Underrated bassists???

[FunkyBassline]

Shon Meckfessel from Cake... man, that guy had some nice bass licks.

PS: Kiss sucks.

 

[Bass Dawg]

I have to mention Chuck Rainey, Stanly Banks and Roger Waters.

 

[Rojo Grande]

Kai Eckhardt...and yeah...Gene Simmons is a douche.

 

[MisterMagician]

I hear the term "underrated" and "overrated" tossed around quite a bit, but why do I never hear of people being "rated" or given the respect they deserve?


One Bassist that definitely deserves more recognition that he already has is Duff McKagan. That man can play.


Also, Gene Simmons is not a terrible Bassist. His personality may be questionable or vulgar, but his musicianship is not.

And I don't understand why people on here don't like him more than they do. He barely plays anything past what he needs to, I thought that was the main "true Bassist" credo.

 

[fractiouslowend]

i can't believe you guys missed-
Rex Brown from Pantera!
awesome player! listen to the song floods and check out what he's doing under the solo. Also i reckon he's got the beefiest tone i've ever heard

another mention, Mawk from Hed P.E. And Sam Rivers from Limp Bizkit. Probably not what many people on this forum would listen as they are 'mallcore' or whatever and kinda looked down on by 'serious' musicians. But i recently went back and had a listen to some older stuff from these bands, and there is some pretty fantastic bass work from both of these guys.

 

[MisterMagician]

Also i reckon he's got the beefiest tone i've ever heard

Cowboys From Hell Bass Track -

Reminds me of Jason Newstead, but with more lows and without the Steve Harris string-hitting-the frets noise. Does Rex use a pic or fingers?

 

[EdHunter]

Nibbs Carter
Bob Daisley
Rudy Szarzo
Duff
Roger Glover
Phil Lynott
Guy Pratt
John Deacon

 

[zachoff]

Geezer Butler for sure.

 

[Noseferatu]

I hear the term "underrated" and "overrated" tossed around quite a bit, but why do I never hear of people being "rated" or given the respect they deserve?


One Bassist that definitely deserves more recognition that he already has is Duff McKagan. That man can play.


Also, Gene Simmons is not a terrible Bassist. His personality may be questionable or vulgar, but his musicianship is not.

And I don't understand why people on here don't like him more than they do. He barely plays anything past what he needs to, I thought that was the main "true Bassist" credo.

Yeah, I think Gene DEFINITELY deserves more credit than he's ever gotten as a musician. I mean, no matter what the guy says about money, music, or how he acts, his musicianship is not something to be made fun of.

We're talking about a guy who writes 30-40 songs OF HIS OWN for each album and demos every single one of em. And he doesn't care about music??


When I first started playing bass and got into music, I absolutely hated the guy. I hated his attitude, and I let that influence my interpretation of his playing. Of course, like many who slight Gene's playing, I was simply bashing him and making comments like "root note hack" and "..you don't need a $5000 bass to properly pound open 1/4 notes" and such....I bashed because it's the "cool" thing to do......
I'd go as far as to say that Gene is one of the best rock bassists of all time. He never plays roots, he's always running around, playing McCartney esque walking basslines, never looking at the fretboard, and hardly ever making any mistakes.
As for the rumors about Gene not playing on the records....not true. There were two records he did not play on in the 80s, because he thought he was an actor, and you can tell it's not him playing, because the songs are all roots! When he got his head back for the Revenge album, those Gene lines started to return.....

Just listen to a couple of these links.

Goin Blind is an absolute masterpiece and he wrote the riff to Black Diamond, which is also a masterpiece.



Not a big KISS fan, but I must say, Gene does not get enough credit. I may sound like a Gene fanboy, but I don't really care.

 

[Noseferatu]

Geezer Butler for sure.

I was just about to say Geezer, John Deacon, and one I don't believe was mentioned yet: Felix Pappalardi

 

[cazksbass]

John McVie from Fleetwood Mac. Tasty.

 

[fractiouslowend]

Cowboys From Hell Bass Track -

Reminds me of Jason Newstead, but with more lows and without the Steve Harris string-hitting-the frets noise. Does Rex use a pic or fingers?

im almost certainly sure he does

also i forgot to mention the bassist from faith no more. i can't remember his name, but while not the most technical player out there, very hummable basslines and awesome tone

 

[fretless_groove]

How about Sean Malone?

He played with Cynic, Gordian Knot, Aghora, etc..
He's knowledge in jazz fusion is incredible..

 

[Laurence_T]

Talking about underrated, i wonder how many non bassists know the names: James Jamerson, Tommy Cogbill, Jerry Jermott, Duck Dunne, Rocco Prestia, yet I imagine everyone has heard at least one line by all of them and they're all so much better than guys like John Deacon, John Paul Jones and Duff Mackagen, as much as i love them and listen to their stuff

 

[80'sRocker]

The GREAT Ross Valory of Journey - listen to some pre-Perry fusion era Journey (1975-77 first 3 albums plus some later work as well), you'll be amazed! Honorable mentions: Andy Fraser (Free), Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith), Duff McKagen (Guns N' Roses) and many others. Pete Way from UFO was also a big influence on me. * It's the notes you DON'T play that matter *

 

[ThunderousFunk]

also i forgot to mention the bassist from faith no more. i can't remember his name, but while not the most technical player out there, very hummable basslines and awesome tone

Billy Gould is his name

I would like to add:
Traa Daniels-P.O.D.
Aaron Collins & Eric Brodin-White Trash

 

[drewhrt2]

I don't usually see Chris Wood of Medeski, Martin, and Wood getting too many props, but I've always loved his playing.

And I don't know how the cats over on the DB side of Talkbass feel, but I really dig Brian Bromberg's upright playing and I rarely hear much about him.

i saw him with the wood brothers a few days ago! they were increadable! and chris probably took more solos and was more featured than oliver. cause hes amazing

 

[drewhrt2]

oh i and i dont think anyone has mentioned FAMILY MAN. imo hes the paul mcartney
of reggae; he plays medolic bass lines that are the foundation of many of bob marleys tunes

 

[alexbrownebass]

Paul Jackson, anybody?

 

[Bassblisters]

+1. He plays some really intersting, subtle, melodic stuff that embellishes the songs beautifully without calling too much attention to himself. Great player.

Gotta mention Steven Severin of Siouxsie and the Banshees. He pioneered some really interesting bass textures back in the day, layering lots of modulation effects and often playing entire parts way up the neck. He and Budgie were, for me, just about the most interesting rhythm section in the post-punk era.

He could hold down a traditional bass role as well. I saw him playing bass with Iggy Pop (along with Carlos Alomar on guitar and Clem Burke on drums), and despite the fact that he was wearing a gray flannel women's business suit with nylons and high heels (or maybe because of that fact), he totally rocked!

+1 for Severin and adding Bruce Thomas (of Elvis Costello and the Attractions), David J. Haskins (of Bauhaus) and solid old Tina Weymouth (Talking Heads & Tom Tom Club).