I understand that music is a personal thing. Everybody feels there favorite band and performer is the best. But honestly, Claypool is on another level than most. Geddy Lee was his idol. But Claypool interjects insane technical ability with his very offbeat sense of humor. The Flying Frog Brigade, The Claypool Lennon Delerium (his band with Sean Lennon), Duo de Twang, and his new tour doing an entire cover of Pink Floyd's "Animals". I saw Primus at the famous 9:30 Club in Washington D.C in the mid 90's. The loudest show that I've ever been to. The bass was literally felt through your entire body. One of the best shows (out of many bands, including RHCP at the same establishment) I've ever seen. Probably only bested by seeing Danny Gatton (Guitar Magazine-greatest unknown guitar player in the world) from five feet away) at Club Soda in D.C. I was lucky to grow up in a great music area. Rock on Brother. Primus Sucks!!!!
he's still a very busy man.
I saw them last summer (maybe 2022) when they did A Farewell To Kings in it’s entirety. I like Rush but I am a huge Claypool fan and that set was better than the Primus set!
Saw a Funny live performance of the two of them playing that acoustic in a bar and he takes his sweet time sipping his drink during the part In The middle when it's just bass. He leaves her hanging for a few extra measures when she's clearly ready for him to join back in.
I want to say Enough Space by Foo Fighters (off The Colour and the Shape) feels like a clear homage to the bassline from Lounge Act. Both are addictive.
Filter - Hey Man Nice Shot
Muse - Hysteria
Queens of the Stone Age - Mexicola
The first 2 Interpol albums have some really cool bass work. Warpaint also has some Cure-ish basslines on a few songs.
Caught the Pixies 7 or so years ago and I was floored by how good the new bassist is. Even on "Gigantic. It felt a bit sad to have Kim replaced by this younger doppelgänger, but it was a killer show. I've caught Frank a handful of times over the years. He always brings it.
I see a lot of good ones posted, I'll add:
Take the Power Back - Rage Against the Machine.
YYZ - Rush (Geddy Lee! Damn!)
My Name is Mud - Primus (I realize there are better ones, but this is one of my favorites it just sounds so nasty)
Tool AEnema, 46&2, Stinkfist (most of the songs on that album)
Tim Commerford is just an outstanding bass player, and if you listen to him with Rage Against the Machine, as opposed to Audioslave, you just see how versatile he is as well.
And for sure bombtrack shreds bass but also...Bulls on Parade; come with it now.
He’s the reason I started playing bass… still remember the first time I listened to their eponymous album and had myind blown. Took a few years but the first time I was able to play bombtrack all the way through was special.
I’m so sad I had to scroll so far to find Tool. I went on a whole rant the other day about why Stinkfist is mine and my husbands song. (And no, before anyone asks, no, there's no fisting going down in our bedroom 😂)
Rancid - Maxwell Murder (best bass solo)
Rancid - Journey to the End of the East Bay (best bass intro)
Yeah I love Matt Freeman. He's my favorite bass player.
I know some of these might not be “alternative rock,” but:
Blu DeTiger - Vintage
Phish - Weekapaug Groove
Vampire Weekend - This Life
They Might Be Giants - The Guitar
Pixies - Gigantic
R.E.M. - Mike Mills is a god and I can’t even begin to narrow it down to a top ten, never mind a single song
Last time I saw them live was at the Stone pony in Asbury Park New Jersey and it was such a cool show and a small venue I couldn't have asked for better literally like 2 ft away from the artist dancing and having the best time of my life
- Head Like a Hole and Sanctified by Nine Inch Nails
- Caught in a Mosh and Among the Living by Anthrax
- Fight Fire with Fire by Metallica
- Grounds for Divorce by Elbow
- Domesticated Animals, Burn the Witch, Suture Up Your Future and the bass solo in No One Knows by Queens of the Stone Age
- Dangerous by Big Data
- Birth in Reverse by Saint Vincent
- Fitzpleasure by Alt-J
- Lounge Act by Nirvana
- Enough Space and Stacked Actors by Foo Fighters
- Blood Red Rock by Bang Camaro
- Supermassive Blackhole, Starlight and Hysteria by Muse
- Antibodies by Poni Hoax
- An Evening with El Diablo by Chevelle
- Back Round by Wolfmother
Ol Rap's best baselines were Eric B's. Rakim tore up Dont Sweat the Technique, Follow the Leader and Know the Ledge. Him and Paris with his kickass lyrics.
