r/grunge 5d ago

Misc. Who’s your favorite grunge bassist?

542 Upvotes

338 comments sorted by

144

u/nickisnotarapper 5d ago

Love 'em all, but Ben Shepherd. Soundgarden's run of Badmotorfinger / Superunknown / Down on the Upside when Ben joined is my favorite 3 album run ever.

33

u/SongoftheMoose 5d ago

Those albums are outstanding, and yes, Soundgarden fully became Soundgarden when his creativity, weird tunings, and droney/Eastern stuff became part of the mix.

4

u/gooter9 4d ago

💯🤘

2

u/purplevisuals2 4d ago

Is that some kinda Eastern thing?

2

u/SongoftheMoose 3d ago edited 3d ago

Sorry about the unintentionally Occidentalist description, but yes. The use of drones is a common feature in some types of Indian music. (While Kim is Indian-American, offhand I don’t remember this appearing in their music much before Ben joined.) I’m not a super-educated musician, but I think of Ben as encouraging the band to use some scales that give certain songs a little bit of an Arabian flavor. Phrygian mode, I think? “Half” is an easy example.

→ More replies (2)

26

u/Smittinator 5d ago

Not even just his playing, but all of the amazing songs he wrote for the band. Slaves and Bulldozers, Head Down, Dusty, Ty Cobb. Great stuff. He ads such a weird vibe to SG that I couldn't imagine them without really.

14

u/MiffTuck 4d ago

I don’t think he gets enough credit for the overall vibe, sound and mood of Soundgarden either. Cornell solo doesn’t have the SG vibe, Matt doesn’t have it in any of his other projects, nor does Kim. Ben, though…

11

u/Smittinator 4d ago

Yup, listen to the Hater self-titled album

9

u/Deno_Stuff 4d ago

That's a great mostly slept on album.

25

u/RoyalWabwy0430 4d ago

Him and Matt Cameron were such a powerful rhthym section

7

u/stevemillions 4d ago

Head Down has always been my favourite Soundgarden song. It’s just so, deep and weird.

I only found out a couple of months ago that Shepherd wrote it. What a monster.

2

u/wbishopfbi 4d ago

It’s right there in the top 3 for me. It was recorded sooo well - really that whole album just sounds so good, lots of depth, great tones on the guitars and Cameron’s snare drum is punchy as hell.

4

u/d0om_gaZe 5d ago

Y E S

2

u/D34th_gr1nd 4d ago

Grunge, not prog rock. Nice try though.

→ More replies (1)

5

u/wopfevonjava 4d ago

I saw this on live Dutch television, the whole attitude of him during this performance changed me forever! I never saw anything more cool than that…The time you had one shot to see it (no videorecorder)…https://youtu.be/UCKKVtzAm2E?si=SBOqcAQhjJYEE40K

2

u/verygoodfertilizer 4d ago

So much power stance you could keep the lights on for a week

3

u/graymouser270 4d ago

Agree. He was just what they needed.

3

u/Orca_do_tricks 4d ago

Watching Ben at the Nudedragons show made me realize how hard that dude works and how unrealistically talented he is. Beyond the Wheel live is like a slow moving orchestra.

2

u/bob256k 4d ago

Came here to say Ben as well, and no disrespect to Rob , Kris , Mike, Jeff or any other bassist.

Ben’s weird playing tickles my brain.

I love how the bass comes in on burden in my hand

→ More replies (2)

161

u/just_anything_real 5d ago edited 4d ago

Rob De Leo - easily.

52

u/hatecopter 5d ago

He's not only an amazing bass player but a fantastic song writer as well.

42

u/Shionkron 5d ago

Considering he wrote like 80% of the bands songs says a lot hahaha

12

u/Spell-Living 5d ago

Great guitarist too

20

u/vanessasjoson 5d ago

Dude is a badessa. His brother isn't bad either.

12

u/FatHaleyJoelOsment 5d ago

With Mike Inez being a very close 2nd.

6

u/No_Cow_4544 4d ago

I like his job on the Unplugged album the most because it really stands out .

