Some details on your gear and set up might help, maybe even a sound bite?
Have you got old lifeless strings?
Maybe your tone isn't working with his? Remember, your best tone in a band situation is rarely the same as what sounds good when you're playing on your own.
Playing towards the bridge will get you a 'tighter' sound but it may not be the kind of thump or attack you need. I play mainly with fingers and mostly up towards the neck. I smash the hell out of the strings (and my fingers) and get a mega fat, quasi-slap sound.
You could just tell your guitarist to shut the hell up, though...