Underrated bassists???

[Noseferatu]

First person I thought of was Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots. I've really come to appreciate his playing lately. You can definitely sense some Jamerson in his style.
I was listening to their new song Between The Lines, and I absolutely love that bassline.


I think, in the confines of rock, guys like Mike Dirnt and especially Gene Simmons definitely do no get their fill.

I've just never understood the people who say Gene can't play his instrument or that he's a hack or whatever. I mean, it's one thing to not like the guy's personality, but I'd venture to say he's one of the best rock bass players of all time. Def some Bruce, Macca, and Pappalardi influence there.


This is mainly what I'm talking about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVgBM...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ-wWKRUYuY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQI4u...eature=related


And if you can write a riff like this, you're good by me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vhsg...eature=related


And lastly, I think John Paul Jones is WAYYYYYY underappreciated.


What are some you think should be more appreciated??

[legend_bob]

I agree, JPJ could always deserve more kudos. He's a master.

Gene, on the other hand. I'd rate him as passable. I'd take DeLeo any day. I have to say I never cared much for Kiss. A few songs I've liked. But, man, he is a world-class dick. There's no two ways about it and my opinion of his playing will always be tainted by that. Probably not right, but that's the way it is.

I think this is all you need to know about Gene Simmons.

[Noseferatu]

Ahhh, the infamous Terry Gross interview. I knew it would be brought up eventually. Yeah he was definitely being a dick there.

But you really SHOULDNT judge his playing solely on his attitude. I mean, what if McCartney or Jack Bruce, or Jaco, or Wooten, or(name any other "approved bassist") were as big of douches as Gene?? Would that tain ttheir playing as well??

I think within the context of a rock band, Gene is definitely one of the best. Listen to him playing live nowadays and listen to the first 6 KISS albums. Great stuff there.

And yes, I think he is an ass as well.




Oh, and I'll take the opportunity to add Duff McKagan to the list.

[patrickm]

I'll add to the list started;
The bassist for Edie Brickell/New Bohemians-Awesome stuff on the first album
Mars Cowling-Played with Pat Travers years ago but man his playing is just super cool,very subtle.

[BassMaster4s]

+1 to DeLeo. Just saw STP about 10 days ago and was left amazed by him. In addition to his cool writing, he also had a really smooth tone, which is just as important IMO. I'll also add John Cooper of Skillet to the list. The rhythms he plays while singing blow me away.

[odin70]

Please no more Chaim Witz !!
He is not underappreciated at all. He plays for 15 - 20 thousand people every night and makes more money on it than most men do. But a great bassplayer? i dont think so.

[Noseferatu]

DeLeo is a VERY smooth player.

[Noseferatu]

Originally Posted by odin70

Please no more Chaim Witz !!
He is not underappreciated at all. He plays for 15 - 20 thousand people every night and makes more money on it than most men do. But a great bassplayer? i dont think so.

I'm saying he is underappreciated as a bassist.

And why is he not any good? What is your reason for saying that?

Have you even listened to any of the first 6 KISS albums or any of the clips posted above?


Look at:
Strutter
Nothin To Lose
Cold Gin
Love Theme From KISS
100,000 Years
Let Me Know
Goin Blind
Detroit Rock City
Rock and Roll All Nite
Room Service
King Of The Nightime World
Ladies Room
Makin love
Watchin You

Have you listened to any of those?


I don't think so.

[dbull]

John Paul Jones gets my vote.

[becker4567]

Gene Simmons is under-appreciated because he deserves to be. Rich and successful...yes, but a great bass player....no. You may like the music of Kiss (which apparently you do), but he definitely does not belong on the bass players 'A' list. Someone who does? Can you say 'John Deacon'?

[JukeBoxHero]

The Delta 5 dual bass combination doesn't get enough mention around here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjP4NQYB6xs

Others I find underappreciated.

Kelly Riles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI3qvLppDk8

Leslie Langston
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz5wLTFETZc

Dave Ryley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWduwHJMfw0

Dave Riley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSivVYwKwZc

I'm not sure if both Dave's are the the same but both have killer bass tones.

Dennis Dunaway gets his props here but I wished he was mentioned more often.

Steve Lack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CBzzQSmqPc
His bass tone is really distorted but he does some nice supporting bass lines.