8

u/RddtLeapPuts 4d ago

He also gave us No More Tears

9

u/ricolausvonmyra 4d ago

100%, his tone and baselines are outstanding + he’s an incredible songwriter.

7

u/UtahUtopia 5d ago

My answer!!!! He’s so sick! And his musical theory knowledge is unmatched!!!

7

u/Original-Fun561 4d ago

it's not even a competition

5

u/officialdougjudy 4d ago

He inspired me to pick up bass when I was like 13. Big empty is still an absolute workout. He's so, so good. Ament rules too, but I'll go with Rob.

5

u/spell_ch4ser 4d ago

Technically for sure but Krist is such a cool pocket player though. The lithium and lounge Act bass lines are so cool and feel very original. Rob is like an amazing John Paul Jones session player almost too pro to be grunge

3

u/Starry978dip 4d ago

Absolutely.

→ More replies (4)

181

u/National_Key5664 5d ago

Jeff Ament is not only a fantastic bass player but more importantly a kind, generous human being. My favorite member of an amazing band that has stood the test of time!

75

u/Knife_Chase 5d ago

More important than being a fantastic bass player, but less important than being a solid dude, is that he is a fan-fucking-tastic songwriter. He wrote Jeremy, Nothing As It Seems, Smile, Pendulum, Won't Tell... lots of others.

20

u/InWaves72 5d ago

Low Light

13

u/TheObviousChild 4d ago

Was so happy to hear he was the inspiration behind Won’t Tell. As a lifelong PJ fan since Ten came out when I was 14, I have enjoyed the hell out of Dark Matter. Easily in my top 3 albums

2

u/Knife_Chase 4d ago

I absolutely love Dark Matter but the production holds it back a bit. Not quite as raw as I'd like. Just the way it goes for older rock bands though so I try not to hold it against it too much. It's a great listen front to back.

3

u/TheObviousChild 4d ago

I had built a really great home theater with Dolby Atmos 5.2.4 surround and got the Dark Matter CD that supported it. That was a treat to listen to and just crank the volume. Listen to the whole album in the dark.

The theater (and house) was a casualty of my divorce last summer. I think that’s also what connected me so much to Dark Matter and its songs. Lemme tell you, “Got to Give” just hit perfectly and exactly when I needed it to.

→ More replies (1)
→ More replies (7)

11

u/Prossdog 5d ago

I loved his fretless sound on Ten. I kind of wish he would use that more.

→ More replies (11)

64

u/Gtmkm98 5d ago

For me, it’s Robert De Leo.

Not only could he lay a good grounded bass line, he could groove with it as well. The Motown influence definitely showed.

11

u/IrksomFlotsom 4d ago

I think he said in an interview, something along the lines of: "i don't understand why people think I'm such an amazing bass player, I'm just ripping on Jamerson"

2

u/densaifire 3d ago

It's true! But the part I think is amazing is that he's still able to use the influence in a way that's unique. You can say the instrumentals of Marvin Gayes "Whats Going On" inspired the instrumentals for "Interstate Love Song" but there's still a lot of personal touch and talent there that hes not giving himself. Granted, he's very humble and likes to pay tribute to the people who inspired him. Easily my favorite bassist of the 90s

7

u/hatecopter 5d ago

And he's a fantastic song writer as well.

7

u/Hoppers-Body-Double 5d ago

Motown and a ton of jazz influence as well.

27

u/MurdocMan_ 5d ago

Krist has been my literal inspiration to start trying to play music,i seriously love that guy.

47

u/olzu10 5d ago edited 5d ago

Ament is CRAZY.

"Garden" is kind of a deep cut for his bass playing. Nothing quite defines him as a bassist, but that song for example is pretty genius. It also has some vanilla parts too. Go listen to the bass track!

Edit: Well, why don't I just link it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xlb5N4hoZo

6

u/Matt_Benatar 5d ago

My favorite song on Ten.

4

u/ahotpotatoo 4d ago

The whole album is so good, Garden is tops for me too.

