Rock bands with no bassists

[bolophonic]

My new band played its second show as the opener for a three band bill on Saturday. I had heard of the headliner before, but didn't know anything about them, except that they were a three-piece.

So after the middle band, I started watching the main act set up and there was some funky looking guitar rig, which didn't interest me, then the drums, then.... another oddball guitar rig. The guitarist of my band looked stoked, but my drummer heard me groan audibly as I realized that there was no bassist and he understood.

Both dudes in the headlining act were sporting aluminum-necked baritone guitars. They sounded cool enough, but there is really no equivalent to the disappointment that I feel when rock bands make the decision to forego a bassist. It would be like going to the theater to see a movie and then realizing that it was actually a cartoon or something. At least their drummer was awesome.

 

[catcauphonic]

Yea, I hate when that happens ... but hey, whatever get's you to the sound you seek in the end is fine.

I'm going to start with the obvious ... The Doors

 

[randyripoff]

Roxy Music.

 

[bolophonic]

I can see that this is going to turn into a thread that lists every single band I don't listen to.

 

[bolophonic]

Also: the list of "rock" bands with no bassists is technically a blank page, because stomping around on the keyboard or a guitarist doing some bass lines in the studio is not how rock and roll is made.

I might accept some leeway for the band Suicide deafening everyone at CBGB's, but that's about it.

 

[sean_on_bass]

Every organ trio ever. But organ bass sounds pretty sweet and i respect it.

Edit: Not rock music.

 

[bolophonic]

Every organ trio ever. But organ bass sounds pretty sweet and i respect it.

Edit: Not rock music.

You just reminded me of the Simpsons episode where Bart sneaks the music to Inna Gadda Da Vida into the pipe organists folder at church. That was pretty rockin.

 

[dabaumtravis]

The White Stripes (duh)
Early Black Keys

 

[bolophonic]

The White Stripes (duh)
Early Black Keys

No bassist = not rock and roll. See?

 

[dabaumtravis]

No bassist = not rock and roll. See?

....No?

 

[bolophonic]

....No?

I'm sorry, man.

 

[static0verdrive]

I don't think Animals As Leaders have a bass player - just two 7-string guitars. I agree it's too bad, but in their case they pull it off I guess. I'd still like to pop a really talented bass player in with them just to hear it...

 

[dickseacup]

....No?

Well, I've always heard TBK referred to as "Blues Rock", not "Rock 'n Roll." Or maybe it was "Blooz Rawk." Anyway, I was huge in to them back in the early days. Saw them in small venues in Akron and Cleveland, all the way through the show in Pittsburgh a year or two ago (with The Flaming Lips). They played double time to get out of the arena so it could be turned over for a hockey game the next day. That was when I decided TBK had gotten too big to really enjoy. Just not the same as seeing them in the Agora. Their later stuff does include a bassist, btw. Doesn't sound necessarily better than the early stuff, just different.

FWIW, I think they're rock 'n roll.

 

[gjbassist]

I remember seeing Jimmy Vaughn (SRV's older brother) at a blues festival in the early 90's. I was disappointed to see that instead of a bass player he had someone on organ doing the bass parts with his feet. Not really rock n roll but IMO blues needs a solid bass line just as much!

 

[dabaumtravis]

Well, I've always heard TBK referred to as "Blues Rock", not "Rock 'n Roll." Or maybe it was "Blooz Rawk." Anyway, I was huge in to them back in the early days. Saw them in small venues in Akron and Cleveland, all the way through the show in Pittsburgh a year or two ago (with The Flaming Lips). They played double time to get out of the arena so it could be turned over for a hockey game the next day. That was when I decided TBK had gotten too big to really enjoy. Just not the same as seeing them in the Agora. Their later stuff does include a bassist, btw. Doesn't sound necessarily better than the early stuff, just different.

FWIW, I think they're rock 'n roll.

I also think they're rockin' enough for the purpose of this thread, as are the White Stripes.

 

[Lobster11]

I don't think Animals As Leaders have a bass player - just two 7-string guitars. I agree it's too bad, but in their case they pull it off I guess. I'd still like to pop a really talented bass player in with them just to hear it...

I've thought about that. I vote for Bryan Beller or Julie Slick.

 

[bolophonic]

I don't think Animals As Leaders have a bass player - just two 7-string guitars. I agree it's too bad, but in their case they pull it off I guess. I'd still like to pop a really talented bass player in with them just to hear it...

Perfect example. The bass is the philosophical cornerstone of the band. Without it, you just have the unrestrained id of the guitarist.

 

[davethis]

Cmon people !
The Cramps
THE CRAMPS !!!!!

 

[Rocker949]

"Now they have banging guitar and no bass and call it rock, but that's not what I call rock."

--Little Richard

 

[static0verdrive]

Cmon people !
The Cramps
THE CRAMPS !!!!!

I wrote a song when I was young called "Gramp's Cramps for Granny's Crannies" lol