The Invisible Man
Being a bass guitarist is like being the invisible man of the band. The guitarists get all the attention, the drummers get all the women, and you get the bar tab. Bassists seem to compensate for this in several ways. Some jump all around in an attempt to be noticed (see Flea), some retreat even further into the shadows (see Entwistle), and some overplay (see me).
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But do you know something? Without the bass line, the song falls apart. The rhythm stops. The guitar noodling with no sub-strata to hold it up just sounds like some guy practicing scales, and the kick drum sounds like a petulant ex kicking the door to be let in.
And if your removal from the band’s sound doesn’t do this, you’re not doing your part as a bassist. Your contribution has to be just that – a contribution. Not a drone or a kick drum with a note attached to it, but an integral part of the sound.
If it’s not, you may as well just sell your shit and buy a motorcycle.
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Oh – and while we’re at it – I’d like to introduce you to “The Fantastic Four” :
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And, of course – “Rigzilla”…
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“SUNN – when you absolutely have to destroy everyone in the room with low end”.
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