tell me how you cannot like flea?

bmoney · #1 11-08-2006, 03:05 PM

I'm just wondering which of you out there does not like flea's playing or style and thinks hes overrated. I've heared people call him overrated and I was honestly wondering how that was possible. I dont want to start a war on the best bassist out there, just wanna here your opinions, thats what I want to hear and no battling please.

Thanks
Brendan

Jazz Ad · #2 11-08-2006, 03:13 PM

I love his playing but it doesn't change the fact.
He's indeed way overrated, mostly because he's the most visible bass player in the World.
As a consequence many people give him the "best bass player" title, which is ridiculous.
Not only because there are hundreds of more proficient and inventive bass players but also because the title itself is meaningless. There isn't such thing as the best bass player.

It's not like the issue hadn't been debated a few hundred times on this board though.

bmoney · #3 11-08-2006, 03:19 PM

I came off as I thought he was the greatest ever. My bad. I meant for his type of music he is really great. I mean, it wouldn't fit to have him in The Weather Report in Jaco's spot, who I think was an amazing jazz bassist.

And you're right, there is no greatest bassist title... thought I wouldn't mind taking it. :P

Thanks for your opinion.

Brendan

Linkert · #4 11-08-2006, 03:34 PM

He's good att his typ of music but thats about the only thing he can play. yeayea he can play old school funk to but whatever.

Baryonyx · #5 11-08-2006, 03:37 PM

How can I not like Flea? Quite easily.

bassbrad · #6 11-08-2006, 03:56 PM

I like and respect Flea and RHCP but he does not deserve the almost diety like adoration uninformed players heap upon him.

ElMon · #7 11-08-2006, 04:03 PM

Flea? Great Bassist? Yes indeed. Motivated me to keep playin.
Chilli Peppers a great band? Not anymore IMO.

**john turner** · #8 11-08-2006, 04:05 PM

you mean besides the fact that he's an arrogant tool who takes his fans for granted? yeah, flea's great.

James Hart · #9 11-08-2006, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john turner

you mean besides the fact that he's an arrogant tool who takes his fans for granted? yeah, flea's great.

I generally judge a musician on musicianship... I ain't looking for a friend, I'm looking for something good to listen too.

How can I not like Flea? He's a watered down version of the players I do like. Plus I can't take Anthony's voice anymore... I was a big fan in the years up to BSSM.

FronTowardEnemy · #10 11-08-2006, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linkert

He's good att his typ of music but thats about the only thing he can play. yeayea he can play old school funk to but whatever.

Actually you need to check out a discography on Flea and see his credits for artist that hired him to record on their albums. You may be surprised.

Her you go-In 1982 Flea was the bassist for Fear before choosing to stick with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. He played bass on the hit 1989 single Bust a Move by Young MC. He played trumpet on Jane's Addiction's Nothing's Shocking, and filled in for Eric Avery during their reunion tour in 1997, as well as played bass for The Mars Volta on 2003's De-Loused in the Comatorium and trumpet for 2005's Frances the Mute. He also played bass for Alanis Morissette on the acclaimed song 'You Oughta Know', and Jewels 'Who Will Save Your Soul', as well as guest appearances on countless albums by other artists. Flea has also played in support of the activist group Axis of Justice.

He is IMO a "LEAD Bassist". He makes me feel. He is a very emotional artist. MTVHD Had the Peppers on recently and Flea was amazing. If you get a chance check it out. I don't think he is over rated at all. If other musicians vote him the best bassist than there has to be some truth behind it.

After all it is just a matter of opinion.

Punk, Funk, Rap, Thrash, Pop, Metal. You name it he is proficient.

**john turner** · #11 11-08-2006, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Hart

I generally judge a musician on musicianship... I ain't looking for a friend, I'm looking for something good to listen too.
.

the question was "how can one not like flea". i gave my reason.

sure i like to listen to em. i have been since freaky stylie came out. but i'm not particularly inspired by him as a player, and the band as a whole needs to make a new album, imo, instead of mothers milk v.6 or whatever they are on now.

Apocalypse Dude · #12 11-08-2006, 05:44 PM

He's a great bassist, but yeah I think he's overrated. Plus slapping isn't my thing. I know as a bassist I should know how to do a little of everything, but I'm just not interested in it. And slapping is what he's most known for. Plus I'm not a huge fan of RHCP.

James Hart · #13 11-08-2006, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john turner

the question was "how can one not like flea". i gave my reason.

true... I guess I assumed playing, not literally

Quote:

Originally Posted by john turner

sure i like to listen to em. i have been since freaky stylie came out. but i'm not particularly inspired by him as a player, and the band as a whole needs to make a new album, imo, instead of mothers milk v.6 or whatever they are on now.

I think I've heard one or 2 new tunes in the last decade... maybe. but like I said, Anthony just needs to step away from the mic!

nad · #14 11-08-2006, 05:50 PM

John Frusciante's solo albums > modern day RHCP

Flea was a huge inspiration to me as a young player, but the band completely lost my interest since By The Way, and I thought Californication was an astoundingly good album.

WalterBush · #15 11-08-2006, 05:57 PM

I don't like his tone. I don't like many of RHCP's tunes, or any of the tunes he did as side projects, so no matter how competent a player he is, I'm not likely to enjoy his playing. Yeah, he's good. I just don't like the songs, so...

Did I mention that I don't like his tone? That's the biggie for me.

SuperDuck · #16 11-08-2006, 06:04 PM

I don't care for him. I would agree that he's "overrated" only in the sense that there are scores of bassists whose playing I prefer over his. That's just me, though. I also don't care for RHCP, either. So that doesn't help.

ZombieGhosTrain · #17 11-08-2006, 06:22 PM

Easy, when I hear the his music, it does nothing for me. I've never been into that style or band (RHCP), and especially slapping does nothing for me.

Just not my cup of tea...

ElMon · #18 11-08-2006, 06:34 PM

I only appreciate Flea as an introduction to a style of playing that many others do MUCH better than he does.

Seelesauger · #19 11-08-2006, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElMon

Flea? Great Bassist? Yes indeed. Motivated me to keep playin.
Chilli Peppers a great band? Not anymore IMO.

I agree, RHCP was the 1st band I listened to but when By The Way came out, It kind of made me scratch my head. Once Anthony stopped rapping they lost the old school fans somewhat.

And yes FLEA kicks a**

Volk · #20 11-08-2006, 07:07 PM

I DID like Flea's stuff, however his new stuff is just boring, same old same old. Plus, his tone on the new album was terrible in my opinion, probably because, if I'm not mistaken, he was slapping with flats on that one-of-a-kind J-Bass.