Sergio Vega (bassist)
Encyclopedia
Sergio Vega is an American musician. He is the former bassist of post-hardcore
band Quicksand
, which originated in New York City
in 1990. In 1995, Quicksand disbanded, although they reunited again in 1997 to tour with Deftones
. After this tour, the band desired to write a follow-up to their last album Manic Compression, although tensions between bandmates caused the band to split up permanently. Sergio currently performs as a session and touring member for Deftones, temporarily replacing Chi Cheng after his car accident which caused him to enter a semi-conscious state in November 2008.
Vega plays bass with a pick (as opposed to with his fingers).
. Quicksand released their debut album on February 9, 1993, entitled Slip
, and were launched onto the music scene. On January 1, 1995, Quicksand released their second, and final album, Manic Compression. Later that year, Quicksand disbanded, and Sergio Vega began to DJ around New York City and Japan. The band reunited briefly in 1997 and toured with Deftones the next year. After this tour, the band desired to write a followup to Manic Compression, although tensions between bandmates caused the band to split up permanently. In 1999, when Deftones bassist Chi Cheng
was unable to perform onstage during a Deftones tour, Vega filled in for him on bass.
In addition to his career with Quicksand and Deftones, Vega has released solo material. He released his first solo EP
entitled The Ray Martin Sessions through the indie record label grapeOS in 2000. Vega's solo work was more similar to The Beatles
than his heavier, hardcore
- and metal-based work in Quicksand and Deftones. The EP was well received by music critics, the success of The Ray Martin Sessions allowed Vega to tour the US and UK. He toured with Scott Winegard and Charlie Walker (later to become members of New End Original
) as well as former Orange 9mm
/Helmet
guitarist Chris Traynor.
On November 4, 2008, Deftones bassist Chi Cheng was seriously injured in a car accident in Santa Clara, California, and entered a coma-like state following the accident. Vega played in Chi's place at Bamboozle Left with Deftones, and continued to fill in for him onstage as Cheng's condition remained the same. When his accident occurred, Deftones had just finished writing and recording songs for what was to be their sixth studio-album, Eros, although they decided to shelve the album indefinitely. This decision was made due to Cheng's current condition, and also was a creative decision, as the band stated that they didn't feel that Eros "best encompassed who they were currently as people or as musicians". Deftones began writing a new album from scratch in June 2009 with Vega on bass. This album, entitled Diamond Eyes
, was released on May 4, 2010.
basses with Quicksand and has been playing Fender Jaguar
basses (tuned CGCF and C#G#C#F#) with Deftones. His amp is an Ampeg SVT
Classic Reissue. His effects include Native Instruments
Guitar Rig
3 software and a Tech 21
SansAmp Bass Driver DI. According to the Fractal Audio Facebook page, Sergio is also using the Axe FX Ultra Preamp
.
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
band Quicksand
Quicksand (band)
Quicksand was an American post-hardcore band from New York City founded in 1990 by singer/songwriter Walter Schreifels. Their debut self-titled EP was followed by two major label albums, Slip and Manic Compression...
, which originated in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1990. In 1995, Quicksand disbanded, although they reunited again in 1997 to tour with Deftones
Deftones
Deftones are an American alternative metal band from Sacramento, California, founded in 1988. The band consists of Chino Moreno , Stephen Carpenter , Chi Cheng , Frank Delgado , and Abe Cunningham . Currently Sergio Vega is standing in on bass while Cheng recovers from a car accident...
. After this tour, the band desired to write a follow-up to their last album Manic Compression, although tensions between bandmates caused the band to split up permanently. Sergio currently performs as a session and touring member for Deftones, temporarily replacing Chi Cheng after his car accident which caused him to enter a semi-conscious state in November 2008.
Vega plays bass with a pick (as opposed to with his fingers).
Biography
In 1990, Sergio Vega was instrumental in forming the new post-hardcore band Quicksand; at the time Vega was a prominent bassist of the genreGenre
Genre , Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or culture, e.g. music, and in general, any type of discourse, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time...
. Quicksand released their debut album on February 9, 1993, entitled Slip
Slip (album)
Slip is the debut studio album by American post-hardcore band Quicksand, released February 9, 1993 on the Polydor label.-Track listing:# "Fazer"# "Head to Wall"# "Dine Alone"# "Slip"# "Freezing Process"# "Lie and Wait"# "Unfulfilled"...
, and were launched onto the music scene. On January 1, 1995, Quicksand released their second, and final album, Manic Compression. Later that year, Quicksand disbanded, and Sergio Vega began to DJ around New York City and Japan. The band reunited briefly in 1997 and toured with Deftones the next year. After this tour, the band desired to write a followup to Manic Compression, although tensions between bandmates caused the band to split up permanently. In 1999, when Deftones bassist Chi Cheng
Chi Cheng (musician)
Chi Cheng, is a Chinese American musician, best known as the bass guitarist for the American band Deftones.-Personal life:...
was unable to perform onstage during a Deftones tour, Vega filled in for him on bass.
