“The first time we got together we just jammed in a normal muso sort of way,” Jones told Bass Player. “New Fang was one of those early workings.

“Another idea Josh came up with, Dave and I looked at each other and thought, ‘Are you serious? What are you thinking?!’ He played this riff that he’d recorded in a hotel room on an electric guitar that wasn’t even plugged in, but Josh was telling us, ‘No, it’s going to be good,’ so we tried it and that turned into the track Reptiles. If you heard the first demo of that song you wouldn’t believe it.”

Bass Player spoke to John Paul Jones back in March 2010 about what it’s like playing with Dave Grohl, why you have to use a pick to play multi-string basses, and why he has no plans to write an autobiography.

How did you record with Them Crooked Vultures?

“We basically went into Josh’s studio, sat in a room, and wrote and recorded at the same time. It was a very organic process where we’d groove in the studio, working on each other’s ideas. There was a lot of laughing involved as well – it’s amazing we got that much work done!”

Prior to these sessions, had you ever played with Dave Grohl? 

“No, I hadn’t. He’s wonderful, and we get on really great together. He appreciates good grooves and good riffs. We listen to each other and we reinforce each other and we stretch each other, which is the best combination.”

Has your concept of tone changed much through the course of this project?

“I’m playing with a pick a lot more. You have to use a pick to play multi-string basses, or you don’t get the full advantage of the double crosses.”

Do you find playing with a pick compromises your low-end?

“No, not really. It’s just a different feel – a different attack. It’s a much faster attack, and it gives you more of a rhythmic drive, especially on faster songs.”

What is that wild-looking guitar you play on No One Loves Me & Neither do I? 

“That’s an instrument Hugh Manson made that is based on the Melobar. It basically allows me to play lap steel while moving around onstage. I wanted one I could hang around my neck so I asked Hugh to make me one.”