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Mark Stoermer

jazznrick

jazznrick

Apr 28, 2006
1,052
1,021
36
Woodlands, Texas
#1
Here on TB i believe The Killer's bassist Mark Stoermer is not given enough credit. I believe he is an incredible bassist who is the backbone of his band. He has killer tone and even plays a Geddy Lee, the TB mascot! Please voice your opinions of this hidden jem.
 
#2
This guy is great. The Killers guitarist chugs out a lot of thick power chords, which gives Mark a lot of room to do some really dynamic stuff which I dig. Love his basses (lots of Fender Jazzes) and his sound too- he gets a nice cutting sound with rounds (GHS Boomers, I believe?) on his jazz. I'd say you're right in saying he's the backbone of the band, I wouldn't enjoy The Killers nearly as much if he wasn't their bassist.
 
#3
I've definately enjoyed his tone over the last few albums.
Particularly his Jazz bass. I have to say I can't recall hearing him playing many challenging bass lines. Just mainly chugging 1/8th notes with some nice spiced up parts over the songs middle breakdown.

I much prefer his 1st and 3rd album jazz tone over the 2nd album where he uses a Precision. I think the P could have been fine. I just don't care for the muddy,undefined tone they used. It was way too dark and thick. A nice focused 70's Precision tone would have worked better,with more high end. I'm glad he's back to his Jazz Geddy.

What other Jazzes does he use?? I've only seen him with a black Geddy. He gets a nice 70's bridge spacing sound.
 
#4
Which is their second album? I'd love to hear a comparison between his jazz and precision tone, but I'm sure I'll enjoy the jazz tone a little more Nothing wrong with P's, but I love his jazz tone too much to want to hear him play much else.

As for the other jazzes he uses, I think he has a stock american standard 2004? Not quite sure what color it is, though. Here's an interesting interview concerning him and his gear: "http://www.bassplayer.com/article/mark-stoermer-killer/feb-05/98. I've seen him using a Ric, too.He also uses GHS Boomers, which I love- crispy, zingy rounds.

Mark has one of my favorite rock Jazz Bass tones, and has an awesome playing style. Definitely a great bassist, something often rare in today's bands.
 
#6
NicJimBass said:
As far as a challenging line of his, try "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine" from "Hot Fuss". Definitely not just chugging eighths!
Click to expand...

Yes, I know the song well, it is definately one of his more involved bass playing songs. Love it. With it's nice, not over done, string popping in places. He's no slouch. But The Killers style is just a band suited well for 8th notes over the verses. I'm sure Marks playing ability spans well above this. But hats off to him for knowing to serve the song first before his own playing indulgence. ;)

His generally simple playing ,combined with his great jazz tone, is still very entertaining. That can't be said for all pro players. Love his bass part during the mid song breakdown in "Human"
 
#8
The Killers are one of the few new bands I really like, and Mark Stoermer sounds great. I think the killers have very interesting arrangements and play well together. If you get a chance to grab some of the rockband stems of their tunes it is cool to see how they fit things together. And his bass is really distorted, which really works in context.
 

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