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Despite
numerous reports to the contrary, Chris Malin was in fact born as a human being
in Birmingham, England, August 1978.
His mother was herself a guitar player, and Chris spent the majority of his
formative years surrounded by music, primarily one of his mother’s favourite
bands – Guns ‘N’ Roses.
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Despite such an
introduction to the world of thrashing guitar and thundering bass, Chris was
not altogether taken by music at all. Fortunately this affliction lasted only
until the age of fifteen. The precipitating factor in his significant change of
viewpoint occurred in a science class of all things. Perhaps a divine
visitation, perhaps something else entirely, Chris was overpowered by an
all-embracing certainty regarding his purpose and direction in life. To this
day he still has no idea why the concept of playing Bass Guitar came to him. He
had no previous experience with the instrument, and certainly no great
admiration for it. Nevertheless, how he has since become a consummate master of
the instrument has been the subject of many an alcohol-fuelled debate between
friends, admirers, groupies and other assorted cohorts and compadres.
Propelled by the
aforementioned moment of revelation Chris then spent four years practising for
the better part of eight hours a day. His parents, until that time relatively
understanding and decent people, became concerned, even anxiety-ridden,
regarding their son’s apparent loss of connection to reality. He returned from
school, from work, from anywhere, and immediately he was in his room playing
bass guitar. Sometimes he did not eat; often he did not sleep. He collected
bags beneath his eyes that could carry luggage. Chris started playing live
gigs, he joined bands, gained an almost unparalleled reputation…even
internationally-acclaimed rock bassist Billy Sheehan was completely awestruck
at what this kid could do. Billy, having heard Chris play a solo to him
personally one afternoon (Chris was only 16 at the time), took the liberty of
informing many bass players at one of his clinics as to Chris’s abilities.
Chris became someone to look out for, someone to watch, and his ascendancy has
been nothing short of miraculous since that time. The session work swiftly
followed, playing live, touring, forever in demand. He worked as a songwriter
for Sony, penning work for artistes such as Kylie Minogue and Jamiroquai.
American rap artist P.Diddy tracked Chris down for his tour, but due
to the imminent birth of his daughter Chris had to reluctantly decline.
Chris Malin has played
with the best. From moments of sheer unadulterated genius – caterwauling up and
down the fretboard like a derailed freight train, to some of the most glissando
and soulful bass that could ever grace human ears – Chris has constantly
astounded listeners the world over. The reactions are always the same –
amazing, breathtaking, stunning. This is Chris Malin. Roadies have been known
to collect dropped jaws by the sackful from the floors of gig halls and venues.
I have known Chris for a
long time. He is a truly remarkable musician. There is nothing this guy cannot
do with this instrument. I am relying on him to take the instrument back the
forefront of music, as it deserves.
Roger Jon Ellory
Best Selling
International Author, Musician, and friend for nearly fifteen years.
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