Rock and Roll Doesn't like bass, it only tolerates it!

[de la mocha]

In Funk- The bass is the king on the throne, only the funky drummer can get more shine then the bass player!

R&B- The bass is the heart of the music. The bass and the vocolist are in the forefront.

Reggea- No not dancehall, reggea music, you know, with live instruments! The bass itself is the music, with everything else falling in line.

Jazz- The bass is the champion in jazz, along with the horns, both in the forefront!

Rock- The guitar rules undisputely along with the drummer. The bass is either a trebly annoyance following the guitar while having all of its bottom sucked out of it, or a muddy, low, undefined rumble in the background (think voodoo chile a slight return). This is a sweeping generalization, I know, but their is a lot of truth to this.

So what do you think. Does rock music like bass, or do they only tolerate it?

[Vorago]

Depends on which band

[Marcus]

What the hell are you talking about?

[vindy500]

well lets see rock music without bass. everyone will really be digging the treble...

[Gard]

Paul McCartney, Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, Jack Bruce, John Entwhistle (from the grave ), Sting, and various other killer rock bassists just called and asked what the heck YOU are listening to.

[barthanatos]

No, I have to disagree.
"Rock" is a wide genre, but the bass is very important from Steve Miller Band to Cake to TOOL. The Police?

[Marcus]

Originally Posted by Gard

Paul McCartney, Geddy Lee, Chris Squire, Jack Bruce, John Entwhistle (from the grave ), Sting, and various other killer rock bassists just called and asked what the heck YOU are listening to.

I suppose my post lacked the eloquence yours had ^_^;;

[Eric Moesle]

Originally Posted by vindy500

well lets see rock music without bass. everyone will really be digging the treble...

White Stripes, plenty of low end without any Bass playing to be found . . . nuff said, sadly enough . . .

[tZer]

He's right!!! oh, my god... what have I been doing with my life? It's all been a sham!!! Damn!!!

Not...

[Gard]

Originally Posted by Marcus Alan

I suppose my post lacked the eloquence yours had ^_^;;

[nad]

Bass may be useless in a lot of metal bands (not all, but many), but good ol' rock n' f'n roll? Nah...

[MysticMichael]

Originally Posted by de la mocha

Rock- The guitar rules undisputely along with the drummer. The bass is either a trebly annoyance following the guitar while having all of its bottom sucked out of it, or a muddy, low, undefined rumble in the background (think voodoo chile a slight return).

It's true ONLY if your sole concept of rock music is the stereotypical "big hair & Spandex" type of band (i.e. Guns 'n' Roses, Def Leppard, etc.). Personally, I've always been much more attracted to music that's takes more creative chances and explores more creative territory than that...

Think of Jack Bruce's fiery, fuzz-infused improvisations with Cream. Or Chris Squire's rockin' J.S. Bach counterpoint with Yes. Or even Bruce Thomas' catchy, tasteful grooves and fills with Elvis Costello and The Attractions. And so on...

Think - and listen - outside the box more...and you'll agree that "rock music" can be so much more than the simple stereotype. And if you're a rock bassist that's stuck in that "root-fifth, straight eighth-note" grind, you have only your own lack of creativity and/or ambition to blame for it...

MM

[de la mocha]

Originally Posted by MysticMichael

It's true ONLY if your sole concept of rock music is the stereotypical "big hair & Spandex" type of band (i.e. Guns 'n' Roses, Def Leppard, etc.). Personally, I've always been much more attracted to music that's takes more creative chances and explores more creative territory than that...

Think of Jack Bruce's fiery, fuzz-infused improvisations with Cream. Or Chris Squire's rockin' J.S. Bach counterpoint with Yes. Or even Bruce Thomas' catchy, tasteful grooves and fills with Elvis Costello and The Attractions. And so on...

Think - and listen - outside the box more...and you'll agree that "rock music" can be so much more than the simple stereotype. And if you're a rock bassist that's stuck in that "root-fifth, straight eighth-note" grind, you have only your own lack of creativity and/or ambition to blame for it...

MM

You are so right. I should have presented my argument a little better.

[superbassman2000]

i agree with the above posts...rock still has good bass, but i agree with nad's post, in that bass, although sought after in the guitar and drum range, the bass guitar gets the short end of the stick...i have been to a lot of metal concerts, and the bass guitar wasn't even audible...even at a mudvayne concert with ry-know, who many TB'ers here go nuts over, it sounded like they forgot to mic him!

actually, funny sidenote, the only metal band that i could consistantly hear the bass perfectly in every concert is korn...while many don't like his tone on CDs, i can always hear him in concert

[duo8675309]

What are some good modern rock bassists?

[P. Aaron]

Originally Posted by duo8675309

What are some good modern rock bassists?

This old fogie will tell you when I find some good 'modern rock' bands that aren't whiny wuss guys, or lazy southern California types makin' the same record over & over.

[ras1983]

Originally Posted by duo8675309

What are some good modern rock bassists?

Muse, fantastic band with a good rock bassplayer. don't know his name though...

[KeithBMI]

Bass doesn't shine if you don't do anything with it. Filling the sonic space underneath the guitar is a sure way to get the bass noticed. Sabbath, Zeppelin...

[txbasschik]

Originally Posted by duo8675309

What are some good modern rock bassists?

Listen to King's X. They've been around since I was in high school (The Stone Age...they're my age). Their bassist is amazing.

Cherie

[James_B]

Audioslave
Our Lady Peace
Breaking Point
Finger 11

Good Bass players in "Modern" rock

90's: Rage Against The Machines