Christopher Todd Feinstein (May 26, 1967 – December 15, 2009) was an American bass guitarist, record producer, and songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee. Feinstein's career began at the age of 15, recording and touring in bands (Shadow 15, The Questionnaires, Bedlam, Iodine), which led him to widen his studio skills where he became interested in production and recording artist development.

Chris Feinstein
Feinstein performing at the Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, New Jersey, February 23, 2009
Feinstein performing at the Wellmont Theatre in Montclair, New Jersey, February 23, 2009
Background information
Birth nameChristopher Todd Feinstein
Also known asSpacewolf
Born(1967-05-26)May 26, 1967
Nashville, Tennessee, US
DiedDecember 15, 2009(2009-12-15) (aged 42)
New York City, New York, US
Occupations
  • Bass guitarist
  • record producer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Bass guitar
  • guitar
  • drums
Years active1982–2009
Formerly of

In 1997, Feinstein moved to New York City to pursue his career in production. He became a partner in a production team based at the infamous TMF Studios in the East Village. While at TMF, he teamed up with Detroit native, producer/engineer Michael Tudor to co-produce a series of recordings of New York rock bands such as The Astrojet (featuring Jody Porter of Fountains of Wayne), Clara Venus and Mikki James. Together, Feinstein and Tudor co-produced material for the Beatles-based soundtrack to the 2001 drama film I Am Sam, featuring Rufus Wainright and Sean Lennon's "Across the Universe" and Howie Day's "Help!". They also co-produced Moby's singles "South Side" (featuring Gwen Stefani) and We Are All Made of Stars. During this time, Feinstein also contributed musically to several artists' albums such as Fat Joe's Loyalty, Chantal Kreviazuk's Juno Award-winning Colour Moving and Still, Tim Finn's Say It Is So and Patty Griffin's Flaming Red.[1]

In 2006, Feinstein was sought-after to play bass guitar for Ryan Adams & The Cardinals. During this time he also became known as Space Wolf.[1] As a Cardinal he recorded three albums, Easy Tiger (2007), Follow the Lights EP (2007) and Cardinology (2008) and toured extensively worldwide through 2009.[2]

The last album he recorded playing bass guitar was New Zealand artist Gin Wigmore's Holy Smoke produced by Mike Elizondo and engineered by Joe Chiccarelli.[3]

Growing up, Feinstein enjoyed listening to The Clash, Hüsker Dü, The Replacements, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, The Who and Brian Wilson.

Death

edit

On December 15, 2009, Feinstein was found dead in his New York City apartment. He was 42 years old.[4] Feinstein's death was ruled an accident by the coroner, stemming from prior health issues and adverse reaction to over-the-counter cough medicine[5]

Discography

edit
Year Title Artist Instrument
2009 Holy Smoke Gin Wigmore Bass, percussion
2008 Cardinology Ryan Adams & the Cardinals Co-writer, bass, background vocals
2008 Santogold Santogold Co-writer, guitar
2007 Everybody Knows Ryan Adams Bass
2007 Follow the Lights (EP) Ryan Adams Bass
2007 Can I Keep This Pen? Northern State Co-writer, guitar, bass
2007 Seastories Minnie Driver Bass
2007 Easy Tiger Ryan Adams Bass
2007 Yours to Keep (US) Albert Hammond, Jr. Bass
2007 Second Time Around Nell Bryden Guitar
2006 Go – The Very Best of Moby Moby Mixing
2006 Yours to Keep (UK) Albert Hammond, Jr. Bass
2006 Sinners Like Me Eric Church Bass
2005 From Midnight On Nell Bryden Guitar
2005 Greatest Hurts Clara Venus Guitar, producer, percussion, tambourine
2004 Everything Changed Abra Moore Bass
2003 The Bridge Shaye Bass
2003 Regret Over the Wires Matthew Ryan Vocals (background)
2003 Electrotech (Ministry of Sound) Various artists Mixing
2003 Decadence Pure Global Chillout Various artists Mixing
2003 Dancestar 2002 Various artists Mixing
2003 Best Dance Album in the World...Ever! Various artists Mixing
2002 Loyalty Fat Joe Bass
2002 Clubber's Guide to Ibiza 2001 (Universal International) Various artists Mixing
2002 Now, Vol. 52 (UK) Various artists Mixing
2002 Karma Lounge, Vol. 2 Various artists Mixing
2002 Addicted to Trance Various artists Mixing
2002 Here Comes the Trick Pleasure Club Bass, drums
2002 Electric Jack Ingram Bass
2002 I Am Sam (Motion picture soundtrack) Various artists Bass, guitar, mixing, percussion, producer
2002 Thinking Room Anika Moa Bass
2001 Thinking Room Anika Moa Bass
2000 Colour Moving and Still (Canada) Chantal Kreviazuk Bass
2000 Say It Is So Tim Finn Bass
2001 East Autumn Grin Matthew Ryan Bass, vocals (background)
1999 Anywhere but Here (Motion picture soundtrack) Various artists Co-writer, drums
1999 Greta Gaines Greta Gaines Bass
1998 Flaming Red Patty Griffin Bass, vocals (background)
1998 Falling Forward Margaret Becker Bass
1998 Baby Grand Iodine Co-writer, bass, design, vocals, photography
1996 Sweetie Daniel Tashian Bass, drums
1995 Maximum Joy Iodine Co-writer, bass, photography, background vocals
1992 Into the Coals Bedlam Bass, composer, background vocals
1992 EP Bedlam Bass, background vocals
1992 Reservoir Dogs (soundtrack album, two tracks) Bedlam Bass, background vocals
1991 Anything Can Happen The Questionnaires Co-writer, bass, background vocals
1989 Window to the World The Questionnaires Bass, background vocals
1986 Far Away Shadow 15 Drums, background vocals

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Mills, Fred (December 21, 2009). "Chris Feinstein 1967-2009 R.I.P." Blurt Online. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  2. ^ Gold, Adam (December 16, 2009). "Chris Feinstein, Bassist for Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, Dead at 42". Nashville Scene. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  3. ^ "Christopher Todd Feinstein". The Tennessean. December 19, 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  4. ^ "NME", 17 December 2009.
  5. ^ "http://www.ryanadamsarchive.com/showthread.php?t=19916