Chris Evans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60jR9IbS0Fc

Heck for the most part a lot of post punk bassists usually don't get the props they deserve, Mike Watt, Kim Deal, Mike Mills, Adam Clayton and Peter Hooks get attention but a lot of other ones are never mentioned.

[Noseferatu]

Originally Posted by becker4567

Gene Simmons is under-appreciated because he deserves to be. Rich and successful...yes, but a great bass player....no. You may like the music of Kiss (which apparently you do), but he definitely does not belong on the bass players 'A' list. Someone who does? Can you say 'John Deacon'?

John Deacon is a great addition as well.

However, I want you to explain to me why Gene Simmons is not a good bass player. Is it because he doesnt slap and pop and play over 13/4 time signatures?? Is it because he's used solely a pick his entire career?
Like it or not, Gene is a hard rock equivalent of Macca. Yeah, go ahead and laugh at me. I mean c'mon, he plays with a Macca esque walking style, doesnt play root notes. Rarely looks at the fretboard.

Ask yourself this.

Could I play 100,000 Years or Detroit Rock City flawlessly while running around on stage sweating to death, wearing 50 pounds of armor, in 15 inch platform heels, improvising a good bit, never looking at my bass, with girls in the audience flashin their sweaty wares at me??

If Gene Simmons is not a good rock bassist, tell me what makes one?

By the way, I don't really care for KISS music much, I just listen once in a while because I love Gene's basslines.

[Noseferatu]

Also, how about Krist Novoselic?

I guess maybe I'll change the title to "underated" basssists.

[bassman1987]

I don't usually see Chris Wood of Medeski, Martin, and Wood getting too many props, but I've always loved his playing.

And I don't know how the cats over on the DB side of Talkbass feel, but I really dig Brian Bromberg's upright playing and I rarely hear much about him.

[probasser]

stefan lessard plays some great stuff with dave matthews, but i never heard anything about him anymore.

[noahw1]

Wasn't there already a super long thread about the merits of Gene's playing?
My two cents regarding underappreciated players are Chris Tarry and Dan Lutz.
Also, in a big way, I think Gary Willis is really underappreciated.

[autofile]

My vote would be for "Ready" Freddie Washington.
Pride of Castlemont High in Oakland CA.
The man is just a walking groove, and as nice a cat as you'll ever meet.
Check him out on Patrice Rushin's "Forget Me Nots" and many others.

[SHWAG]

Originally Posted by becker4567

Gene Simmons is under-appreciated because he deserves to be. Rich and successful...yes, but a great bass player....no. You may like the music of Kiss (which apparently you do), but he definitely does not belong on the bass players 'A' list. Someone who does? Can you say 'John Deacon'?

+1 Just because he's successful doesn't mean he is an excellent bass player. Nothing against him, I just agree with you.

And about John Deacon... He's in my top ten with JPJ and Jack Bruce. I'd really have to think about the rest of my favorites.

[becker4567]

Originally Posted by Noseferatu

John Deacon is a great addition as well.

However, I want you to explain to me why Gene Simmons is not a good bass player. Is it because he doesnt slap and pop and play over 13/4 time signatures?? Is it because he's used solely a pick his entire career?
Like it or not, Gene is a hard rock equivalent of Macca. Yeah, go ahead and laugh at me. I mean c'mon, he plays with a Macca esque walking style, doesnt play root notes. Rarely looks at the fretboard.

Ask yourself this.

Could I play 100,000 Years or Detroit Rock City flawlessly while running around on stage sweating to death, wearing 50 pounds of armor, in 15 inch platform heels, improvising a good bit, never looking at my bass, with girls in the audience flashin their sweaty wares at me??

If Gene Simmons is not a good rock bassist, tell me what makes one?

By the way, I don't really care for KISS music much, I just listen once in a while because I love Gene's basslines.

Don't get me wrong...Gene Simmons is indeed a good bass player....just not at the top of most peoples list. And thats a good point about playing with 50lbs of armor and in high heels (and about the girls too!!!). If that makes him underrated or under-appreciated, I can agree with that, but I don't think you can put him on the same level as Macca, JPJ, Mr. Bruce etc.. Gene is very, very good at what he does, unfortunately, he's a bit of a one trick pony.

[stratovani]

Feels like I've posted to an "underrated bassist" thread before, but no matter, here's my choices:

Carl Radle
Andy Roarke
John Lodge
JPJ
Mike Rutherford