Tony Butler was previously mentioned, but I'll 2nd that one. His work with Big Country and Pete Townshend is great.
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Underappreciated Bassists in famous bands
- Thread starter buldog5151bass
- Start date
Just about all of David Bowie's bass players with the exception of Gail Ann Dorsey who probably got the most attention.
My other faves besides Gail:
Trevor Bolder (forced to record songs right after he learned them and in max of 3 takes! Great Rock Bassist!)
Herbie Flowers (played on Diamond Dogs.... most famous for the awesome jazzy bass line in "Take a Walk on the Wild Side")
George Murray (played on the Berlin Trilogy.... all those great lines on Low and Station to Station.... and the awesome funky bass of Ashes to Ashes)
I think a lot of his musicians were really underrated besides just the bassists.
My other faves besides Gail:
Trevor Bolder (forced to record songs right after he learned them and in max of 3 takes! Great Rock Bassist!)
Herbie Flowers (played on Diamond Dogs.... most famous for the awesome jazzy bass line in "Take a Walk on the Wild Side")
George Murray (played on the Berlin Trilogy.... all those great lines on Low and Station to Station.... and the awesome funky bass of Ashes to Ashes)
I think a lot of his musicians were really underrated besides just the bassists.
Huh! This is interesting, because I always thought that was James Jamerson, but in WikiPedia it says there was controversy over who played on the song... between Jamerson and Wilton Felder.... So, I dunno. Sure sounds like Jamerson to me, but what the hell do I know.
I Want You Back - Wikipedia
Shouldn't all underappreciated bass players in well-known bands be properly referred to as "the guy from (band)"
Anyway, I'll say the guy from The Smiths, Andy Rourke, and the guy from Sleep, Al Cisneros.
Anyway, I'll say the guy from The Smiths, Andy Rourke, and the guy from Sleep, Al Cisneros.
Colin Edwin - Porcupine Tree
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I don't know if The Fall (from Manchester) are a "famous" band, but they were around from 1976 to this year when leader/lyricist/vocalist and only constant member Mark E. Smith departed this veil.
Covering territory from punk to pop to rockabilly covers to Can-inspired krautrock to electronica, they were always faves of mine.
Not brilliant technical musicians, but an ace band through all their innumerable lineup changes.
For much of their existence, bass duties were handled by one Steve Hanley. Great player, IMO. Again, not a technical wizard, but always the backbone of the band and he uncorked a stunning number of great, catchy basslines that really made so many of their songs...
Covering territory from punk to pop to rockabilly covers to Can-inspired krautrock to electronica, they were always faves of mine.
Not brilliant technical musicians, but an ace band through all their innumerable lineup changes.
For much of their existence, bass duties were handled by one Steve Hanley. Great player, IMO. Again, not a technical wizard, but always the backbone of the band and he uncorked a stunning number of great, catchy basslines that really made so many of their songs...
T-Bone Wolk, SNL and Hall & Oates
Bob Glaub
Willie Weeks
And my original inspiration, Carl Radle
Bob Glaub
Willie Weeks
And my original inspiration, Carl Radle
Every cat in that band was awesome, Richie Hayward was one of best rock drummers ever. Feat were one of those bands where the rhythm section almost defined the sound of the whole band.
Don't know if he has been mentioned or not but I always enjoyed Dan K Brown of the Fixx.
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I'm going to throw out Michael Shuman from Queens of the Stone Age. I saw them live in Auckland last Thursday night and spent quite a bit of time watching the bass player, because that's what I do. Mikey is definately not one of those bassists who subscribe to the "there's no money above the fifth fret" rule - he spent a surprising amount of time up the neck. But when he played the lower notes it shook the house - I could feel it in my chest so much I thought I might come away with a broken rib or collapsed lung! Solid as a rock with all the unususal time signatures and changes QotSA do, and 100% locked in tight with the drummer. It wasn't like I hadn't noticed him on the albums, but seeing him live confirmed it. I'm a big fan.
Scott Reeder from Kyuss and Tool. Watching him live is bizarre, it looks like he's punching his bass.
Alex James from Blur. Everyone in that band is fantastic, but Damon Albarn gets all the attention because of Gorillaz.
Whoever played the bass riff on Seven Nation Army. Can't find any information on him, but he's amazing
Alex James from Blur. Everyone in that band is fantastic, but Damon Albarn gets all the attention because of Gorillaz.
Whoever played the bass riff on Seven Nation Army. Can't find any information on him, but he's amazing
I was gonna say Mikey Shoes too! He's amazing, although I liked him better back in 2007 when he still played his Ripper. Then again, I like the 2007 rendition of the whole band better than now. I was gonna go see them in Austin a couple months ago but it didn't work out. Favorite band of all time right there. Hopefully they come back soon. Question: Joey Castillo or Jon Theodore?
Tough choice. From a "back catalogue" perspective I'd have to say Castillo - he's done a lot more stuff that I like than Theodore has. But if I had an opportunity to play with one (ha ha ha - yeah, right) I'd choose Theodore - I like his style and I think I'd enjoy playing with him more.
