Bass Influences. Help?

Sugarskull · #1 10-04-2009, 05:03 PM

I need to come up with a list of my main influences for our bio. We've hired a publicist to help us with this kind of thing. The problem is, I don't know who I sound like. The people I've learned from directly aren't famous or anything so listing them would be pointless I would think.

When you list your influences, it's supposed to be a list of people you kind of sound like so that they get a a good impression of what to expect, right?

What does one put?

Willie Dixon? Lee Rocker? That's a bit Ostentatious I would say. I'm lost. Anyone have any suggestions?

Someone of similar gender would be awesome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPGfXK63F8E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pki3rHBieHU

Marcus Johnson · #2 10-04-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugarskull

Someone of similar gender would be awesome.

Huh?

I don't get it. I've been influenced by people of all genders

. And they ain't all bass players. Billie Holiday has influenced how I play bass as much as anyone. And a lot of people don't influence me by their bass playing, but by how they live their lives. My two daughters and my wife inspire me more than anyone. My high school music teacher is directly responsible for my being a pro musician. His name is Loren Wolf (Lakeland High School, 1970-74), and he's not famous, but I would never omit him from a list of my influences in order to make my bio look "better".

Your influences come from everywhere. But the simple answer, from a bassists' perspective, is... who makes you feel like playing and learning and growing after listening to them?

PS... it doesn't matter whether or not they're "famous". Only you know the names of the people that make you do what you do. Your publicist works for you, not the other way around.

bassbuddie · #3 10-04-2009, 09:58 PM

After reading your post Marcus, I got to tell you than from now on, you influenced me.
francois

T-Bird · #4 10-04-2009, 11:24 PM

Hi.

Welcome to TalkBass Sugarskull.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugarskull

The people I've learned from directly aren't famous or anything so listing them would be pointless I would think.

How's that?

They're the ones that deserve the recognition as being the inspiration behind Your playing. If they're Your teachers, excluding them would be rather insulting IMHO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugarskull

When you list your influences, it's supposed to be a list of people you kind of sound like so that they get a a good impression of what to expect, right?

For me, it wouldn't be like that at all. You pay your respects for the people who have inspired you, rather than make a list of people to be compared with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugarskull

Someone of similar gender would be awesome.

Regards
Sam

hdiddy · #5 10-04-2009, 11:58 PM

Trying to give ppl examples of how you sound by comparing yourself to someone else is probably a bad marketing strategy. I.e. I'm this good, so I sound like Ray Brown/Ron Carter. How original is that?

Better to list your inspirations and have the reader be curious as to how it all comes out.

Gearhead43 · #6 10-05-2009, 08:02 AM

Joan Jett? The Runaways?

Sugarskull · #7 10-05-2009, 10:40 AM

Quote:

They're the ones that deserve the recognition as being the inspiration behind Your playing. If they're Your teachers, excluding them would be rather insulting IMHO.

I should specify the purpose is to get funding from a panel of governmental people in charge of grants, not my personal bio on my artist page or anything. It's very specific.

FWIW, On my personal bio page, I list King Kong and my kids as my main influences.

Obviously My kids inspire me to be the best Mama ever and playing bass is included in that. My buddy Rob who is considerably better than I am inspires me to play better and shows me little tricks every time we share a show. But the panel don't care, they just want familiar names to attach to the project to better prepare their mind before hearing the demo. No offense intended.

Sugarskull · #8 10-05-2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gearhead43

Joan Jett? The Runaways?

Joan Jett Might be the closest thing... damn this sucks. I am not going to see one cent from all this fussing about. 10K down the drain for being too 'unique'.

Sugarskull · #9 10-05-2009, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.

Welcome to TalkBass Sugarskull.

Thanks. This is my 3rd time signing in here. I'm a little wary, but I needed a fresh perspective.

Quote:

Regards
Sam

Yup, you'd be amazed how difficult it is for people to wrap their brains around the fact the fact that I might just play like a dude.

Marcus Johnson · #10 10-05-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugarskull

Yup, you'd be amazed how difficult it is for people to wrap their brains around the fact the fact that I might just play like a dude.

Especially because your profile says "male". We can't see you, dude.

I think you should look at what makes you unique, and then try to get it across to the panel. I'd guess that's what gets grants written. If they want comparisons to known artists, just list the people that make you happiest.

