Suppose it depends on personal taste - The Clash are much more accessible, and you can make out the lyrics on the first listen which is a bonus for some people.
It's not controversial to me. I do prefer the self titled and Rock For Light, though.
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using a jazz bass for punk rock
- Thread starter Mantis Tobaggan
- Start date
Suppose it depends on personal taste - The Clash are much more accessible, and you can make out the lyrics on the first listen which is a bonus for some people.
It's not controversial to me. I do prefer the self titled and Rock For Light, though.
I will agree that the later Clash albums were not as good as their earlier ones... and I love Bad Brains, although my fav album is I against I,,,
I know someone has already posted this but I'm too lazy to look at all 13 pages.
Clint Conley - Mission of Burma
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Personally, I don't care what kinda music it is. Play whatever you want. Other people's opinions don't matter.
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Personally, I don't care what kinda music it is. Play whatever you want. Other people's opinions don't matter.
Lotta people's comments give me the impression they aren't into the punk subculture at all.
As far as the statements about 'the instrument isn't the genre' how about Telecasters and C&W, or hair metal and the Jackson Dinky?
There are certain instruments that have a voice that suits a genre.
For punk there are 2 basses I've seen over and over again, the Stingray and the Jazz Bass.
(and I was doing sound at punk clubs for 15 years, it really was over and over again)
They both have that presence and definition that works well for fast music.
There is also the really silly thing that Jazz basses look cool with a really long strap, thanks to the offset body.
As far as the statements about 'the instrument isn't the genre' how about Telecasters and C&W, or hair metal and the Jackson Dinky?
There are certain instruments that have a voice that suits a genre.
For punk there are 2 basses I've seen over and over again, the Stingray and the Jazz Bass.
(and I was doing sound at punk clubs for 15 years, it really was over and over again)
They both have that presence and definition that works well for fast music.
There is also the really silly thing that Jazz basses look cool with a really long strap, thanks to the offset body.
I have seen pretty much every one of the popular bass models successfully used for punk. Precision, Jazz, StingRay, Ric, Gibson, they have all been used by a punk artist somewhere.
I went to my first punk show at CBGB in 1983, at the tender age of 14. I grew up with this music.
The alternative and punk scenes of the 1970s and 1980s were defined less by what was popular amongst musicians than by what was unpopular, and therefore cheap to buy secondhand in music shops. That’s why you see the use of so many off-brands in punk and alternative, which in turn lead to the revival of “offset” guitars and hollowbodies. We grabbed whatever we could most afford, and in true punk DIY fashion, we made it work.
I went to my first punk show at CBGB in 1983, at the tender age of 14. I grew up with this music.
The alternative and punk scenes of the 1970s and 1980s were defined less by what was popular amongst musicians than by what was unpopular, and therefore cheap to buy secondhand in music shops. That’s why you see the use of so many off-brands in punk and alternative, which in turn lead to the revival of “offset” guitars and hollowbodies. We grabbed whatever we could most afford, and in true punk DIY fashion, we made it work.
I agree with this.
My first punk band in 83 or 84 I played an EKO SG style bass. Our guitarist had some cheapo guitar that he had to tune constantly. I used a hifi amp into a guitar cab for bass.
I really miss the pre-internet era of used gear. You could discover stuff and sometimes get insane deals at garage sales or by scanning classified ads in papers and free weeklies. Thats how I ended up with a white 60s or 70s Precision for $100 with a Fender combo which blew up flames and all.
And pawn shops were kind of amazing before they could look up completed sales on Ebay and add 50%.
My first punk band in 83 or 84 I played an EKO SG style bass. Our guitarist had some cheapo guitar that he had to tune constantly. I used a hifi amp into a guitar cab for bass.
I really miss the pre-internet era of used gear. You could discover stuff and sometimes get insane deals at garage sales or by scanning classified ads in papers and free weeklies. Thats how I ended up with a white 60s or 70s Precision for $100 with a Fender combo which blew up flames and all.
And pawn shops were kind of amazing before they could look up completed sales on Ebay and add 50%.
...and you will know us by the trail of dead used jazz basses for 25 years until the third bassist stepped in. The new bassist uses a 54 precision replica.
trail of dead - relative ways (letterman) (youtube.com)
trail of dead - relative ways (letterman) (youtube.com)
Joe Lally of FUGAZI using a Jazz Bass live. He usually uses a Music Man.
Punk is less a style of music or a sound than it is a scene, an attitude, a posture facing the world. Be the best “you” that you can and play what you like to play.
Yes- that's it. Walking honestly, owning your humanity, putting what you've got to offer on the table. No posing, but welcoming courage. And some enthusiasm is desirable!
I will concur that the best punk bass is what ever you can afford from the pawn/2nd-hand shop - the second bass I ever owned was thus sourced.
Attitude and passion are the important attributes.
I will mention that punk ~= punk rock.
Many of the subgenres, such as hardcore, crust, etc, are more technically demanding.
Loudness, and usually some distortion, are the key sound aspects usually, and you can get that with any bass.
As an aside, J.J. Burnel of The Stranglers (got classified as punk at the time) is who inspired me to take up the bass. That "kicking the door open" sound he has.
Attitude and passion are the important attributes.
I will mention that punk ~= punk rock.
Many of the subgenres, such as hardcore, crust, etc, are more technically demanding.
Loudness, and usually some distortion, are the key sound aspects usually, and you can get that with any bass.
As an aside, J.J. Burnel of The Stranglers (got classified as punk at the time) is who inspired me to take up the bass. That "kicking the door open" sound he has.
