Mohini Dey: More Than Just the Fastest Bassist Ever

Mohini Dey

You know that feeling when you catch yourself with your jaw hanging open after watching something mind-boggling? That’s often the experience of countless people when they first hear and see bass virtuoso Mohini Dey. Still in the early stages of her career (though she started gigging at age 10!), she has accomplished bass guitar mastery … Read more

Pino Palladino: Bass Superman

Pino Palladino: Bass Superman

One of the most respected and admired bass players in music today, Pino Palladino has such an array of amazing bass chops and feel that it’s almost ridiculous. Pino’s ability to fit his unique style into any type of music and not only make it work but make it sound great is a rare skill indeed. It’s the combination of these qualities that make Pino Palladino a bass superman.

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Paul Simonon: Punk Bass Legend

Paul Simonon: Punk Bass Legend

Born in Brixton, England in 1955, Paul Simonon was a student at London Art College when he joined The Clash in 1976 at the insistence of guitarist Mick Jones. Paul immediately realized that he enjoyed being on stage playing in front of people much more than painting alone in a studio.

Simonon is credited with naming the band as well as cultivating their look and stage designs. The Paul Simonon bass sound incorporated his love of reggae and ska. And, since he was still learning to play the bass as The Clash were forming, the simple and direct bass lines he created became a major aspect of the early punk sound of this iconic band.

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Carl Radle: Unsung Bass Hero

Carl Radle: Unsung Bass Hero

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1942, Carl Radle was one of the most influential bassists in the 1960s and ’70s, even if many bass players don’t know it.

Radle, who played mainly Fender Precision basses, was a regular sideman with some of rock’s most famous artists and a highly respected session bassist among his peers.

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Great ’60s Fender Bassists

There have been countless great Fender bass players since Leo introduced the first Fender electric bass in 1951. I’ve decided to compile a list of who I thought were the most influential Fender bass players from the 1960s. I chose that time period because, in my opinion, that was the golden age of bass playing. … Read more

Mike Watt: Jammin Econo

Mike Watt: Jammin Econo

Mike Watt is one of the most important punk and post-punk bassists to ever wield the thud-staff. His influence is far-reaching in the bass community, and his status in punk rock history is legendary. Watt’s musical philosophy encompasses everything from punk rock to Bob Dylan to John Coltrane and beyond.

Mike Watt is also one of the most exciting and dynamic musicians to see live. No matter who he’s playing with, the shows are loud, they are chaotic, and they are pure genius.

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Willie Weeks: Bass Legend, King of Tone & Taste

Some bass players impress us with their chops, their speed, and their fancy playing. Willie Weeks does it with great tone, perfect time, and an uncanny ability to know exactly what to play, and when to play it, for any given tune. Of course, Willie has the chops to play virtually anything, but it’s how … Read more