Michael Anthony talks bass players

badlobster · #1 03-04-2009, 05:50 PM

Very cool interview in which Michael Anthony talks about his influences. Great read!

http://www.musicradar.com/news/guita...ll-time-198940

Johnny Crab · #2 03-04-2009, 05:54 PM

Thanks for that!
Michael's one of the great ones without the huge ego.

selowitch · #3 03-04-2009, 06:07 PM

Is Anthony really a good bassist? I haven't really listened to him since the "Jump" and "Panama" videos were on MTV (that really dates me, doesn't it?) I always thought he was fairly humdrum. Am I mistaken?

Riley R · #4 03-04-2009, 06:10 PM

Wow hagar, Satrioni, Smith, and Anthony!! that blows my mind!!

Ric5 · #5 03-04-2009, 06:13 PM

On most Van Halen songs the bass is way down in the mix ... Because of Eddie's ego there is little room for a loud bass ...

ProfGumby · #6 03-04-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by selowitch

Is Anthony really a good bassist? I haven't really listened to him since the "Jump" and "Panama" videos were on MTV (that really dates me, doesn't it?) I always thought he was fairly humdrum. Am I mistaken?

Listen to the first 3 CD's. I have listened to them 100's of times. Michael is a great player, his lines are somewhat simplistic sounding in some songs and all over the map in others. But, he did his job better than anyone I can think of in that band. That says a lot for someone who is talented in his own right to stand back from the egos that clashed in that band and play what needed to be played with no apparent ego of his own. He holds the pocket, accentuates the melody and drives the songs. Just listen.

Here are a few songs to aim for -

Running With The Devil
DOA
Beautiful Girls
Take Your Whiskey Home
Aint Talkin Bout Love

And as the band progressed Michael's bass work was as solid as it gets. He is truly a very uder rated bass player.

**Pacman** · #7 03-04-2009, 08:00 PM

I'm really interested in hear that new band!

FenderHotRod · #8 03-04-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by selowitch

Am I mistaken?

Yes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nPvwmk-F7A

BigOldHarry · #9 03-04-2009, 10:06 PM

I would like to hear anything he has to say about the industry, the time playing with VH - but as a "bassist"?

selowitch · #10 03-04-2009, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenderHotRod

Yes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nPvwmk-F7A

That is some nice bass playing. But really the one who impresses me there is Alex Van Halen. What a sick drummer!!

Philbiker · #11 03-05-2009, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenderHotRod

Yes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nPvwmk-F7A

Sweet. As a bass player I'm most impressed by his ability to play and sing the chorus there.

Franz Jr. · #12 03-05-2009, 08:57 AM

Chickenfoot is going to be awesome!!

www.chickenfoot.us

Dr. Cheese · #13 03-05-2009, 08:58 AM

I've never been blown away by Michael Anthony's playing, but that doesn't really mean anything. Most of what I have heard Will Lee and Marcus Miller play over the years is not that hard to play either, however, that does not mean they cannot play incredibly challenging material when they want to. Anthony, like most people who have had success in music, is probably capable of much more than what we see him do on his main gig.

Tumeni Notes · #14 03-05-2009, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric5

On most Van Halen songs the bass is way down in the mix ... Because of Eddie's ego there is little room for a loud bass ...

Did you know that Jeff Berlin was asked to join Van Halen in the early years? Now that would have been very interesting.

The Golden Boy · #15 03-05-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tumeni Notes

Did you know that Jeff Berlin was asked to join Van Halen in the early years? Now that would have been very interesting.

Why?

I don't particularly care about how "good" a particular bass player is- just that they play appropriately for the music they're playing. Anthony played what he needed to play for that style of music.

My favorite bass player is McCartney- but I think Van Halen would have sucked with a bass player that played like McCartney.

smeet · #16 03-05-2009, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tumeni Notes

Did you know that Jeff Berlin was asked to join Van Halen in the early years? Now that would have been very interesting.

Jeff is an amazing player, but VH would have sucked with him as the bass player...

jaywa · #17 03-05-2009, 12:57 PM

I have grown to appreciate Michael Anthony over the years. Their early days he was laying it down, with great attitude and tone. I saw some live footage of them in their prime DLR era playing "Unchained" and man that was one tight, smoking band.

Then, he really started getting shafted in the mix in that time frame of 1984, 5150 and OU812, which IMO are some of the worst sounding rock records ever. There is literally no bass on those discs, it's all keyboards and guitar and Alex's crap-oid faux electronic kick drum. Then after they apparently realized they couldn't self-produce (cause they're all deaf), they got a real producer on For Unlawful... and all the sudden the drums sounded like drums again and you could hear Michael's bass loud and proud ("Poundcake", yeah baby!).

wade_b · #18 03-05-2009, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by selowitch

Is Anthony really a good bassist? I haven't really listened to him since the "Jump" and "Panama" videos were on MTV (that really dates me, doesn't it?) I always thought he was fairly humdrum. Am I mistaken?

Listen to the breakdown on "somebody get me a doctor".....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX9eU3ptoM4

Now tell me Mike can't play....Keep in mind this is LIVE....

perfektspace6 · #19 03-05-2009, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philbiker

Sweet. As a bass player I'm most impressed by his ability to play and sing the chorus there.

Couldn't agree with you more. I never understood those who diss MA. I always liked his tone and thought he was a great compliment to the band.

bassbully · #20 03-05-2009, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Golden Boy

Why?

I don't particularly care about how "good" a particular bass player is- just that they play appropriately for the music they're playing. Anthony played what he needed to play for that style of music.

My favorite bass player is McCartney- but I think Van Halen would have sucked with a bass player that played like McCartney.

I agree and like Michael's playing. He did his role and is a good singer while playing the pocket. Anyone who has been in a trio with a hot guitarist know's you have to hold your own as a bass player.
What always gets me on TB is all the bass players dissing pro players that have been there done it and made it while they were doing their jobs ..you know pocket players. Some on here feel if they are not jumping up and down on one leg tapping trippletts and playing a fretless blindfolded that they are not good bass players although they have been in bands that have toured the world and sold millions of albums. Get real...what have you done? If MA job was handed to one of the blowhole Tbers who diss players like him and others on this site they would pound out eighth notes like the him and play the pocket...or hide and stay in the basement...end of rant.