Photo by Trista Hertlein. Allen Hunter (Bass) Originally from Portland, Oregon, bassist extraordinaire Allen Hunter is adept at fretless, fretted, and upright. 'Big Al' played upright bass, autoharp, keyboards, and melodica with Mark Oliver Everett, Chet Lyster, Paloma Udovic, Julie Carpenter, Heather Lockie, and Ana Lenchantin in Eels on the 2005 EELS With Strings Tour in support of the epic 33-track double album Blinking Lights and Other Revelations. The 60+ date tour resulted in the 2006 release of Eels with Strings: Live at Town Hall.  Recorded at New York City's Town Hall on June 30, 2005, it is the first live Eels album with a general release, and the first Eels DVD. Allen also plays bass with Miss Michael Jodell, Matt Brown, Dirty Martini, and The Hunter-Donnaloia Duo. Allen lists Thelonious Monk, Rev. Horton Heat, XTC, Eels, The Paladins, Elvis Costello, Jacques Brel, Charles Mingus, Motown, The Shins, and Jeff Buckley among his musical influences.

	"I'm told I play a mean bass.  Sometimes a sexy bass.  Sometimes a thumpin' bass. Sometimes a bootylicious bass.  In that connection, I've also been told that I should give spanking seminars.  I seem to have a talent.  Who knew?" - Allen Hunter