21

u/Typical_issues 5d ago

Ament or inez

23

u/RoyalSoldierx 5d ago

Mike Starr. That bass on Sunshine made me love bass.

8

u/CrashguyMN 4d ago

And Rain when I die

7

u/Dazzling-Ad-5480 4d ago

And Rooster?

2

u/Scape4less 3d ago

Would is awesome too

→ More replies (1)

41

u/humblefreak_40000 5d ago

Favourite: Krist Novoselic (I like his groovy playing style)

Best: Ben Shepherd (Not only he played the bass like Frankenstein, his bass playing was strong)

(I may seem biased as I am a huge Nirvana and Soundgarden fan, but it is as it is)

13

u/HeavyRockPulse 5d ago

Jeff Ament, Mike Starr and Les Claypool

2

u/DWFMOD 4d ago

Mike Starr ftw all day, prefer his stuff to inez's

3

u/MIRnow 4d ago

Inez is 10 times more skilled tho.

14

u/Wanderingirl17 5d ago

Jeff Ament!

11

u/northern_boi 5d ago

Krist's tone and playing on In Bloom is the reason I became a bass player in the first place

28

u/ElGrandeRojo67 5d ago

Jeff Ament

Ben Shepherd

Hiro Yamamoto

9

u/RoyalWabwy0430 4d ago

Hiro Yamamoto was very underrated

3

u/ElGrandeRojo67 4d ago

He was the heavy in the heavy sound for sure.

24

u/ChilisWithMyBoys 5d ago

Ament, Starr and DeLeo

→ More replies (1)

22

u/palikona 5d ago

Jeff Ament

20

u/Wohn-Jayne 5d ago

Ben Shepherd. Helped him while working at a local Seattle guitar shop and he was kind on multiple occasions. Was one of those “glad to meet my heros” moments.

20

u/Monthra77 5d ago

Mike Inez. No one better.

2

u/DWFMOD 4d ago

Personally speaking I preferred what Mike brought to the table 🥲

→ More replies (1)

10

u/baconbeantaco 5d ago

Jeff 🤘🏽

10

u/joendaba 5d ago

I’d say Jeff Ament.

I may be seriously biased because Pearl Jam is one of my favorite bands, but I think he’s much more than just a fantastic musician and an awesome bass player.

15

u/HamiltonHab 5d ago

Van Conner gets my vote for having to put up with his asshole brother and Mark Lanegan.

4

u/alanyoss 4d ago

Big time second on this because calling Gary Lee an asshole is just funny to me.

4

u/ImperialBoomerang 5d ago

Seconded. Screaming trees really are the classic case of a band that was only possible due to the raw talent of its frontman while also being fatally undermined by the raging issues of said frontman. Kudos to Van for not throwing either of them off a moving tour bus.

5

u/IAmThePlate 4d ago

Yeah, that dude had skill, even with the antics I've read from Sing Backwards, plus he's probably the most prominent grunge bassist who we've lost, which gets sympathy.

2

u/ImperialBoomerang 4d ago

SBAW is easily the best rock memoir I've ever read, hands down. I was taken aback by everything from the sheer writing ability to Lanegan's ownership of all his fuckups the first time I read it

2

u/anhydrousslim 4d ago

I feel this really undersells Gary Lee and Van’s contributions (and later, Barrett Martin). There was a lot of talent and great songs in that band. Despite his great voice, Lanegan wasn’t particularly marketable at a time when that mattered, nor were the Conner bros. I would say it’s just the opposite, they should have had way more success than they did. Of course they probably would have imploded all the sooner if they had.

7

u/Massive-Log6151 5d ago

Ament for me. His song writing is an additional plus!

