• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Stefan Lessard

PocketGroove82

PocketGroove82

Oct 18, 2006
1,709
53
Italy
#1
I've heard the stories, read the bios, and listened to much of the music. So, I'd like to know other's opinions.

What do you guys think of DMB's Stefan Lessard? Why is it so hard for me to believe the stories? Why do I feel like the rest of the band tells him what to play? If he truly is some kind of musical wunderkind, then why haven't I heard him anywhere else and why is no one else booking him as their bass player?

Please, prove my suspicions wrong. I love the DMB but the stories don't make sense.
 
#7
JimK said:
...he's able to hang with a drummer like Carter.
Click to expand...
That says it all right there.

Watch (or listen to) any live DMB stuff. His improvisational skills are apparent. No one is telling him what to play.

Also, I think it's unfair to questions someone's ability simply because they don't do other projects, don't you?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dominic DeCosa and Fat Steve
#9
he's done work with gov't mule, dar williams, etc.
plus, apparently, he's really into surfing and boarding, so that may explain....uh, whatever's trying to be explained here.

his guest appearances just might seem tame in comparison to the music sluts he plays with in DMB. :)
 
#10
JimK said:
Tasteful player with some nice muted-style grooves...and he's able to hang with a drummer like Carter.
Click to expand...

I actually read in an interview with him in Bass Player where he was saying that in order to play with Carter, he basically has to follow his own inner metronome. Some of the stuff that guy does is just so crazy, he just doesn't even try to follow it, and trusts that Carter will find his way back into the groove. Also, the DMB basically only tours once a year, all summer, so I don't think it's a "not enough time" issue with Lessard.
 
#11
I like Lessard's playing a lot. His work on "41" (Crash) is so tasty and lyrical I almost cried the first time I heard it. What's really interesting about DMB is that EVERYONE in that band takes a "vocal" approach to their parts and they really tailor their playing around Dave's vocal delivery. Even (and especially) the drummer, who is constantly playing off the lyric. That's pretty unusual and I think that's why there's such a "love em or hate em" mentality around that band.

Lessard's tone OTOH I've never quite been able to get my head around. It tends toward a little "muffly" for my taste... would like it to hear a little more "sparkle" and "glass". But again, that's just me. I do think he's a great match with Carter Beauford. If some bassist went in there trying to "top" Beauford it would be a total train wreck. But those two work together well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jhengsman
#12
I used to play in a DMB cover band and Stefans lines were very understated for the most part and IMO it sounded like he did a lot of staying out of the way with Carters very busy drumming.When I played in that band my tone was way different than the one he goes for so it was a bit of a stuggle to stay true to what he was doing on the recordings
 
#13
i've been listening to the radio while driving more recently, and one station plays DMB semi-frequently...i really dig stefan's playing--i need to buy a few albums and study up on him a bit

i like the way he plays with the drummer and supports the band, and his sound seems to fit well:)
 
#14
first, what are these "stories" you are referring to?

second, I recommend listening to stefan's playing on Bartender from the Lillywhite Sessions, starting at about 5:30 his chops and musicianship become very apparent. That is probably one of the best studio takes of any DMB song I have ever heard.

Like others stated above, I think he takes a mellow approach to being the bassist in a band where flowery improvisation abounds.

Finally, what's wrong with letting your band mates tell you what to play? If you're not working together and collaborating to reach a collective sound then you're not going to end up sounding very good in my opinion. You can do a lot with a written part. Make it your own, your style, your tone, your spacing, timing, etc... do a lot to set you apart and adds to the overall experience.
 
#15
I love his playing on the DMB tracks. I think that he's a very capable bass player. I've also read that he was some type of prodigy which I don't really see. Could just be bad information. There is a video on youtube of him doing a solo and I have to say it's pretty disappointing but I still think that his work on the albums and live is killer. I really enjoy listening to the basslines in most Dave songs. He's very good at what he does but not really a prodigy or anything. There isn't much room left for a bass player to show off when playing with Carter though.
 
#16
Yeah, if you all look up on the solo he performs in Central Park it's not really something to write home about. It has some okay parts, while others are pretty horrible.

I've actually become quite a fan of his playing; I think he's highly capable and he has a great sound aswell.

But what are these stories you are referring to?
 
#17
Taxxorrak said:
Yeah, if you all look up on the solo he performs in Central Park it's not really something to write home about. It has some okay parts, while others are pretty horrible.

I've actually become quite a fan of his playing; I think he's highly capable and he has a great sound aswell.

But what are these stories you are referring to?
Click to expand...


I tried to find the stuff that I read about that but I can't seem to locate it. No matter, I'm with you, big fan of his playing even if he's not a prodigy. I know I read that somewhere though.......
 
#18
HI

Not a fan of DMB but cant help to hear their music all the time, for obvious reasons. I think hes very good. I think his style is predicated by the drummer, who over the top busy and such. Doesnt allow for a bassist to do much more than what he does. He's a credit to the band, IMO

Rob
 
#19
Going to Virginia Tech back in the early 90's, DMB was a mainstay at our fraternity and others on the row and all the schools up and down the i-95 corridor. They were great guys to hang out with and Stefan was very humble.....but he kicked butt night after night and he always changed things up. I think that he was only 18 give or take a year! He'd do a great little run and Dave would just smile. VT had 25,000 students and it seemed like everyone was wearing DMB hats and other merch as they had the east coast jumping and singing along and sold 100,000 copies of their self released album before a label knew what to do with them. I still have mine somewhere. I opened for them a few times and we'd talk shop all the time. It was odd but exciting to see them get so big but they worked their butts off touring for years to get there.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back