‘Alan Entwistle Pickups’ Artist
Luke Weston
“I spent hours picking out tracks by ear, which is why I always say John Entwistle, Jack Bruce and John Paul Jones were my first teachers .”
GENRE(S): Rock, Blues, Funk
INFLUENCES / FAVOURITE ARTISTS: John Entwistle, Jack Bruce, John Paul Jones, Jaco Pastorius, Norman Watt-Roy
BANDS – ACTIVE: Blue Nation
BANDS – PREVIOUS: I have been in many bands before Blue Nation. From a Who tribute. To a death metal project!
PREFERRED PICKUPS, AND WHY: I like the JBXN for its versatility and output, it really cuts through the mix for me.
PRIME CUTS / STAND-OUT CAREER MOMENT SO FAR:
One of the prime cuts of my career so far with Blue Nation has to be playing around the UK and Europe with my brothers in arms and building our fanbase. It’s not just about the crowd size but the energy, seeing people connect with the music we’ve worked so hard to create. Another stand-out moment was the release of our albums The Kaftan Society and The Ordinary People. Watching the response from our fans and seeing it resonate with them was surreal. It’s moments like these that make all the hard work worthwhile!
DISCOGRAPHY:
Blue Nation : The kaftan society / The Ordinary People
Capital Sun : Mr Nobody
Pray For Divinity : The tides EP
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS:
Graham Hook
Jill Gibbons
Will Carter
BIOGRAPHY:
I started playing bass at 11, and it all began when my dad gave me three iconic albums: The Who’s Greatest Hits, Disraeli Gears by Cream, and Led Zeppelin’s Greatest Hits. I spent hours picking out the tracks by ear, which is why I always say John Entwistle, Jack Bruce, and John Paul Jones were my first teachers.
My first bass was too big for me, so my dad ended up buying me a Danelectro Longhorn, a short-scale bass that fit perfectly. It made all the difference in how I developed as a player, helping me refine my technique and allowing me to explore the instrument more fully. Early on, I naturally gravitated towards a lead bass style, blending melody and groove in a way that made the bass more than just a background instrument.
As I progressed, I delved deeper into more complex and experimental influences like Jaco Pastorius and Frank Zappa. Their work really expanded my perspective on what was possible with the bass. Norman Watt-Roy and Primus also shaped my approach, adding a funky, offbeat dimension to my playing.
All of these influences combined to help me carve out my own unique sound and style, one that’s always evolving but rooted in the early days of learning by ear and playing what felt natural. It’s been a rewarding journey, and I’m excited to keep pushing the boundaries of what I can do as a bassist.
“I’ve enjoyed the whole of my career from starting off at the age of 11 and playing in the smallest pubs possible to playing some huge festivals and building a dedicated fanbase.”
GUITARS / AMPS / GEAR:
Lakland DJ 4.
1974 Fender Jazz.
Various home-build basses.
Darkglass amps and pedals.