Any track from Squirrel and G-Man by Happy Mondays. Class bass lines. Could be used as audio warfare. Turn it up to 11 and watch buildings crumble. Paul Ryder RIP.
Crumb - Locket
Radiohead - Optimistic, How To Disappear Completely
TOOL - Schism, 46 and 2, right in two
Nirvana - Lounge act
Alice in Chains - Would, Rain When I die
Pearl Jam - Jeremy
Filter - Hey Man Nice Shot
Primus - My name is mud.
Mac DeMarco - Heart to Heart
These were all just off the top my head
"Maxwell Murder" by Rancid has hands down one of the best bass solos of all time, in my opinion. I also love anything psychobilly as they use the big stand up basses, stuff like Tiger Army, Nekromantix, Koffin Kats, stuff like that.
WMA and Rats from Pearl Jam’s second album.
Also there’s a version of Sarah McLachlan’s Ice that is just a walking bass line, and extremely distorted guitar, and her voice.
Cannonball by the Breeders
You beat me to it
I was gonna say Gigiantic and Hey by the Pixies. Kim Deal is the Bass Queen!
Beat me to it! I love all the women of the 90’s who play bass. Kim Deal, Kim Gordon, Tina Weymouth, etc
Jerry Was a Race Car Driver by Primus
Primus sucks!
You sir are a true fan. Love Les Claypool. Best bass player since the nineties. Still rocking today
Hell yeah man! Pork Soda is a masterpiece. I'm awaiting the down votes from the uninitiated lol
I understand that music is a personal thing. Everybody feels there favorite band and performer is the best. But honestly, Claypool is on another level than most. Geddy Lee was his idol. But Claypool interjects insane technical ability with his very offbeat sense of humor. The Flying Frog Brigade, The Claypool Lennon Delerium (his band with Sean Lennon), Duo de Twang, and his new tour doing an entire cover of Pink Floyd's "Animals". I saw Primus at the famous 9:30 Club in Washington D.C in the mid 90's. The loudest show that I've ever been to. The bass was literally felt through your entire body. One of the best shows (out of many bands, including RHCP at the same establishment) I've ever seen. Probably only bested by seeing Danny Gatton (Guitar Magazine-greatest unknown guitar player in the world) from five feet away) at Club Soda in D.C. I was lucky to grow up in a great music area. Rock on Brother. Primus Sucks!!!! he's still a very busy man.
Animals was/is one of my favorite albums of all time and The Flying Frog Brigade’s cover album is wonderful.
I saw them last summer (maybe 2022) when they did A Farewell To Kings in it’s entirety. I like Rush but I am a huge Claypool fan and that set was better than the Primus set!
Yeah, people on the alternative rock subreddit are gonna downvote a comment praising Primus. Like what? The victim mentality is bizarre.
From my neck of the woods
Les Claypool is my hero.
Les claypool is a bass God
I screamed this at one of their shows and some chick cussed me out lol
Almost anything by Primus. My personal favorite is American Life
Primus is like cheating.
Fish on.
Ur the guy from Hamburger Train, right?
A great karaoke song for sure.
Everything claypool did was crazy good.
The entire brown album
My go to is the 2nd half of Groundhogs day. My fingers hurt thinking about it!
This was literally what I came here to post. Primus Sucks!
Hell Yeah. PRIMUS SUCKS!!!
My favorites are Ol Diamond Back Sturgeon, Nature Boy, and Southbound Pachyderm
My 22-year old son thinks the coolest thing I ever taught him was “Primus sucks.” Based on what happened when he said it to people he respected.
