I've been blessed to play and record with some amazingly talented musicians over the years. I've performed, played, and recorded with members of AC/DC, Alcatraz, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath, Fates Warning, Mr. Big, Yngwie Malmsteen, DIO, Iron Maiden, Rainbow, Slayer, and so many more. I've played stages in Japan, Wales, Germany, Spain, Niaragua, Mexico, Sweden, Canada, and all around the USA.

James Amelio Pulli, Bass Electric on SoundBetter If you would like me to record bass on your next project, click here:

Latest News:

 

The BIGGEST news so far this year would be me being inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame with my Impellitteri bandmates Chris Impellitteri and Rob Rock, along with Twisted Sister, Lou Gramm, and Raven this February. It was an amazing night where Chris and I got to perform with Mark Zonder (drummer with Fates Warning) and Giles Lavery (singer with Warlord). The highlights were seeing Twisted Sister perform for the first time together in over 6 years. Raven played as always with much fury and excitement!

 

 

Me, Chris Impellitteri, and Rudy Sarzo backstage.

Lou Gramm ... original singer of Foreigner! What a legend!

One of my all-time FAVES on bass and one of the most SOULFUL voices you will ever hear! Mr. Dug Pinnick of King's X.

The great RAVEN brothers of John and Mark doing what they do best... KICK ASS!!

Blown away by the energy of Dee and the rest of the TS band!

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I've been doing a lot of recording lately... If you want to hear the latest, check it out here:

NEW RECORDINGS 

Here are the details:

This is a collection of some recent sessions, all bass tracks recorded at my home studio. Description: 1-Face The Enemy Impellitteri 2015. 2-Battle Song, Amoriello 2018. 3-Wade In The Water cover. 4-Late Avenue, Wes Styles 2018. 5-Holding On, Impellitteri 2015. 6-Phantom Of The Opera, Jim Andrews 2018. 7-Sunset Grill cover. 8-Late Avenue, Wes Styles.

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This was one of the funnest projects that I've had the honor of working on recently! I recorded bass on four of the songs on this EP. It has an Iron Maiden vibe to it, and it was both challenging and rewarding. Click this link HERE to check out or purchase the remaing tracks.

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Thanks again to Thomas Amoriello for offering me the chance to record bass on an awesome track along with some of the most talented musicians! I was even given a fretless bass solo in the intro! Get your copy through Ice Fall Records while they last. Chek out this line up:

Thomas Amoriello - Rythmn Guitars / James Pulli - Bass / Ken Stavropoulos (Cacophony) - Drums / Tony Stahl (DeadRisen) - Keyboards / Guitars Solos: Ronni LeTekro - Solo #1 Toby Knapp - Solo #2 Thomas Amoriello - Solo #3 Alex Masi - Solo #4 Glen Drover - Solo #5 

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May 1, 2020 - Here's a fresh take on an a classic by Robert Plant. What makes it even better than the original is that I get to play a BASS SOLO!!! Enjoy! More to come...

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January 15, 2020 - I was honored recently when Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California included me in their alumni "Success Stories". I Graduated MI back in 1985 and that was definitely the start of my more serious music career! If you want to see their story about me on their website, click HERE

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When I was asked by Swan Montgomery of Led Zepagain if I would be interested in joining him in a band dedicated to the solo work of Mr. Robert Plant, how could I possibly say no? First I received the song list, and was quickly reminded of just how great the songs are, and still hold up to this time. Then I met the other players, and things really started becoming fun! Our first show will be January 4th at The Grove of Anaheim. Check out the band's website to learn more about the members and upcoming live shows:

www.robertplantation.com

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February 20, 2019 - Before we head to Japan, we will be playing a few live dates on the East Coast this May.

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February 12, 2019 - So it looks like the Impellitteri fans in Japan like the new album "Nature Of THe Beast" and they want us to come play it LIVE!! Officially announced.... three rockin shows in Japan this year!