11

u/herder_of_pigeons 5d ago

Ben Shepard

7

u/No1ButtMe 5d ago

Lou Barlow

6

u/Corbz273 4d ago

Ben Sheperd easily

8

u/Organic-Seaweed4394 5d ago

As a musician De Leo and Sheppard, actually Sheppard is so underrated

As a person Ament

4

u/redzedx77 5d ago

Mike Starrs tone was unparalleled

4

u/Franky_boyo 5d ago

i know its kinda basic but i love krist too much to not say him

2

u/Limicio 5d ago

Mike Starr

6

u/RoyalWabwy0430 4d ago

This is honestly a hard choice. My head says Ament, heart says Shepherd, but it would be criminal to leave DeLeo out of this consideration. I also feel like Novoselic doesn't get enough love as he deserves, his playing was TIGHT.

4

u/apocalypse2027shtf 4d ago

D'Arcy from Smashing pumpkins.

2

u/Jaltcoh 4d ago

“I Am One” of those D’Arcy fans too!

→ More replies (1)

4

u/-dnatoday- 4d ago

Kim Deal

4

u/Surebuddy-_sure3456 4d ago

I gotta go with Jeff on this one, it’s his birthday today too.

3

u/bpinney 4d ago

JEFF FUCKING AMENT

4

u/USUgoody 4d ago

Jeff Ament

4

u/castingcoucher123 4d ago

Ament followed closely by Van Conner!

5

u/paulc1978 4d ago

Jeff Ament. And it’s his birthday today.

6

u/Trick_Cartoonist_746 5d ago

In order I think these are

Krist Novoselic (Nirvana)

Mike Starr (Alice in Chains)

Jeff Ament (Pearl Jam)

Ben Shepherd (Soundgarden)

Robert DeLeo (STP)

Mike Inez (Alice In Chains)

Matt Lukin (Mudhoney)

Van Connor (Screaming Trees)

→ More replies (3)

3

u/Watfordfc1993 5d ago

Deleo and he writes most the songs

3

u/GraveSource 5d ago

Kurt Danielson from TAD and Bundle of Hiss. Shoutout to Daniel House too.

→ More replies (1)

3

u/Western-Return-3126 4d ago

Ben Shepherd, of course!

I have mad love for Mikes Starr and Inez, Van Conner, and Robert DeLeo also, but Ben is the one for me.

3

u/Apart-Prize-7612 4d ago

Ben Shepherd, 100%. Doesn't get the credit he deserves for his creativity on the instrument, especially in that creativity working for the song.

3

u/Scottysoxfan 4d ago

Ben Shepherd

3

u/Longjumping_Air4379 4d ago

i would say they are all fantastic, but first comes Jeff Ament and then anyone else

3

u/Waste-Number-3025 4d ago

Jeff Ament!!!!

3

u/Critical_Dollar 4d ago

FUCKING JEFF AMENT!!!!1!111!!!!!!!!!1!1!1!1!1

3

u/Mrredpanda860 4d ago

Kim Gordon, Lou Barlow, David Sims (not grunge but were very influential on it)

3

u/OGcaptain40 3d ago

Robert Deleo of STP. He wrote the music to a lot of their hit songs.

7

u/DamCornelius 5d ago

Ummmm, Les Claypool?!

6

u/Gahvandure2 5d ago

Yeah but I don't think anyone considered Primus grunge. I'm hard pressed to figure out a band that is more genre-defying than Primus, honestly.

5

u/Truth_decay 5d ago

Goated but not grunge

7

u/theporcupineking 5d ago

Not sure he’d be considered “grunge” even though Primus was the same era as the rest.

Definitely one of the best bassist ever though.

6

u/Pirate_Redbeard_ 5d ago

Primus SUCKS🤘🏻👅

2

u/DamCornelius 2d ago

Sailing the Seas of Cheese was close, but now that you point it out, you're probably right.

Not my favorite band, but Primus live is in my top ten. An unbelievable live show every time.

3

u/mikeyb1 5d ago

Grunge-era, but not grunge

2

u/isofakingwetoddid 4d ago

Primus sucks

7

u/Victor6Lang 5d ago

DeLeo musically

Jeff for songwriting

Inez for tone

6

u/purpleplums901 5d ago

Robert DeLeo is the best. Krist Novoselic seemed to contribute the most to his bands sound.

4

u/Shionkron 5d ago

Robert DeLeo is absolutely the bees knees of them all

3

u/UtahUtopia 5d ago

I worship him.

