And not a bass player in sight

[Zak TMD]

From a bassist perspective? No. From an audience perspective, also no.

There are a few bands out there that do a pretty ok job without a bass, but it's less fun for me to go see a band without a bassist - just never has the same oomph and weight of sound.

Closest thing to the real thing I saw years ago was a 2 piece where the non-drummer (they did everything else) used looper pedals to play both, and that was kinda cool. They'd set the bass line, loop, move over to the guitar and play for a bit, then loop, and transition over to a new bass line.

 

[pingvuiini]

Here's an old review of a show at the Coach House with three bands and not a bass player in sight:
Gots to see and briefly meet one of my bass heroes this weekend.

 

[Hasty]

Math challenge:
When you play the bass guitar…

Are you standing by the hihat?(0) or are you within 3’ of the center of the stage(1)

Are you looking at the drummer?(0) or are you looking at the audience?(1)

Are you singing?(1) or not(0)

Are you making the “X” tape under the spotlight?(1) or are you blending into the scrim by the drum riser?(0)

Are you dancing?(1) or standing still?(0)

Add your score. Remember there’s no wrong or right answer. Just be honest.

If you scored 3 or more, Congrats, your band isn’t doing you a favor. You’re part of the show.

If you scored 1 or fewer you may be eligible to be replaced by a sequencer.

Do you own the PA? (4) or not (0)

 

[ELG60]

But they did have one on all of their studio recordings. I've always wondered about that.

Jerry Scheff comes to mind.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

Two Bassists in a band

Not relevant? You know he’s on tour right now, right? You could say, “at the height of his popularity”, but not relevant? That’s a little cold.

You're right, that does sound cold but I didn't mean it that way. I wasn't aware he's still performing. I should've checked before making that comment. I'd like to see him again and even more so if a bass player is part of his ensemble.

 

[Ostie]

But they did have one on all of their studio recordings. I've always wondered about that.

Who was the bass player on the Doors studio albums?

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Who was the bass player on the Doors studio albums?

Jerry Scheff, Harvey Brooks. At least on their last two albums.

 

[mongo2]

This has happened to me a few times.

Due to a mild stroke nearly 5 years ago I have to sit when I play. The guitarist/singer in our jazz-esque duo stands. Sometimes someone will walk past the floor "stage area" in the corner of the little restaurant we often play at and make a remark such as "Oh, there's two of them." or "I wondered how he was playing the low notes." or someting similar.

I was completely invisible to them. But I really don't mind that at all.

 

[brianrost]

Jerry Scheff, Harvey Brooks. At least on their last two albums.

Also Larry Knechtel (The Doors), Doug Lubahn (Strange Days, Waiting For The Sun), Lonnie Mack (Morrison Hotel), Ray Neapolitan (Morrison Hotel).