When bass playing is secondary...

[PBrown]

The eternal question! Do you have the look?
Recently an article was posted in a local magazine in my town, and that is what the main criteria was for the bass player for a band moving to Los Angeles. I write my thoughts about it here:
http://basstony.wordpress.com/2012/1...have-the-look/
Thanks for checking it out. Looking forward to the comments.
Parker

[JumboJack]

No. No I do not...

But I don't let that stop me.

[PBrown]

Nor do I Jumbo...Nor do I...

[salcott]

Anybody can get a tat or two, a spray tan, an eggbeater haircut, and make a Jersey Shore lipgloss pout.......

[Egbert89]

I´ve got no clue what the look is, so I don´t know if I have it.
I´ll just stick with playing bass regardless of my looks.

[Ubersheist]

Well, if "The Look" is that of an overweight guy in his late 30s who hasn't shaved in about a week and is probably is wearing a shirt with stains on it, then yes, I have the look!

[pklima]

Yeah, I always tell people I don't play too many notes and I look good doing it.

[kanonfodr]

*In response to ad, not story*

F that stuff, the bass is what gets booties shaking on the floor. I'd love to know who these guys are who needs a bass player with "the look" and can be "tight with the rest of the band." I'm sure their music is amazing.

Peace,
Greg

[AuntieBeeb]

Oddly enough, I had a ramble about the same sort of thing just yesterday:

http://wp.me/p2GOWH-24

A bit more general than just being about the bass player, but I think it shares the same sentiment: that the music often suffers for the sake of the image.

[bassboysam]

thank god I don't.

[phillybass101]

For what I do, yes I have the look

[pklima]

We good-looking people really DO sound better, though, even when you can't see us. We have scientific evidence to back this up:

http://www.jstor.org/pss/3345347
http://www.jstor.org/pss/3345540

[Russell L]

Walking down the street, most would say I look like just another biker. Bass player? No one could tell. But, if they saw me playing they would probably nod in understanding and say, "Well, ok, that'll work."

Hey, what the hell does a bass player look like anyway?

[AuntieBeeb]

Originally Posted by Russell L

Hey, what the hell does a bass player look like anyway?

I don't know...nobody ever looks at us!

[chernobyl]

Originally Posted by Russell L

Hey, what the hell does a bass player look like anyway?

"In our minds, it was the fat guy in the group who nearly always played the bass" - Paul McCartney

[PBrown]

Originally Posted by pklima

We good-looking people really DO sound better, though, even when you can't see us. We have scientific evidence to back this up:

http://www.jstor.org/pss/3345347
http://www.jstor.org/pss/3345540

That is a cool article. Thanks for sharing!

[PBrown]

Originally Posted by AuntieBeeb

Oddly enough, I had a ramble about the same sort of thing just yesterday:

http://wp.me/p2GOWH-24

A bit more general than just being about the bass player, but I think it shares the same sentiment: that the music often suffers for the sake of the image.

Only if you let it. Right?

[soitainly]

So, to put this in perspective, Stu Sutcliffe. Arguably a suck bass player, but his girlfriend gave him a "Beatle haircut". Again arguably, a big part of The Beatles success, and the icon of their look was that haircut. In the early days of conquering America, that haircut was probably the most discussed part of the whole phenomenon.

[Mike M.]

At almost 60 years old, the last thing on my mind is whether if I have the look or not. I just play when I can and have fun doing it....and I've been told it shows.

[PBrown]

Originally Posted by Mike M.

At almost 60 years old, the last thing on my mind is whether if I have the look or not. I just play when I can and have fun doing it....and I've been told it shows.

Amen! That is really true. That brings people joy! Keep it up!