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American bassist
Gender:
Male
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Birth:
15 July 1969(Queens, New York City, New York, USA)
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Biography

Introduction

Chris Wyse (born 15 July 1969) is an American bassist and vocalist. He is best known for his performances with Hollywood Vampires, Ace Frehley, The Cult and Ozzy Osbourne. He is the vocalist and bassist for Owl, a band he founded in 2007.

Early life

Wyse is a first-generation Irish American. He was born in Queens, New York. He discovered the music of Kiss, The Doors, and Led Zeppelin in grade school, and was inspired by Iron Maiden's Steve Harris to play bass. Performing with local bands in New York, he was profiled in Guitar Player Magazine at 17 and featured in Guitar For the Practicing Musician at 20.

Career

Bob Rock, The Cult

In 1990, prompted by the success of a studio session with musicians associated with Steve Vai, Wyse moved to Los Angeles, where he devoted most of his time to playing with bands. After performing with artists including the band Lusk (with Guns N' Roses's Chris Pitman and Tool's Paul D'Amour), Wyse was introduced to acclaimed producer Bob Rock and became Rock's "go-to" bassist. He played with Rock-produced artists including Tal Bachman, as well as artists unaffiliated with Rock, such as Scott Weiland. In 2001, Wyse played on The Cult's well-reviewed album, Beyond Good and Evil, which Rock produced. In 2003, Rock, who was then producing Metallica, urged Wyse to audition for the band. He was one of a handful of bassists selected to play with Metallica during the audition process, which was documented in the film Some Kind of Monster.

In 2006, he became The Cult's full-time bass player, touring worldwide and recording two additional albums.

Ozzy Osbourne, Owl

In 2004, Wyse was recruited for Ozzy Osbourne's band by drummer Mike Bordin after they met while playing as part of Jerry Cantrell's solo band. He played on Ozzy's Under Cover album, which was included on Osbourne's box set, Prince of Darkness. Wyse also played on Jerry Cantrell's covers band Cardboard Vampyres. Additionally, Wyse performed and recorded with Bob Rock's band, the Payola$.

In 2007, Wyse founded Owl, an alternative rock band. He is the band's singer, songwriter, and producer, and plays bass guitar and upright bass, sometimes creating "Hendrik-like effect on the upright bass" by using a bow. Wyse formed Owl with his childhood friend, drummer Dan Dinsmore, and LA-based guitarist Jason Achilles Mezilis. Described as "approaching timeless rock structures through a healthy amount of experimentation and instrumental intricacy" Owl released their debut in 2009, followed by the album The Right Thing in April 2013. The first music video from the album, the title track's The Right Thing, premiered on Rolling Stone's website in March 2013. Owl released their third album, Things You Can't See, in the summer of 2015. Owl's third album, Things You Can't See, was released in summer 2015. A video for the track

Ace Frehley, Hollywood Vampires

Wyse played bass guitar on Ace Frehley's album, Space Invader He toured with Frehley following the release of Space Invader.Things You Can't See was released in 2015, as was Frehley's Origins Vol 1. Wyse played bass on the record, which featured Paul Stanley on vocals for the track Fire and Water.

Wyse left The Cult in 2015, and has continued to tour and record with Frehley. In January 2018 he played "New York Groove" with Frehley prior to the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic between the New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres at Citi Field.The song is a staple at New York sporting events; it is played when the New York Giants score and when the New York Mets win.

Wyse joined the Hollywood Vampires in 2018. A supergroup that includes Joe Perry, Alice Cooper, and Johnny Depp, Wyse performed with the Vampires on world tours in 2018 and 2019, and played on their sophomore album, Rise,released on Ear Music in 2019.

Discography

Year Artist Project Title Credit
1999 Scott Weiland's Big Blue Missile The Spy Who Shagged Me OST Bass
Tal Bachman Tal Bachman Bass
2000 Nina Gordon Tonight and the Rest of My Life Upright Bass
2001 Owl Flammable:A Tribute To The Red Hot Chili Peppers Bass, Upright Bass
Producer
Various Artists Broken Machine:A Tribute To Nine Inch Nails Bass, Upright Bass
Producer
Mick Jagger Goddess in the Doorway Bass
The Cult Beyond Good and Evil Bass
2005 Ozzy Osbourne Under Cover Bass
Ozzy Osbourne Prince of Darkness Bass
2007 The Cult Born into This Bass, Songwriter
2008 Various Artists We Wish You A Metal Xmas and
a Headbanging New Year
Bass
2009 Owl Owl Vocals, Bass, Upright Bass
Songwriter, Producer
2012 The Cult Choice of Weapon Bass, Upright Bass
Songwriter
2013 Owl The Right Thing Vocals, Bass, Upright Bass
Songwriter, Producer
2014 Ace Frehley Space Invader Bass guitar
2015 Owl Things You Can’t See Vocals, Bass, Upright Bass
Songwriter, Producer
2016 Ace Frehley Origins Vol. 1 Bass guitar
2019 Hollywood Vampires "Rise" Bass Guitar, Upright Bass
Songwriter

Videography/Filmography/Television Appearances

Year Artist Song or Title Appearance in or on
1999 Tal Bachman "She's So High" Music video
Tal Bachman "If You Sleep" Music video
2003 Metallica Metallica: Some Kind of Monster Film
2006 The Cult "Wildflower" Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
The Cult "She Sells Sanctuary" Jimmy Kimmel Live
The Cult Live at Irving Plaza DVD
2009 Owl Pusher Music video
2010 Ace Frehley Behind the Player DVD
2012 The Cult "Honey From A Knife" Music video
The Cult "Love Removal Machine" "Wildflower"
"She Sells Sanctuary" "For The Animals"
Jimmy Kimmel Live
The Cult "For the Animals" Music video
2013 Owl "Perfect" Music video
Owl "Destroyer" Music video
Owl "The Right Thing" Music video
2015 Owl "Who’s Gonna Save You Now" Music video
2016 Ace Frehley "Fire and Water" Music video
2017 Owl "Lake Ego" Music video
2018 Owl "Things You Can't See" Music video
Owl "Believe" Music video
2019 Hollywood Vampires "Heroes" Music video
Hollywood Vampires "Boogie Man Surprise" Music video
Hollywood Vampires "Who's Laughing Now" Music video
Hollywood Vampires "Heroes", "I Want My Now" Jimmy Kimmel Live
Hollywood Vampires "Heroes", "I Want My Now" The Late Late Show with James Corden