Adam Clayton Does Not Suck.

[96tbird]

This may be one the most ridiculous posts ever. I feel sorry for you that you can't separate artistic success from financial success. The stupidest thing about your response is that I never said anything bad about AC or his playing.

This may be the most despicable post ever.

 

[bassbully]

This may be the most despicable post ever.

Does that rate higher than my most ridiculous post ever?

 

[Clef_de_fa]

WOW! Really what did I win? Yes! Artistic success at his level is to be financialy rewarded or why put in 30 years of work on the road etc. If you want to feel sorry for me it should be that the older I get I'm having trouble keeping the pounds off... you know what I mean? Oh... you said nothing bad about AC granted but you supported, supporting a TB bashing thread on a bassist you know you wish you were and all the others who bashed him here will never be. And to think I don't even like U2

The thruth is, the most simple musician you are, the higher the chance of making money ... a ton of money. I don't think Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, Micheal Manring, Zander Zon, John Patitucci make as much money as Adam Clayton but they are far more knowledgable, they make more intricate music and push foward a lot of stuff no one thougth it was possible on bass. Adam Clayton is more, meat and potato. Pete Wenz, meat and potato too. You don't need a lot of talent and knowledge to be sucessful and make a lot of money, you only need catchy stuff, a good image and BOOM.

Bein on the road is more a question of stamina and the will to do it. I saw Chick Corea a month ago, he is 73, he toured a lot during his life and I'm sure he didn't make as much money as Adam Clayton and he started way before U2 ... but he plays jazz, he knows too much stuff to make ridiculous amount of money... oh and Chick Corea was one of the founder of Jazz Fusion in the 70s.

 

[Worldeeeter]

This is the first time I have ever seen a thread started for the sole purpose of defending a career bass player.
There will never be a thread defending bassists like Claypool, Wooten, Pattitucci, etc. There's a reason for this...

 

[bassbully]

The thruth is, the most simple musician you are, the higher the chance of making money ... a ton of money. I don't think Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, Micheal Manring, Zander Zon, John Patitucci make as much money as Adam Clayton but they are far more knowledgable, they make more intricate music and push foward a lot of stuff no one thougth it was possible on bass. Adam Clayton is more, meat and potato. Pete Wenz, meat and potato too. You don't need a lot of talent and knowledge to be sucessful and make a lot of money, you only need catchy stuff, a good image and BOOM.

Bein on the road is more a question of stamina and the will to do it. I saw Chick Corea a month ago, he is 73, he toured a lot during his life and I'm sure he didn't make as much money as Adam Clayton and he started way before U2 ... but he plays jazz, he knows too much stuff to make ridiculous amount of money... oh and Chick Corea was one of the founder of Jazz Fusion in the 70s.

I agree with you on this. Victor told me himself to keep it simple and that is what most studios, producers want. He said he has been looked over before (rarely I'm sure) and considered to busy by some people to work with..his words not mine.

As for the road warrior part. That is another great point not only are Adam and Pete average players they have made a living surving the road and in Adams case touring the world under the spotlight for 30 years. That is not easy to do and downright a hard thing to do . He is more than a bass player he is an entertainer.

 

[bassbully]

This is the first time I have ever seen a thread started for the sole purpose of defending a career bass player.
There will never be a thread defending bassists like Claypool, Wooten, Pattitucci, etc. There's a reason for this...

Yes...its called Talkbass!

 

[jbednarski]

I don't know, to me Claypool needs a thread defending him too. I don't see what all the fuss is about. Clayton blows him away IMO.

 

[BogeyBass]

yah right, didnt really have a opinion till i read Worldeeeter's post...
then it kinda made sense

 

[Rocker949]

Adam Clayton tends to play simple basslines. This is how U2 writes their songs. Sure he could come up with more creative stuff. He probably does, but they have struck upon a very successful formula that makes them a lot of money, so they're not going to break it. But with that said, whether Adam plays simple basslines, or whether he plays really intricate and difficult lines, there's much more to the bassplayer than just the difficulty of his lines. There's the tone of his bass and amp. There's placement of his notes and consistency within the rhythm, but apart from all the musical aspects there's the person himself as a professional. He's part of a big company. The fact that he's still U2's bassplayer says a lot about Adam Clayton as a person. Based upon the fact that he's still a money earning member of the band, I would say that they enjoy working with him, that he's professional, reliable, and probably easy to get along with. It's not just how you play on stage, but how you play off stage that earns your paycheck. So, while I tend to dislike U2, I would never bash another bass player because his basslines aren't showy, or complicated enough to satisfy the arrogant musician snobs paying to see him.

