Under-rated bands (with good bassists)

[ihaveaquestion]

Annihilator

 

[dalkowski]

I dunno if Cowboy Junkies are "underrated" but their bassist Alan Anton impresses.

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

I would have to say The Jesus Lizard.

David Wm. Sims.

I seen them about 12 times throughout the 90s. He inspired me to get a Jazz Bass.

 

[bearhart74]

Storyville
The Bone Shakers (w/ Randy Jacobs)

 

[logdrum]

I stumbled onto this Psychobilly band from Hungary on YouTube. They are called Silvershine and the girl playing bass is terrific.
Here is the YouTube link to one of their many videos:

That's the first time that someone with long nails can play the bas effectively. Did not think it was possible. She also gets away without doing right hand pulls.

 

[4SG]

Are we sticking with the 90's only? I started playing bass in the 80's and that era was filled with fantastic bassists from bands that were overlooked and underplayed at the time (in the US, anyway). I'm thinking about:

Bruce Thomas - The Attractions
Graham Maby - Joe Jackson Band
JJ Burnel - Stranglers
Colin Moulding - XTC
Bruce Foxton - The Jam
Andy Rourke - Smiths
Mike Watt - Minutemen
Mick Karn - Japan
Jah Wobble - PiL
Dave Allen - Gang of Four/Shriekback
Derek Forbes - Simple Minds
John Doe - X
Norman Watt-Roy - Blockheads

...and many, many more I can't remember off the top of my head.

 

[Jokei]

Wow, some greatness in this thread - that's my favourite Afghan Whigs track to kick off, they're new album's good too.

These guys are criminally underated in my opinion, sadly the bass player died just before the 2nd album came out.

 

[Gully Foyle]

Ah, the great Rob Crow!

He plays bass on this amazing record:

In my opinion the king of under-rated bands = Pinback.

 

[ihaveaquestion]

Ved Buens Ende

 

[faulknersj]

I nominate the Nite Liters...some of the finest bass playing no one has heard.

 

[Tuhnedr]

Blind Melon, Brad Smith has always been one of my favorites.

 

[Pedulla-Player]

HUGE Pinback fan. ABSIV is a beast!

He's a real nice guy as well. I saw them in 2012 in Madison Wi and he was out in the crowd watching their opening band. I went over and talked to him about his Alembic bass and GK 800RB rig. After the show Zack and Rob Crow came out and they signed my Pinback CD and got photos with them with my wife and I. They really appreciate their fans.
Photo left to right: My beautiful wife, ABSIV, Rob Crow, and the goofy lookin' bald guy is me.

ABSIV's first band Three Mile Pilot is quite interesting as well. I also like his project band Systems Officer.

 

[Backdrop]

Polvo

 

[Pedulla-Player]

Ah, the great Rob Crow!

He plays bass on this amazing record:

Yup - got it. As well as many other of Rob's projects. That reminds me that I need to try and find some Heavy Vegtable for my collection.

 

[Pedulla-Player]

Wow! There is a lot of new music from bands that I've never heard of before that I now need to check out. Thanks everyone for your input!

 

[Kipp Harrington]

What are some under-rated bands with good bassists? I always liked The Afghan Whigs and thought they were a highly under-rated band. Their album 'Gentlemen' from 93' still gets into my rotation on occasion.
I really liked John Curley's bass playing and tone on that album. 'Black Love' from 96' was also a really good album from them. I do give them credit because the broke up and got back together and released albums in 2014 & 2017.
I'd like to hear what bands that you think were/are under-rated and deserved more notoriety and air play . Thanks.
**Try to keep it around the 90's era, but if there is a very under-rated band from a different era that you'd like to share with us - by all means do so.

Badlands

 

[stubborne]

Hey, thanks for this thread. Should keep me busy for awhile!

 

[Fat Freddy]

I changed the thread from under-rated bands from the 90's (with good bassists) to just under-rated bands (with good bassists). To open things up a little bit.
I guess try to keep it around the 90's era though (late 80's thru early 2000's), but by all means if there is an under-rated band not in that time frame that you think we should know about - please feel free to share it with us.

Naaah!...It's got too complicated now....

 

[basslifter]

Bob Nyswonger of The Bears!
Go to Fear Is Never Boring around (1:24:30) and All Hail The Glory That Is Bob!
Fear is Never Boring is from one of their previous incarnations as "The Raisins"

 

[RedWire75]

I would have to say The Jesus Lizard.

David Wm. Sims.

I seen them about 12 times throughout the 90s. He inspired me to get a Jazz Bass.

I always end up getting rid of Jazz basses because they don't sound like his. One of my favorite players and bands.