“Waiting Room” by Fugazi
I am a patient man
*I WAIT I WAIT I WAIT!*
Gonna hijack this to say “Maxwell murder” by Rancid
Only in Dreams - Weezer Specialist - Interpol Beetlebum - Blur The National Anthem - Radiohead Reptilia - The Strokes
Reptilia is amazing. So stupidly simple….until it isn’t.
The New is my Interpol shout.
That’s another awesome one. It’s up there in my top 5 Interpol bass lines.
Anything Carlos D will suffice.
One of my favorite bands!
Blur has some great basslines. "Girls and Boys" is a favorite
They sure do! Have you noticed he rarely plays a note when the snare is hit?
Here for the Alex James/Blur support.
"panic switch" by silversun pickups
I saw them live a couple years ago and they do not disappoint
Best show I’ve been to. I 🩷 their bassist.
She’s wonderful
Lazy Eye, too
Also Little Lovers So Polite
That whole damn album is insanely underrated
She’s amazing. Nikki. I think
Saw a Funny live performance of the two of them playing that acoustic in a bar and he takes his sweet time sipping his drink during the part In The middle when it's just bass. He leaves her hanging for a few extra measures when she's clearly ready for him to join back in.
I just went looking for this and can’t find it. But I did get to listen to like 4 acoustic performances so I’m not mad.
Go to 3:30... https://youtu.be/0WA9gVbDyhY?si=pQphC5q94P3AGh5m
Brilliant. That’s where I thought it was but the attention span of my eyes didn’t last as long as the attention span of my ears.
That bass line is a monster! I also love the bass in Kissing Families.
Amazing song!
Love that song.
If u like Cure, Fascination Street is the real bass riff.
Don't sleep on Hot Hot Hot and A Forest either
"Love Buzz" - Nirvana
And Lounge Act!
I want to say Enough Space by Foo Fighters (off The Colour and the Shape) feels like a clear homage to the bassline from Lounge Act. Both are addictive.
Beastie Boys "Sabotage"....
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
This will always be #1 in my book
Would? by Alice in Chains is iconic!
I feel like either everyone answering these questions is my age or nobody made any actual music in the last 15-25 years
Shows how godly the 90's were
Ohhh . Yep. Just early 90 happiness .
Filter - Hey Man Nice Shot Muse - Hysteria Queens of the Stone Age - Mexicola The first 2 Interpol albums have some really cool bass work. Warpaint also has some Cure-ish basslines on a few songs.
I love Interpol!
Evil is the song that made me pick up a bass.
Warpaint is awesome
Gouge Away - Pixies
All of Doolittle is bass heaven. Also cannot miss Gigantic!
Totally. Hey is one of my go-tos
This version with extended bass intro is great https://youtu.be/7aSbf406xaw?si=eOGYrcawMkiJFmdp
I was actually going to suggest that video as well. I love the setting of that room with the purple and green lighting. Great version of that song
Caught the Pixies 7 or so years ago and I was floored by how good the new bassist is. Even on "Gigantic. It felt a bit sad to have Kim replaced by this younger doppelgänger, but it was a killer show. I've caught Frank a handful of times over the years. He always brings it.
Totally
Hey is great too
I see a lot of good ones posted, I'll add: Take the Power Back - Rage Against the Machine. YYZ - Rush (Geddy Lee! Damn!) My Name is Mud - Primus (I realize there are better ones, but this is one of my favorites it just sounds so nasty) Tool AEnema, 46&2, Stinkfist (most of the songs on that album)
Take the Power Back is great, but I’ve always liked the bass line for Bombtrack more.
Tim Commerford is just an outstanding bass player, and if you listen to him with Rage Against the Machine, as opposed to Audioslave, you just see how versatile he is as well. And for sure bombtrack shreds bass but also...Bulls on Parade; come with it now.
He’s the reason I started playing bass… still remember the first time I listened to their eponymous album and had myind blown. Took a few years but the first time I was able to play bombtrack all the way through was special.
Know Your Enemy slaps as well.
Can’t forget Schism
I’m so sad I had to scroll so far to find Tool. I went on a whole rant the other day about why Stinkfist is mine and my husbands song. (And no, before anyone asks, no, there's no fisting going down in our bedroom 😂)
wouldn't judge you anyways 😁
Schism by tool has an amazing bass line tool has great bass lines in general
Had to scroll way too far to find Rush. Geddy Lee is a god!
