• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

MEGA THREAD:: Favorite/Best Punk Bassist

#242
Something i notice about alot of punk bassists is that you dont know how good they are by listening to their music, because alot of punk basslines are simple three or four note progressions. Im sure there's some bassist out there in a punk band that nobody's ever heard of that can play like Wooten, but since he's into punk it wouldnt really sound right with that type of music.

Here comes the flaming.
 
#244
Originally posted by GothSkaBassist
Something i notice about alot of punk bassists is that you dont know how good they are by listening to their music, because alot of punk basslines are simple three or four note progressions. Im sure there's some bassist out there in a punk band that nobody's ever heard of that can play like Wooten, but since he's into punk it wouldnt really sound right with that type of music.

Here comes the flaming.
Click to expand...

But don't you think, that if they are really that good, that they could incorporate SOME of that into their music? Instead of just whackin' at the strings up and down constantly?

I have respect for ska bassists though. Walking bass lines are fun.
 
#246
has this thread been dragged out. God, people have gone through puberty since this thread started.

I think a lot of the coolest bass stuff was in the bands that crossed the line between Punk and other styles- particularly dub, reggae and ska. I am particularly thinking of the Clash (RIP Joe) who has a jukebox full of old bluebeat 45s in their squat/practice space (well, if you're gonna sleep on the floor, at least have a nice singles collection, eh?). A lot of that sound seeped into their music and just made it a lot more interesting than a band like the Sex Pistols (though Johnny's other band had Jah Wobble and he's great). Bands like the Specials, Selector, even Madness came out fo the punk scene and really had some great bass lines (even the early Police, I guess.)

The logical extension would be Rancid. By the way, just in case there are any young whippersnappers out there who don't know this, Rancid are the Clash. They've based just about everything they've done on the sound of the Clash, so if you like them, go check out the original. And Green Day are Stiff Little Fingers, but I digress. That said, Matt from Rancid is great (horrid tone, but great player). It is actually quite difficult to rip on the bass like he does and make it work in the context of a punk band, so thumbs up to that guy.
 
#250
There were some great bassists in punk bands playing simple but effective lines and sometimes less is more. I dont know many names but the following bands had some great bass lines in thier tunes.
Paul Simmonon-The Clash (cool dude)
Stiff Little Fingers
Tubeway Army
Jean Jacques Brunnel-The Stranglers (nice and chunky)
999
Slaughter And The Dogs
Dirty Habits
 
#253
As some of you have mentioned the "punk" is kinda a funny term to generalize a genre of music. I say a punk song is fast, loud, makes you want to move, and is not in the Billboard Top 100 singles chart.

Paul Simonon (Clash). Maybe not at technically gifted as the people he influenced but when you hear "London's Burning" (anyone have that bass tab by the way), "Career Opportunities," and "Capital Radio" you can't help but think of Matt Freeman (Rancid). Wish he'd get a better bass and equip set up...I don't know. I've been turned on to Eric Wilson (Sublime, Long Beach Dub Allstars) of late. I mean, holy crap! Listen to "Saw Red." And I think Tony Kanal's (No Doubt) solo in "Oi to the World" is great.
 
#256
I know most of u guys probably dont listen to punk at all...but for those of u who do, who would u say are the best punk bassists?

personally i think matt freeman from rancid and roger from less than jake (i know ... there ska) and chris #2 from anti-flag...Hunter from AFI is pretty awsome too..

but yea, what about ur thoughts?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back