Hey guys, I have a friend who just picked up the bass a couple of weeks ago, and he is absolutely LOVING it. I'm really happy for him. So, he keeps asking me for bands he can listen to to get inspiration and things that are really bass heavy. My problem is I just don't know what to tell him. I give him a couple of really obvious ones like Primus and Mudvayne, but I don't really know what else to say. Can you guys help me out a little with bands that are known for their bassist?

Thanks to anyone who can help!!

I would've hoped Rush would have been among the "really obvious" bass-driven bands.

Possibly Dream Theater (I don't know a ton of their catalog -- is the bass-heaviness of "Panic Attack" the rule or the exception?)

I'm not sure if Red Hot Chili Peppers should count as obvious or as cliche, but I'll toss their name in too.

Dream Theater has the occasional bass-driven song, but for the most part bass is pretty low in the mix on their albums. (That being said, the bass solo in Metropolis Pt. 1...)

I'd also point out KISS, Jamiroquai, The Police, The Cars, Magma's albums with Jannick Top, Red Fang, I Mother Earth, Devo, and Duran Duran as bass-heavy bands. In particular I'd point out a lot of funk-rock, sludge/stoner metal, and New Wave if you want some prominent bass work.

Victor Wooten

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Originally Posted by ClaptonsWig

Victor Wooten

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Was trying to avoid the obvious inclusion of jazz bassists, although I did kinda open that door with citing Jannick Top, didn't I?

MUDVAYNE

Ryan Martinie is one of the most underrated bassists alive and easily gets overlooked with some of the bigger name bassists out there.

And speaking of DT, the bass solo in "The Dance Of Eternity" is just flat out sick. That whole composition is a progressive juggernaut. I think I counted once for a project in my music theory class in high school, there's something like 104 time signature changes in that song.

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Originally Posted by Mega-Tallica

MUDVAYNE

Ryan Martinie is one of the most underrated bassists alive and easily gets overlooked with some of the bigger name bassists out there.

And speaking of DT, the bass solo in "The Dance Of Eternity" is just flat out sick. That whole composition is a progressive juggernaut. I think I counted once for a project in my music theory class in high school, there's something like 104 time signature changes in that song.

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Agreed on both counts (and I need to listen to L.D. 50 again). Forgot the exact number of time signature changes in The Dance Of Eternity, but I remember it being over 100.

Yes.

Chris Squire is one of the best bassists in rock. If it isn't the bass line to Heart of the Sunrise that astounds him, it'll be the one from Sound Chaser, or the one from Machine Messiah, or any other given Yes track pre-1983.

The fourth incarnation of King Crimson (with Tony Levin on Bass/Stick) is the most bass-driven music I can imagine. The albums Discipline, Beat, and Three of a Perfect Pair (of which I recommend Beat third, the other two in any order you please)

Frame by Frame
Elephant Talk
Sleepless
Three of a Perfect Pair

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Originally Posted by sonicnerd23

Yes.

Chris Squire is one of the best bassists in rock. If it isn't the bass line to Heart of the Sunrise that astounds him, it'll be the one from Sound Chaser, or the one from Machine Messiah, or any other given Yes track pre-1983.

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Tormato probably has Squire's best bass lines as an album is concerned, although his bass work is just about the only reason to listen to it (that and "On The Silent Wings Of Freedom").

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Originally Posted by thatmarkguy

The fourth incarnation of King Crimson (with Tony Levin on Bass/Stick) is the most bass-driven music I can imagine. The albums Discipline, Beat, and Three of a Perfect Pair (of which I recommend Beat third, the other two in any order you please)

Frame by Frame
Elephant Talk
Sleepless
Three of a Perfect Pair

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Why did I forget Levin's time in KC? Similarly, Tool should be mentioned, as they were most heavily influenced by this KC incarnation (to the point where I'm surprised Tool hasn't covered Three Of A Perfect Pair, to be honest... although BtBaM did).