In addition to his career with Quicksand and Deftones, Vega has released solo material. He released his first solo EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
entitled The Ray Martin Sessions through the indie record label grapeOS in 2000. Vega's solo work was more similar to The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
than his heavier, hardcore
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
- and metal-based work in Quicksand and Deftones. The EP was well received by music critics, the success of The Ray Martin Sessions allowed Vega to tour the US and UK. He toured with Scott Winegard and Charlie Walker (later to become members of New End Original
Jonah Matranga
Jonah Rzadzinski Matranga is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist who has released a variety of solo material under his own name and onelinedrawing, and has previously been part of the bands Far and New End Original and Gratitude...
) as well as former Orange 9mm
Orange 9mm
Orange 9mm was a post-hardcore band from New York City formed in 1994 by Chaka Malik and Chris Traynor after the breakup of Malik's band Burn.-History:...
/Helmet
Helmet (band)
Helmet is an alternative metal band from New York City formed in 1989. Founded by vocalist and lead guitarist Page Hamilton, Helmet has had numerous lineup changes, and Hamilton has been the only constant member....
guitarist Chris Traynor.
On November 4, 2008, Deftones bassist Chi Cheng was seriously injured in a car accident in Santa Clara, California, and entered a coma-like state following the accident. Vega played in Chi's place at Bamboozle Left with Deftones, and continued to fill in for him onstage as Cheng's condition remained the same. When his accident occurred, Deftones had just finished writing and recording songs for what was to be their sixth studio-album, Eros, although they decided to shelve the album indefinitely. This decision was made due to Cheng's current condition, and also was a creative decision, as the band stated that they didn't feel that Eros "best encompassed who they were currently as people or as musicians". Deftones began writing a new album from scratch in June 2009 with Vega on bass. This album, entitled Diamond Eyes
Diamond Eyes
Diamond Eyes is the sixth album by American Alternative metal band Deftones, released worldwide on May 4, 2010 through Warner Bros. and Reprise Records...
, was released on May 4, 2010.
Equipment
Sergio Vega played RickenbackerRickenbacker
Rickenbacker International Corporation, also known as Rickenbacker, is an electric and bass guitar manufacturer based in Santa Ana, California...
basses with Quicksand and has been playing Fender Jaguar
Fender Jaguar Bass
The Fender Jaguar Bass is an electric bass guitar manufactured in Japan by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.-Design:In appearance, the Jaguar Bass is largely faithful to the original Fender Jaguar, with exception of the neck, bridge, and pickups taken from the Fender Jazz Bass...
basses (tuned CGCF and C#G#C#F#) with Deftones. His amp is an Ampeg SVT
Ampeg SVT
The Ampeg SVT is a bass amplifier made by Ampeg. The SVT, which stands for "Super Valve Technology", was designed by Bill Hughes and introduced in 1969. The SVT bass head produced 300 watts at a time when most amplifiers made less than 100. The SVT has been through many design changes over the...
Classic Reissue. His effects include Native Instruments
Native Instruments
Native Instruments is a technology company that develops software and hardware for music production and DJing. The company has originally been identified mostly with software instruments, but has also expanded to various other music equipment segments in recent years.Current products of Native...
Guitar Rig
Guitar Rig
Guitar Rig is a software effect processor developed by Native Instruments. Primarily designed for electric guitar and bass, the software uses amplifier modeling to allow real-time digital signal processing in both standalone and studio environments.It was originally released in mid-2004...
3 software and a Tech 21
Tech 21
Tech 21 is a New York based manufacturer of guitar and bass effect pedals, amps, and DI boxes which allow the user to emulate the tone of many popular guitar amps and record those sounds directly into a mixer....
SansAmp Bass Driver DI. According to the Fractal Audio Facebook page, Sergio is also using the Axe FX Ultra Preamp
Fractal Audio Axe-FX
Fractal Audio Axe-Fx is an all in one electric guitar preamplifier/effects processor made by Fractal Audio Systems LLC., in Plaistow, New Hampshire. The processor is a two-space rack unit. The first version, called simply Axe-Fx, was introduced in 2006. Axe-Fx Ultra was introduced in 2008...
.
With Quicksand
- SlipSlip (album)Slip is the debut studio album by American post-hardcore band Quicksand, released February 9, 1993 on the Polydor label.-Track listing:# "Fazer"# "Head to Wall"# "Dine Alone"# "Slip"# "Freezing Process"# "Lie and Wait"# "Unfulfilled"...
(1993, Polydor) - Manic CompressionManic CompressionManic Compression is the second and final studio album by American post-hardcore band Quicksand, released on February 28, 1995 on the major label Island Records...
(1995, Island RecordsIsland RecordsIsland Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
)