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December 13, 2018 - Check out the interview with me speaking about my influences, gear, and starting out on bass. There's some good words of wisdom for anyone starting out on bass! Read the full version HERE

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Guitars: Tomas Amoriello
Vocals: Mark Boals
Bass: James Amellio Pulli
Drums: Kenny Stavropoulos
Keyboards: Michael Troy

Preorder the Album here:
H42 Records
https:// h42records-shop.de/c/ presale
or from HRR
https://www.hrrshop.de/ AMORIELLO

November 19, 2018 - The second single has been released from the new Amoriello album "Holy Man". Check it out HERE

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October 14, 2018 - Today KNAC writer Alex Yarborough gave the new Impellitteri record "Nature Of The Beast" a rating of 5 out of 5! For a link to the complete review go HERE

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October 14, 2018 - Today is the world-wide release of the new Impellitteri record "Nature Of The Beast" from Frontiers Records. So far the sales are good and the reviews have been awesome!

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October 12, 2018 - Today is the release of Impellitteri's second video from the new record "Nature Of The Beast" The song is a cover of Black Sabbath's "Symptom Of The Universe". This is the only song that I used my 66 P-Bass to record with since I was going for the clasic Geezer Butler tone. See the whole video here:

 

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October 10, 2018 - I had my first recording session on a standup bass recently. It was for a Led Zeppelin medley so it was material that I was familiar with. It featured live drums and an orchestra! Extra special thanks to Wes Styles for loaning me his standup bass for the session. You can hear parts of the recording here:

LedZep Medley

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Me and Producer/Engineer Mike Plotnikoff (Fear Factory, Buck Cherry, Mudvayne, Van Halen, AC/DC, KISS) sitting at the Neve board at NRG studios while tracking the latest Impellitteri record "Nature Of The Beast".

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October 9, 2018 - Anybody that knows me, knows that Pino Palladino is one of my bass idols. He is a master of silky smooth fluid fretless bass lines as well as funky soul. So when I get an email from drummer/songwriter Jim Andrews to play on a cover of Don Henley's "Sunset Grill", I couldn't wait to get started! I did my best to recreate Pino's signature fretless lines and enjoyed every minute of it! Here's a clip:

Sunset Grill

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September 28, 2018 - I had the pleasure of recording two songs for guitarist/songwriter Thomas Amoriello this summer. One of the songs "Battle Song" features drummer Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, DIO),Thomas on guitars, Nick Z Marino (Yngwie Malmsteen) on vocals, and Michael Troy (Yngwie Malmsteen) on keys. I must say it was dream-come-true to put a bass line down on top of Vinny's playing! Thank you Thomas for the oppurtunity and one of the musical highlights of 2018 for me. GREAT Song!!

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August 20, 2018 -Today I spent all day (14 hours) shooting three videos for Impellitteri's new record "Nature Of The Beast". We shot footage for "Run For Your Life", "Phantom Of The Opera", and Symptom Of The Universe". Thanks to John and the crew of Blind Vision Films for their talents!

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Summer of 2018 was a great one for playing live! Our tribute band BONFIRE had an amazing schedule that took us all over this great country of ours!

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August 10, 2018 - Buddy Guy at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills. Get out there and see this man! He's the last of his kind folks. An amazing singer and guitarist!

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August 3, 2018 - Impellitteri had our latest photo shoot for promos for our new record "Nature Of The Beast" with photographer Alex Solca. He's a real artist and made the day fun and bearable in the overwhelming heat. We had to keep the AC off due to the lights setting off the breakers every 10 minutes!

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July 2, 2018 - When drummer/songwriter Jim Andrews called me to appear in a video, I didn't know that I would be playing bass AND cello! I must say that I have new respect for Yo Yo Ma!

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One-Non-Blonde - In the middle of some amazing singers here. Left to right is Sean Mulvihill, my mate in Bonfire Tribute to AC/DC, Michael O'Mara singer of Pyromania Tribute to Def Leppard, and Ernie Berru singer for Fan Halen Tribute to Van Halen.

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June 27, 2018 - Sometimes when you show up to see what your rented equipment is on a gig you are surprised. This time in Calumet, Michigan I was worried until I plugged into it. This old girl ROCKED!!

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April 18, 2018 - A fun night of live URIAH HEEP right in my back yard! One of the original bass players Gary Thain is one of the best in my book. Current bassist Davey Rimmer does an outstanding job of holding down the bottom end of this iconic classic band. This is me and founding member Mick Box. Below is Me, Davey, and Lita Ford bassist Marty O'Brian hanging backstage talking about bass pedals.

