Foo Fighters: Nate Mendel & Dave Grohl

LTDVIPER333 · #1 08-24-2009, 04:49 PM

Hi there

I'm not a HUGE Foo Fighters fan, just wondered what everybody thought of both of these guys technique and sound. Apparently Dave Grohl played all of the instruments on the original self titled "Foo Fighters" album including bass and didn't sound too bad IMO. Great Album.

Nate's playing doesn't particularly stand out in my mind, but I only really listen to two of there albums. Apparently he plays almost exclusively with a pick. Seems to me he's somewhat overridden by the bands two rhythm guitarists. Love the song "The One" of Orange County soundtrack.

Come to think of it Mendel's bass intro on ''My Hero" is pretty phat!

Haysoochreesto · #2 08-24-2009, 09:13 PM

He's perfect for that band. But like a lot of other bass players in two guitar rock bands, it can be difficult to tell just how "good" he really is. Of course "good" is all a matter of taste. Also, it would be kind of difficult to really do anything with a bass guitar that would add to the quality of Foo Fighter's songs. By and large Grohl is great at writing emotional and catchy tunes that don't necessarily require tremendous musicianship from a bass player.

rapturebass · #3 08-24-2009, 09:16 PM

Check Mendel out in SDRE

Splanky · #4 08-25-2009, 04:11 AM

I think Mendel is doing a great job in Foo´s.
There isn´t a lot of space in the dense guitar wall but he is defenetly holding down the bottom. Creating tension and some stretch in the songs. Solid and tastefull playing. Well worth listening to.

IMHO!

Coelho · #5 08-25-2009, 05:23 AM

Good band, good songs.

tycobb73 · #6 08-25-2009, 06:07 AM

Most important thing is that band's having fun. I have respect for all of them. Instead of whining about how big they've become like Kurt did, they do what they want to do and don't worry about wether or not they've become popular.

Kink Rimson · #7 08-25-2009, 07:08 AM

I think he's a wonderful bass player. Listen to Next Year and Aurora, perfect basslines. Also, Up In Arms has a great line that weaves through the melody.

I remember I first saw the Foos on the Colour and the Shape tour when I was about 17, and Nate played an old Ampeg bass with the scroll headstock - very cool.

bassman1987 · #8 01-16-2010, 04:50 PM

[quote=Kink Rimson;7868346]I think he's a wonderful bass player. Listen to Next Year and Aurora, perfect basslines. Also, Up In Arms has a great line that weaves through the melody.
QUOTE]

I'm a big fan of both the Foos and Mendel, I definitely agree Next Year is a really unique bass line. He's just ascending up the major scale, but it sounds sick, it fits the song so well.

One Drop · #9 01-17-2010, 05:22 AM

We cover a bunch of their songs, and we try to get a similar sound. I like their dynamics live, and we try to do it justice. They write and play some powerful stuff, very visceral and emotional.

The guitars are so bass heavy the bass mostly becomes part of the texture of the song, only the fills stand out a bit. I use DR SS Lo-Riders tuned Drop-D on my Tokai, works great in the mix.

I really like his lines, fun and simple to play but I feel like I'm driving a juggernaut at the same time. I find it much easier to play them cleanly with a pick.

theevilplankton · #10 01-17-2010, 08:34 AM

In my band, we do 'Wheels', and used to do 'DOA'.

I do this with a Ric 4003, and TBH, I do change them a bit to suit myself!

In all fairness, every cover I do, I always like to adapt it a little.....I don't see the point in playing things exact (although it depends on where you're playing...)

I<34080 · #11 01-18-2010, 02:57 PM

Enough Space comes to mind. I I'd put the Foos in my Top 10 bands, but I wouldn't put Mendel in my Top 10 bass players