Author Topic: "Bands need bassists" and two-person bands (Read 12106 times)

Sigz · « **on:** February 22, 2011, 02:06:03 PM »

Carried over from the discussion here: https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=7221.1680

GOGOGOGOGOGOGOO

As for me, I can think of several guitar/drum bands that do perfectly fine: Black Keys, White Stripes, Hella, and Giraffes? Giraffes! are the first ones to come to mind. Certainly saying a something isn't band without a bassist is pretty ridiculous.

orcus116 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2011, 02:08:07 PM »

Two-person rock bands can work and I'm not saying bassists aren't necessary but bands have succeeded without them.

jsem · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2011, 02:08:42 PM »

Bass = backbone

When there is prominent bass, I think things sound so much better. SO much better.

Sir GuitarCozmo · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2011, 02:09:23 PM »

To that, I say:

BRRRRRONSKIIIIII!!!!!!

Fluffy Lothario · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2011, 02:12:42 PM »

The only band like this I've heard is The White Stripes, and their sound isn't supposed to be "fleshed out", it's meant to be very stripped back and basic (which is actually why Jack White always used Meg White as his drummer even though she's average as hell, because all the drums are even meant to do in the White Stripes is accentuate what he's doing) so the lack of bass in their music is to me totally excusable.

Especially since, whenever I listen to their stuff, I don't miss it at all.

antigoon · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2011, 02:20:01 PM »

I think the notion that a band needs any specific instrument to be called a band is just silly.

Ravenheart · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2011, 02:21:30 PM »

Quote from: antigoon on February 22, 2011, 02:20:01 PM

I think the notion that a band needs any specific instrument to be called a band is just silly.

sonatafanica · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2011, 02:24:01 PM »

To this thread I offer El Ten Eleven

Big Crouton · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2011, 02:26:55 PM »

Basses are fairly essential, but not entirely necessary. Don't get me wrong, I think they add a key component to the sound of a band, but some bands get by without one, and are arguably better off without the bass. Not many bands can pull it off, but white stripes are a good example, and there's an awesome localish band called "We Are The City" that makes fantastic music and fills out wonderfully with just drums, keys, guitars, and vox. That's one of very few bands out there that I think is better off without a bassist.

If I had to choose between having a bassist and having a drummer (which is hopefully a choice I'd never have to make) I'll take the drummer any day.

I also agree that to say something isn't a band because it doesn't have a specific instrument is a foolish claim.

Fuzzboy · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2011, 02:30:22 PM »

Quote from: ravenheart on February 22, 2011, 02:21:30 PM

Quote from: antigoon on February 22, 2011, 02:20:01 PM
I think the notion that a band needs any specific instrument to be called a band is just silly.

This, but I couldn't imagine playing the music I've written without a bassist.

King Postwhore · « **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2011, 02:45:56 PM »

I personally like a full band that adds and subtract instruments for mood then a 2 man(girls too) band.

skydivingninja · « **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2011, 03:05:04 PM »

Quote from: antigoon on February 22, 2011, 02:20:01 PM

I think the notion that a band needs any specific instrument to be called a band is just silly.

I agree and I'm a bass player. However, unless its like some kind of folk thing with two guitars, I'd rather hear a guitar/bass/drum setup over guitar/drums any day.

jsem · « **Reply #12 on:** February 22, 2011, 03:42:16 PM »

I'd rather hear Bass/drums over guitar/drums. And I'm not talking drum & bass.

Quote from: antigoon on February 22, 2011, 02:20:01 PM

I think the notion that a band needs any specific instrument to be called a band is just silly.

No one ever said that.

Straw man.

Big Crouton · « **Reply #13 on:** February 22, 2011, 03:42:55 PM »

Quote from: jsem on February 22, 2011, 03:42:16 PM

I'd rather hear Bass/drums over guitar/drums. And I'm not talking drum & bass.

Quote from: antigoon on February 22, 2011, 02:20:01 PM
I think the notion that a band needs any specific instrument to be called a band is just silly.

No one ever said that.

Straw man.

If you read the thread in which the discussion started, at least 2 people said exactly that.

jsem · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2011, 03:45:54 PM »

I think you're referring to my post, as my post in that thread was the only one remotely close to such an argument. And if it were my argument, antigoon is putting words in my mouth - because I certainly didn't equate no bass with no band.

ariich · « **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2011, 03:48:01 PM »

Quote from: antigoon on February 22, 2011, 02:20:01 PM

I think the notion that a band needs any specific instrument to be called a band is just silly.

That.

And a band simply requires more than one person (if it's just one, I'd call it an artist).

jsem · « **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2011, 03:51:46 PM »

So, one-man bands don't exist?

I guess Nine Inch Nails is not a band.

I agree in a way though, one can't perform all the instruments at the same time

setrataeso · « **Reply #17 on:** February 22, 2011, 03:53:50 PM »

Quote from: ravenheart on February 22, 2011, 02:21:30 PM

Quote from: antigoon on February 22, 2011, 02:20:01 PM
I think the notion that a band needs any specific instrument to be called a band is just silly.

