AIRMW Arts Initiatives Presents: Bass Dreams minus B

The group is helmed by Aoki on Asuka Bass (it's the Asuka bass because it's autographed by past WWE champ Asuka), with Adam Shead on drums, and the brain-boggling duo of Rami Atassi and Terry Tanaka on electric guitars.

Where did it come from? "Bass Dreams minus B was inspired by all my favorite bassists and wrestlers," Aoki, master of understatement, explains. Specifically: “My top five Dee Murray, Kenny Gradney, Tiran Porter, John Paul Jones, and Malachi Favors !!!!” It's the dream of the bass player - dial up the groove, lock it in, and then have two master shredders fill every pocket. Not just the hip pockets and the breast pockets - pockets you can't see - inside pockets, surprise back pockets, lapel pockets. Every gap spied and excavated for maximum satisfaction.

We’re talking jamz, with a z. I was on it being like a 70s private press thing, fusion with a psychedelic hand drawn cover and lots of ringwear, but Tatsu set me straight. I had to head down to the local vinyl hole (shout out to Val’s Halla!) and pick up Little Feat’s live album, Waiting for Columbus (Tatsu said it’s “notorious”). Now I get it. Steal yr freakin face man. Tatsu’s been chasing this flow for decades, a swirly dream come true, not a B to be found but the boogie in your butt.

 --Matt Pakulski, FPE Records, 2021" (abridged/edited-Rika Lin, 2025) 

$20 / $10 w/ Student ID - TIckets Available at the Door