If you're in a rut, here's The Cure.

[thedovewarlord]

Simon Gallup has always been one of my favorite bassists. A long time ago, I switched from guitar to bass and players like Simon Gallup (and Eric Avery) had a huge influence on me. Mainly because as a self-taught player I was already developing a similar approach, less pentatonic, more open string octaves/droning and just hypnotic & repetitive grooves that build and change organically thru the song.

During all this isolation, I am certainly getting more time practicing my bass and learning "new" songs . Songs I've loved for years but never had the time or inspiration to try when I had the time.

Currently, The Cure is in heavy rotation and I recommend their albums Wish, Disintegration, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me or one of their earlier albums called Faith if you want to get into them.

That said, the real purpose of this thread is to see what albums or players people on TalkBass are diving into lately to break up the monotony?

 

[bolophonic]

I have been listening to Boss Keloid on endless loop. I may break things up with a little bit of The Cure now that I unearthed my crate of old CD’s.

 

[thedovewarlord]

I've never heard of Boss Keloid, some pretty cool stuff going on in that track! Will check out more. DO you listen to Orange 9mm?

 

[thedovewarlord]

 

[bolophonic]

I remember buying an Orange 9mm cd back in the day (probably in the crate) but I haven’t thought about them in a while. I’ll have to revisit that!

 

[4stringfarley]

I just recently got into Devin Townsend ( I know behind the times) so I've been going through his catalogue. One of the few writers where I prefer the live stuff over the albums.

 

[Jazz Ad]

It's not overly well known that Simon Gallup had a MAJOR influence over Japanese pop rock bass playing. What he did in the Cure served as a base for almost all the visual kei movement.

If you listen to l'Arc~en~Ciel for excample, it's hard to miss.

 

[charlie monroe]

I have been listening to Boss Keloid on endless loop. I may break things up with a little bit of The Cure now that I unearthed my crate of old CD’s.

Thanks for this. I’m sampling “Melted on the inch”. What’s your fave release?

 

[bolophonic]

Thanks for this. I’m sampling “Melted on the inch”. What’s your fave release?

Melted on the Inch is the most mature release. My kids request the song Pekruve every time we get in the car.

Herb Your Enthusiasm has a similar vibe and definitely shows where they were headed.

Healing Power of Teeth is way more raw and noisy. I like it, but it’s pretty abrasive.

I just randomly stumbled upon the band while going down a rabbit hole one night and bought the entire discography. Until that moment, I never would have guessed I was going to be such a big fan of prog rock from Wales.

 

[bolophonic]

This is interesting... I was a huge Cro-Mags fan back in the day and Orange 9mm came out right about the same time that the singer of the Cro-Mags formed Both Worlds and listening to this makes me think that I just went with Both Worlds because the bands sound almost exactly alike. What do you think?

 

[Michedelic]

Simon Gallup has always been one of my favorite bassists. A long time ago, I switched from guitar to bass and players like Simon Gallup (and Eric Avery) had a huge influence on me. Mainly because as a self-taught player I was already developing a similar approach, less pentatonic, more open string octaves/droning and just hypnotic & repetitive grooves that build and change organically thru the song.

During all this isolation, I am certainly getting more time practicing my bass and learning "new" songs . Songs I've loved for years but never had the time or inspiration to try when I had the time.

Currently, The Cure is in heavy rotation and I recommend their albums Wish, Disintegration, Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me or one of their earlier albums called Faith if you want to get into them.

That said, the real purpose of this thread is to see what albums or players people on TalkBass are diving into lately to break up the monotony?

Don’t forget Hooky, Steve Severin, and Barry Adamson, they were already on the scene.

 

[roller]

The OP mentioned Eric Avery... so for those looking for a great intro to his playing, I highly recommend Jane's Addiction's Nothing's Shocking. Superb songs, fantastic performances and excellent production. Each member of that band could and still can really play.

Just a truly great album.

 

[nilorius]

Playing other songs is not the right way, better choose the different drum loops and play on them. That will upgrad you more.

 

[murmur70]

The reason I play a black and maple Stingray with white pickguard is Simon Gallup.

 

[Dana R Gregory]

Here are two very enjoyable Cure songs to play along with. Primary and A Forest. Primary is one of the best new wave songs ever recorded.

 

[knight of ni]

The group I listened to the most when I was a teenager. The first 4 albums are masterpieces (up to Pornography), so is The Top. I must confess I lived The Head on the Door as a betrayal and never really caught on Disintegration and Kiss me kiss me kiss me.
Interestingly I think The best post-Pornography album with Robert Smith is the magnificent Hyaena by Siouxsie and the Banshees (with Robert Smith, who was said to become a permanent member at that time).

 

[Rayjay]

The Cure...Mixed Up was on super heavy rotation when I was in my teens. The way Simon got that great fresh strings pick tone and those great well crafted lines with a loose, syncopated pocket played a big influence on me. Love Song initially drew me in.

 

[Killing Floor]

Thanks for reminding me. Lots of good Cure songs. Some of them were before Gallup. I've seen them a number of times and they put on a great show.

 

[Plake]

For Eric Avery fans I highly recommend his first post JA album Deconstruction. You really appreciate how vital he was to the band. It features Dave Navarro too.
As for this lockdown i’ve had Dinosaur Jr in heavy rotation.

 

[Spectrum]

For my part I've been diving into the Pretenders for fun bass lines to play that are important to the song but not difficult to learn.