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Which bands would suck without their bassist?
- Thread starter Futurebass
- Start date
Brad Johnson said:
Well... He's not exactly Geddy or Les. I'm pretty sure there were a lot of people that could have stepped in and played equally or even better basslines, especially if we're not taking in account singing. I think the only thing that has ever impressed me about Sting's bass playing is when I heard a live recording of "Can't Stand Losing You" and Stewart starts it off way above time. Sting sang and played it spot on. But honestly, there are plenty of musicians that can do that.
I'm not saying he's not good. He is. I think he's a cool dude to boot, but I think that they could have had another bassplayer (maybe not singer) and done just as well.
Even though creativity has nothing to do with this list... I think the more input Sting got with The Police, the less I liked them. Not a fan of his solo stuff and I think that Stewart really was the guy with the better vision. I would rather listen to the Soundtrack to Spyro the Dragon, which Copeland did, then listen to Sting's past couple solo albums
Perfect-Tommy said:
Again... such as, who?
Who can you imagine in his spot that could do what he did (and I don't mean play the stuff Sting came up with).
It would have to be a frontman in this case or it would either become a quartet... or Andy or Stewart would handle the lead vocals.
Even though creativity has nothing to do with this list... I think the more input Sting got with The Police, the less I liked them. Not a fan of his solo stuff and I think that Stewart really was the guy with the better vision. I would rather listen to the Soundtrack to Spyro the Dragon, which Copeland did, then listen to Sting's past couple solo albums
Why doesn't creativity have anything to do with this list?
And AFAIK Sting's input went from the beginning 'til the end.
Sting wrote all the good songs in the Police, but Stewart started the band and was its driving force. Sting and Stewart would get into fistfights over who the leader of the band was (and just about everything else). Sting was never the same after he broke the Police up. At least Stewart and Andy would challenge Sting when he came up with something that sucked. Nowadays a musician challenges Sting and he's unemployed, which results in the vast majority of his solo music being crap (IMHO).
Perfect-Tommy, you are what? 23? That means you completely missed the Police's whole career and are now looking at it as a history lesson. So it's really easy to say that Sting could have been replaced as a bassist and not be missed. But let me assure you that you are absolutely wrong about Sting being easily replaceable.
Sure, he doesn't have the chops of Geddy Lee or Les Claypool (like that matters), and now you hear a ton of bassists that play like he does, so that makes his style seem rather commonplace these days. But what you're forgetting is that Sting completely innovated the style of mixing reggae, ska and rock. Before he came along, absolutely nobody mixed the styles at all. This is an undeniable fact. The Police completely created the genre of reggae-rock, and Sting's basslines were a huge factor. It can be argued that it was Stewart's idea to combine the two, because he takes credit for it, but Sting was a major part of it.
You can say what you want about his skill level, but make no mistake...Sting was an innovator who created an entire new genre of music with the Police. If you think he was replaceable as a bassist, then you weren't there.
Perfect-Tommy, you are what? 23? That means you completely missed the Police's whole career and are now looking at it as a history lesson. So it's really easy to say that Sting could have been replaced as a bassist and not be missed. But let me assure you that you are absolutely wrong about Sting being easily replaceable.
Sure, he doesn't have the chops of Geddy Lee or Les Claypool (like that matters), and now you hear a ton of bassists that play like he does, so that makes his style seem rather commonplace these days. But what you're forgetting is that Sting completely innovated the style of mixing reggae, ska and rock. Before he came along, absolutely nobody mixed the styles at all. This is an undeniable fact. The Police completely created the genre of reggae-rock, and Sting's basslines were a huge factor. It can be argued that it was Stewart's idea to combine the two, because he takes credit for it, but Sting was a major part of it.
You can say what you want about his skill level, but make no mistake...Sting was an innovator who created an entire new genre of music with the Police. If you think he was replaceable as a bassist, then you weren't there.
Govithoy said:
I agree that Incubus changed their Sound, but it was a) already prior to Dirk's leaving (and probably the reason he left), b) imho it didn't really matter which bassist took the spot, imho Mike made a huge cahge n his sound and songwriting.
I don't agree with DMB... i think there are plenty bassists who could fill in for Stefan just fine... don't misunderstand me.. i love his playing, but imho it isn't impossible to replace him.
The late Guns N' Roses - Duff McKagan.
Duff's bass just sound like 80-90's Rock N' Roll to me.
I really dig the Velvet Revolver album.
Duff's bass just sound like 80-90's Rock N' Roll to me.
I really dig the Velvet Revolver album.
Agreed, but their sound changed with every album. One of the distinct remaining factors was that Dirk was always grooving, even in the manufactured pop of Morning View. A Crow Left of the Murder brought a TOTALLY different sound -- very "driven," and definitely lacking in the low end groove department.liquid-dream-ex said:
Brad Johnson said:Which one?
Haha, fair enough. I'm not as familiar with Incognito as I'd like to be...but damn, I love their bassist(s). Good stuff. Who else plays/has played with them other than Julian?
Brad Johnson said:Again... such as, who?
Who can you imagine in his spot that could do what he did (and I don't mean play the stuff Sting came up with).
It would have to be a frontman in this case or it would either become a quartet... or Andy or Stewart would handle the lead vocals.
Why doesn't creativity have anything to do with this list?
And AFAIK Sting's input went from the beginning 'til the end.
I find myself agreeing immensely with Brad Johnson, What did Paul put in that new server?
Imagine Level 42 without Mark King. John Myung with Dream Theater too.
Also any bands that Bootsy played with. Although they obviously kept going, he kicks ass.
Also any bands that Bootsy played with. Although they obviously kept going, he kicks ass.
Govithoy said:
It's very interesting you say that. I'm 100% the exact opposite, I loved Dirks playing and when I listen to it I still get excited and try to play it. However, Ben Kenneys playing is all groove, and it has a very deep lowend sound to it. Example: Sick Sad Little World and Beware Criminal. He plays on the upbeats for most of those songs. After being a die-hard Dirk fan and getting severly angry at the switch I've come to love Ben. His playing is exactly what I want at this given point of time. Plus he uses Mesa
Oh well, I don't really know what I was trying to accomplish with this post.
Cake without their bassist.
STP came immediately to my mind when I read the title of this thread. Robert DeLeo just plain carries half the songs on their albums.
burk48237 said:I find myself agreeing immensely with Brad Johnson, What did Paul put in that new server?
It's a secret.
Govithoy said:Agreed, but their sound changed with every album. One of the distinct remaining factors was that Dirk was always grooving, even in the manufactured pop of Morning View. A Crow Left of the Murder brought a TOTALLY different sound -- very "driven," and definitely lacking in the low end groove department.
Funny thing is, I figured you might be thinking of Randy Hope Taylor and forgetting the great work Julian has done too. IMO of course.
JimmyM said:
That's what I'm talking about. When the Police originally hit the scene, their synthesis of Ska, Punk, Rock and whatever else was something no one else did on their level. Sting played his ass off IMO... no, not in an Adrian Davison type thing, he seemed to consistenty play what the song needed, while jumping around like a madman and handling lead vocals. And his potential replacement would've been...?
I don't think so.
Perspective is a mother. It's sometimes hard for people to appreciate Larry Graham never knowing a world BEFORE he hit the scene. The same is true for Sting. Listen to his TONE on "King of Pain". Listen to the simplicity of the line on "I'll be watching you", it perfectly compliments Andy's arpeguiatted rhythym work and Stweart's snare cutting through like a knife. The guy's phrasing was impeccable. Check out the work on the Ghost in the Machine or Synchonicity albums... or just about any of the early stuff.
Some of his solo work is very good IMO, some leaves me flat. Not at all surprising, they can't all be homeruns.
It's not always about the number of notes, it's where you put them... and what you do with them.
Brad Johnson said:
...
^person that originally asked question.Futurebass said:
Brad Johnson said:
Yes, but as their career went on it became more and more the Sting show. The more his influence came to the top, the less I liked songs mostly. I honestly hate "Every step you take". If I never heard that song again, I wouldn't feel it to be a loss. I like their harder ska, reggae and punk stuff, which is kind of where Sting was leading away from in my opinion.
JimmyM said:
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it would be easy. I'm not saying that any hack bassplayer can do what he does. But... I think there are any number of session players that could have filled his shoes as far as playing the bass, especially if they had a reggae or ska background.
This is just going by bass playing. If we factor in songwriting, singing and such, I have a different opinion. When it just comes to playing bass, he doesn't do anything that a hundred session players couldn't emulate or even improve on.
I think tool would be very lacking, Mudvayne would be pretty bad, Rage against the machine would have been pretty..different. The red hot chili peppers sadly need Flea very much.
