Best known as Pete Wentz, Mr Peter Lewis Kingston Wentz III is one of the most prolific bass players on
the planet right now.
Aside from setting up record label Decaydance Records (home to Panic! At The Disco amongst others),
clothing company Clandestine Industries, film production company 'Bartskull Films' and a trendy nightclub
called 'Angels & Kings' in New York (together with members of Gym Class Heroes and The Academy Is…),
Wentz is also responsible for bass guitar, backing vocal and song-writing duties for phenomenally
successful worldwide pop-punk rock stars Fall Out Boy. Oh, and he’s also dating Ashlee Simpson.
It's fair to say, then, that Pete's not doing too badly for himself. And to add to that list, he's even
managed one of the rarer achievements that every musician aspires towards – to have one of the most
respected guitar manufacturers in the world produce your signature instrument.
Pete's backline gear consists of Ampeg B-2R heads for reliable performance and control over tone, in
combination with the tried-and-tested Ampeg SVT-810E 8x10 cab to provide the sheer physical mass necessary
for a genuinely fat sound. But guitar-wise, he's a Fender man through-and-through – his personally-designed
Squier signature model was released in April 2007, and is now available to buy today throughout the world.
The bass is an unusual but clever blend of Jazz Bass neck on Precision Bass body, and features the red Bat
emblem as seen in the logos for Pete's Record Label, Clothing Label, and Film Production Company. The
specification makes perfect sense for a practical bass that’s ideal for pop/punk/rock, thanks to the
comfortable, easy-to-play neck from a Jazz in combination with the simplicity and classic character of a
P-Bass. Plus, the Seymour Duncan designed pick-up makes sure the output cuts the mustard until you can get
your own signature model… something that Pete has proved is within anyone's reach, with enough passion and
commitment.
The 28-year-old comes from humble beginnings, especially with his first axe – I was probably fourteen
when I got my first bass - it was my friend's brother's, and we stole it
Wentz admitted to Rolling
Stone. It was at this time, having grown up on Motown and later Punk, that Pete was first bitten by the
music bug, although his musical tastes have since diversified to include such names as Joy Division, The
Smiths and Morrisey counted amongst favourites.
After learning his craft the 'old-fashioned way' in the late '90s, playing with bands in the dirty venues
of the Chicago hardcore punk scene, 2001 marked the beginning of Fall Out Boy after an introduction by
childhood friend Joe Trohman to a musical acquaintance named Patrick Stump. A band was quickly formed,
and after an array of temporary members, the line-up settled as we now know it – Pete on Bass, Joe on
Guitar, Patrick providing Vocals and finally Andy Hurley hammering the Drum Kit.
A student of Political Science, Pete dropped out of University to focus on music and never looked back -
a couple of independent releases followed by a deal with Island Records led the band to world tours,
smash hit singles, double and triple platinum albums and countless awards that serve as testament to the
band's popularity. And as lyricist, bassist and unofficial spokesperson for the band, Wentz has undeniably
had a big part to play in the band’s success.
But in his own words, he admits: Essentially I am a procrastinating underachiever at heart, so learning
new songs requires a lot of attention and practice
. All this goes to show that PR hype, tabloid journalism
and leaked photographs aside, Wentz et al. are in the position they're in today thanks to hard work and an
honest passion for music – love or hate the band, it's refreshing to know that mega-stardom is truly
within anyone's reach with the right attitude.
Squier®, Precision Bass® and the and the distinctive headstock and body designs of those
guitars, are trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and used herein with express written
permission. © 2008 FMIC. All rights reserved. For additional information, please visit
www.squierguitars.com
