2020. I cant tell you how much I was looking forward to all the shows this year. Just awful. I’m afraid it’ll get worse before it gets better.
Riff Relevant: If you could have any music gear you wanted, what would be your ideal set up?
Jerry:
I’m pretty fortunate to have the setup I do. If anything, I’d just have more of the same. Stack em up.
WARHORSE
Facebook | Instagram | Spotify | YouTube | Bandcamp | Merch
CONCLAVE
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Website | YouTube | Bandcamp | Merch
DESOLATE
Facebook | Spotify | YouTube | Bandcamp
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