R.I.P. Brad Houser

[Matt Dean]

Dang... I saw him in the Dead Kenny Gs. He was great!
RIP

 

[akukulich]

I'm really sorry to hear that. I always dug his playing with the New Bohemians.

 

[ToddB1963]

This is terribly sad.

I still remember hearing 'What I Am' by Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians on the radio for the first time back in 1988 and thinking "yeah, this guy can play". I was heavily into Jaco at the time and enjoyed hearing another cat playing a fretless bass with such aplomb, especially on a radio hit.

35 years ago, and it seems like yesterday.

Our time is short...

 

[funk generator]

This one stings. I had the opportunity to chat with Brad on several occasions. He's an absolutely stand up guy!

 

[burgerdj]

Damn. I really enjoyed his playing and everything I've read indicates he was a great human. 62. Gone too soon.

 

[kobass]

RIP Brad.

 

[groooooove]

I've been meaning to check out Critters Buggin, but never have. Which album should I start with?

i'd go in chronological order - but there is no bad order, if you are into that kind of music.



this recording has many elements that i think all musicians should aspire to.

true musicianship. this is some of the most authentic music i've ever heard in my life.

there certainly are bass players who could be called "better" in any particular aspect of playing. But what comes to mind with brad is what Leonard Bernstein said about Beethoven. "it is a case of what note succeeds every other note. in Beethoven's case, it is always the 'right' next note, as though he had some private telephone wire to heaven which told him what the next note had to be... where everything is so unpredictable and yet so right. it all checks. it all works out. you can rely on it."

that's how I felt in 2008 when I was blown away discovering this stuff, and re-listening since hearing the news last night, that is absolutely how I feel about his playing.

 

[bassfootballguy]

I met him a couple of decades ago at the summer NAMM show in Nashville when his signature bass was being released with Reverend. We had a long conversation and Brad was so down to earth and funny. He had a great sense of himself and his place in the world and terrific skill on the bass. Godspeed and prayers for his family and friends.

 

[skyline_01]

His fretless playing on "what I am" by Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians is probably why that song was a top 10 hit- and why it continues to endure. It was so inspiring to hear such great bass playing all over the radio and MTV as a kid. What a groove. Gone way too soon.

That bass track is a master class in articulation, phrasing, and melodic playing. When that song came out it elevated my awareness of fretless, inspiring me to eventually buy one and give it a go.

 

[Snibborwocky]

Very sad news, I just heard about his stroke a couple days ago. RIP Brad.

 

[Timothy Brosnan]

What a bummer! here used to post here, seemed like a real class act.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

RIP

 

[60bass]

Such talent taken too soon. RIP and condolences to his family.

 

[Joshua]

RIP, Mr. Houser.

 

[Joebone]

I agree he was very underrated.
Sad news. I didn't know until a little awhile ago. He suffered a stroke. He was only 62.
This was a very nice article of remembrance from Dallas.

Brad Houser, bass player and co-founder of Dallas rock band New Bohemians, dies

Thanks for posting this link. Clearly a special human...

 

[dkelley]

oh no. :-( I'm so sorry to hear this. RIP sir.

 

[Bassy Davy]

Brad was a true artist. RIP

 

[nixdad]

Oh no - So freakin' sad. 62 is WAAAAAAAY too young.

Brad would stop by The Bass Centre in the late 80's/early 90's whenever Edie Brickell & New Bohemians were in town while on tour or for a TV appearance. He was such a genuinely nice guy, and would hang at the store for hours. I remember conversations about Robin and Reverend basses.

I had the honor of having Brad sign my bass that I kept at the store.

RIP, Brad.

 

[viper jazz]

This one really bums me out. Critters Buggin was such a gamechanger for me in terms of showing what music could do when it's not limited to genre. Big time influence.

 

[IPA]

Just heard What I Am on the radio and was enjoying the bassline as always, sad to hear that was why they were playing the song. RIP