4 Strings Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 (edited) We all know that some of our heroes play for the top bands and so getting to actually see them is an occasional and costly excercise. However, as we all know, it about who you know etc not how good you are. There are some fabulous bass players playing in pubs near you and I wondered that we could have a list of recommendations. Not you, or your mate etc but bass players who are currently playing in easily (and cheaply) accessible places from whom you think your brothers on this forum would benefit. I can start off: An obvious one is Blockhead legend Norman Watt-Roy, who has been playing regularly with Wilko Johnson ( [url="http://www.myspace.com/wilkojohnson"]http://www.myspace.com/wilkojohnson[/url] ) for some years now. He's fantastic, so much energy, innovation, sweat, commitment, talent, all for a tenner! A second nomination is Sam Bunting who plays with Zalinski ( [url="http://www.myspace.com/zalinskiband"]http://www.myspace.com/zalinskiband[/url] ) sometimes use a Warwick, sometimes MM, intricate bass lines, lots of detail and interpretation but accurate and appropriate. Very good to watch and pinch ideas from. Get out there and learn, for the price of a beer or two what could be better? Any others? Edited January 13, 2010 by 4 Strings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 I satisfy half the criteria. Wrong half unfortunately! Not much help that was it...... C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 There is an Eagles tribute band going around called the Illegal Eagles. Their bass player is pretty damned hot. Looks remarkably like Pino P, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spook Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Jools from a band called The CARNIVAL - not flash, but one of those solid-as-a-rock players we'd all like to be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sibob Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Lincoln Anderson in Essex, he plays with Steve Harley (Cockney Rebel), as well as other sessions/deps. Plays for a cool standards trio called The 3 B's, Reg Webb on keys. Very good friend of mine, amazing player and top notch guy Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowdown Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 [quote name='4 Strings' post='711200' date='Jan 13 2010, 12:47 PM']I can start off: An obvious one is Blockhead legend Norman Watt-Roy, who has been playing regularly with Wilko Johnson ( [url="http://www.myspace.com/wilkojohnson"]http://www.myspace.com/wilkojohnson[/url] ) for some years now. He's fantastic, so much energy, innovation, sweat, commitment, talent, all for a tenner![/quote] I am sure you did not mean to say NWR is a small time Bass player... But i do understand your drift, and a good idea. A thread worth watching. Garry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 [quote name='lowdown' post='711450' date='Jan 13 2010, 03:52 PM']I am sure you did not mean to say NWR is a small time Bass player... [/quote] Not just Norman, I wouldn't want to refer to anyone as small time, but, in the spirit of this post, and he may well be on here somewhere as he makes a fine bass as well, I'd like to recommend Pete Stroud - catch him with Bad Influence, or even better, when ex Bluesbreakers guitarist Buddy Whittington is over, see Pete with his old Peter Green mucker, Roger Cotton on keys as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 Oh, and Marty Prior at Isaacs on the docks in Ipswich on Sundays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloodaxe Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 On the South London circuit, I'd recommend these two... [url="http://www.myspace.com/stevematthewsrazers"]Steve Matthew's Razers[/url] - He tends to try & get Jonty Banks (Ukelele Orchestra of GB) or [url="http://www.petepritchard.co.uk/"]Pete Pritchard[/url], whenever they're available. Both are fantastic players. [i]Very[/i] occasionally I get the call to fill in. Tres Geezers - [url="http://www.flyguitars.com/interviews/mickhawksworth.php"]Mick Hawksworth[/url]. Well worth a look if you like the Little Feat end of things & a Gibson RD Artist fretless. Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4-string-thing Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 In Leicester there's a really good guy called Jacob Bonner, who plays in a few bands. The Splitters, Pig Iron Joe and Jiggy are 3 that I know of, he's well worth a look. Big tall dude with dreads, never looks at his bass while playing, just stares ahead into space! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tombboy Posted January 14, 2010 Share Posted January 14, 2010 (edited) [quote name='Paul S' post='711292' date='Jan 13 2010, 02:55 PM']There is an Eagles tribute band going around called the Illegal Eagles. Their bass player is pretty damned hot. Looks remarkably like Pino P, too.[/quote] Chris Childs. Also the bassist for THUNDER no less (or WAS, until they split again last year)!! Superb musician and really nice guy to boot! He's now working with Luke Morley and Pete Shoulder in their new band The Union and has started his own Eagles tribute called Ultimate Eagles. Edited January 14, 2010 by tombboy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4 Strings Posted January 16, 2010 Author Share Posted January 16, 2010 This is great stuff, keep 'em coming. Apologies for the 'small time' reference, but I think you've caught the idea. I'm gonna search out Mick Hawksworth and the Union look interesting too, any more? