Basstravaganza VI at the Double Down, Wednesday, November 21, 2018

One of Vegas' favorite holiday traditions is the Double Down Saloon's anniversary weekend that kicks off with Basstravaganza - Thee Swank Bastards' Jesse Del Quadro hosting a night of surf music with as many bass players as the number of years the DD has been around. This year was 26 bassists, 4 drummers, one drunken MC (thank you, Professor Rex Dart!) and plenty of audience participation and hijinks!

Almost every band in Las Vegas is represented (or at least every band that plays at the Double Down) and Jesse puts everyone through their surf-y paces and keeps everyone on their toes with his individualistic arrangements (which, as I found out, might change at any time). Everyone has to tell a bad joke, as well - a Swank Bastard tradition - and most everyone got into the spirit by wearing a variation on the Bastards's uniform of black suit and tie with a white shirt.

A good time is always had by all and the night culminates with every bassist joining together for a version of Spinal Tap's "Big Bottom", in a merrily anarchistic fashion.

Thank you Jesse for hosting the night and inviting so many terrific players to participate (besides inviting some of the best bass players in town, Jesse has helped many fledgling musicians to become solid bassists, and has the backing of some of the town's best drummers) and thank you to Moss and the Double Down for 26 crazy years as the best dive bar in Vegas!

(I tried to take a photo of everyone - sorry if I missed anybody and I apologize that some photos are not as good as others - I am still not a real photographer).