Good luck to you.

hdiddy · #11 10-05-2009, 01:16 PM

You didn't say that you were grant writing before. Writing a bio to market yourself is diff than what you would put into a grant.

Yeah I'd agree with BIGGUS, you write what the grant reviewers want to hear. So for $10K, I'll say 'yeah I do Ray Brown".

But you still have to think about how to sell yourself as well. I wouldn't put it as something directly that says you replicate that persons style.... maybe put it in the light that you've done lots of "research" into that particular style and are seeking to further your exploration.

Marcus Johnson · #12 10-05-2009, 01:36 PM

Ah, I see.... links to vids at the bottom. I never click on those things..... nice.

I suppose you do need to play to the panel. I'm not sure how you would guess who they would recognize. It's almost as if you would have to ask them first.

I still think you go in and show them what you got. You sound great... hell, I'd write you a grant. Maybe you can do a rockabilly opera!

PS.... I just realized I made an unintentional joke on your stage name in that last bit. Let me rephrase..."Ms. Hell, I'd write you a grant".

Sugarskull · #13 10-05-2009, 01:50 PM

^^^^ Strangely enough, my sister just got a grant to do a Psychobilly musical and I'll be doing the music part for that. I'm looking to nab one for our next CD hopefully from the music panel before they cut the budget to the FACTOR grants.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

Especially because your profile says "male". We can't see you, dude.

I didn't know the profile defaulted to male.. lol I'll have to fix that.

Bass · #14 10-05-2009, 02:48 PM

Hi Eve. What about Scare-o-line? Jimbo? For me, I play upright 'cause of what I saw at their shows.

hdiddy · #15 10-05-2009, 05:25 PM

You do have a slapping style that is starts to burgeon into Milt Hinton's territory. So questions... what is the grant and what are you trying to get? As for styles... you must've learned to slap like that from someone. Who was that? Who did you listen to or did you make all that up yourself?

The Judge did also sing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNMvIUQw2kY

Sugarskull · #16 10-05-2009, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdiddy

You do have a slapping style that is starts to burgeon into Milt Hinton's territory. So questions... what is the grant and what are you trying to get? As for styles... you must've learned to slap like that from someone. Who was that? Who did you listen to or did you make all that up yourself?

The Judge did also sing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNMvIUQw2kY

Whew, he's awesome. Tasty, just tasty. Thanks so much for that.

The grant is for 20th century popular music. (rock) It would be to produce a CD, a follow up to our current CD. Also... possibly a touring grant.

I received a copy of the Pete Turland DVD off a friend, and the rest I've learned from watching Memphis Evil, Geoff Firebaugh and Willie Dixon on youtube. lol.

Sugarskull · #17 10-05-2009, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass

Hi Eve. What about Scare-o-line? Jimbo? For me, I play upright 'cause of what I saw at their shows.

Haha, Scaroline and I are probably after the same grant. lol. I aint naming her!

Jimbo I have sadly never seen live.

EDIT FOR NEXT MORNING REVELATION: Southern Culture on the Skids. I have found her. The bass player from Southern Culture on the Skids is a redhead, she sings kind of like me and the band does similar music. She plays a danelectro instead of an upright, but it's close enough!

Thanks all for your help!!

CindyB · #18 10-06-2009, 12:35 PM

You could always put "Cindy Ballreich from The Jackpot Club" Except that it should really be the other way around! I'm just an Eve Hell wannabe.

Cindy

hdiddy · #19 10-06-2009, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugarskull

EDIT FOR NEXT MORNING REVELATION: Southern Culture on the Skids. I have found her. The bass player from Southern Culture on the Skids is a redhead, she sings kind of like me and the band does similar music. She plays a danelectro instead of an upright, but it's close enough!

I have this secret dirty love for SCOTS. Rick Miller is an definintely an underrated guitar wizard in my book and "Dirt Track Date" is one of my favorite albums. Yes, your singing style is somewhat like Mary Huff.

Hotties on basses! MMMM HMMM!!!!

My deepest apologies for that, I couldn't help myself.

Sugarskull · #20 10-08-2009, 05:04 PM

^^^^ lol. No biggie. Anyone who says getting hit on isn't one of the perks of being a bassplayer is a liar.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CindyB

You could always put "Cindy Ballreich from The Jackpot Club" Except that it should really be the other way around! I'm just an Eve Hell wannabe.

Cindy

Ahh you're cute.