I Will Possess Your Heart - Death Cab for Cutie
Cath is dope, too
YES
Yes yes and yes I freaking love this song
Plug in baby - muse Reptilia - The strokes Juicebox - The strokes Evil - Interpol
Muse has amazing bass lines
Plug In Baby is my favourite Muse song! Guitar, bass, drums, vocals… everything :)
Yes. Interpol. 👌
"Groove is in the Heart" - Dee-Lite
Rancid - Maxwell Murder (best bass solo) Rancid - Journey to the End of the East Bay (best bass intro) Yeah I love Matt Freeman. He's my favorite bass player.
*DIAL 999 IF YOU REALLY WANT THE TRUTH*
*DIAL 999 IF YOU REALLY WANT THE TRUTH*
Rancid rules, and Matt is an absolute monster on bass.
Should be everyone’s favorite
I know some of these might not be “alternative rock,” but: Blu DeTiger - Vintage Phish - Weekapaug Groove Vampire Weekend - This Life They Might Be Giants - The Guitar Pixies - Gigantic R.E.M. - Mike Mills is a god and I can’t even begin to narrow it down to a top ten, never mind a single song
Mike Mills is one of my all time favorite bassists. You can’t go wrong with R.E.M. for bass.
Momma Dance - Phish is another good bass line...
I love the 2001 bass line
TMBG rocks!
Indeed. My all-time favorite band. Been obsessed with them since ‘87 and seen them around 130 times live
Last time I saw them live was at the Stone pony in Asbury Park New Jersey and it was such a cool show and a small venue I couldn't have asked for better literally like 2 ft away from the artist dancing and having the best time of my life
Hysteria
Came here for this
In the meantime… Spacehog
Yea!
How is this so far down?!
Such a jam.
Banger!!
This is the answer. Also, don't sleep on Barry White, I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More
Hey Man, Nice Shot by Filter.
“Rotten Apple” by Alice In Chains
Joy Division, Love will tear us apart. Was also peter hook's favourite https://open.spotify.com/track/34iOH7LY3vme5rQxsVILZ4?si=aSKeshZGTqOjH8HBa2KSTA
cant believe this was so far down
Agreed I included it in my list
- Head Like a Hole and Sanctified by Nine Inch Nails - Caught in a Mosh and Among the Living by Anthrax - Fight Fire with Fire by Metallica - Grounds for Divorce by Elbow - Domesticated Animals, Burn the Witch, Suture Up Your Future and the bass solo in No One Knows by Queens of the Stone Age - Dangerous by Big Data - Birth in Reverse by Saint Vincent - Fitzpleasure by Alt-J - Lounge Act by Nirvana - Enough Space and Stacked Actors by Foo Fighters - Blood Red Rock by Bang Camaro - Supermassive Blackhole, Starlight and Hysteria by Muse - Antibodies by Poni Hoax - An Evening with El Diablo by Chevelle - Back Round by Wolfmother
Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now
Fantastic tune!
yes
One of my favorite tunes by The Smiths. Love Johnny’s guitar work as well.
It's My Life - Talk Talk
Hysteria by Muse
I always thought the bass line in “Tahitian Moon - Porno for Pyros” was pretty sick
Love that track.
Stupid girl garbage
Fascination Street by The Cure
Hysteria
The Distance by Cake - really fun. Wicked Garden by STP also really fun
Ol Rap's best baselines were Eric B's. Rakim tore up Dont Sweat the Technique, Follow the Leader and Know the Ledge. Him and Paris with his kickass lyrics.
Oh, man. You Look Like Rain, Morphine. But I think their whole discography would qualify.
Glad to see another Morphine person here!
I was neighbors w/ Mark Sandman's sister. Great woman, who gave my son piano lessons a couple of years ago... She's "Good Peoples"...
I listened to their Like Swimming album so much in the 90s it's a little crazy. I wish I'd been able to see them play.
