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2 man bands without a bassist or keys

gard0300

gard0300

Jan 10, 2011
1,529
241
Vandalia, Ohio
#1
I have been in a practice rut lately. Just can't seem to get motivated. So I started playing bass lines for rock bands that don't have bassist. (i.e. MIddle Class Rut, Local H, White Stripes, Black Keys, Bass Drum of Death) Do you know of any other bands that are creating the huge mistake of not having a bassist. And yes I know, some of these bands use bassist for some of there songs. Such as White Stripes "Seven Nation Army".
 
#3
gard0300 said:
And yes I know, some of these bands use bassist for some of there songs. Such as White Stripes "Seven Nation Army".
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Actually, Jack White achieved the sound in Seven Nation Army using a standard tuned semi-hollow electric guitar, using a DigiTech Whammy pedal down an octave. Similar setup is used in a lot of Stripes songs, like "Hardest Button to Button".

And, to answer your original question:

-Japandroids (I don't enjoy their music, but they're a guitar/drums duo)
-Nico Vega (My favorite bassless act, definitely)
-Flat Duo Jets

I'm extremely happy that you mentioned Bass Drum of Death & Middle Class Rut, I never hear anyone talk about them. Both great acts.
 
#5
gard0300 said:
Do you know of any other bands that are creating the huge mistake of not having a bassist.
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This point here shows arrogance in asumption that you know better the sound the composer of any of the songs you seek. For anyone to second guess an original idea shows the lack of understanding in the musical idea that a composer wants to convey.
 
#10
Fergie Fulton said:
This point here shows arrogance in asumption that you know better the sound the composer of any of the songs you seek. For anyone to second guess an original idea shows the lack of understanding in the musical idea that a composer wants to convey.
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I am not saying I would change these bands musical sense of direction or the sound they wish to convey. But this is a bass guitar site. So I was trying to be witty, sorry if I fell short.

Thanks for the other band names that were dropped. :)
 
#12
gard0300 said:
I am not saying I would change these bands musical sense of direction or the sound they wish to convey. But this is a bass guitar site. So I was trying to be witty, sorry if I fell short.

Thanks for the other band names that were dropped. :)
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I hear you, and it was not ment to to be anything other than a point to all that may read it. The comment i made was to highlight the fact that this was choice by the bands in question.
My first own experience of a situation i was in about 30 odd years ago was for a session i done where i commented "i could improve the bass parts given to me" to make the songs better.

I was put in my place in no uncertain terms and told these are "not my songs, my music, my responsibility". I was told "how could you ever understand the sound i have in my head, or what i want or don;t want".... "if there was a better way for me to have the bass i would have written it don't you think?" End of session, no money paid and i learned to keep my opinions to myself unless asked....even then i had to learn to judge the person and situation before offering it.

Like i said no problems on what you posted, but the difference between advice and criticism is the person taking it...not the person offering it.

If in the UK check out Gyn Ashtons Two Man Army ( youtube as well).
 
#15
My friend Scott Nolan tours solo (playing acoustic/electric guitars) and with a drummer. I play bass *and* keys with him for local stuff, and he usually augments the band with sax, 2nd guitar, and sometimes more. I don't think any configuration of his lineup is a mistake in any way, though personally I enjoy the full band experience more - from the player's side of the stage!
 

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