BBC Slates Bass Players

[wafu_vasco]

Has anybody else been watching BBC2's "I'm In A Rock'n'Roll Band" series? For anybody outside the UK, here's a link to the episode which has upset me...

Invalid Link Removed

It's a six part series about rock bands - part one was the singer, part two the guitarist, part three the drummer. Fair enough. Last weekend, Part Four was broadcast: "The Other One." It basically says that bass players and keyboard players are so indifferent to a band that we never remember their names and aren't worth an episode of their own. Before I rant and rave anymore, I just wondered if anybody else had seen it or had any thoughts about this link...

 

[chicago_mike]

I think the term asshat is applicable.

 

[DrSmaggs]

Lame. Can't watch it. That's okay. This is just further testament to the fact that most people in general have no idea what bass is really about.

 

[Rob Lewis]

There were quite a few people interviewed who really were unqualified to comment. I already posted this link, and it cannot be viewed Stateside, unfortunately.

 

[wafu_vasco]

Couldn't agree more, Rob. Who the hell is Lauren Laverne? I guess at least she was fair; in every episode so far she's bitched and moaned about every single person in a band, not just bass players. Yet, she is not a known musician herself... I think the series was great up to this episode, but:
A.) To have a documentary about rock bass players without even mentionning Steve Harris or Geezer Butler is absurd and poorly researched.
B.) If you're trying to make a point that bass lines are all "simple" "easy" and "can be played by anybody" then don't interview Chris Wolstenholme, of all people. Bring in Michael Anthony if you want to make bass players look bad.

 

[Lee Collins]

Yeah, I watched that. It really annoyed me as well.

 

[Beginner Bass]

The person who made that probably was a "Failed guitarist." That is rather annoying.

 

[g&lplayer]

Clearly we need to buy concert tickets for the creators of that show. If only they SAW a good bassist once or twice maybe they would think differently

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

And people wonder why I think we should get rid of TV licenses and the BBC

 

[wafu_vasco]

Lumping us in with "the other guy" is pretty lame. Aside from The Doors, how many successful, world class rock bands have there been without a bass player? I'm pretty sure that bass isn't an optional extra.

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

Couldn't agree more, Rob. Who the hell is Lauren Laverne? I guess at least she was fair; in every episode so far she's bitched and moaned about every single person in a band, not just bass players. Yet, she is not a known musician herself....

She played guitar in a band called Kenickie - I remember a few Indie singles - a girlie, indie band ....

Defintely a failed guitarist!

 

[bassbrad]

Well if she needs to look at her hand to play a major bar chord what good is she.

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

Well if she needs to look at her hand to play a major bar chord what good is she.

That's what I meant by a failed guitarist! That and the Sunderland accent, means there's no hope!

 

[standupright]

Has anybody else been watching BBC2's "I'm In A Rock'n'Roll Band" series? For anybody outside the UK, here's a link to the episode which has upset me...

Invalid Link Removed

It's a six part series about rock bands - part one was the singer, part two the guitarist, part three the drummer. Fair enough. Last weekend, Part Four was broadcast: "The Other One." It basically says that bass players and keyboard players are so indifferent to a band that we never remember their names and aren't worth an episode of their own. Before I rant and rave anymore, I just wondered if anybody else had seen it or had any thoughts about this link...

actually.....this is what i read -

"Meet the band's secret weapon: 'the other one'. They might play bass; maybe keyboards; sometimes it's not clear what they do at all. Underestimate them with peril though, these guys are the glue holding the band together."

 

[Happynoj]

actually.....this is what i read -

"Meet the band's secret weapon: 'the other one'. They might play bass; maybe keyboards; sometimes it's not clear what they do at all. Underestimate them with peril though, these guys are the glue holding the band together."

That's not really what they said on the show though...

I watched it and was annoyed.

 

[TheBasicBassist]

Couldn't agree more, Rob. Who the hell is Lauren Laverne? I guess at least she was fair; in every episode so far she's bitched and moaned about every single person in a band, not just bass players. Yet, she is not a known musician herself... I think the series was great up to this episode, but:
A.) To have a documentary about rock bass players without even mentionning Steve Harris or Geezer Butler is absurd and poorly researched.
B.) If you're trying to make a point that bass lines are all "simple" "easy" and "can be played by anybody" then don't interview Chris Wolstenholme, of all people. Bring in Michael Anthony if you want to make bass players look bad.

I think you need to give Van Halen another listen, even if it's just the greatest hits cd. Michael Anthony is a very skilled and tasteful rock bassist who also happens to provide AWESOME backing vocals. I'd like to see Chris do the same because, personally, he has great tone but doesn't have many bass lines that make me say, "D*mn, I want to be that kind of player."

Don't trash talk other bassists (isn't it against forum rules or something, anyway?), especially ones with skills. Opinions aren't fact so, please, don't treat them as such.

 

[standupright]

That's not really what they said on the show though...

I watched it and was annoyed.

yeah i've been trying to find a link that will let me watch over here across the pond.

 

[wafu_vasco]

I think you need to give Van Halen another listen, even if it's just the greatest hits cd. Michael Anthony is a very skilled and tasteful rock bassist who also happens to provide AWESOME backing vocals. I'd like to see Chris do the same because, personally, he has great tone but doesn't have many bass lines that make me say, "D*mn, I want to be that kind of player."

Don't trash talk other bassists (isn't it against forum rules or something, anyway?), especially ones with skills. Opinions aren't fact so, please, don't treat them as such.

I'm not going to go into the whole basic vs complex argument, suffice to say I'm more impressed by the Victor Wootens of this world than Michael Anthony. But, I'll take your advice and give Van Halen another listen on this very evening. However, as for Muse basslines that make the song what it is? I reckon there's a lot more than Van Halen ones. Hysteria, Hyper Music, Undisclosed Desires... etc etc.
But yeah, I agree with the posts above - the intro to the programme was very complementary to the bass player, but the actual substance of the programme degenerated quite quickly into some fairly ignorant and damning statements.

 

[bazookachicken]

I've been watching this series and I thought it was quite good up until this episode, the first one on the singer certainly had our frontman down to a tee!
However like others here I was disappointed to see the bass player labeled as "the other one" I am happy to be associated with the keyboard players and as the glue that holds a band together.
But to be compared to Bez, the litterally talentless dancer from the Happy Mondays I found insulting to true musicians!
I viewed this programme as a tongue in cheek look at the workings of a professional band it started well in my opinion. I was never expecting to see anyone other than mainstream bands featured (It does need to be relevent to the general public not just other musicians) but as the series has progressed it has shown itself to be poorly researched and produced.
I'll probably watch the last two episodes, but only because I'm stuck at home recovering from surgery and I can record it and watch it instead of crappy daytime tv!!

 

[sarlscharisma]

I can't believe they spent so much tv time on the likes of Sid Vicious, Paul Simonon, that no-mark from Manic St. Preachers who couldn't play and ignored a true great like JJ Burnel. If ever there was a great bass front man it is he.

The didn't trot out dross guitar players in the earlier episode, so why do it for bass! :scowl: