MEGA THREAD:: Favorite/Best Punk Bassist

[fenwickbacker]

I know the definition of "punk" can be very broad. In keeping with that, I like the playing of . . . . forgot his name (Bruce?) . . . the bass player for Elvis Costello and the Attractions. I really like his lines and his tone. Lipstick Vogue / You're Happy Now / I Write the Book all come to mind.

 

[tomthedude]

Bruce Foxton from the Jam, haven't really listened to Elvis Castello that much. You guys are funny, great argument

 

[Brat]

Mike Dirnt at the top of my list. just a personal thing. Then Matt Freeman, Roger from Less Than Jake (Kinda Punk-Ska-ish) Fat Mike, The guy from the Suicide Machienes, and many more.

 

[Nocturnal]

Just thought I'd add Peter Hook of Joy Division and New Order to the list. Not sure if you'd define them as Punk, but he's worth checking out.

 

[Against Will]

Everyone's already said ones I like, so I'll blow some people's minds and mention ones no one's heard of.

-Warwick Gilbert from Radio Birdman has a great old-school rock groove; I think his style was what a lot of the punks were aspiring to, but they couldn't quite reach it so they tried a different approach.

-Dug E. Bird from Beefeater and Fidelity Jones; you won't know who they are unless you have Dischord's anniversary collection or were around D.C.'s hardcore scene in the 80's. But he was an incredibly talented player, sounds a good deal like Flea, though less flashy.

-The dual bassists from Black Eyes

-I've always felt Steve Diggle (from the Buzzcocks) is a very underrated artist.

 

[NNbassest]

My man Mark Hoppus, nt sure what he is considerd *punk wise* but he is amazing

 

[genderblind]

Just thought I'd add Peter Hook of Joy Division and New Order to the list. Not sure if you'd define them as Punk, but he's worth checking out.

Hooky!!! Melodic lead lines yowza!!!

 

[tomthedude]

The guys from Green Day and Rancid are good.

Also the guy who edited this is funny, are you a hippy?
If you are rock on

 

[Kaa]

I know the definition of "punk" can be very broad. In keeping with that, I like the playing of . . . . forgot his name (Bruce?) . . . the bass player for Elvis Costello and the Attractions. I really like his lines and his tone. Lipstick Vogue / You're Happy Now / I Write the Book all come to mind.

Bruce Thomas. Awesome.

Now, for a name that has yet to be uttered:

Karl Alvarez from Descendent/ALL.

Get the CD "ALL" by Descendents, and prepare to be impressed.

 

[wornoutwords]

The bass player from the long defunct Rich Kids on LSD (RKL) was/is good. These guys are probably the most like the bands the OP mentioned.

The first bass player ("andy flag") from anti-flag wrote some bass lines that were pretty unique for punk at the time. The new guy is good too.

The first few albums by satanic surfers had (a) totally kickass bass player(s), a few well written songs, more than just playing fast and singing "them and us" songs. A bunch of their later songs (except for the stuff off 'going nowhere fast'<best album) is kinda lame.

Matt Freeman(rancid/op ivy) would have to be up there when it comes to being fast and being a musician.

Fat Mike (nofx) is definitely a way better musician than he is a bass player but his riffs certainly suit and fill out their sound really well.

and last but not least! the guy from Frenzal Rhomb (coz he's from my home town). His musicianship/theory is up there too.

The bass player in the punk band that i'm in is the best technical musician out of all of us, he's the only guy whose eyes don't glaze over if I ask about key of song/part or talk about riffs in terms of notes and not fret/string positions.

If you get a chance, check out antiflag and satanic surfers.

 

[Nickthebassist]

Just heard Matt Freeman of rancid, he rocks too!

 

[The Golden Boy]

The bass player from the long defunct Rich Kids on LSD (RKL) was/is good. These guys are probably the most like the bands the OP mentioned.

Maybe it's got to do with the time I heard them, but you can't mention RKL without bringing up the Angry Samoans.

 

[gojirin]

Dee Dee Ramone

 

[The Golden Boy]

Karl Alvarez from Descendent/ALL.

Get the CD "ALL" by Descendents, and prepare to be impressed.

The guy who invented pop/punk bass playing.

Also Bob Thomson from Big Drill Car.

 

[Michael Bolton]

Matt Freeman (operation ivy, downfall, rancid, devils brigade)
Dee Dee Ramone (ramones)
Paul Simonon(clash)

 

[bazzanderson]

Matt Freeman (Rancid)
Paul Simonon (The Clash)
Bruce Foxton (The Jam)
bassist from The Buzzcocks

 

[CJ_Marsicano]

wow, never seen this topic before

As per personnal preference....

No one is more Punk and more Bass and more Kickin then our own Mike Watt

Goddamn right!

 

[avast_bass]

dont know if you;d define it as punk, but Jason Black from Hot Water Music writes some incredible, solid but tight and interesting yet subtle basslines.

 

[RippinItUp]

dont know if you;d define it as punk, but Jason Black from Hot Water Music writes some incredible, solid but tight and interesting yet subtle basslines.

Matt Freeman (Rancid/OpIvy) and Andy Flag (Anti-Flag) get my vote.

 

[rulyøngo]

Another vote for MIKE WATT and DARRYL JENNIFER....

and if I can include FLEA...