Any funk rock players around here?

[Sausainis]

So, i got myself into funk rock band, really not the thing that i usually listen to or play(im sludge/prog metal guy), but they ask me to do solos so i really want to stick with this band.

However, as band itself is playing longer than i am playing mah bass, i have this horrible feeling of being weakest link

So i am trying to get as much info of this style as i can, maybe TBs funk rockers got some useful tips for me?

Also are there any other bands than RHCP, Primus that i should check out?

Thanks in advance

[zenrad]

James Brown, Bootsy (Parliament), Betty Davis, Larry Graham, Louis Johnson, Funkadelic- that's a start.

[Matt Dean]

My rock is pretty funky... I agree with zen that the best thing to do is listen to the masters and practice their licks.

Also, if your drummer is funky, a good start can be achieved by locking in with his (or her) kick drum and keep it simple (but funky).

[yem]

Less is more

[Plays_For_Dog]

Early Incubus from the 90's has a lot of funk/rock bass lines in it.

The albums:
Fungus Amongus
Enjoy Incubus
Science

Those are the best albums the band ever cut. Dirk Lance does some pretty incredible speed funk lines that blend well.

Dirk's new band "Willie's Nerve Clinic" also has some pretty impressive bass lines, but those are not quite as funky and the rock is a little softer. Still an awesome album though.

[ba$$]

Everything everyone has mentioned, plus:

Defunkt (the band that Flea said inspired his funkrock bass style)
311 (older stuff - 'Dammit' would be the best album)

[onlyclave]

Infectious Grooves.

[Stumbo]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funk_rock
http://www.worldlingo.com/ma/enwiki/en/Funk_rock

Can you get their song list? Listen to all the bands that they cover.

[Rudreax]

Listen to a lot of stuff, and get your rhythm down. Rhythm's where it's at when it comes to funk.

[JimK]

Originally Posted by zenrad

...Betty Davis, Larry Graham...

Since you mentioned them...how about Sly & The Family Stone?

Funk-Rockers from the '90s-
Living Colour
Screaming Headless Torsos

[taphappy]

Those two are NYC funk. Heavier edged. Screaming Headless Torsos - "Just For Now" - should be a version on MySpace. Living Colour - a good song would be "Love Rears its Ugly Head".

Check out how much those guys don't play, but still shine, and work as a group.

Really depends what these guys are doing, but it's hard to go wrong with most of the suggestions so far. I'd avoid the more rocky side of the funk guys at first. Learn the old school stuff, it'll help a lot more in giving you contrast. The bands above are great indications of the new school. And the old school came from Motown - also very good for you.

[Funkturnal]

Originally Posted by onlyclave

Infectious Grooves.

+1 for Infectious Grooves.

I haven't listened to much rock-oriented stuff since the 90's, so I don't know who to recommend from today.

But some bands to check out include:

Mr. Bungle (their debut album)
Faith No More (The Real Thing & Angel Dust)
Mordred

[Goodlawdy]

Check out Tower of Power too. Search youtube for "What is Hip"

[Devo-lution]

fishbone, early Rage against the machine, Living colour, Prince, adequate seven, ...

lots of rock artists that take some funk influence.

[JimK]

Originally Posted by taphappy

Those two are NYC funk. Heavier edged. Screaming Headless Torsos - "Just For Now" - should be a version on MySpace.

SHT- "Vinnie"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0TNnHBS0as

SHT-
"Jazz Is The Teacher, Funk Is The Preacher"-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEk_LI9iqOk

[dead_presidents]

This is the genre I feel most comfortable in and to me the Groove is where it's at when it comes to funk rock. Your bass lines can be very busy, or they can be simple undulating affairs, the most important thing is that it's in the groove. This means that you and the drummer have to form a musical partnership knowing and feeling exactly what the other is gonna do.

I wouldn't worry about,being the newbie in the band if you can create a strong groove/a foundation for their songs that makes people wanna get up and dance or nodding their heads, the band will love you. Just play what feels right to you, and get working with the drummer.

I'd recommend players like Bernard Edwards from Chic, Verdine White from Earth,Wind and Fire. Mark Adams from Slave. Lenny Kravitz's funkier stuff is always in the groove. Check out an album called headhunters by herbie hancock, some real deep grooves there. and some reggae bass like sly and robbie, and the family man

[Floridabwoy]

Lettuce

/thread