John Myung or Steve Harris?

[King Postwhore]

I can.  His sound is the same from the 80's to today.  He is the master of the triplet.  A very distinct style of playing.  A few others are like that.  Geddy Lee is distinct.  So is Tony Levin.  Does that make them better than other bass players?  No but most musicians are honored to read or hear that.

[pg1067]

Cool. What band?

If this was a response to my comment that I used distorted harmonics on bass to start a song back in 90/91, I was being quite literal when I said that maybe a dozen people ever heard it.  We were a local Southern Cal band that never released anything, and I'm not sure the song in question ever got played at a live show.  Nonetheless, the band was called Horizons End, and the song was called "Sacrificial Suicide."  It wasn't the same thing that JM does on "As I Am" (which are "true" harmonics).  I fretted notes and chords with my left hand and played tapped harmonics with my right hand, using chorus and distortion effects.

Ah, I never heard it until Myung except Squire (Thanks to Stads for jogging my memory).  I wanted to check out some music.

I gotcha.  If I ever get around to digitizing our old stuff, maybe I'll upload it to YouTube and post a link.   

Stylistically, Harris wins hands down.  When you hear him play you know it's him.  I like Myung's style more but Harris defiantly carved his niche better. 

Granted, I'm a relatively late fan when it comes to Maiden, but I wouldn't really agree with that.  There are some types of things that, if I heard them in isolation, I might say "Oh, that sounds like something Harris would play."  But I wouldn't necessarily say, "Oh, that sounds like Steve Harris."  I can't say he has a distinctive style.  There are just some things about his style that he tends to default to VERY often, so when one hears a bass doing those things, the mind tends to go there.

I think King's point cuts both ways.  I agree that Harris's playing is extremely recognizable, but I think it's mostly because (1) Maiden songs are written, recorded and mixed to make the bass stand out; and (2) he plays in the same pocket he's played in for nearly 40 years.  JM's playing, on the other hand, is way more diverse.  It's a little like comparing JP to Angus Young.

[King Postwhore]

And isn't that the battle cry for DT fans for a long time?

[Herrick]

I guess I'd choose Myung since I listen to Dream Theater a lot more than Iron Maiden these days even though I still fucking love Iron Maiden. But then again Harris' song writing, playing & tone is more iconic, memorable, influential, & well...audible. Tough choice. I'm gonna have to go with Harris.

[TAC]

  I agree that Harris's playing is extremely recognizable, but I think it's mostly because (1) Maiden songs are written, recorded and mixed to make the bass stand out; and (2) he plays in the same pocket he's played in for nearly 40 years.  JM's playing, on the other hand, is way more diverse.  It's a little like comparing JP to Angus Young.

[Herrick]

  I agree that Harris's playing is extremely recognizable, but I think it's mostly because (1) Maiden songs are written, recorded and mixed to make the bass stand out; and (2) he plays in the same pocket he's played in for nearly 40 years.  JM's playing, on the other hand, is way more diverse.  It's a little like comparing JP to Angus Young.

I think he's making a stylistic comparison rather than a straight up technical mastery comparison.

[King Postwhore]

Tim's favorite band is Iron Maiden.  It's tongue and cheek.

[Herrick]

Tim's favorite band is Iron Maiden.  It's tongue and cheek.

Tim?

[King Postwhore]

That's TAC's real name.

We are homies. 

We've met up at DT and Maiden shows. 

[Herrick]

That's TAC's real name.

We are homies. 

We've met up at DT and Maiden shows.

Since you've revealed his secret identity. I shall reveal mine. I am Herrick...of the Clan MacHerrick 

[pg1067]

  I agree that Harris's playing is extremely recognizable, but I think it's mostly because (1) Maiden songs are written, recorded and mixed to make the bass stand out; and (2) he plays in the same pocket he's played in for nearly 40 years.  JM's playing, on the other hand, is way more diverse.  It's a little like comparing JP to Angus Young.

I think he's making a stylistic comparison rather than a straight up technical mastery comparison.

For sure.  Steve and Angus are, stylistically, close to one-trick ponies, whereas JP and JM play with greater diversity.

[bosk1]

Agreed.  And that isn't a knock.  They are both very skilled players.  But they have an expected go-to bag of tricks that they go to.

[Stadler]

Agreed.  And that isn't a knock.  They are both very skilled players.  But they have an expected go-to bag of tricks that they go to.

Hmm.  Struggling to accept that, but also struggling with arguing with it. Obviously the acceptance is easier with Angus, but generally, I think I think the differences between Steve, John and John in terms of stylistic "diversity" is not as great as it's being made out to be.  The John's have some pretty strong stylistic threads running through the careers.   Compare to Steve Harris, who's first record can almost be considered a punk record, then straight ahead metal (metal that influenced the Johns, I might add) to early prog metal to I'm not sure what you'd call reunion era Maiden, because "metal" doesn't adequately describe it.

I know we disagree on this point - significantly - but I see Petrucci with just as predictable bag of tricks, even if his bag is slightly bigger.

[TAC]

That's TAC's real name.

We are homies. 

We've met up at DT and Maiden shows.

S'up Homie!

For sure.  Steve and Angus are, stylistically, close to one-trick ponies, whereas JP and JM play with greater diversity.

How on earth is Steve Harris a one trick pony?

[pg1067]

For sure.  Steve and Angus are, stylistically, close to one-trick ponies, whereas JP and JM play with greater diversity.

How on earth is Steve Harris a one trick pony?

"I-vi-vii or I-vii-vi chord progressions with either the gallop or triplet rhythm" describes 95% of Maiden's output written by Harris.

Please keep in mind that I love Maiden.  Probably a top 5 band for me, and Harris was one of my primary influences when I learned to play bass.

[Kwyjibo]

Just because Steve Harris has a distinctive style doesn't mean he's a one trick pony. He's much more than that. And regardless of who's better, Steve Harris is probably much more influential.

[TAC]

For sure.  Steve and Angus are, stylistically, close to one-trick ponies, whereas JP and JM play with greater diversity.

How on earth is Steve Harris a one trick pony?

"I-vi-vii or I-vii-vi chord progressions with either the gallop or triplet rhythm" describes 95% of Maiden's output written by Harris.

Please keep in mind that I love Maiden.  Probably a top 5 band for me, and Harris was one of my primary influences when I learned to play bass.

Well as a bass player, maybe you can speak more to it. I don't know the first thing about chord progressions.

[max_security]

Steve's right hand is made of IRON. No formal musical training just a poor kid who wanted to jam , I'd say he did better than the hand he was dealt I'm going with Steve Harris.

[SleeperAwake]

Well, one is a great bass player in a great band.

And the other is the band leader and main songwriter in Iron fucking Maiden.


So... I guess 'Arry gets my vote.

[silentmac6]

I'm no musician; I just love listening to great music. Bass parts for me were always very important as the underpinning of songs. JMX has always performed this role extremely well, eg. Hell's Kitchen, but can stretch out into more demanding parts when neccessary. This is the main point. JMX has more feeling for a song, besides being more proficient. 'Arry is also a terrific player, and has moulded his style into Maiden's sound (and/or vice versa), but that also is the point. His playing is generally of a particular style. Still great, but more limited. JMX got my vote, but I love Steve's passion.