The name your looking for might be Jason Mathew Thirsk (he was, at least, the first bassist for pennywise). Pennywise still rocks, saw them live a few months ago. The song "society" has a cool bassline, but that's not JMT.
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MEGA THREAD:: Favorite/Best Punk Bassist
- Thread starter nyrangerr
- Start date
The name your looking for might be Jason Mathew Thirsk (he was, at least, the first bassist for pennywise). Pennywise still rocks, saw them live a few months ago. The song "society" has a cool bassline, but that's not JMT.
Chris # 2 from Anti-Flag, i cant find his last name anywhere, he's always referred to as #2, he plays some pretty good stuff, check out their song "Turncoat" its got a pretty sweet solo
the bassist from Strike Anywhere is pretty good too
the bassist from Strike Anywhere is pretty good too
We've Got His Gun, IMO, is the best Anti Flag bassline. I have listened to it many a time, haven't tried to figure it out but it sounds cool.
anyone who things punk rock has to contain virtuosic bass playing in order to be worth listening to has no clue about music, art or the meaning of life 
anyone who things punk rock has to contain virtuosic bass playing in order to be worth listening to has no clue about music, art or the meaning of life
There is no meaning to life
Alright. As a diehard punk fan, i have to put in my .02.
I think the reason why many people believe that punk bassists suck is because many of them are guitarists filling in the role of a bassist, or "all they do is pound out 8th notes". There are exceptions to the rule, many exceptions, and punk basslines do seem to be getting more melodic, and you can see that even the "8th note pounders" do have talent- in their fills and creative basslines. In fact, some punk bassists have been spectacular in my opinion (Joe Principe (rise against), Klaus Flouride (dead kennedys, im aware they have been mentioned before). I personally love this style of music, and there is a certain joy to playing it that these gentlemen have found, as have i. I love playing punk, gives me a nice break from playing jazz music with jazz band, and frankly it is a hell of alot of fun to play, to jump and dance around and sometimes just look angry and driven. Or they could play it, in many cases, to get a message out (bad religion, NoFx, Rise Against, Against Me!, the entire fat wreck label, etc)
Oftentimes, they have a message to convey and that far surpasses the need to show off their chops. I agree with that idea. And if the music that you love calls for it, do it.
I think the reason why many people believe that punk bassists suck is because many of them are guitarists filling in the role of a bassist, or "all they do is pound out 8th notes". There are exceptions to the rule, many exceptions, and punk basslines do seem to be getting more melodic, and you can see that even the "8th note pounders" do have talent- in their fills and creative basslines. In fact, some punk bassists have been spectacular in my opinion (Joe Principe (rise against), Klaus Flouride (dead kennedys, im aware they have been mentioned before). I personally love this style of music, and there is a certain joy to playing it that these gentlemen have found, as have i. I love playing punk, gives me a nice break from playing jazz music with jazz band, and frankly it is a hell of alot of fun to play, to jump and dance around and sometimes just look angry and driven. Or they could play it, in many cases, to get a message out (bad religion, NoFx, Rise Against, Against Me!, the entire fat wreck label, etc)
Oftentimes, they have a message to convey and that far surpasses the need to show off their chops. I agree with that idea. And if the music that you love calls for it, do it.
I can't believe this thread has gotten this far without Todd Kowalski. Go pick up Today's Empires, Tomorrow's Ashes by Propagandhi and be enlightened.
Wow, no one has mentioned Chris Gates from the Big Boys, David Simms from Scratch Acid or Jeff Pinkus of the Butthole Surfers and Honky. Texas Represent.
Punk Rock. My Roots. Alright, time to lay it down.
Craig, second and current bassist of: Sick of it All (Original NY Punk Hardcore) This guy is amazing.
Hunter, second and current bassist for AFI.
Joe Principe, second and current bassist of Rise Against.
Chris Aiken, second and current bassist of Strung Out (punk/hardcore/metal). Chris also writes a lot of the guitar parts for the band and he plays a Fender Geddy Lee and Marcus Miller! hell yeah!
These four punk/hardcore/ punk-metal bassists have come in to a band and taken them to the next level.
Mike Dirnt, Green Day (yes they are punk, now they are called pop-punk) I've been following them since early 90s call them whatever you want, they are anarchist and punk is about an attitude; a way of life. Green Day is even more political now. Mike is a great bassist.
Matt Freeman of Rancid. Although I love the other guys I mentioned, Matt is the best punk bassist, ever.
Craig, second and current bassist of: Sick of it All (Original NY Punk Hardcore) This guy is amazing.
Hunter, second and current bassist for AFI.
Joe Principe, second and current bassist of Rise Against.
Chris Aiken, second and current bassist of Strung Out (punk/hardcore/metal). Chris also writes a lot of the guitar parts for the band and he plays a Fender Geddy Lee and Marcus Miller! hell yeah!
