Disturbing Observation

This weekend I listened to a band that had NO BASS PLAYER. There were 2 keyboards. Is this a new trend? I've seen this phenomenon in several bands now. Is Bapu species endangered? I'm in shock over how much money they were paid. 

4 strings?
5 strings?

Where does it stop?


88 strings?


I always thought that first extra string was the begining of a slide down a slippery slope.

:-)

Back in the 80's, my buddies (3 of em) were in a cover band that used the keyboardist for bass....and they played a lot of Rush tunes (really well) considering it was on a keyboard. Back then, it was unusual to see "no bass player", but now....I wouldn't be surprised if someone jumped up on stage with an iPad playing iMooch.

Has anybody spent much time listening to Atilla ?

Or keyboardists

Korpiklaani...Vodka.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qt3pTG50nLw

Hey, if these guys can get away with accordianists and violinists...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAllFWSl998 Atomic Tom on iPhone

Now that I think of it, I went to see several sequencer-based electronic "New Wave" bands back in the day(late '70's or early '80's). No bass. No guitar. Occasionally, it got mildly annoying because I couldn't figure out who was playing a solo. Everyone in the band played a keyboard--even the drummer! Apparently, the lighting guys were confused too. They never put a spotlight on anyone who might have been taking a solo. Here's one band like that. My Daughters Wedding: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBdK7dxJiP0

Seems like a great way to enjoy 3 hours.

:-)

mike_mccue


Seems like a great way to enjoy 3 hours.

:-)

Unless we listen to two Yes albums?

 Isn't a keyboard player playing bass a bass player? After all he is playing bass notes. If a bass player could play pads on his bass would he be a keys player? or a bass player playing keys on his bass? I'm confused:)

Well, the White Stripes managed to score a few hits w/ only drums and guitars. 

craigb (if that's your real name),


You assume way too much.


Bass players locking themselves in the car. Would that a bass player knew about locks.


I suspect the band locked the bass player in the car (knowing he'd never get out anyway).


No doubt the bass player thought the band thinks his 1000W bass rig was too loud so he just performed in the car.


AmAmAmAm
AmAmAmAm
AmAmAmAm
rest
AmAmAmAm
AmAmAmAm
AmAmAmAm

bitflipper


If a song called for a tambourine, it was attached to the hi hat.

I may apply that technique when the song calls for an iMooch.

Hi,

I think it was "String Driven Thing" that has "Band without a drummer" ... so you bass players ... take heart!

I really think, and the same goes for me when I'm sitting down to write a poem or something, that it should be less about what you have and don't have, than anything else ... I like to say that it is all about what you see ... and who's to say that you can not see something without a bass, or guitar, or drums, or keyboards ... and sometimes that is the part of "conventional" and "commercial" music that bothers me ... that it is really hard for folks to see beyond the scope of the rock'n'roll idea ... which dictates that you have to have this and that. Or the traditional jazz idea ... and bands in Japan and other countries are creating fusions completely away from the "conventional" band setups ... which is good ... it should be about the music, not wether you have a bass guitar or not, a this or that.

It doesn't take Bapu's influence and help and work, down any ... his ability will still show up in a different element ... or any other member of a band.

Do something different once in a while. How many examples of that have you seen in music where people were told that it would never make it, and in the end ... it did and then some ... you have to trust your inner music, with or without a bass.  Heck, I would like to hear Bapu play the kazoo in one of them CH band songs ... but maybe that is not serious enough for the others!

You never know .... something that all of a sudden sounds different ... will you look at that ... 100k copies sold! ... yeah ... and you're not gonna sit here and say ... I'll be damned!