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Sometimes you just need to take a break and have a hang at the Rainbow Bar & Grill with your best buds! This is me and Eric Chaz of Eric's Guitar.

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July 18, 2016 - Impellitteri playing live in Barcelona Spain. That's me alongside Chris Impellitteri, Rob Rock, and Patrick Johanson. The crowd was amazing here, we hope to get back soon!

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Always a real treat to be playing live with Patrick Johansson. He's the perfect blend of technical and feel in a drummer. Makes my job easy!

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July 15, 2016 - Impellitteri playing live in Balingen Germany at the "Bang Your Head" Festival.

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While performing in Balingen Germany, I discovered that I was staying in the same hotel as the great Udo Dirkschneider. I felt honored!

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Album promo shot for the new Impellitteri record "VENOM" Rob Rock, Jon Dette, Chris Impellitteri, me.

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May 31, 2015 - Impellitteri playing live in Tokyo

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Discography:

 

I grew up loving the bass by listening to Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep, The Who, Deep Purple, and started playing by learning bass lines right from the vinyl records. Check out my version of "Bassically" from Black Sabbath's first album which is currently over 141,000 views on Youtube! Apparently, everybody else loves Geezer Butler too...

 

GEAR:

 

AXES:

My main go-to-anything bass. It's a 66 neck with a mid 70's body. Classic rich and full sounding P-Bass all the way. The pickups are the original ones that came in the body. This is how I bought it used back in 1984. When it goes direct through a live board it sounds pretty clanky but put this through some tubes first and it's magic. I have friends that have similar basses and they keep them tucked away and rarely take them outside and play them live. I gotta tell you that I drug this around Hollywood in a soft case for years. On and off public busses with it, thrown in trunks, and even a few airplane horror stories. I smile to myself each time that I plug it in at a gig and find it to be still in tune! Check out how she sounds HERE

 

 

Spector NS-2A Kramer era. Punchy as all hell and very smooth to play. When it comes time to tune down a whole step, or even more, this baby holds it all together and still growls. I bought this back around 1994 to record Answer To The Master with Chris Impellitteri. Because of the punch and low end growl, it went well with the guitars and drums. Check out the bass in Queensryche's Operation Mindcrime for a stellar example of what a Spector and an Ampeg SVT sounds like in the hands of a talented bass player and a genius engineer!I use this for fast riffs that are difficult to play since the neck and action feel so smooth. Check out how she sounds HERE

 

 

 

Rob Allen MB-2 semi hollow body fretless 5 string. This is the only bass that I ever bought on the spot after playing it and didn't care how much it cost! This thing "sings" all over the neck and I've always found it very inspiring. I finally had the chance to record with it for a worldwide release this past year. Check out the video for "Face The Enemy" to see and hear it during the intro. Check out how she sounds HERE

 

AMPS

Ampeg SVT VR model. VR stands for "vintage reissue". It is a vintage reissue of an early 1970s Blue-Line SVT head. The preamp stage, power section, and the rocker switches emulate the exact signal path, tone, and vibe of the original. This is the amp I carry around to gigs almost everywhere. I have two identical 8 x 10 cabinets.

 

 

Ampeg SVT "Black Face" from the mid 80's.That's all I know about it. Except that it kicks butt for recording! I've owned it since around 94 and traded it for a mid 70's fretless P Bass with a rosewood fingerboard. I wish I didn't have to trade that bass in but I needed the head at the time. If only we had all the gear we once had, right?!

 

 

 

 

Gallien-Krueger 400RB Classic solid state growler! This baby is so much easier to haul around than an SVT stack. When really pressed for space, you can just use the head with the 4x10 cab and it still sounds phenominal. Even at lower volume levels.

 

 

 

 

SWR Henry The 8X8 Cabinet. This little guy is like a shrunk down SVT 8X10 cab. It just sounds angry. Maybe it's mad because it didn't grow up to be a full size cab. Maybe it's mad at me because I use the SVT cabs so much more. It sounds good and mad with either head I use on it.

 

 

Dean Markley Spectra 310B Just a little practice amp with a cool sounding gain crunch when you crank up the volume and then open up the master volume just a crack. I used this when I recorded the Geezer Butler video for "Bassically". I received lots of questions about the tone on that video. I only used this amp, my P bass, and recorded it with a cheap Radio Shack condensor mic.

 

Videos: