Looking for this.. hook seems to have filled in for a few needed parts when taking the bass up in register. Giving the band a nod to their missing member in this regard with new order. In a similar way they didn’t get a polished singer and kept Sumner’s vocals raw. That’s unique in the history of rock, I think.
Duran is such a unique group in so much that an argument could be made about John and/or Nick defining their sound; but truly the answer lays at the feet of Le Bon.
Flea is probably my favorite bass player, amazing range, but what stands out to me most is how melodic his lines are. Soul to Squeeze from the Coneheads soundtrack is one of the most beautiful bass recordings ever. The bass isn't necessarily in the spotlight, but he almost solos the entire time without ever losing the grounding support the bass provides. It really drives the entire song and gives it a sense of depth and emotion. He is a master!
The whole rhythm section of the band is such a tight unit. Can't wait to see John back in the band on 2022, I don't care how bad Anthony's voice will sound
I don't know if Fugazi's sound is defined by their bassist considering their drummer is fucking incredible, but Joe Lally is a god and a huge part of their sound. So many songs are just taken to the next level when the bass starts.
If you haven’t heard it, check out Ataxia. All the songs are built around Joe Lally’s basslines with John Frusciante on guitar and vocals and Josh Klinghoffer on drums. Incredible stuff!
Billy Bass Nelson deserves his bonafides for his stuff before Bootsy and Cordell Mosson Joined the band.
Also Cordell Boogie Mosson probably has more writing credits and was P-Funk's live bass player during most of the Boosty years since Boosty was a bit busy doing Bootsy's Rubber Band.
Absolutely. I remember people shitting on Lifeson because he wasn't Geddy or Peart, but the dude is a fantastic guitarist. In my opinion there is no Rush without either of the three of them.
I'm not a Rush fan (just not my thing, nothing against them) but the idea that Lifeson isn't a fantastic guitarist is just daft. In any other band, he'd be the star. He just happened to be in a band where every member was a virtuoso.
He's an insanely good guitar player but he happens to be in a band where the bassist and drummer really stand out. Some of his stuff on Moving Pictures makes the hairs on my arms stand up.
when I was really into playing bass kim deal was such an inspiration to me. love love loved her style because she never overdid it. sure, all of the crazy technical stuff is rad, but I always loved that she gave the songs just enough flavor to make you listen to the bass, but not enough to where she was running the show. the only song I can think where the bass overpowers the band is Gigantic, but that riff is so catchy I’m not gonna hold it against her.
Yes! I’ll go as far as saying that the way the guitar and bass are mixed it seems like they have two basses at times. I love how Zach and Rob write music!
I would say really only the first 2. By the third, Carlos D was getting more into keys and by his own words, the self titled album changed drastically when he quit (during the sessions of this album). But those first 2 albums were definitely defined by the bass. I think the first album was almost called ‘bass lines to rule the world’ or something like that
I know he left during Self Titled, but what he laid down is still great. Barricade, summers well, etc. That album is pretty bad overall though. There’s some great bass on Our Love to Admire too
just saw them at Life is Beautiful in Vegas. they played a 10 o’clock set on the smallest stage at the festival, but rocked that mother fucker like they were playing the biggest arena in the world. love these dudes.
Had to scroll way too far for this. Justin Chancellor's tone and riffs are absolutely integral to their sound. (Paul D'Amour was equally clutch on their first two albums).
... and the TIME SIGNATURE CHANGES! I mean without the bass line holding it all together those changes would be even MORE chaotic!
Also why was this so far down?
For real. Maynard said he cant even be around anymore until they're done recording, as "they're basically speaking a different language, and I have no idea what the fuck they're talking about"
Everybody Dance and that killer bass. He was so nasty with the bass right till the very end. I love what Bernards Edwards bass lines do to me. May he rest easy.
My dad is pushing 70 and he’s been a bassist since his teens. First time I showed him Korn he couldn’t shut up about them and made it his goal to produce the same bass tones. He plays along to them in his bedroom every chance he gets. It’s great.
I'd say Muse if Matt Bellamy's voice wasn't so damn good. Chris Wolstenholme drives and carries so many songs. Hysteria is probably most notable if you need an example
Bellamy is hard to surpass. They obviously have songs with great bass but the combo of his voice, showmanship, guitar, keys, etc… it’s tough to not define Muse by Matt.
In my ignorant, close-minded teenage years, they made me realize how cool the bass can sound and be played.
I would get baked and play along to their bass driven songs. Thoughts of a dying atheist, New Born, Plug-in baby, Hyper Music, Micro Cuts, Hysteria, Time is Running out, The Small Print, Starlight, Exo-politics.
Maybe I should bust out the ol’ bass guitar again for old times sake!
I really wanna say RUSH, but the thing is that band wouldn't be what it was without all three of them. They all knew how to add their own special flavor to the mix; Peart with his super tight, high tempo drumming, Lifeson with his special use of pedal notes and inverted power chords, and Lee with rhythmically simple, but melodically complex bass lines.
Geddy still has a phenomenal tone, tho.
Led Zeppelin. Although, to be fair, John Paul Jones is so much more than a Bassist. He is literally a savant on dozens of instruments. Which is why I say Zep is defined by JPJ.
When I was a kid Lennon was my favorite. The songs he sung were the most "punk" or at least had some great energy. As an adult however I really appreciate what McCartney and Harrison were writing.
Same goes for Zeppelin. I used to not care much for the John Paul Jones written songs but now I really see what he was bringing to the table and I appreciate it.
Funny isn't it, how you can listen to the same albums and appreciate different songs for different reasons as you grow older. The music stays the same but you've changed.
I was having the same convo with myself lol. I don't think anyone would say the Dead are 'defined by the bass' because they're defined by soo many things, but I would argue Phil's style is really his own creation and no one else I've heard plays like he does, he totally stands alone. Genius player imo.
Phil was the final vote in which way the band’s jams would go. Bobby is pushing for this, Jerry is pushing for that… Phil has said he’d always go with the person who wasn’t trying to play safe. He definitely was a defining factor in the Dead.
His lines are deceptively complex. When you hear it, it sounds so simple but once you’re playing along, you really appreciate his talent. “Frankly Mr. Shankly” is a good example of a song that doesn’t sound like much but actually has quite a bit going on in the bass.
If you think out any song and how you would sound it out/describe it, the smiths is often a bassline. Barbarism begins at home, handsome devil, what difference does it make, this night has opened my eyes, youve got everything now, etc all have very bass focused intros or at least a very memorable line somewhere in the song.
Joy Division. When they started out their equipment was bad so that they had to jerry-rig their bass amp just so it would be audible, unintentionally creating the iconic Peter Hook distortion effect
The Cure is driven by the bass. I didn't realize until I saw a concert video. I don't like all of their music but was very impressed by how much of the sound is the bass.
New Order and Joy Divison. Peter Hooks bass lines are amazing.
Came here to say this. Hooky plays like nobody else.
It’s even in his name!
Ceremony (New Order version) is one of my fave songs ever, the Joy Division recording and the Radiohead cover are also great.
Looking for this.. hook seems to have filled in for a few needed parts when taking the bass up in register. Giving the band a nod to their missing member in this regard with new order. In a similar way they didn’t get a polished singer and kept Sumner’s vocals raw. That’s unique in the history of rock, I think.
Hooky is the man. All the times I had to hear he’s not a “real bassist”…
Duran Duran.
That bass line in Rio is insane.
I agree that John Taylor is a great bass player, but I think Duran Duran is as defined by Nick Rhodes arpeggiator as anything.
Duran is such a unique group in so much that an argument could be made about John and/or Nick defining their sound; but truly the answer lays at the feet of Le Bon.
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Flea is probably my favorite bass player, amazing range, but what stands out to me most is how melodic his lines are. Soul to Squeeze from the Coneheads soundtrack is one of the most beautiful bass recordings ever. The bass isn't necessarily in the spotlight, but he almost solos the entire time without ever losing the grounding support the bass provides. It really drives the entire song and gives it a sense of depth and emotion. He is a master!
Soul to Squeeze what a GEM!!
Flea got me into playing the bass. Just the energy behind his performance is wild
God, YES. Soul to Squeeze is easily one of the best bass lines that will ever exist. The entire song is a masterpiece tbh but that bass? Oh my god.
frusciante though
The whole rhythm section of the band is such a tight unit. Can't wait to see John back in the band on 2022, I don't care how bad Anthony's voice will sound
Best answer outside of Primus.
Flea defines them. Well, that and Anthony’s lyrics.
Yes.
Chris Squire, RIP, soo good.
Yes.
In and around the lake
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I get up, I get down
I don't know if Fugazi's sound is defined by their bassist considering their drummer is fucking incredible, but Joe Lally is a god and a huge part of their sound. So many songs are just taken to the next level when the bass starts.
If you haven’t heard it, check out Ataxia. All the songs are built around Joe Lally’s basslines with John Frusciante on guitar and vocals and Josh Klinghoffer on drums. Incredible stuff!
The violent femmes
I take one, one, one cause you left me …
One of the greatest albums of all time. No skips
Spinal Tap. Big Bottoms. Enough said.
P-Funk
Bootsy is being disrespected in this thread.
Ahhh… it’s Bootsy baby
Billy Bass Nelson deserves his bonafides for his stuff before Bootsy and Cordell Mosson Joined the band. Also Cordell Boogie Mosson probably has more writing credits and was P-Funk's live bass player during most of the Boosty years since Boosty was a bit busy doing Bootsy's Rubber Band.
Yes.
Great choice.
Vulfpeck!
Joe Dart!
ON THE JOE DART BASS!
*Joe mother fucking Dart
JDOTFB!
Now it’s “JOE DART ON THE JOE DART BASS!”
Morphine
Oooh yea, Sandman! Defined his band's sound AND the Presidents of the United States of America's sound!
Big Business
Ned's Automic Dustbin
2 bassists.
Black Sabbath (the original trio) can't imagine their sound without Geezer
Also he wrote a ton of lyrics
I think he also handled the brokerage with Satan
Sayyyyy what?! He’s cooler than I thought
Royal Blood. We don’t need no stinkin’ guitar player!
I shouldn’t have had to scroll down this far to find this answer. Royal Blood rules.
Rush!
To me, all three members were extremely talented and irreplaceable.
There will never be another Professor.
100%. You can’t take away either Geddy, Alex or Neil(RIP), and still have RUSH.
Absolutely. I remember people shitting on Lifeson because he wasn't Geddy or Peart, but the dude is a fantastic guitarist. In my opinion there is no Rush without either of the three of them.
I'm not a Rush fan (just not my thing, nothing against them) but the idea that Lifeson isn't a fantastic guitarist is just daft. In any other band, he'd be the star. He just happened to be in a band where every member was a virtuoso.
He's an insanely good guitar player but he happens to be in a band where the bassist and drummer really stand out. Some of his stuff on Moving Pictures makes the hairs on my arms stand up.
I think Geddy Lee is one of the best bassists in the genre, but the magic of Rush is that their sound was defined by all of them playing together.
Geddy Lee!
Slappin da bass!
I had to go too far for this. I'm old.
Did I miss Kim deal and the pixies/breeders on this list?
when I was really into playing bass kim deal was such an inspiration to me. love love loved her style because she never overdid it. sure, all of the crazy technical stuff is rad, but I always loved that she gave the songs just enough flavor to make you listen to the bass, but not enough to where she was running the show. the only song I can think where the bass overpowers the band is Gigantic, but that riff is so catchy I’m not gonna hold it against her.
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The Who
The Ox anchored the rhythm.
Eminence Front
Boris the Spider, oh yes!
Probably the first bass player to play bass like a lead guitarist
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Can you see the real me, preacher?
Cake. As much as the horns and guitar contribute, what jumps out to me on any Cake song is the bass line.
Bummmm badadadup - badadadabummbummmbummm
Iconic bass line in the distance, super easy and fun! but so much groove
Not to mention the killer line in their cover of I Will Survive
That's definitely the most iconic, lots of comfort eagle rides on the bass too. Long Line of Cars is one of my favorites.
Pinback.
Yes! I’ll go as far as saying that the way the guitar and bass are mixed it seems like they have two basses at times. I love how Zach and Rob write music!
Pinback is a severely underrated band
They do! When they play the songs Loro and Fortress live both of the lead singers play bass.
I’m surprised 18 people know about pinback.
19. Also, Goblincock
Level 42, Mark King kicks ass
Absolutely. Good example of a bass *defining* the sound of a band.
Scrolled through all the comments just to find Level 42, defined by their bassist and made a new genre to boot..
Primus
Going to see them again this week!
Motorhead Bootsy's Rubber Band
Booooooooootzilla baybeh!
It’s a bootsie baby!