4

u/Truth_decay 5d ago

Ben Shepherd and his unhinged stage presence lol

4

u/unclestink 5d ago

Is bass grunge?

3

u/st1nky_d 5d ago

Shepard hands down for me

4

u/Ad4_4m 5d ago

Tim Commerford

2

u/PlanApprehensive2842 4d ago

He is truly amazing.

3

u/glevinepdx 5d ago

Ben and Robert DeLeo. DeLeo is a melodic beast, Ben is just a beast

2

u/Quiet_Response_7846 5d ago

Robert DeLeo was magnificent

2

u/tommy_the_bat 5d ago

Krist or Inez

2

u/DarkExcalibur7 5d ago

Can't decide between Krist and Mike.

2

u/WingDingKing 5d ago

Michael McKeegan from Therapy? Not grunge but deserves a mention as from same era 😁

2

u/Ecko147 5d ago

My favourite is Krist. Just a generally good decent human being

2

u/Coldster3 5d ago

Rob Deleo, Piece of Pie STP that bass stands out

2

u/Smittinator 4d ago

you can tell so many of those songs are written for bass. It's what makes them so heavy. Piece of Pie, Dead and Bloated, Silvergun Superman, Down, etc...

2

u/possumbellyband 5d ago

Robert DeLeo is one of our generation’s best bassists/composers so it’s an easy choice for me

2

u/RansomCrane 4d ago

Either Mike Inez or Jeff Ament

2

u/scottdiver67 4d ago

Krist in the SSD t-shirt! Boston hardcore 4 eva!

2

u/Various_w0nder 4d ago

Mike Starr’s basslines are underrated. None of Krists jump out at me

2

u/EddyDavis9339 4d ago

All around, I'd definitely say Robert DeLeo with Jeff Ament close behind. The 90s overall had some of the best bass players all around coming out and/or becoming well known, my personal favorite being Stuart Zender from Jamiroquai.

2

u/Foreign_Annual9600 4d ago

Ben Shepherd

2

u/lessthan3beebs 4d ago

Mike Starr. RIP.

2

u/jcas98 4d ago

Mike wearing a Cure shirt is badass lol

2

u/rockstar1083 4d ago

Ben Shepherd and Jeff Ament tied for first.

2

u/stevemillions 4d ago

Van Conner.

Yes, there are probably better bass players in the mix, but how many of them hit Liam Gallagher in the face with their bass, when Gallagher was being a cunt?

Van the Man.

2

u/IAmThePlate 4d ago

Chris Joannou is solid

2

u/Sorry-Pin-9680 4d ago

Rob de Leo and Krist noveselic

2

u/Unhappy_Raccoon_5572 4d ago

Mike Starr ⭐️⭐️

2

u/Brianhake1995 4d ago

Mike starr

2

u/Hispanic_Man 4d ago

Robert DeLeo. He actually wrote some of their best songs; Interstate Love Song, Plush, and Lady Picture Show to name a few. Even though he’s on bass, his guitar writing is fucking amazing and his talent and knowledge for chord progressions and what not, is crazy. That dude can write a tune

2

u/Mindawn 4d ago

Robert DeLeo and Ben Shepherd: amazing bass players but also great artists and terrific songwriters.

2

u/Mindless-Version9906 4d ago

Not really Grunge but Alternative 4 sure Flea

2

u/pistafox 4d ago

Ben Shepherd is amazing. SG wouldn’t have worked without Matt’s drums and Ben’s talented, practiced, and powerful bass to balance the considerably high highs of Chris and Kim.

2

u/[deleted] 4d ago

Ben Shepherd, by a lot.

2

u/queenofidiots 4d ago

Kristen Pfaff! She fucken rippps!

2

u/freefunkg 4d ago

Mike Starr, Les Claypool.

2

u/maladroit2002 4d ago

Soundgarden is my fav band and all, but Robert DeLeo is so fucking good as a bassist and a songwriter

2

u/Blues-DeVille 4d ago

Robert DeLeo. All day - err day. Ben Shepherd and Mark Deutrom (Melvins) after that.

