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MEGA THREAD:: Favorite/Best Punk Bassist

#461
Kawai-chang said:
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.
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Two words


KARL ALVAREZ

can play circles around most of the 'punk' bassists out there these days. Great guy too. got to meet him and play with him and check out the Blasting Room. definately check the Descendents or ALL
 
#471
Matt Reilly of Japanther. Not only is he a nice and funny guy, but he's completely reinvented the concept of bass in punk music, like Mike Watt and Daryl Jennifer before him.

As bassist in a bass/drum duo, he is responsible for providing a large part of the melody for their songs (in addition to the tape player that backs them up), he can go from melodic, tapped and harmonic lines, to straight-forward traditional fuzz bass. However, unlike many other players before him, he does not try to be overly antagonistic, confrontational or shocking. Rather, his lines fill the room with melody and fuzzy (rather than fierce) distrotion that emulates a padded room for people to dance like they feel. Reilly and Japanther don't want to punch your face in, they want to be friends with you so everyone can go off and get drunk and have a good time together. It's a cold world and Japanther like to welcome you in from the storm.

God they're an awesome band.
 
#473
If you consider the Violent Femmes punk, then my vote would go towards Brian Ritchie. His acoustic, walking basslines were very uncommon in this type of scene, and he held down the rhythm of the band while still being just as, if not more melodic, than the guitarist. Plus, he was one "punk" bassist who knew how to solo.
 
#474
bassist66 said:
If you consider the Violent Femmes punk, then my vote would go towards Brian Ritchie. His acoustic, walking basslines were very uncommon in this type of scene, and he held down the rhythm of the band while still being just as, if not more melodic, than the guitarist. Plus, he was one "punk" bassist who knew how to solo.
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I concur.

The man helped make good songs great.
 
#478
Along with many already mentioned..

Kira Roessler most well know for Black Flag is highly underated. But Damned bass lines are high on my list. Captain Sensible and Algy Ward both had major chops.

Also, for whomever said Sid Vicious...do you realized he never played a bleeding note? Okay, he hit something, but it was certainly not planned. Glen Matlock was their original bassist, and I think that the recordings were a road manager and some session guys if I am not mistaken.
 
#479
complexprocess said:
And that quote in your signature is actually from a Bad Religion song that Sublime covered. ;)

I'd also agree that Eric Wilson (who you mentioned earlier) is awesome. I don't know how "punk" he's considered by everyone, but he's an excellent player.
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I am very aware of that. Bad Religion is one of my favorite bands. On the other hand I was good friends with Bradley Nowell as well!! Therefoe I don't think anyone could tell me anything about SUBLIME that I don't already know. Peace
 

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