How Eva Gardner Secured Her Role as Pink's Bassist] - Guitar | Technique

Many will remember Kim Gardner as the bassist with UK acts The Birds, The Creation and Ashton, Gardner and Dyke, who played a significant role in the British Rock Invasion of the 1960s. “He is the reason I’m here doing what I do,” Eva Gardner told Bass Player when speaking of her father’s influence in 2019.

“I just grew up with it. I remember I had a slumber party with my school friends when I was seven years old. We were all hanging out and I picked up a bass guitar and was like, ‘I’m going to be a bass player!’ I didn’t know what it meant at the time and I could barely even pick it up! I would just drag it along the floor.

“I didn’t actively pursue it until later on, but I definitely wanted to be a bass player like Dad. I got really into his bands, like The Birds and The Creation. They became some of my favourite bands when I was in high school.”

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“He was really supportive – both of my parents were. I remember them coming to my first gig ever and Dad helping me with my amp. He was my roadie – I think he was actually kind of jealous!”

(Image credit: Valeria Ardanaz)

Having completed her formal training at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, Gardner set out making a name for herself on the L.A. live circuit, before going on to tour with the likes of the Mars Volta, Veruca Salt, Moby, Gwen Stefani, Cher and Pink.

A member of Pink’s band since 2007, Gardner auditioned at S.I.R. studios on Sunset Boulevard. “My family owns a British pub in Hollywood, and they were holding auditions right across the street. It was during one of my shifts so I got the manager to watch the bar while I ran over and tried out.

“The audition was cool – some of the live arrangements had changed from what I had learned, but it went really well and I got a call that night to say I had got the gig. I was told to pack for three months, learn four albums’ worth of material and be ready to leave in three days!”

P!nk – Who Knew (from Live from Wembley Arena, London, England) – YouTube
P!nk - Who Knew (from Live from Wembley Arena, London, England) - YouTube

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“With Pink, we have so much fun together in everyday life – you know, just day-to-day stuff – and it translates onstage. When you are in a touring band you have to see the same people every day; you are essentially living with them. You can be the best musician in the world but if you are a jerk it can be really tough.

“Personality is a big part of it: just being cool and getting along with everyone. We are all just having a good time together up there.”

When it comes to gear, Gardner is quick to endorse her Fender Precision and Rotosound strings, as her dad once did.

Eva Gardner

(Image credit: Amy Shamblan)

“My dad’s favourite bass in the whole world was his 1962 Fiesta Red Fender Precision. Sadly, he passed away, so now I have my dream basses – my dad’s. They are mostly vintage basses, so I prefer not to travel with them.