On Tuesday, November 19, Shinedown’s bassist Eric Bass made an exciting appearance on Loudwire Nights to share the thrilling news about his new solo venture titled Eric Bass Presents and the release of his debut album, I Had a Name. For an in-depth look into this conversation, be sure to listen to the complete interview available in the player towards the end of this article.

Bass recounted how this entire creative journey began during their first European tour promoting the Attention Attention album. He shared, “Honestly, this whole process started back then.” It was during a day off in Milan, Italy, after finishing a workout in his hotel room, that he found inspiration. He was reminiscing while listening to Biohazard’s State of the World Address, a record he hadn’t revisited in quite some time. After turning off the music, he experienced a moment of clarity when a voice, which he felt was not his own, prompted him to write down his thoughts. This led him to spend the next two hours pouring his ideas into a journal, marking the beginning of the narrative for his upcoming record.

Having already composed several musical pieces prior, Bass realized that since Shinedown was not focused on producing a new album at that time, he could explore his creativity through what he affectionately dubbed a “silly rock opera.” He elaborated, “The songs wrote some of the story, and the story wrote some of the songs,” illustrating the seamless connection between his music and the narrative he was crafting.

Bass revealed that he completed the mixing of his album just a day before he and Brent Smith commenced writing what would evolve into the album Planet Zero. He noted that this project had been finished for quite a while, leaving him unsure if he would ever share it with the world, as it was primarily created for his own enjoyment.

Exciting New Music from Shinedown on the Horizon

Alongside the discussion about I Had a Name, Bass also divulged intriguing insights about what fans can anticipate from Shinedown in the upcoming year, 2025. He confidently stated, “[It’s] going to be a very big year for Shinedown, for sure.” However, he admitted that he was uncertain about the timing of their first single’s release, expressing his eagerness for the new material they are currently crafting. “I don’t know if it will be before the end of the year or if it’ll be early next year, but I’m super excited about everything we’re writing,” he shared, hinting at a promising future for the band.

While acknowledging that their recent albums have leaned towards conceptual themes, with I Had a Name being a prime example of a substantial concept album, he clarified that their current direction is different. “We just want to make a rock record, so that’s what we’re doing,” he stated, reassuring fans that they can look forward to a more straightforward rock experience with their next release.

Key Insights from Eric Bass’s Interview on Loudwire Nights

• The motivating factors and inspirations that led him to finally share I Had a Name with the public
• Another pivotal moment in his life where he experienced a voice guiding him
• The complete narrative of I Had a Name and its anticipated connections to a graphic novel, alongside the prospect of multiple future albums under Eric Bass Presents

Catch the Full Interview in the Podcast Player Below

Eric Bass was featured on Loudwire Nights on Tuesday, November 19. The show is available for replay online here, and fans can tune in live every weeknight at 7 PM ET on the Loudwire app. Additionally, you can check if the show is accessible on your local radio station and listen to past interviews on-demand.