These four punk/hardcore/ punk-metal bassists have come in to a band and taken them to the next level.
Mike Dirnt, Green Day (yes they are punk, now they are called pop-punk) I've been following them since early 90s call them whatever you want, they are anarchist and punk is about an attitude; a way of life. Green Day is even more political now. Mike is a great bassist.
Matt Freeman of Rancid. Although I love the other guys I mentioned, Matt is the best punk bassist, ever.
Anyone from the old SST lineup (MINUTEMEN, Husker Du,Meat Puppets, Black Flag) are great bassists. IMO they are the best.
Why couldn't I have been born earlier, I pretty much dislike all the bands of my generation so far, with only a few exceptions (Art Brut is one of the few real punk bands now).
Anyone who truly thinks that punk bands have no talent have not really heard punk. Most people think Sex Pistols or something similar when someone says "punk", but have never heard Patti Smith, Flipper, Against Me!, or any of the bands I mentioned before. I would go as far as to say punk is the most influential and experimental rock genre ever. Its not really a sound, but more of an approach to music. Mike Watt (bassist of Minutemen) says it best in this article Invalid Link Removed .
If you have never truly heard punk, please check out Minutemen, Husker Du, and The Meat Puppets. They are truly eye opening bands and I guarantee if you have an open mine you will fall in love with at least one of these bands.
Why couldn't I have been born earlier, I pretty much dislike all the bands of my generation so far, with only a few exceptions (Art Brut is one of the few real punk bands now).
Anyone who truly thinks that punk bands have no talent have not really heard punk. Most people think Sex Pistols or something similar when someone says "punk", but have never heard Patti Smith, Flipper, Against Me!, or any of the bands I mentioned before. I would go as far as to say punk is the most influential and experimental rock genre ever. Its not really a sound, but more of an approach to music. Mike Watt (bassist of Minutemen) says it best in this article Invalid Link Removed .
If you have never truly heard punk, please check out Minutemen, Husker Du, and The Meat Puppets. They are truly eye opening bands and I guarantee if you have an open mine you will fall in love with at least one of these bands.
Since Im already giving out recommendations might as well go into more detail for people who want to give the genre a test drive.
Minutemen- Double Nickels on the Dime: My favorite album of all time, with my favorite bassist of all time. 43 songs all on one CD, everyone has its own small concept told in an almost poetic way, but with harsh edges. Everyone should own this album.
Hüsker Dü- Zen Arcade: Distortion is a key part in this band, its a 3 piece by sounds like they have two guitarists. Very thought provoking.
Meat Puppets- Meat Puppets II: Hippy 60s + desert country + punk. Shows how open punk really is.
Art Brut- Self Titled: Songs about starting a band, rocking out in an art museum, and Spanish terrorists. Fun, unlike most modern music (especially punk).
Flipper- Album: I dont know why Im recommending this, everyone I have shown it too hates it, but I love it.
My .02, check them out.
Minutemen- Double Nickels on the Dime: My favorite album of all time, with my favorite bassist of all time. 43 songs all on one CD, everyone has its own small concept told in an almost poetic way, but with harsh edges. Everyone should own this album.
Hüsker Dü- Zen Arcade: Distortion is a key part in this band, its a 3 piece by sounds like they have two guitarists. Very thought provoking.
Meat Puppets- Meat Puppets II: Hippy 60s + desert country + punk. Shows how open punk really is.
Art Brut- Self Titled: Songs about starting a band, rocking out in an art museum, and Spanish terrorists. Fun, unlike most modern music (especially punk).
Flipper- Album: I dont know why Im recommending this, everyone I have shown it too hates it, but I love it.
My .02, check them out.
I know it's almost taboo to call any punks "good" or even "great" instrumentalists, but come on, I think punk bassists are probably the most underrated group of bassists out there. Look at Matt Freeman, Paul Simonon, Mike Dirnt, Fat Mike, and a slew of other punks who don't get nearly as much credit as they deserve.
I got the recent punk rock issue of bass guitar magazine, and they didn't even talk about punk bassists! A majority of articles started off with "even though his/her music isn't really punk...". I just think some credit is due to some of these guys, because while the guitars were 3-chording along, these guys were running up and down the scales to make punk what it is...
I got the recent punk rock issue of bass guitar magazine, and they didn't even talk about punk bassists! A majority of articles started off with "even though his/her music isn't really punk...". I just think some credit is due to some of these guys, because while the guitars were 3-chording along, these guys were running up and down the scales to make punk what it is...
Hey in bass guitar magazine it had a tribute to all the punks; sid vicious, the guy from the clash and so on (sorry i suck with names i'm not a HUGE punk fan either just occasional listener)