+1

 

[PlungerModerno]

They weren't always formulaic, they could be pretty adventurous at times. Listen to the album version of the song "Bad" (from 1984's The Unforgettable Fire) - there is some awesome stuff going on that song from the drums, bass and guitars.

1987's Joshua Tree had some pretty cool stuff going on too. With Or Without you is a very simple song but how many songs that topped the charts had a GUITAR FEEDBACK track running through most of the song?

They started really sucking right around the time of POP but their peak was Zooropa, which also was not completely formulaic.

But I agree on your second sentence, as far as the material after Zooropa is concerned.

Bad's not bad at all. The band, in every way are better sounding than anything they've done in decades. Still not breathtaking IMO but definitely not the `cookie cutter' garbage they throw out these days. I think U2 had a general approach that became an obvious formula over time.

AC's bass approach may be 10/10 or 1/10 in different peoples opinion. I'd give him a 4/10, but I'd imagine in a better band he'd appear weaker and I'd drop to a 3/10. Just an opinion.
FYI I wouldn't give a virtuoso automatic 10/10 just for technical brilliance. It's overall musical & performing skills. How well I feel it. That's the measure of a band, and it's members.
The numbers aren't calculated carefully or proportionally, I'm just using them to get a basic relative measure across.
I'd only give myself 1/10, but I'm still making newbie mistakes so there we go.

The initial proposition for discussion:

"ADAM CLAYTON DOES NOT SUCK"

Is entirely a question of opinion. In mine and many others he is subtle and sufficiently solid to be given average status, but not amazing. Average in a world with bass legends is something to be proud about, as is 30+ years of a big fanbase!

It's not worth getting worked up over is it?
> But even if it were it's just opinion. I'll be practicing my arpeggios. this time, with the degrees aloud!

 

[96tbird]

I wonder if over on "Talk Guitar" they have a thread called "Edge does not suck". They would be arguing that Edge's early playing was merely manipulation of effects with a guitar, not so much playing guitar. They would be correct. But that's what makes U2 unique, the true story that many here seem to not know. Condensed version:

Four teenage boys wanted to be in a band. They had zero experience (except for Larry), no instruments. They met and planned the band before a bass was at hand. Larry had his drums there, Edge had a chunk of wood he and his brother cobbled together and a chord book. It was decided that they would NOT do cover songs from the outset. They would write their own songs.

When they did get a bass there, Edge showed Adam about chord tones and roots from his limited knowledge. Somehow they figured out stuff that worked. Edge's guitar was so effect laden that to play too many notes would have been less dramatic than playing fewer; is it not true that non-bassplayer musicians really like bass players that keep it simple?

So Adam would go home and listen to the radio and play along and learn what he could from the music he listened to but when it came time for U2 to rehearse and compose on the fly, he had to improvise and take direction from his mates. From this seemingly impossible situation they cobbled together one of the biggest, longest lasting original lineup, popular music playing bands in history.

In the nineties, after more than ten years of playing bass in U2, while on hiatus, Adam took music lessons for the first time. If you want to hear Adam playing more interesting bass lines, you have to listen to everything that came before The Joshua Tree. There's some really interesting bass lines going on there.

Does he suck? No.
Is he an outstanding musician? No.
Is he a good bass player? For U2's purposes, you bet he is.

For perspective, there was a thread not long ago like this about Jaco. I said I liked listening to Weather Report, but I Personally can't listen to Jaco's solos, they do nothing for me. Boy did I get flamed.Yes it is virtuoso playing, etc, I just don't like it. Even though Jaco may be the best, bass solos that last more than a few bars... I just can't take them. Just my taste, I know the only taste I have is in my mouth.

 

[PlungerModerno]

Adam Clayton tends to play simple basslines. This is how U2 writes their songs. Sure he could come up with more creative stuff. He probably does, but they have struck upon a very successful formula that makes them a lot of money, so they're not going to break it. But with that said, whether Adam plays simple basslines, or whether he plays really intricate and difficult lines, there's much more to the bassplayer than just the difficulty of his lines. There's the tone of his bass and amp. There's placement of his notes and consistency within the rhythm, but apart from all the musical aspects there's the person himself as a professional. He's part of a big company. The fact that he's still U2's bassplayer says a lot about Adam Clayton as a person. Based upon the fact that he's still a money earning member of the band, I would say that they enjoy working with him, that he's professional, reliable, and probably easy to get along with. It's not just how you play on stage, but how you play off stage that earns your paycheck. So, while I tend to dislike U2, I would never bash another bass player because his basslines aren't showy, or complicated enough to satisfy the arrogant musician snobs paying to see him.

