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Tuesday Coffee Break: Where's The Bass?

Posted at 8:15 AM on March 30, 2010 by Steve Seel (29 Comments)
Filed under: 9:30 Coffee Break

(updated below)

Does a band need a bass? Certainly most bassists would argue yes, if we're talking a band that otherwise features guitars and drums (as opposed to strictly electronic music). But there are a few bands out there who have done without the bass, some from days gone by and several from the present. At the risk of alienating all our four-string playing friends this morning, help us put together a little tribute to the bands who have figured out a way to make do without the time-honored method of covering the low notes. That's today's 9:30 Coffee Break.

Update: Your suggestions we went with:

1) Yeah Yeah Yeahs, "Kiss Kiss"
2) The Doors, "Break On Through"
3) Sleater-Kinney, "Good Things"
4) The Black Keys, "Your Touch"
5) The White Stripes, "Icky Thump"

Comments (29)

The Black Keys?

Posted by Jennifer | March 30, 2010 8:41 AM

Keane is the first band that comes to mind when asking where's the bass?

Posted by Ellen | March 30, 2010 8:42 AM

The Black Keys - Stack Shot Billy

Posted by Eric | March 30, 2010 8:42 AM

Hello,

How about Sleater-Kinney? Title track off of The Hot Rock would make Aniele's morning.

Regards,
John

Posted by John and Aniele | March 30, 2010 8:43 AM

The Doors

White Stripes

Black Keys

Lee Michaels Group

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Posted by lou | March 30, 2010 8:43 AM

Why not keep it local with A Night In the Box? Maybe something off of Write A Letter. If not I'm good with the Black Keys.

Posted by Matthew | March 30, 2010 8:46 AM

Black Keys
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion ORrrrrrraaaange

Posted by Krista | March 30, 2010 8:51 AM

Tomorrow, can we do bands/songs with tons of "bottom"? I just want to hear some Flea.

For this category, I'll say:

Dresden Dolls


White Stripes

Smoosh

I can't think of rock bands with more than 2 members that don't have bassists.

Posted by Justin | March 30, 2010 8:55 AM

The Doors!!!

Posted by Aaron | March 30, 2010 8:56 AM

Sleater-Kinney!

Posted by Tiffany | March 30, 2010 9:00 AM

Local favorites the Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank are bassless and awesome

Posted by Matt D. | March 30, 2010 9:04 AM

What about some jazz organ music - Jimmy Smith's "Organ Grinders Swing" is awesome.

Posted by atom | March 30, 2010 9:04 AM

Go with the original non Bass Band-the DOORS!!!!

Posted by Georgia Makitalo | March 30, 2010 9:07 AM

Does Emerson Lake and Palmer count? I wish... Let's count Greg Lake as the guitarist instead of bassist today?
The Doors
The White Stripes

Posted by Ben Pederson | March 30, 2010 9:07 AM

Sleater kinney does it best!! No need for bass with those riffs!

Posted by Jennie | March 30, 2010 9:09 AM

The Doors!
The Black Keys
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Posted by Steve Swenson | March 30, 2010 9:10 AM

Billy Bragg doing it all by himself.

Posted by Ethan | March 30, 2010 9:13 AM

White Stripes
hotel Yorba- nothin' but acoustic guitar and drums :D

Posted by Suki | March 30, 2010 9:16 AM

Morrison and co., The Black Keys, & John Fahey!

Posted by Art Garfunkle | March 30, 2010 9:19 AM

The Rural Alberta Advantage

Posted by Suki | March 30, 2010 9:19 AM

You should play When Doves Cry; famously Bass-less.

Posted by wellst. | March 30, 2010 9:20 AM

bratmobile

they might be giants

dirty three--violin and drums!!

Posted by beth | March 30, 2010 9:22 AM

The Dandy Warhols

Posted by Jason | March 30, 2010 9:24 AM

No Bird Sing is bassless.

Posted by Tyler | March 30, 2010 9:24 AM

The Spinanes. Epiphany....noel jonah and me...any song really...

Posted by Dave | March 30, 2010 9:25 AM

Morphine

Posted by Steve Cassellius | March 30, 2010 9:30 AM

Mark Sandman often played a two-string slide bass, making Morphine a band with bass.

Posted by Krista | March 30, 2010 9:39 AM

Morphine? They were nothing BUT bass! The first sound on their first album was bass!

Posted by ??? | March 30, 2010 10:13 AM

Bettie Serveert has a new album, Pharmacy of Love. a Dutch band, together 20 years, they are unique and kick bass! :) you're missing out by not have this in the catalog!

Posted by Rhonda | April 4, 2010 9:19 AM

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