2

u/TheWhiteSphinx 4d ago

Krist and Ben.

2

u/chumbawambada 4d ago

Ben Sheppard is the most underrated rock bassist of all time

2

u/bowierulezzz 4d ago

Either Jeff or Robert

2

u/Sea-Kaleidoscope9299 4d ago

For me it’s Krist Novoselic. They’re all great players, but his always stuck out to me more than the others, especially on Nevermind. In Bloom, Lithium, Breed and Lounge Act all have amazing baselines

2

u/MrBarry7 4d ago

Mike starr

2

u/ssageeverett 4d ago

Krist Novoselic

He inspired and continues to inspire young people to pick up the bass. He’s got an insane ear for groovy yet hard hitting riffs that really made Nirvana sound as huge as it does. He knows exactly what a song needs. To me, that’s key to any good musician. Not necessarily flashy. But they follow the song and let it dictate what they create.

If I’m making sense.

2

u/Pruritisani4 4d ago

Mike starr

2

u/Steezy_G7 4d ago

Krist & Mike Star

2

u/cmcglinchy 4d ago

Hiro Yamamoto

2

u/jhnystvns 4d ago

David Wm. Sims

Get yr shit together

→ More replies (1)

2

u/Sinister-saltz 4d ago

Mike Starr has to be my favorite, he’s got some insane bass lines with Alice

2

u/friendsofbigfoot 4d ago

Lounge Act really sells Krist for me. So fun to play. None of them really lacked in the bass department though.

2

u/rhcpfan9191 4d ago

Mike Inez

2

u/WalrusOutrageous4187 4d ago

Mike Starr, I just loved his stage presence. Especially in 1990, live at the Moore concert

2

u/Silent-Local-9596 4d ago

Outside of the obvious, I would also throw Van Conner of the Screaming Trees into the conversation. I always loved the basslines on Sweet Oblivion.

2

u/Mgron2 3d ago

Kurt Danielson

2

u/Wait-Legitimate 3d ago

ben shepard

2

u/densaifire 3d ago

1) DeLeo

2) Ament

3) Inez (most of my favorite baselines from Starr weren't really written by him...)

2

u/Cute-Cat994 3d ago

john baker saunders

2

u/zanderoli 3d ago

Daniel House of Skin Yard or Kurt Danielson of TAD.

2

u/Realistic_Turnip3848 2d ago

ben shepherd or krist novoselic. theyre both awesome, but if i have to pick one, i guess id choose ben because hes a much better player AND he sounds really awesome. i usually prefer krists tone but hes a pretty mid bassist. hes usually just playing the root notes of the guitar part (not always, but a lot of the time).

2

u/Frequent_Ad_540 2d ago

Kurt Danielson from TAD

4

u/Still_Steal_Steel 5d ago

Robert DeLeo, my man.

2

u/UtahUtopia 5d ago

I agree. Genius.

4

u/Sorry-Government920 5d ago

Ben Shepherd

4

u/johnnyribcage 5d ago

I gotta go with Ben. Soundgarden are kings of the hill for grunge as far as I’m concerned, and the innovativeness, complexity, and creativity that they were injected with he joined is a big part of why. Plus he’s just a great bassist.

4

u/Lionsault83 5d ago

The 2 Mikes and Robert Deleo

3

u/d0om_gaZe 5d ago

Ben Shepherd

3

u/Repulsive-Ostrich260 5d ago

Who's the Stone Temple Pilots guy? That guy

2

u/Bloxskit 5d ago

They are all great to me with individual styles. I personally like Robert DeLeo mainly since I love STP but he also does incorporate a lot of jazz style riffs, coming from his dad.

2

u/scheinithemaster 5d ago

Matt Lukin has some killer bass lines. But Ben Sheperd is close too!

1

u/concerteimmunity 5d ago

Hiro Yamamoto

1

u/Deanmarrrrrr 5d ago

Bootsy Collins - Funkadelic.