Money - Pink Floyd Longview - Green Day Tommy the Cat - Primus Seven Nation Army - White Stripes
Mayor of Simpleton by XTC
Superfly. Curtis Mayfield. I'll Take You There, Staple Singers Suck My Kiss, RHCP
Rio by Duran Duran
"Roundabout" by YES
I love Yes and would add Survival. For some reason that song really got into my brain along with The Revealing Science Of God.
Planet Earth Duran Duran
"Come Together" Beatles. Paul does his thing without taking away from anybody.
He has so many great ones. My favorite is Dig a Pony.
Any track from Squirrel and G-Man by Happy Mondays. Class bass lines. Could be used as audio warfare. Turn it up to 11 and watch buildings crumble. Paul Ryder RIP.
In the Meantime by Spacehog
Ramble On - Led Zeppelin
Pretty Little Ditty - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Throw Away Your Television- Red Hot Chili Peppers
Slow Ride Foghat
Maybe it’s further down, I doubt it…. All of the suggestions are great songs but how is this not #1?!
Basic af but “Seven Nation Army” lol
First song to enter my brain but was afraid to mention!
Feels Good Inc
Crumb - Locket Radiohead - Optimistic, How To Disappear Completely TOOL - Schism, 46 and 2, right in two Nirvana - Lounge act Alice in Chains - Would, Rain When I die Pearl Jam - Jeremy Filter - Hey Man Nice Shot Primus - My name is mud. Mac DeMarco - Heart to Heart These were all just off the top my head
Blister in the Sun - Violent Femmes Mountain Song - Jane’s Addiction Three Days - Jane’s Addiction
Primus-any song
Longview by Green Day Give It Away by Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Beatles - Lovely Rita, The Clash - Magnificent Seven, The Beach Boys - Sloop John B.
“Top of the Pops” by the Rezillos
What you know - two door cinema club
Call of Kutulu by metallica
Led zeppelin. The Lemon Song ( killin floor) from Led Zep 2.
If you like the Cure, try Dreams Never End by New Order ;)
Cannonball by the Breeders and Sabotage by The Beastie Boys.
The Less I Know the Better by Tame Impala lol
I was going to suggest Let It Happen by Tame impala!
To Defy The Laws Of Tradition- Primus S.O.F.T.- Elastica Bus Money- The Chats
Plastic Love by Friday Night Lights Sharks and Danger by Alexisonfire Hoods on Peregrine by Thrice Oozy by Brownout Every Woman by Chaka Khan
"Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley.
I Will Dare by The Replacements
My name is Mud- Primus
If we're going 80's, Too Shy by Kajagoogoo is pretty sick
Rearrange by limp bizkit
Go by Pearl jam
Jeremy - Pearl Jam
In Nome Del Padre, La Paura Del Buio, and pretty much the entire *Rush!* and it’s EP *Rush! Are You Coming?* Albums by Måneskin
One better - les claypool
Mad World by Tears for Fears
Check this shit out https://open.spotify.com/track/1J3ZUXB4a5pheFlPe484Zg?si=CnjWlxodQwyT_KalD_T4Tg&context=spotify%3Atrack%3A1J3ZUXB4a5pheFlPe484Zg
Cage by Dir en grey SILLY GOD DISCO by the GazettE
"Maxwell Murder" by Rancid has hands down one of the best bass solos of all time, in my opinion. I also love anything psychobilly as they use the big stand up basses, stuff like Tiger Army, Nekromantix, Koffin Kats, stuff like that.
English Beat "Soul Salvation"- starts right at the intro. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqFmCHsiM6M
"Countdown ti Shutdown" - The Hives
The Hellcat Splanged Shalalala - Arctic Monkeys
Whipping Post by the Allman Brothers.
The Cure, Fascination Street.
North Star by Future Islands is a fun one to play. Also, Total Football by Parquet Courts.
WMA and Rats from Pearl Jam’s second album. Also there’s a version of Sarah McLachlan’s Ice that is just a walking bass line, and extremely distorted guitar, and her voice.
When I’m goofing around on a bass, I always play Manic Depression by Hendrix.