The only one I can think of is Jeroen from Obscura. The whole band is great, but he adds a certain depth to the sound that pushes it past typical death metal. I find myself focused on the bass whenever I listen to them. I've heard them with their old bass player, playing some of the same songs, and it just didn't sound right at all.
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Bassist make or break a band?
- Thread starter grimniggzy
- Start date
I enjoy a ton of bands that have simple/basic bass players. I personally wouldn't say it makes or breaks a band. The thing is, if any part of a musical group is outright "bad", it's going to distract and take away from the music.
A solid rhythm section can make up for some mediocre players in a band. And yeah, sometimes a bassist can make a band. The Red Hot Chili Peppers wouldn't have hit the big time without Flea. Nobody would listen to Weather Report without Jaco. Primus couldn't even exist without Claypool.
It's not that often that the bassist makes the band though. There's a huge range of talent between "competent" and "really good" where the bassist could be replaced and the band could keep on as it was. It's not until you get to "virtuoso" that the bassist becomes irreplaceable.
It's not that often that the bassist makes the band though. There's a huge range of talent between "competent" and "really good" where the bassist could be replaced and the band could keep on as it was. It's not until you get to "virtuoso" that the bassist becomes irreplaceable.
this is the only example I could think of as well.
I don't think Primus counts because EVERYTHING about that band is a bit odd. Yeah, his bass playing is important, but so is his vocal style, the moods that leland creates, and the big quirky/funky drumming... they are just plain ol' unique. OTOH, Obscura is just an extremely average death metal band, but with an amazing bassist that single handedly completely changes the feel of the entire band.
60% Drummer
40% Bassist.
It's all about the groove.
A good drummer can hide a bad bass player. ( a little)
But a good bass player can't hide a bad drummer.
People (non-musicians) are programed to hear singers, and drummers first.
Absolutely, beat me to it! IMO drummer is most important. People will put up with all but a really tonedeaf, awful singer. Guitardists can get away with "strangling the cat", and usually if a bassist fumbles their part it will just create a subtle sense of unease. But a sh*tty drummer is just plain BAD.
Granted, I started as a drummer, so I'm in a place to be a bit more critical. But I can't tell you how many bands I've given a thumbs-down to because the drummer didn't have it together. Bad drummers are almost always trying to overplay when they mess up (actually, bad musicians in general do this). I think the most important lesson I've learned as a musician so far is to know where your skill level is, and not to overextend yourself unless you're practicing. Flashy stuff is only flashy if you nail it.
There are certainly bands that a Bassist can make. John Paul Jones was mentioned earlier but he was certainly the glue that held that band together. Bonham's adventures with an ordinary bassist would have been chaos. With the Beatles, without McCartney who would have played drums and much of the Guitar and keys on the records?
Other bands that fit the description of "made by the bassist" would be Rush, Level 42, Sly and the Family Stone, Jamuruqui, Sade, and Return to Forever. As far as a bassist breaking a band, the reason we can't come up with many, is that bands with bad bassist (guys who overplay, have no time, or play the wrong notes) don't get famous. There are plenty of them out there, in most cases we've never heard of them.
Other bands that fit the description of "made by the bassist" would be Rush, Level 42, Sly and the Family Stone, Jamuruqui, Sade, and Return to Forever. As far as a bassist breaking a band, the reason we can't come up with many, is that bands with bad bassist (guys who overplay, have no time, or play the wrong notes) don't get famous. There are plenty of them out there, in most cases we've never heard of them.
+1
I didn't realize it at the time but the main reason I liked Sly & The Family Stone was Larry Graham. After he left... it wasn't the same... the sound wasn't the same..
For the most part, for me.. most of the bands I like have decent bassists.. I can appreciate the great soloists and the technicians.. but I just like good solid bass lines.. Jamerson was a stellar bassist.. IMO anyway.. his work on "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye is for me some of the finest bass work I have ever heard.. and I don't recall ever hearing him do a blazing solo at all.. but the man was a giant.. so .. I agree with scott.. make.. no.. because Wooten with a crappy band..(as if...
) would get old quick.. but break? .. yeah... but really, for the bass to break a band.. he'd have to be a pretty bad bassist....
.If he does nothing but keep the pocket.. and the rest of the band kicks....
I think every player makes or breaks a good band. Every player has to fulfill their purpose in the band or it doesn't work. Sure bands can get along with bad players, but then they can't have much of the focus/load on them.
I'm a rock dude, and the most important member in a rock band is the drummer. It doesn't matter how good the songs are or how good the other dudes are; if the drummer is weak than the whole band will sound weak. Given that you have a good drummer (great drummers are 1 in a million), bass can make a diff. This is usually the case where you have the bassist writing songs; I can't imagine what Minutemen or fIREHOSE would sound like with a bassist who just played root notes. OTOH, Dee Dee wrote most of the songs for the Ramones, but the basslines are uber-basic.
A proper rock band is made of a good songwriter and a charismatic singer.
All other members are disposable.
All other members are disposable.
It really just depends on the style of music, could you imagine a reggae band with a dull bass player?
Although WR did hit their peak with Jaco...
Miroslav Vitous, Alphonso Johnson and Victor Bailey might disagree with you.
I don't like bands because of only a single musician. I like bands because of the songs and the way they are played as a whole, not just single instruments parts. I mean, I like a lot what Jaco did, but I really don't enjoy the music that he played, it just sounds boring to me. He was a very interesting player and very good technically, but it doesn't make the songs sound good to my ears.
