Kyle Sokol
Kyle Sokol | |
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Kyle Sokol in Warwick basses Artist Profile Promo Pic | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Kyle Sokol |
Also known as | OSK |
Born | October 31, 1974 |
Origin | Saint Petersburg, Florida, United States |
Genres | Ska, funk, jazz, metal |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter |
Instruments | Bass, double bass |
Years active | 25 |
Labels | Citrus Records Octave Match Records |
Associated acts | King of Denmark, Sectioned, Trust for Liars, Rude Squad, Seasons Of The Wolf, Must Not Kill |
Website | http://www.floridaskatemuseum.com and http://www.kylesokol.com |
Notable instruments | |
Warwick Streamer LX Custom Shop model Warwick Thumb Fretless Custom Shop model Engelhardt 3/4 Upright "Double Bass" |
Kyle Sokol is an American bassist and skateboarder. He is known for his style of bass playing that mostly consists of fast technical bass lines and has played in bands such as King of Denmark, Sectioned, Trust for Liars, Rude Squad, Noble Jones, Philistines, Basmistist, Stretch, Leadfoot, Cadaveric Mass, The Lazarus Machine, Strict-9, Must Not Kill, and even the controversial Tampa industrial metal band Hell on Earth. The first thing most people notice is the position of his bass guitar while he is playing his electric basses, it is much higher than the usual "electric bass player's" positioning. He also did a metal project with vocalist Bryan Cegon from James Murphy's band Disincarnate, Roadrunner Records from 2001-2003. he currently has a new band with Bryan Cegon alongside a member of Resurrection in the national death metal band Sectioned. Kyle Sokol was also chosen for the touring bass position with Pure Steel Records recording artist Seasons Of The Wolf. Dates for the tour are yet to be announced, but they will consist of several metal music festivals throughout Europe. As of August 2012, Sokol has been endorsed by Warwick (bass guitar) and has a Warwick Streamer LX Custom and a Warwick Fretless Thumb bass (German Flag custom paint) as his main instruments. Kyle's latest endorsement is from TecAmp out of Germany, using their "Virtue Bass Cabinet" and "PUMA 900" exclusively.
His playing is very jazz-oriented and he has provided a lot of new ideas for metal bass lines in the metal scene of Tampa, Florida. He also contributed to the long running Rivot Rag Tampa Bay metal music magazine / publication with a bass guitar column entitled "The Low End" for several years. He is one of the few bass players in metal that uses extensively the slap & pop playing technique, along with two-handed tapping. He was chosen by Kelly Shaefer of the Band Atheist to play while Kelly was in Neurotica and about to tour on Ozzfest. The reunion of Atheist never came to fruition for a myriad of reasons at that time. Sokol currently tours the South East with several bands. He teaches lessons privately and works as a session player in the Tampa, Florida area. He has worked with, played with, and or recorded with artists such as Victor Wooten, Anthony Wellington, Steve Bailey, Chuck Rainey, Peter Frampton, Edgar Meyer, Stu Hamm, Howard Levy, Joseph Wooten, Future Man, Richard Bona, JD Blair, Anthony Jackson, 311, Matisyahu, Rancid, Pietasters, Framing Hanley, Everclear, and 10 Years to name a few. He has served as a part-time staff member with Victor Wooten at his Wooten Bass/Nature Camp in Nashville, Tennessee.
Sokol is also known for his sponsored and professional skateboarding career. He started skating in about 1983, and grew up skating with other local Florida pros such as Rodney Mullen, Mike McGill, Tony Simotes, Mike Daher, John A. Grigley, Monty Nolder, etc. In 2001, Sokol had an "oldschool style" pro model on Blitz Skateboards, which the company later changed the name to Subvert Skateboards due to legal issues with the prior name. Currently, he skateboards for Murder Ride Skateboards[www.murderrideskateboards.com] based out of Clearwater, Florida and also rides for Webb Trucks. Sokol is commonly known as "Old School Kyle" or "OSK". He also developed and founded the Florida Skate Museum, which captures the history of Florida skateboarding and decks from Florida riders.
Articles
- Rude Squad at the Free for All from Tampa Bay Online
- Great Music You've Never Heard from The St. Pete Crew
- Floridian: In Your Own Backyard from The St. Pete Times
- Coping Block Issue 42: Florida Skate Museum interview from Coping Block
References
- Warwick Artist Profile for Kyle Sokol November 27, 2012
- Warwick Streamer LX Custom Kyle Sokol Model "Kyle Sokol Custom Model" October 30, 2012.
- Official Press Release for Rude Squad Record Deal Signing "Official Press Release Rude Squad Signs Record Contract" March 10, 2010.
- M Basses Homepage "M Basses Homepage" December 3, 2008.
- Wooten, Victor "Bass Nature Camp" November 6, 2006. Accessed November 6, 2006.
- SkateAmerica "Skate America's Pro Skateboarders" January 12, 2007. Accessed January 12, 2007.
- 360 Skate "360Skate.com PRS Pro Team" March 22, 2007. Accessed March 22, 2007
- Floridaskater.com "FloridaSkater.com Volume 2, #4, November 2002, Olliewood Skate Jam - Hosted by Alan Gelfand" November 2002. Accessed November 2002.
- MURDER RIDE SKATEBOARDS Homepage "Murder Ride Skateboards Homepage" October 30, 2009.
- Personal Homepage "Kyle Sokol Homepage" February 3, 2010.
- Florida Skate Museum "Florida Skate Museum" December 15, 2011.