Jeff the Bassist

Jeff Brookmyer is the, *ahem*, bottom end of Four Years Gone.   Nobody is louder than he is. Nobody.  Jeff joined the group in April of 2002 and made his debut at the now legendary Bottle Rocket show in Toledo the following month.  In addition to decibels, Jeff brings new musical influences to the group because he hates everything Paul likes, thus providing the Ying to Paul's uhhhhh.....Yang (that sounds really bad, what the hell is wrong with these guys?). The only thing Jeff likes better than playing bass is working on cars.  He is the best technician Rousch Engineering has ever seen, that's why they make him work 70 hours a week.

Q: Besides Joe's kickdrum, who are your biggest musical influences?

A: joes floor tom, china cymbal, pretty much his whole drumkit. actually : Victor wooten, rush, yes, king crimson, stanley clark, the cult, government mule, etc...

Q: You have traveled the world and played many basses, which was your favorite?

A: my favorite bass is the one that seems to be the most consistant. meaning one that sounds good everytime and one that draws attention from the people. That bass has got to be my fretted 1977 rickenbacker 4001, though all the basses are different and very special to me. they are all unique and each one has a certain quality about them that requires them all to remain in my life.

so...to anyone who asks...YES, I do need all those basses!!

(Editor's note:  Jeff is not diddling his own bass in this picture....for once!)

Q:  What CDs are you listening to right now?

A:  Right now bands that see a lot of time in my cd player are : the cult, government mule, the violent femmes, just to name a few...

Q: What's your problem with 80's metal?

A: I have no problem with 80's metal...i just love shit bands like poison and def leppard. yeah right...my problem is that they blow. the 80's had it all...the good, the bad, and the ugly. ain't nothin like the decade that produced such stellar artists as rick springfield, tommy tutone, devo, men without hats, softcell, etc. whip it good.

Q:  Rumor has it your brother is a trashman and you use this fact to impress women. Is this true?

A:  It is very true that my brother is a trashman. This has not proven to be a successful way to impress women since i am single, seemingly destined to remain this way, but recent studies have shown that it could be my sparkling personality that keeps me single, not the trashman influence. I am not sure why the women just are not flocking to me since my brother is in the trash business and can supply them with many fine treasures from the trash. If you need proof stop by my house...lots of gifts from the trashman there.