Bassists of 70s Punk!!!

[DoomandHeavy]

When it comes to old-school punk bassists, the first two I always see named are Dee Dee and Sid. As much as I love both, they were so many greats in both the US and UK scenes!!

One of my favorites has to be Jean-Jacques Burnel of the Stranglers. Damn does he absolutely KILL on their debut!! "Peaches" is of course an easy pick, but the opener "Sometimes" and "Goodbye Toulouse" are great as well. Burnel has got to be one of the earliest bassists with a tone THAT mean and biting! On the early recordings he used a p-bass and picked hard right at the bridge.

Next up has to be Algy Ward of the Saints and the Damned, later Tank but that's on the more metal side of things. Machine Gun Etiquette has to be one of my favorite records of all time, and Ward is a big reason why. Lines like the ones on "I Just Can't Be Happy Today" and "Plan 9 Channel 7" just rule. I think it might just be more of the tone and attitude, he just rules. The Saints are awesome too, they never got enough attention! The bass work of Captain Sensible on the debut Damned album is also cool, really warbly sounding.

Last but not least, is Bruce Foxton of the Jam is amazing as well!! I'm just now really getting into them, but that Ric sound is the king!! I really love the power and energy in his playing, but there's still a catchy melodic edge that keeps things really interesting too!!


And of course there's a million other guys I'm missing like: Paul Simonon of the Clash, Paul Dean of X-Ray Spex, John Doe of X, Dave Alexander and Ron Asheton of the Stooges, and Billy Club of the Dickies!!! There's just too many good dudes and bands out there!

 

[chuck norriss]

[This invalid link has been removed]
I saw this th other day it might interest you.
I love John Doe & of post-punk, Simon Gallup, Peter Hook

 

[wilberthenry]

Richard Hell was a pretty straight ahead player, but he fronted his band, sang, and wrote the songs as well. "Love Cums in Spurts" is a good and funny tune, but he wrote a lot of great songs.

 

[stambroker]

You have damn good taste, my friend! Bruce Foxton in particular is awesome.

But I'll add Ernie Brooks from the Modern Lovers, Simon Gallup of the Cure, and of course Peter Hook from Joy Division.

 

[DoomandHeavy]

Hell is amazing, I can't believe I forgot to mention him!! I've wanted a Mustang ever since I started listening to the Voidoids! "Blank Generation" has a really cool bassline, though I can't tell if I like the tone or line itself. Hahaha! Pete Wright of Crass is another amazing player, he does whatever he wants with the rest of the band. And all those guys totally rule Duncan, couldn't agree more. I will have to check that book out too.

What do you guys think of Tom Robinson?

 

[Savage_Dreams]

if your going to mention The Damned lets not forget Captain Sensible was bassist first before moving to guitar. Neat Neat Neat alone earns him respect in my book!

 

[adivin]

I prefer when Foxton switched to the P bass.

 

[DoomandHeavy]

if your going to mention The Damned lets not forget Captain Sensible was bassist first before moving to guitar. Neat Neat Neat alone earns him respect in my book!

I know!!! That was the first Damned song I heard. I was sold INSTANTLY! I started wearing berets because of the Captain! Hahaha!

Dave Allen of Gang of Four is also another madman on the bass, love how funky he could get!

 

[tbird99]

Ha dee dee and sid are really the only ones who pop into mind when I think 70s punk , this is more 80s punk but kira roessler (black flag) was just amazing so were they're other bassist (listen to six pack and tv party intro now!)

 

[DoomandHeavy]

Ha dee dee and sid are really the only ones who pop into mind when I think 70s punk , this is more 80s punk but kira roessler (black flag) was just amazing so were they're other bassist (listen to six pack and tv party intro now!)

Oh yes!! I could go all day with Black Flag's bassists! Dukowski was great too, he wrote a good chunk of their early songs musically too. Oh! Klaus from the Dead Kennedys is another good mention for stuff that came out in the 80s too!

Paul Simonon of the Clash anyone? That guy KILLS!! I got more into reggae and 70s English ska bands because of Paul, I had to learn how to play like that! ... Still do! Hahaha!

 

[wingmanborge]

Saw John Doe last night when X opened for Pearl Jam in Copenhagen. He kicked ass! All of X playing with fury and never missed a note or a beat. Great playing and singing by the man. Of topic; jeff ament was killer too!

 

[mpdd]

i think x are playing at a horse track in LA this week, hollywood park iirc

 

[bassbully]

Klus Flouride-DK

 

[cfsporn]

+1 for Klaus Flouride and Paul Simonan

Also, Glen Matlock deserves his props too.

 

[skulletwhip]

Rob Wright from NoMeansNo.

 

[C-60 Bass]

Paul Slack of the UK Subs and Glen Matlock (pre Sid) Sex Pistols. Both great punk bassists.

 

[C-60 Bass]

Paul Slack of the UK Subs. Great punk bassist.

 

[birdman14]

I really like Bobby Hackney, from death. Punk before punk was punk.

 

[Stax63]

You have damn good taste, my friend! Bruce Foxton in particular is awesome.

But I'll add Ernie Brooks from the Modern Lovers, Simon Gallup of the Cure, and of course Peter Hook from Joy Division.

The Fellow here in my photo is Bruce Thomas from The Attractions (Elvis Costello's backing band) and he is why I now play bass! I also have to give props to Johnny Ciambotti of Clover for coming up witht he bass line for Watching the Detectives. I also loved Gram Maby's work from Joe Jackson's band and Bruce Foxton from The Jam. When you get into the new romantic stuff from the 80's, I always loved the fretless wonder Mick Karn from Japan. There was also an awesomr American Post Punk Pop Band called the Producers (I liked them much better than the Romatics) and their bass player was Kyle Henderson..he was also one of my faves!

 

[Rob Lewis]

Not too sure Sid Vicious deserves the label "bassist"...