Robbie Merrill (born June 13, 1963)[1] is an American bassist, best known as a founding member of the rock bands Godsmack[2][3] and Another Animal.[4] He was featured in the Behind the Player interactive music video.[5]
Biography
Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Merrill started playing bass at age fourteen, having traded in his train set for the instrument.[6] Before joining Godsmack, Merrill worked as a self-employed carpenter, a trade likewise pursued by Tony Rombola.[7]
Merrill lives in St. Augustine, Florida, with his wife Heather and three daughters. Although he is righthanded, Merrill plays lefthanded due to a birth defect that renders him unable to move the middle finger of his left hand.[8]
Musical style
Merrill uses Dunlop Clear "D" plastic fingerpicks on his plucking-hand index and ring fingers, which contributes to his distinctive style of play.[9]
On the back cover of the April 2010 Bass Player magazine issue, Robbie is now an official Gallien-Krueger user. It shows him with a Fusion 550 amp and a NEO412 cabinet[9]
According to Merrill, when he is in the studio, he runs a Line 6 guitar POD direct for growly, midrangy distortion, and he blends that with miked cabinets."[9]