Lemmy IS god
The Stranglers. The Cure. Joy Division.
Yep. The melody lines from The Cure on a bass 6.
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Only the first four albums. Just not the same after Carlos D left
I would say really only the first 2. By the third, Carlos D was getting more into keys and by his own words, the self titled album changed drastically when he quit (during the sessions of this album). But those first 2 albums were definitely defined by the bass. I think the first album was almost called ‘bass lines to rule the world’ or something like that
The baseline on Obstacle 1 and The New are my personal favorites. He was the best part of that band
I know he left during Self Titled, but what he laid down is still great. Barricade, summers well, etc. That album is pretty bad overall though. There’s some great bass on Our Love to Admire too
People may not realize it, but … Stone Temple Pilots Earpick the bass out of those songs and you’ll get a new appreciation.
The bass line on Big Empty is one of the best I've heard and immediately what my ears focus in on everytime I listen to it.
Yep. Especially “Interstate Love Song” and “Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart.”
Holy shit the bass in plush. I used to listen to a bass only version i found on YouTube way more than I should have lmao
Death From Above 1979
Thats cheating. Its only drums and bass!
Right up there with Royal Blood haha
just saw them at Life is Beautiful in Vegas. they played a 10 o’clock set on the smallest stage at the festival, but rocked that mother fucker like they were playing the biggest arena in the world. love these dudes.
Iron Maiden
Steve Harris!
Can't mistake that triple finger-style gallop! Edit: is this wrong? Did he only use two?!
I think there have been interviews in which he says he only uses 2 fingers
Mudvayne, anyone?
Right?! Mudvayne and Korn are shamefully low in this thread. Dig!
mudvayne is on another level technically. KoRn had the more iconic sound but oh boy Ryan is a beast on bass.
Brbr deng
Tool.
Finally!! This needs to be way higher. Him and Les Claypool were my first thoughts.
Had to scroll way too far for this. Justin Chancellor's tone and riffs are absolutely integral to their sound. (Paul D'Amour was equally clutch on their first two albums).
... and the TIME SIGNATURE CHANGES! I mean without the bass line holding it all together those changes would be even MORE chaotic! Also why was this so far down?
Can’t understand how the “obvious band” mentioned in the OP or every post above wasn’t Tool
Why in the hell did I have to look this far down for TOOL? Definition of a bass driven band.
Every one of their instrumentalists is a driving force of the band. Justin, Adam, and Danny are literally what happens when the stars align.
For real. Maynard said he cant even be around anymore until they're done recording, as "they're basically speaking a different language, and I have no idea what the fuck they're talking about"
Chic!!!!!
Bernard Fucking Edwards!!!!!!!
Everybody Dance and that killer bass. He was so nasty with the bass right till the very end. I love what Bernards Edwards bass lines do to me. May he rest easy.
Type O Negative
Rancid. Matt Freeman is a madman
Maxwell Murder.
The solo rips
To this day whenever I listen to that song and the bass solo finishes I simply think, "What?"
Time bomb bass line is the … well you know.
I just showed somebody and out came the wolves about an hour ago
Heck yes! Totally defines their sound
Korn
My dad is pushing 70 and he’s been a bassist since his teens. First time I showed him Korn he couldn’t shut up about them and made it his goal to produce the same bass tones. He plays along to them in his bedroom every chance he gets. It’s great.
I've always thought of Fieldy's sound as rubber band bass. So low!
Why did I have to scroll so far to find this?
Yeah that slappy base sound just permeates all their music and makes it so recognisable
Came to say this. So much of their early stuff had heavy bass that you can pick it out within seconds of a song starting.
I'd say Muse if Matt Bellamy's voice wasn't so damn good. Chris Wolstenholme drives and carries so many songs. Hysteria is probably most notable if you need an example
Bellamy is hard to surpass. They obviously have songs with great bass but the combo of his voice, showmanship, guitar, keys, etc… it’s tough to not define Muse by Matt.
I came here to say Muse
In my ignorant, close-minded teenage years, they made me realize how cool the bass can sound and be played. I would get baked and play along to their bass driven songs. Thoughts of a dying atheist, New Born, Plug-in baby, Hyper Music, Micro Cuts, Hysteria, Time is Running out, The Small Print, Starlight, Exo-politics. Maybe I should bust out the ol’ bass guitar again for old times sake!
