THE BASS EDITION

Once defined as the guy who hangs out with musicians, the bass player now performs a critical role in the creative development of contemporary music. Jaco Pastorius showed that almost anything could be played on bass, while The Chili Peppers’ Flea and his in- your-face bass inspired thousands of young music fans to shun the six string in favour of the bass guitar. In this special edition, Australian Musician pays tribute to the humble bass and those who sail upon her. Inside you’ll find interviews with some of the finest bassists around, road tests on the latest bass gear, bass news and first up...

We asked your favourite bassists who their fave bass players were. Enjoy:

3K short - Machine Gun Fellatio

• Jackie Orszaczky
Best soul player in the country. Beautiful feel and style

• Dave Morris (Preshrunk)
Has managed to get as far away from playing bass that you can get while still playing bass.

• Mick Harvey (Bad Seeds)
Always simple unimposing lines that do the job and don't get in the way.

Brad - Gyroscope

• Cliff Williams (AC/DC)
Because he plays in AC/DC !!!

• Scott Owen (The Living End)
The king of the double bass.

• Vanessa Thornton (Jebediah)
She has the catchiest riffs around.

Damo - 28 days...

• Chris Becker
Gave me lessons and inspired me to think about what I was playing

• Lex (old Frenzal Rhomb)
Lex was the best punk bass player Australia has ever seen

• Cliff Williams (AC/DC)
The dude in AC/DC Cliff Williams is cool because he is in AC/DC

Scott Owen-the living end

• Wally from Even
He’s a really good melodic bass player who doesn’t go over the top but he’s not boring either.

• Graham Maby (Joe Jackson band)
Just brilliant, another very tasteful player.

• Mickey Quinn (Supergrass)
I’m a big fan of his playing. Their songs are very erratic and very busy. I don’t know how he keeps up sometimes because some of the stuff he plays is pretty quick.

George Urbaszek (australian musician magazine bass columnist)

• Steve Hunter — virtuosity

• Jackie Orszaczky — laid back groove

• Adam Armstrong — clarity

James Kempster (WE WILL ROCK YOU)

• Craig Newman
Ability to play in many different musical situations, consummate professional.

• Chris Becker
Deep groove and very melodic style.

• Jeremy Alsop
Master teacher and great producer.

Matthew Gore - after the fall

• Scott from Living End
Live show and sound always so on the money. Need I say more.

• Damo from 28 Days.
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing this man first hand deliver again and again on stage and off.

• Brad from Gyroscope
I guess Brad is up there in my books because of his blatant disregard for his equipment/fellow band members whilst still being being able to punch out the rhythm.

Rob Little (Session Player, Tommy Emmanuel)

• Barry Sullivan.(Chain, Renee Geyer)
This sparse elegant bassist was in high demand. Check out the "Really Love You Live" album to see how simple, funky and tight this guy could really be ... I don't know a player of my vintage that wasn't influenced by him and his recent passing has left a big hole in the local bass scene.

• Jackie Orczarsky
A fertile and inventive player, his contributions as bassist, arranger and composer with artists such as Marcia Hines and relentless powerhouse playing has cemented him a place in Aussie rock history.

• Duncan Maguire
Duncan was a great player from the late 60's early 70's who featured in Doug Parkinson's In Focus and played the most sophisticated and complex weaving rhythms I had heard at that time. Great ear for melodic construction and a rich tone

Wayne Jones (Session player)

• Craig Newman (John Farnham, Kylie)
An awesome soloist/ groove player, with a great sound.

• Craig Calhoun
Sydney’s master of the groove & great soloing with his own band Bros. of Oz

• Evripides Evripidou (James Morrison)
He is Incredible, a master of melodies and he can lay the groove down too.

The one thing all these players have that make them my favourite players is Passion, for their Instrument, its sound and it’s place in a band or solo. This feel has to come from one’s own emotion expressed through the bass.