About nothing, an old college humor video appeared on my Instagram account last week. It shows Blink-182 bassist Mark Hoppus addressing the International Bass Players Association in a dark hotel conference room. “Bears, we have to talk about the problem,” he says. “We have to stop looking so boring when we play.”
Now, that's a bit of chance or proof that the algorithm is always watching, because here in Consequence We have worked hard to organize our own Bass Week. Not because we felt the need to encourage four-string slingers to be more active on stage, but because of what's behind the comedic sentiment in Hoppus' speech. Bassists are arguably the most commonly underrated members of the band, and their contributions are often seen as necessary but ultimately “supporting” elements.
All of that is just a blatant mistake. The bass is more than an accompaniment to the bass: it is the backbone. They bring out the rhythms and hits the soul that give the flashier instruments their guiding light. You might look at the four strings on a bass and think it must be easier to control than a guitar or trumpet, but using those limited, heavy strings to create the fundamental rhythm of everything happening around you is no easy skill.
And the ways in which that skill can be employed are as vast as music itself. From jazz and bebop greats like Charles Mingus and Paul Chambers, to funk masters Bootsy Collins and George Porter Jr., to prog icons Geddy Lee and Chris Squire, to alt-rockers Kim Deal and Melissa Auf Der Maur , and modern stars like Laura Lee Ochoa. and Esperanza Spalding, bassists have helped pioneer the sound of all genres. Some are revered session musicians (Carol Kaye, James Jamerson) and others are among the most famous artists in the world (Paul McCartney). They are all on our list of the 100 greatest bassists of all time.
These are the artists who give your heart something to beat, and their licks become the EKG of the music. Without them, you have nothing but a flat melodic line.
So, sure, Mark Hoppus, let's put the bassist up front a little more to jump around and dance with the rest of the band. But let's not let that be the only way for these critical talents to gain prominence. Let's give them the shine they really deserve. Let's give them bass week.
Stay tuned during the first week of April 2024 for charts, interviews, games (play a mini crossword below!) and more, featuring some of the most famous bassists in music, including Death Cab's Nick Hammer for Cutie, Blu DeTiger, Mr. Bungle's. Trevor Dunn, Julia Cumming of Girasol Bean, Eduardo Arenas of Chicano Batman and others. everything is part of Consequence's Bass Week, and you can bookmark this page and check back every day as we update it with links to the latest Bass Week content.
— ben kaye
Editorial Director
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