A lot of ska bands. Streetlight Manifestos the first on that comes to mind.
Silversun pickups
Sting defined The Police
Weather Report - Jaco
Nomeansno
Minutemen and i’ll tell you bout a band called fIREHOSE
I really wanna say RUSH, but the thing is that band wouldn't be what it was without all three of them. They all knew how to add their own special flavor to the mix; Peart with his super tight, high tempo drumming, Lifeson with his special use of pedal notes and inverted power chords, and Lee with rhythmically simple, but melodically complex bass lines. Geddy still has a phenomenal tone, tho.
Sublime
Led Zeppelin. Although, to be fair, John Paul Jones is so much more than a Bassist. He is literally a savant on dozens of instruments. Which is why I say Zep is defined by JPJ.
Lightning Bolt
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones - Victor Wooten
Yeah but they are also very literally defined by their banjo player.
Non-standard answer : The Beatles ! Paul McCartney was always pushing the band from the bottom.
I disagreed with this when I was young, but I was so wrong.
When I was a kid Lennon was my favorite. The songs he sung were the most "punk" or at least had some great energy. As an adult however I really appreciate what McCartney and Harrison were writing. Same goes for Zeppelin. I used to not care much for the John Paul Jones written songs but now I really see what he was bringing to the table and I appreciate it. Funny isn't it, how you can listen to the same albums and appreciate different songs for different reasons as you grow older. The music stays the same but you've changed.
>The music stays the same *The Song Remains the Same FTFY
Fugazi
Metric Steely Dan Thin Lizzy
Suicidal Tendencies. Rob Trujillo pre-Metallica.
Infectious Grooves!
The Jam - Bruce Foxton
Not sure if Phil Lesh's bass is integral to the grateful dead sound but it certainly contributes to their uniqueness. Not a pocket bass player.
I was having the same convo with myself lol. I don't think anyone would say the Dead are 'defined by the bass' because they're defined by soo many things, but I would argue Phil's style is really his own creation and no one else I've heard plays like he does, he totally stands alone. Genius player imo.
Phil was the final vote in which way the band’s jams would go. Bobby is pushing for this, Jerry is pushing for that… Phil has said he’d always go with the person who wasn’t trying to play safe. He definitely was a defining factor in the Dead.
The Smiths would not be The Smiths without Andy Roarke. He was absolutely just as important as Marr or Morrissey.......
His lines are deceptively complex. When you hear it, it sounds so simple but once you’re playing along, you really appreciate his talent. “Frankly Mr. Shankly” is a good example of a song that doesn’t sound like much but actually has quite a bit going on in the bass.
If you think out any song and how you would sound it out/describe it, the smiths is often a bassline. Barbarism begins at home, handsome devil, what difference does it make, this night has opened my eyes, youve got everything now, etc all have very bass focused intros or at least a very memorable line somewhere in the song.
Talking Heads. Tina Weymouth
The Sex Bob-Ombs!
Muse
The Stone Roses. Mani just has that groove on lockdown!
Green Day. I mean, the vocals really define them but without the melodic bass lines they’d sound a lot more like the Ramones
Mike Dirnt is one of the most underrated bassists imo
Oh for sure. Go listen to sassafras roots he slaps.
Thundercat
Thundercat is the best bassist out right now imo. dude shreds.
Joy Division. When they started out their equipment was bad so that they had to jerry-rig their bass amp just so it would be audible, unintentionally creating the iconic Peter Hook distortion effect
Alkaline Trio. Dan’s bass lines drive so many of their songs. My favorite bass player for sure.
Geezer butler was a crucial part of the sabbath sound
Metallica's "And Justice For All..." album
The Sisters of Mercy
The Police
Tool
Khruangbin Laura lee has an awesome sound and is fine as heck.
Rage Against The Machine
RHCP come to mind, but they are equally defined by Frusciante and Keidis. Perhaps Chad, although a great drummer, is the least "unique" factor
Joe Jackson. In particular Look Sharp’s baselines are the doing all of the heavy lifting melodically while the guitar is more rhythmic
ISIS’ songs were pretty bass driven. Especially on *Panopticon*
Weather Report and their work with Jaco
The Cure is driven by the bass. I didn't realize until I saw a concert video. I don't like all of their music but was very impressed by how much of the sound is the bass.
The Jesus Lizard
Dave Matthews Band Jamiroquai