I can relate to that view, and share your opinion about the 'sticking to the formula' and the overall worth of a professional person.
My comment is that most people in this thread are saying either 'AC doesn't suck he's straightforward & Ok' or 'how can he suck he's rich' neither of which are bashing.
No performer deserves a cruel drubbing. Reality shows that showcase people's delusions are simply mean. But we all can express an opinion about a performer or group and, just like most bands, more people aren't fans of U2 than are. And like most non-virtuoso bassists we aren't all agreeing about who blows and who ROCKS!. AC better than a lot of people who likewise make insane amounts of dosh playing music. like the edge. Not my kinda guitarist. I'm a Rory Gallagher fan myself

 

[rollcall]

really?

 

[PlungerModerno]

I wonder if over on "Talk Guitar" they have a thread called "Edge does not suck". They would be arguing that Edge's early playing was merely manipulation of effects with a guitar, not so much playing guitar. They would be correct. But that's what makes U2 unique, the true story that many here seem to not know. Condensed version:

Four teenage boys wanted to be in a band. They had zero experience (except for Larry), no instruments. They met and planned the band before a bass was at hand. Larry had his drums there, Edge had a chunk of wood he and his brother cobbled together and a chord book. It was decided that they would NOT do cover songs from the outset. They would write their own songs.

When they did get a bass there, Edge showed Adam about chord tones and roots from his limited knowledge. Somehow they figured out stuff that worked. Edge's guitar was so effect laden that to play too many notes would have been less dramatic than playing fewer; is it not true that non-bassplayer musicians really like bass players that keep it simple?

So Adam would go home and listen to the radio and play along and learn what he could from the music he listened to but when it came time for U2 to rehearse and compose on the fly, he had to improvise and take direction from his mates. From this seemingly impossible situation they cobbled together one of the biggest, longest lasting original lineup, popular music playing bands in history.

In the nineties, after more than ten years of playing bass in U2, while on hiatus, Adam took music lessons for the first time. If you want to hear Adam playing more interesting bass lines, you have to listen to everything that came before The Joshua Tree. There's some really interesting bass lines going on there.

Does he suck? No.
Is he an outstanding musician? No.
Is he a good bass player? For U2's purposes, you bet he is.

For perspective, there was a thread not long ago like this about Jaco. I said I liked listening to Weather Report, but I Personally can't listen to Jaco's solos, they do nothing for me. Boy did I get flamed.Yes it is virtuoso playing, etc, I just don't like it. Even though Jaco may be the best, bass solos that last more than a few bars... I just can't take them. Just my taste, I know the only taste I have is in my mouth.

I've no doubt U2 succeeded in spite of difficult beginnings, and I absolutely agree with the Not sucking or being amazing thing.
Your opinion of Jaco is fine. It's an opinion. I'd say the man himself wouldn't be hurt If someone said his long bass solo (narrow niche I needn't mention) wasn't their idea of interesting, were he still around. It's not as good to my ears to a great groove but that's just me.
I think flaming is juvenile. We should be capable of polite disagreement. Saying any player Sucks / rocks is asking for hassle. I chimed in to add to the 'middle of the road even though I don't like U2' stack. I stayed for the pile up!

 

[lfmn16]

This may be the most despicable post ever.

Then report it.

 

[PlungerModerno]

really?

Nope.

Or maybe. I can't quite understand. I can't believe this thread is still going...

 

[lfmn16]

WOW! Really what did I win? Yes! Artistic success at his level is to be financialy rewarded or why put in 30 years of work on the road etc. If you want to feel sorry for me it should be that the older I get I'm having trouble keeping the pounds off... you know what I mean? Oh... you said nothing bad about AC granted but you supported, supporting a TB bashing thread on a bassist you know you wish you were and all the others who bashed him here will never be. And to think I don't even like U2

It doesn't look like we're going to come to agreement here, but I appreciate your tenacity in showing me the error of my ways. For the record, I never said I wouldn't want to be as rich as him, I just said I don't want to play like him - not that there is anything wrong with the way he plays; just not my style.

 

[96tbird]

Then report it.

I'd rather just do what I did. Where are your manners?

 

[BogeyBass]

Hey this threads annoying...but lets keep going.

maybe some are biased by bono political stuff.
I just remember some moments with U2 in the 80's
that had meaning. that is how i remember them

hey its a lotta delay what would you do on bass.

most people play bom bom bom freakin notes 8th quarter 4/4
but hey some of his bass lines are creative nothing amazing
but slightly different then what most would do...

Live at Red Rock is U2 before the bs and some lost fans. but yes thats how it starts...bom bom bom bom...on the bass..so i guess the other points make sense...but hey we dont do solos
the energy is there and ambience and the crowd plays into it too. good show for what it is and what it was. not zepplin not sabbath...pop?

 

[96tbird]

Well the little solo break in Gloria is pretty cool.