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evilLordJuju Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 [quote name='4 Strings' post='714530' date='Jan 16 2010, 01:13 AM']I'm gonna search out Mick Hawksworth[/quote] Micks played on some fantastic records, especially if you like a bit of early British rock I interviewed him last year [url="http://www.flyguitars.com/interviews/mickhawksworth.php"]http://www.flyguitars.com/interviews/mickhawksworth.php[/url] (over 5 pages) Check these! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLzWif5Oilo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLzWif5Oilo[/url] Andromeda from 1969 [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wE2q-j3tWo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wE2q-j3tWo[/url] Fuzzy Duck from 1971 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted January 19, 2010 Share Posted January 19, 2010 I've been watching Andy Billups from The Hamsters for years. Rock solid and totally effortless playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4 Strings Posted January 26, 2010 Author Share Posted January 26, 2010 Saw the Hamsters a couple of years ago, in London somewhere, the Half Moon in Putney I think. As I understand it the bass player has a problem with his right hand which makes it difficult to play. If he makes it look effortless then he is all the more a Geezer! The Hamsters are just the sort of band, cheap and easy to go and see but top notch players. Great call, Hamster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamthewalrus Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 My nomination goes to a chap by the name of Darren Tingey, who plays with a band called Be Sharp that gig regularly in Kent, Essex, Surrey, Hampshire & Berkshire. Great trio that cover the likes of Steely Dan, Jimi Hendrix, Jackson Browne, Robben Ford & Little Feat - Darren's playing really comes to the fore in this band. Thoroughly nice chap to talk bass with as well! Cheers, iamthewalrus 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimijimmi Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 (edited) [quote name='Paul S' post='711292' date='Jan 13 2010, 01:55 PM']There is an Eagles tribute band going around called the Illegal Eagles. Their bass player is pretty damned hot. Looks remarkably like Pino P, too.[/quote] That guy is Chris Childs..he was the bassist for Thunder,in recent years..nice bloke. EDIT-i hadnt seen Tombboy's post..my appologies! Edited January 28, 2010 by jimijimmi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xilddx Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 We had an artist support us called Betty Steeles. She had a fantastic upright player who was having so much fun. Can't find out anything about him though, he's not mentioned on her website or myspace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beardybass Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 There're a couple of proper good'uns in the Newcastle area, Ian Paterson, Andy Champion, and Neil Harland to name but a few. Really great all of 'em! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 [quote name='silddx' post='727381' date='Jan 28 2010, 10:54 AM']We had an artist support us called Betty Steeles. She had a fantastic upright player who was having so much fun. Can't find out anything about him though, he's not mentioned on her website or myspace.[/quote] PM her on myspace and ask. As for Chris Childs, I used to watch him in pubs in Cardiff when he was doing deps for Pino who had just broke with Go West and Paul Young. He played as Status headless as I recall. Great player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 From Newcastle-ish, Neil Harland & Frankie Gibbon.. awsome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dumelow Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 acoustic ladyland! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steelman Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 [quote name='Spook' post='711371' date='Jan 13 2010, 02:58 PM']Jools from a band called The CARNIVAL - not flash, but one of those solid-as-a-rock players we'd all like to be[/quote] Saw them last night!! Yes he's a good bloke! C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris2112 Posted January 28, 2010 Share Posted January 28, 2010 [quote name='wateroftyne' post='727500' date='Jan 28 2010, 12:55 PM']From Newcastle-ish, Neil Harland & Frankie Gibbon.. awsome.[/quote] Also from Newcastle, our very own Mark Palmer (who also uses this site!). Whenever I've seen Mark play I've always been blown away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chardbass Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 (edited) [quote name='Paul S' post='711292' date='Jan 13 2010, 01:55 PM']There is an Eagles tribute band going around called the Illegal Eagles. Their bass player is pretty damned hot. Looks remarkably like Pino P, too.[/quote] When you mentioned him and his look I thought I knew who you were talking about- checked out Illegal Eagles' site. I used to see him play with a great blues rock band called Bad Reputation in the late 90's Always thought what a great player he was- very, very solid and quite Pino-esque too. Very worthy of a mention in this topic. +1 for Neil Harland. Good guy too. Edited January 29, 2010 by chardbass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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