A big hole...

Tituscrow · #1 02-22-2011, 12:09 PM

Which band would be lost if the bass player quit. Looking for the personification of irreplaceable...

tangentmusic · #2 02-22-2011, 12:10 PM

Rush / Geddy

elgecko · #3 02-22-2011, 12:11 PM

Primus

BassJunkie · #4 02-22-2011, 12:13 PM

Beatles/ Paul
Police/ sting

Tituscrow · #5 02-22-2011, 12:16 PM

Forgot to add my nomination, and it would have to go to Primus.

Shouts to Motörhead, Maiden and Rush.

Be interesting to see how many non-rock/metal names pop up...

Sbociol · #6 02-22-2011, 02:07 PM

tdub0199 · #7 02-22-2011, 02:14 PM

bongomania · #8 02-22-2011, 02:22 PM

The Ray Brown Trio.

also Thrones.

Melik · #9 02-22-2011, 02:28 PM

Any jazz combo that has the bassists name as their band name

superbassman2000 · #10 02-22-2011, 07:50 PM

lightning bolt
clatter
death from above 1979

Sartori · #11 02-23-2011, 04:37 AM

Om. Sleep, too.

Iron Maiden.

Primus.

Enslaved.

Rush.

Yes.

Type O Negative (RIP).

MuzikMan · #12 02-23-2011, 05:32 AM

Primus

Even someone like Geddy Lee "could" be replaced (not that you would want to see it) but IMO Les Claypool is so unique he is absolutely irreplaceable.

stratovani · #13 02-23-2011, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuzikMan

Primus

Even someone like Geddy Lee "could" be replaced (not that you would want to see it) but IMO Les Claypool is so unique he is absolutely irreplaceable.

The thing about a trio (or a trio + singer) is that it's almost impossible to replace a player without changing the character of the band. The Who became a different band when Keith Moon died. Jimi Hendrix' trio was different when they became the Band of Gypsies. Led Zeppelin broke up rather than try to replace John Bonham. Replace Jack Bruce with another bassist and Cream becomes a different band. And as far as Rush goes, replace Alex, Geddy, and/or Neil and you fundamentally alter the character of the band; it's no longer Rush. Same thing goes for Primus.

bongomania · #14 02-23-2011, 09:11 AM

Eh, there's a difference between a band that "changes character" when a musician is replaced, versus a band that couldn't survive without one particular player. The Band of Gypsies was nothing without Jimi; but ask the average person on the street who Jack Bruce is, and then ask them who Eric Clapton is. Or ask them who Keith Moon was, and then ask them if they know the band The Who.

Zoa · #15 02-23-2011, 09:13 AM

stratovani · #16 02-23-2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Eh, there's a difference between a band that "changes character" when a musician is replaced, versus a band that couldn't survive without one particular player. The Band of Gypsies was nothing without Jimi; but ask the average person on the street who Jack Bruce is, and then ask them who Eric Clapton is. Or ask them who Keith Moon was, and then ask them if they know the band The Who.

Guess it all depends on who "the average person" on the street is, In the circles I travel in, my statement would ring true, whereas my son's circle of friends would probably say, "Who the hell is Jack Bruce?"

Tituscrow · #17 02-23-2011, 10:53 AM

I guess I was asking who do you think could not possibly continue as that band if the bass player left. Yes, Alex and Neil, or Larry and Herb could continue as musicians, but Rush and Primus would cease to exist, unless in name only after some petty legal 'who owns the name' crap.

However, both bands have had different drummers, although Rutsey was there only briefly before Rush actually made it.

And Lemmy has worked with a plethora of musicians, but no one can doubt it's been anything other than Motörhead.

I therefore stand by my assertions that those three are the main players, period.

stratovani · #18 02-23-2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tituscrow

I guess I was asking who do you think could not possibly continue as that band if the bass player left. Yes, Alex and Neil, or Larry and Herb could continue as musicians, but Rush and Primus would cease to exist, unless in name only after some petty legal 'who owns the name' crap.

However, both bands have had different drummers, although Rutsey was there only briefly before Rush actually made it.

And Lemmy has worked with a plethora of musicians, but no one can doubt it's been anything other than Motörhead.

I therefore stand by my assertions that those three are the main players, period.

Technically, I agree with you. But replace Alex Lifeson with Eric Clapton, or Neil Peart with Ringo Starr, and see how different Rush would be. It wouldn't be Rush anymore. They were a different band when they had Rutsey, then when Peart came along they became the Rush we know and love.

I think Rush is more of a "democracy" than Motorhead, or any other band with a strong presence as frontman. Not saying Geddy doesn't have presence, but Alex and Neil certainly have as much presence as Geddy.

Clammy · #19 02-23-2011, 11:36 AM

Motorhead. Lemmy IS Motorhead. No Lemmy = no Motorhead.

Cheers!

Hoover · #20 02-23-2011, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sartori

Yes.

Considering Chris Squire owns the trademark to the band name "Yes", this may be the only answer that's literally correct.