Need someone to replace Flea!!

[Jazzman23]

Hey,

OK, I've pretty much assimilated all I can from the bass god that is flea. I know so many chili pepper basslines I think I'm just Flea except not nearly as good.

I need another bassist, but no-one seems to interest me! I need someone who makes the bass EXCITING, someone who plays their heart out with kickin basslines. I know a bunch of people are going to recommend Les Claypool, and he's awesome, but i just don't dig his stuff. Rage is really cool too, but Tim's basslines are just too easy. I need a challenge...

So If I like flea, and really ***funky*** (key-word), aggresive bass, who should I listen to? Thanks for any input.

[Bassjunior]

Geddy, Geddy, Geddy. Even though he ain't the "funk", you'll do yourself a favour learning the greatness of RUSH.

Or you could go on a Motown trip. Nothing like a little Jamerson to show you the beauty of one finger.

Or.....there's always Jaco..

[68Goldfish]

I couldn't agree with the Geddy suggestion. I just got up from a couple of hours of working on the song Big Money. That bass line has a little funk to it and plenty of cool riffs under the guitar solo as well. It, along with all rush songs, is played with plenty of heart and it's definetelly a workout. IMHO Geddy rules.

[Robbiethebassis]

John Paul Jones

[nad]

Listen to the godfathers, Stanley Clarke, Bootsy Collins, Larry Graham, etc.

My true bass heroes may be Claypool, Flea, et. al. but at least I know where they come from.

[The 0x]

John Entwistle, Chris Squire, Jack Bruce.

[morf]

Without a doubt Marcus Miller.

[James Hart]

Marcus is a good call....


how about Adam Nitti http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0zqwxkdebM&eurl=

or Alain Caron
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c80P_zMdou4

or John Patitucci
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rI9fevwT2s

[peteroberts]

John Paul Jones
Andrew Levy from the Brand New Heavies
John Entwistle

[rainbownorth]

Theres some good suggestions here....try Kool & The Gang's "Kool" Bell also.Herbie Hancock is pretty good on albums like thrust and headhunters, i forget his bassists name, but he brings the funk, thats for sure.

[BrandonBass]

I think i can help...i like flea too, but i dont like marcus millar and les claypool and stuff because they dont give me the rockstar vibe and im not motivated to emulate them as of now...

you should check out some rancid and l'arc en ciel, they have some melodic basslines that adds to the song

rancid - maxwell murder
rancid - timebomb
rancid - journey to the end of eastbay
l'arc en ciel - blurry eyes
l'arc - driver's high
l'arc - dive to blue
mudvayne - not falling

[f'nar f'nar]

Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, Ryan Martinie (from Mudvayne. now THATS agressive slap), Rob Trujillo from his Suicidal Tendancies and Infectious grooves days.

[davedamage]

if you really want a challenge, go for some bill dickens. after you invest in a 7 stringer.

[sethlow3]

Well I would assume you are looking for more rock like Flea, but check out the 1st 3 Jamiroquai Albums. You should be able to find the info you need on wickepedia and youtube.

His name is Stuart Zender and I really think he is one of the best bass players ever. He is just as amazing as Flea IMO. His groove and even his flashy side are just amazing to me.

Another one would have to be the Kim from Defunct. Amazing stuff like "spiritual sponser" she is untouchable.

Also the MAN, James Jamerson. Standing in the Shadows of Motown. Nuff said.

[sethlow3]

oh wait, you said "agressive"

Geddy Lee, Justin Chancellor (highly underated), and the bass player from otep.

[pdusen]

+1 to Geddy Lee and Justin Chancellor

[stitchbass]

as has been said, look at some of flea's heroes. Bootsy, Louis Johnson, Larry Graham etc.

Also, to say Timmy C's bass lines are too easy is a bit of a cop out, do yourself the service of learning them all, just for the fact that you will build up quite a bit of strength with all those pentatonic shapes and grooving riffs.

Also a true challenge would be delving into Motown as has been said and learning from the master that is James Jamerson. Get 'Standing in the Shadows of Motown' I think its called that. Oh and learn to read if you can't already, get some bach cello suites out or something.

[stitchbass]

oh, and +1 to Geddy and Zender

[Joe Nerve]

I'd say if Flea has been a huge influence (which he has been with me also), ya might want to add dimension to yer style and find someone who has qualitities UNLIKE flea that you can add to your mix. 2 first guys that pop into mind for me are Paul Mcartney, and James Jamerson. Way different feel than Flea on both those guys, yet tons of heart, soul and lots of melodic stuff happening.

[DGbass70]

Alexis Sklarevsky
Robert Trujillo(Infectious Grooves days)