Yeah, pretty much this.
PLM said that the lack of a bottom-end sound turns him off The White Stripes. Which is a just a statement to make. If you feel like the lack of a particular sound is a reason to think less of a band, then who's to argue with you.
But to turn "This band would sound better with X" into "Bands need X" is a wildly ignorant thing to say.
I know PLM is a bassist and it matters to him, but he's also a musician, and it's disappointing to see him make such a narrow-minded statement...

jsem · « **Reply #18 on:** February 22, 2011, 03:56:04 PM »

So. You're denying that White Stripes would sound better with a bass?

Phail.

ariich · « **Reply #19 on:** February 22, 2011, 03:58:13 PM »

Quote from: jsem on February 22, 2011, 03:51:46 PM

So, one-man bands don't exist?

I guess Nine Inch Nails is not a band.

Indeed it is not, I'd call it a project.

Orbert · « **Reply #20 on:** February 22, 2011, 03:59:21 PM »

The Doors were amazing, and they did not have a regular bass player. Ray Manzarek covered the bottom end with his keyboards.

Emerson Lake & Palmer have many tunes in which Greg Lake takes a guitar solo, and when they play it live, Emerson covers the bottom end with keyboards.

For that matter, last time we rehearsed, our bass player was half an hour late, so I covered the bottom end on keys (anyone see a pattern?) and our WL turned around a started looking for our bassist, assuming he'd slipped in the back way or something. Nope, just me.

There's no question that a good bass player adds a lot to the sound of a band, but it is not required. But I can't think of any rock band that doesn't have something in the lower end. It just seems like you'd need it. I've never listened to White Stripes, so I didn't even know that they don't have a bassist. Probably too busy checking out the girl with the big breasts.

jsem · « **Reply #21 on:** February 22, 2011, 04:01:44 PM »

Yes. Lower end is necessary.

Can we all at least agree on that?

Big Crouton · « **Reply #22 on:** February 22, 2011, 04:04:01 PM »

Quote from: jsem on February 22, 2011, 03:45:54 PM

I think you're referring to my post, as my post in that thread was the only one remotely close to such an argument. And if it were my argument, antigoon is putting words in my mouth - because I certainly didn't equate no bass with no band.

Actually, It was Playslikemyung who stated that more explicitly.

Anyways, here's my thoughts.

In rock bands, bassists are less essential than drummers, and sometimes less essential than guitarists. Guitarists are also less essential than drummers, and sometimes less essential than bassists. Bands can be complete without a bassist, as they can be complete without any particular instrument, including guitars or drums. It's hard to rock without drums though.

Also, yes, the vast majority of bands are better with and require a bassist. Some bands do not require bass though, nor would their sound be made more complete with a bassist.

sirbradford117 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 22, 2011, 04:07:54 PM »

Allow me to offer up the Dresden Dolls as a candidate for consideration. Piano and drums only. Pretty solid rock.

LieLowTheWantedMan · « **Reply #24 on:** February 22, 2011, 04:20:47 PM »

I actually think bass is the most essential instrument. To me any band without bass just feels like it's missing something. I guess I can't say much for drums though since Harmonium is the only drumless band I know, but they sound perfectly fine without.

Dimitrius · « **Reply #25 on:** February 22, 2011, 04:23:59 PM »

Quote from: Sir GuitarCozmo on February 22, 2011, 02:09:23 PM

To that, I say:

BRRRRRONSKIIIIII!!!!!!

DAMN! I never noticed Meg White had such big... tom-toms. (loldrumpun)

jsem · « **Reply #26 on:** February 22, 2011, 04:27:39 PM »

I've never considered Meg White attractive. That image hasn't convinced me otherwise. And that look on her face is the total attention is all i seek look.

DarkLord_Lalinc · « **Reply #27 on:** February 22, 2011, 04:29:11 PM »

Yeah, I'm terms of audio I'd go forward and say that the lower end is much more important than the high end.

Jamesman42 · « **Reply #28 on:** February 22, 2011, 04:31:02 PM »

Every band ever has to have bass. That is the definition of a band. Bass = band.

jsem · « **Reply #29 on:** February 22, 2011, 04:32:24 PM »

Quote from: Jamesman on February 22, 2011, 04:31:02 PM

Every band ever has to have bass. That is the definition of a band. Bass = band.

Lol.

DarkLord_Lalinc · « **Reply #30 on:** February 22, 2011, 04:33:16 PM »

John Myung = Dream Theater?

Colin Edwin = Porcupine Tree?

jsem · « **Reply #31 on:** February 22, 2011, 04:34:21 PM »

Paul Chambers = John Coltrane Quartet

orcus116 · « **Reply #32 on:** February 22, 2011, 04:35:38 PM »

I've having a hard time calling the bass a without a doubt must mainly due to the fact that a ton of bands have a bass solely to play the root notes, which is one of the most offensive wastes of an instrument.

jsem · « **Reply #33 on:** February 22, 2011, 04:36:49 PM »

According to James....

A marching band is not a band.

A wind band is not a band.

etc....

Jamesman42 · « **Reply #34 on:** February 22, 2011, 04:38:20 PM »

Lol you know I was joking, right?

News: Track-by-track video for Fall Into the Light: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ezfzdMpRc0

Author Topic: "Bands need bassists" and two-person bands (Read 12106 times)