aimless conversations: like an intermission where the band keeps playing

The Lost Art of Bass Players

CaptainAmerica:
I was just looking through a list of a bunch of bands that are popular today, and my thoughts got sidetracked and I noticed something. I haven't really heard any bass players at the forefront of modern music who are really noteworthy. I guess it's partially because most of the mainstream today has been trained to think of bass as a "secondary" instrument, but as anyone who has spent time in a band or writing music with a good bass player knows, it's just as appealing as guitar or keyboard or any other instrument when used properly. If you've ever listened to Cliff Burton (Trauma/Metallica) or Les Claypool (Primus, misc other projects) just sit up there by themselves with their bass and play a solo, you know what I'm talking about. It's freakin' unreal. And it's not like the two of them are that much alike, either. Burton was in a metal band but when the time came he could switch across multiple styles and play solos that were as impressive as any guitar player's. Claypool is just a madman who defies categorization.

Sure, there are a few others here and there who I respect for one reason or another...Steve Harris because he has a distinctive playing style where you know it's an Iron Maiden song...Jerry Only because he has a distinctive SOUND where you know it's a Misfits song, but as just pure PLAYERS, they're good, but nothing amazing.

I seriously cannot think of any really outstanding bass players other than the two people mentioned in the first paragraph, and it's not like they are overly popular today. Heck, Burton has been dead for almost 20 years. Who am I missing out on? Is this a dead art? Please don't name any of the lame top 40 pop-rock bands that generally have a following on these boards unless their bassist is truly outstanding...as in, you'd pay to see them if they were just there by themselves. And don't use "because they are cute" as a reason.

ilovenerds:
whos is system of a down? i think he is great...

wow i mean who is the bass player lol ..... need sleep....

CaptainAmerica:
Hmm, that's odd, I like SOAD quite a bit other than their annoying political stance, they're the only band since Korn to do something original with the nu-metal style which I generally can't stand. I've never noticed anything about the bass player though, I'll have to listen again. I do have all their albums.

SomethingGrey:
She's not exactly outstanding, but Melissa Auf Der Maur.. bass player from Hole/Smashing Pumpkins.. she's got this whole solo thing going on and I paid to see her a month ago..I wouldn't say shes outstanding or owt but it's nice that like..she can do her own thing when she was only the bass player in other bands..if that makes any sense..not had much sleep lol

freshspringroll:
flea from the RHCP.... is awesome. totally awesome. i was completely blown away when i heard them live.

aislinn:
my roommate (jenniferirene on h.net) is awesome. she's been playing cello, and then she picked up the bass like 3 days ago to join our band, and she's so freakin' quick. like doing bass walks and stuff. after 3 days.

she's gonna kick my butt.

unikorn:
Yah, I agree that bass players don't get as much credits as they should. Most of the time itz the lead singer or the guitarist who get noticed 'cuz they're...in the front, if you know what I mean

But I ADORE and LOVE the sound of bass (and drums). I love listening to back-up guysThey ARE people who...complete the sound of the music

My fave bassists are flea from RHCP, Paul McCartney, and this guy from a Japanese band, L'Arc~en~Ciel

aBrokenAngel4:
they only ones that come into my head right now (because i have a massive headache).. are Phoenix of Linkin Park and someone in a local band.. we all call him Billdo..lol!

i actually play bass myself (on message boards sometimes i have aBassBuTnoBand as a username..ha!)

zeus22:
I know what you mean. I think the guy from the Red Hot Chili Peppers is pretty good.

richieprep:
I think you're right. Apart from Flea I can only come up with older guys: Pino Palladino, Tony Levin, Stanley Clarke.

CaptainAmercia:
Yeah, I forgot about Flea. Probably because I'm not much of a RHCP fan, but he is very good.

krissytina:
I generally like to think that the best bass players are ones who started out on a stand up double bass - Marcus Miller, Joe B Mauldin, etc.

I'd love to think that populat music has some great bass players, but the only one at the moment i can think of is Flea. He even opened up a conservatory to teach music and instruments to kids and adults in silverlake, ca. Now that's a great person and a great bass player.

bulletmars:
hehe when i first read the post- i instantly thought flea too!!! hehe

tony kanal- no doubt--- dunno bout their new stuff though coz i sorta strayed but listen to BND from their self titled album (92 i believe...)- even though its only 43 seconds long i love that intro to the cd!

fangirl:
the first person who came into my mind was melissa auf der maur also. she may not be the best bass player, but in terms of what she means to pop culture in the 90s, she's very important, having played with both the Pumpkins and Hole. Flea for the same reason, if i was more aware of their music, i might be able to comment on this.

plus, he's still alive, paul mccartney. i don't know if he plays bass anymore, but he was the bass player in the beatles, and they have some very special basslines indeed -- 'come together' is definitely my favourite.

CaptainAmerica:
HOLY CRAP. I forgot about Pistol Pete Midtgard....probably because he plays standup instead of regular bass. This guy is nuts. Some people may recall seeing his band on an episode of Road Rules (I didn't see it but apparently they were on it).

www.twistintarantulas.com

...awesome amalgamation of rockabilly style with a punk attitude in several songs.

Er, and if you're in the Michigan/midwest area, you may have seen him on a TCF bank commercial. Which cracked me up the first time I saw it.

hitzjazzcat:
I have two words for you: CHARLES MINGUS

qman:
Aside from the people you've mentioned...I think sam farrar is an under-rated bassist...

And one of my faves of all time who passed away over 20 years ago, Dee Murray, he had an incredible sense of melody.

krissytina:
OMG, how could i ahve forgotten Charles Mingus?

richieprep:
I have two words for you: CHARLES MINGUS

Aahh, okay, but that's taking it into the double bass playing ballpark. Then I'd mention Rob Wasserman and Danny Thompson.

I'm not to sure though if you can compare double bass players and bass guitar players. I once saw Jack Bruce live though, who was amazing, and he started out on double bass. There are probably lots more like that, especially the older generation.