Michael Anthony talks bass players - Page 2

Dr. Cheese · #21 03-05-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassbully

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.

+100, I know there are more than a few members of TB who have worked and are working impressive gigs, but most of us have never been anywhere near where Michael Anthony has been. Unless you have done a gig like his succeessfully, it is pretty hard to judge just how good a bassist like Michael Anthony is.

The Mock Turtle Regulator · #22 03-06-2009, 04:32 PM

I especially like what he's playing at 0.12 and 0.34 at the beginning of this live clip of "so this is love"- sort of a Stanley Clarke melody-over-open-string-drone thing-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jo-V7gMdCbQ

brake · #23 03-06-2009, 04:51 PM

For years, I dissed MA's playing, but then I grew up and developed a set of ears. He plays (well, played) exactly the right stuff for that band. Imagine the band with an EVH playing bass.

jaywa · #24 03-06-2009, 06:29 PM

And of course the best part of the early VH records, at least, is that the bass and guitar are panned hard to opposite sides... so all you need to do is fiddle with the balance and you have as much Michael (and as little Eddie) as you want!

pbass6811 · #25 03-06-2009, 06:44 PM

I always thought of Michael Anthony as being just a bit better than, say Gene Simmons. As I got older and became more in tune with what bassist are "supposed" to do, I realized that those guys do exactly what they're supposed to do. That's pretty admirable. After reading this interview, I will say that my respect for MA has gone up a few more notches! I hope Chickenfoot is a HUGE success!

atb · #26 03-06-2009, 06:57 PM

Michael Anthony played what the songs needed, to me that makes him a great bass player.
I passed on the last VH tour because MA wasn't part of the line up. We bass players need to stick together.

jaywa · #27 03-06-2009, 07:03 PM

The only thing I really have to call MA on is that ridiculous Jack Daniels bass he used to play. I mean, come on...

RCCollins · #28 03-06-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaywa

The only thing I really have to call MA on is that ridiculous Jack Daniels bass he used to play. I mean, come on...

Hahahaha you would if you could, and you know it!

dave64o · #29 03-06-2009, 11:39 PM

I've always liked what Michael Anthony did for Van Halen. It's a shame Eddie's ego gets in the way and keeps derailing a band that could still do so much.

I can't wait to hear Chickenfoot's album when it comes out. That's a pretty wild mix of personnel in that band, but it should definitely produce something interesting.

FenderHotRod · #30 03-07-2009, 03:06 AM

IMO...People who dis MA have never really listen to him.I think they just judge him on the Running with the Devil song and that is it...They should check him out on the Right Here....Right Now DVD....

And a big Hell Yeah to what bassbully Said....

JimmyM · #31 03-07-2009, 05:13 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 ...

That wasn't Eddie's doing...that was Ted Templeman's and Donn Landee's doing. I remember reading an interview with Eddie when the put out that album with "Poundcake" and got a new producer (I think they got Glyn Johns) where he said he always wanted the bass louder and heavier but their previous producers wouldn't allow it and Glyn Johns would. Eddie's ego may be out of control but it isn't over bass.

xgator4u · #32 03-07-2009, 08:48 PM

Anthony was more than adequate. Not unlike Entwistle. He played what the song needed no more,no less. I unfortunately DID go see VH a few months ago. Wolfie on bass??? PLEASE. I don't know how Roth dealt with it. Way too much ego in that band, and if you do not have VH for your last name eventually you will no longer be needed. Too bad Eddies EGO would not allow for an original line up tour, it would have been great.

dkurth65 · #33 03-07-2009, 08:53 PM

Van Halen isn't Van Halen without M.A. I gotta side with the short, stocky bass players like myself.

kcolyar · #34 03-10-2009, 10:40 AM

MA rocked my world as a new bass player in 82-85. WHere else could you learn bass fundamentals, cool little runs and how to lock in with a drummer. Plus I got to hear Eddie as I learned. I will always have a place in my library of favorite songs with Mr. Anthony. I loved the Jack Daniel bass. I saw VH in Idaho in the 5150 tour and it sounded like MA was playing a synth bass or something. I was following his fingers and it seemed like he was triggering samples or something. Anyways, he was underrated IMHO!!!!

jaywa · #35 03-10-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

That wasn't Eddie's doing...that was Ted Templeman's and Donn Landee's doing. I remember reading an interview with Eddie when the put out that album with "Poundcake" and got a new producer (I think they got Glyn Johns) where he said he always wanted the bass louder and heavier but their previous producers wouldn't allow it and Glyn Johns would. Eddie's ego may be out of control but it isn't over bass.

Yep, I remember those first few bars of "Poundcake" I was like, is this even the same band? The drums sounded like real drums in a real room, and the bass was loud and pumpin'. It was great! With Templeman, I could never figure it out cause IIRC he also produced a bunch of Doobie Bros. stuff and you could always hear the bass on those discs. Maybe he just had a thing against MA, I dunno...

rappa29 · #36 03-10-2009, 11:03 AM

IMHO, MA was responsible for 2 things that defined the Van Halen "sound".

1.) Rock solid, driving, basslines that made you stick your hands up with the 'rock' symbol and yell "Van Halen Rules!"
2.) KILLER backing vox harmonies that are signature staple of all VH tunes of any era (DLR, Hagar, Extreme dude, etc..).