Bass Icons Jam on Geddy Lees Rickenbacker Before New Release

Bass Icons Unite In Afternoon Jam

Big Ol’ Nasty hosted an electrifying bass session this week, inviting heavy hitters Ellen Alaverdyan, Hovak Alaverdyan and Marin S to his Los Angeles studio. The gathering wasn’t just any hangout—it was a prelude to the upcoming single and video release “Wrong Side of the Law.” Between trading riffs and swapping gear, the crew previewed parts of the new tune and teased details of the visual companion dropping soon.

Geddy Lees Rickenbacker Steals The Spotlight

In a highlight moment, Big Ol’ Nasty presented a Rickenbacker bass once owned by Geddy Lee. Ellen Alaverdyan, known to fans as Ellen plays bass, slid onto the instrument and launched into the opening bars of Rush’s YYZ. As she nailed the complex riff, cameras rolled and jaws dropped. “While they were here I pulled out the Rickenbacker that previously belonged to Geddy Lee for Ellen to play. She went right into YYZ,” Big Ol’ Nasty wrote on Instagram, adding that the afternoon featured several of his custom Stradi Luthier fretless basses as well.

Sneak Peek At “wrong Side Of The Law”

The session doubled as a creative meeting for the forthcoming track. “We played some bass and chatted about our upcoming single and video release ‘Wrong Side of the Law’ featuring Ellen and Dino Jelusick,” Big Ol’ Nasty noted in his caption. The song’s video, already teased on Instagram by Ellen and the Big Ol Nasty Get Down account, features a lineup of musicians: Hovak Alaverdyan on additional bass parts, singer-guitarist Dino Jelusick, guitarist Murzo Music and legendary drummer Kenny Aronoff—though Billy McNicol steps in for the video drums.

Further context comes from an earlier post by Big Ol’ Nasty, which announced: “New @bigolnastygetdown video & tune called ‘Wrong Side of the Law’ coming soon!! Featuring @ellenplaysbass & @dinojelusick alongside @hovakalaverdyan @murzomusic & @kennyaronoff. @billymcnicolofficial was kind enough to sub for Kenny on Drums for the video. #bassmusicianmag #bassplayermag #bassplayeruniverse #bassplayersunited #mayonesguitars #moderndrummer #dinojelusick #rocknrollmusic”. Fans have been buzzing since that post and another teaser from Ellen Alaverdyan simply stating, “New video is dropping this weekend 🎶❤️,” gave a clear timeline for the drop.

Gear Talk And Jamming Highlights

Beyond the Geddy Lee bass, the afternoon featured a lineup of fretless Stradi Luthier instruments that allowed each player to explore nuances in tone. Hovak Alaverdyan switched between a 5-string fretless and a classic Precision-style bass, while Marin S experimented with slap techniques on a J-style model. The collaborative mood was palpable: artists traded leads, offered tips, and charted out groove sections for the new track.

Ellen’s run on YYZ has already made waves online. Clips from the jam circulated on social, with viewers praising her precision and feel on one of rock’s most iconic bass lines. “She went right into YYZ. More to come with that,” Big Ol’ Nasty promised in his caption, hinting at a deeper behind-the-scenes feature or tutorial in the works.

What’s Next For Fans

With “Wrong Side of the Law” set to drop any day now, fans can expect a punchy rock-and-roll single backed by virtuosic bass work and a high-energy video. Big Ol’ Nasty has committed to releasing behind-the-scenes footage, gear rundowns and possibly a tutorial on mastering the YYZ riff. Ellen Alaverdyan, whose social following has jumped since these posts, is also expected to share detailed insights into her playing setup and influences.

The jam session not only stoked excitement for the new release but underscored the tight bond among modern bass virtuosos. From Geddy Lee’s legendary instrument to the next-generation fretless creations, the afternoon served as a testament to bass culture’s past, present and future. Fans of Rush, rock history and bass performance alike will want to stay tuned as the “Wrong Side of the Law” single and video go live.

As the session wrapped, Big Ol’ Nasty summed up the vibe: “It was a great afternoon.” With the official release imminent, that vibe is about to hit speakers worldwide.

Reporter

Reshmi Das

 

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a content writer, covering parenting and films. She writes for Hollywoodjunction and Momjunction. Her interest in journaling and writing made this biotechnology postgraduate to take up content as her full-time profession.

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