Bass Teacher REACTS | RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE "Bulls On Parade" | FILTHY GROOVES by Tim Commerford

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➡️ If you know me by now, it's clear that I'm a dedicated metalhead - but for some reason, I missed getting into Rage Against The Machine over the years, aside hearing "Killing In The Name" on occasion. I know, it's strange. Today, I'm taking my first critical listen to "Bulls On Parade" from RATM's second album "Evil Empire" released in 1996. Naturally, I've heard that Tim Commerford and Tom Morello are legendary players so I wanted to check out a killer live performance, which is EXACTLY what I got! In this video analysis, I react to their performance in Finsbury Park, London from 2010 and discuss Tim's warm, growly single-coil tone from his Lakland Jazz bass, his approach to pentatonic bass fills during the song's breaks, his raking (or strumming?) technique that supports the iconic guitar riffs from Tom Morello, and how the slight variations on the main riff make this song such a head-bobbing, infectious presentation. It's time for me to back and really explore their discography properly!
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Mark Michell is an internationally-touring and recording bass player known for his work with Scale the Summit, Tony MacAlpine, Tetrafusion, Watermox, and more. Michell is a published educator and author for Hal Leonard, the world's largest music publisher, and has taught bass clinics around the globe for many years. He has played on several Billboard-charting album releases and is endorsed by Jackson Basses, EMG Pickups, and Dunlop.
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#RageAgainstTheMachine #BullsOnParade #RATM #TimCommerford #TomMorello #EvilEmpire #ReactionVideo #LowEndUniversity
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Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. The original work played in this video has been significantly transformed for the purpose of music education.

[@whataday2624]

Tim was one of the most solid bass players of the 90s. Put Tim and Brad together and you had one of the most reliable and efficient rhythm sections of any band in the 90s and early 2000s

[@bsours311]

Arguably top 5 rock rhythm section not just of the 90's and 2000's but, of all time. Change my mind.

[@AbominationalFailure]

@@bsours311 I'd for sure put them up there, I'm not sure where I would rank them, but top 5 for sure. Another duo that jumps to mind for top 5 is Flea and Chad from RHCP.

[@feddomeijerwiersma6955]

Zero. Fat. 😂 Tim and Brad are all time top-5 rhythm sections imho

[@samthompson1843]

Oh yeah dude Tim and Brad would go in my top 5 as well. They were the secret weapons for this band

[@Steve_643]

RATM’s rhythm section is one of the tightest I’ve ever heard

[@Cmart50]

I'm primarily a drummer, however when i first started to play bass, Tim C was a big influence. His style includes, poppin, slappin, chords, octave fills etc. Great tone, creative player and the songs rock, what more can you ask for. Very accessible to play along to no matter what your level.

[@chivobass]

Tim is a solid BEAST. I always laugh when Zack says Better turn the bass up on this one! Then my face scrunches up and caves in

[@omnivaal]

Face scrunches up and caves in. Too fuckin accurate.

[@joninawhitecoat]

Tim C played a Stingray on the first album, but switched to a Fender Jazz for Evil Empire, and the Lakland Jazz for later albums. He is back using Stingrays now. To get his Jazz bass tone I've found that Bridge pup on full, and then roll the neck in at about 50% gets you the definition and depth. Some grit/drive to add some nastiness, and as you said, play close to the bridge and DIG in. Flea was who made me want to play bass, but Tim C was who made me want to play in a band.

[@kevincase2473]

Check out Timmy C's work on their self-title debt. Bombtrack, Take the Power Back, and Bullet in the head, are great examples of his playing and pure awesomeness!! Timmy is one of my favorite behind Geddy and Justin Chancellor.

[@joninawhitecoat]

Have you listened to Wakrat?

[@justinbrooks6502]

Cool things to know about Tim Commerford: he hand winds his own pick ups (or at least he did for basses he used to record RAtM albums). Calm Like a Bomb is another cool song from them. I'd be eager to get your take on Audioslave, too. Completely different vibe, even though 75% of the members are the same. Thanks for the dope video, dude!

[@JoneyJefe]

Very cool to know! And AUDIOSLAVE rules

[@stevec6427]

He's also an extremely good mountain bike freerider

[@scoobydoobydoooo]

Tim Commerford deserves more love. Makes me happy to see his recognition. My personal fave is his bass from Bullet in The Head and Roll Call

[@marc9709]

When it shows the clip of the mosh pit, black hat and white T...that's me😬 Best show I've been too

[@uncommonman]

Timestamp?

[@thomas_the_cat]

ratm and audioslave had the simplest yet grooviest rhytm section in their genre back in the 90s/2000s

[@Morbid0007]

Other RATM basslines to check out: Take the Power Back, Bullet in the Head, People of the Sun, Down Rodeo, No Shelter & New Millenium Homes

[@joninawhitecoat]

Is no Shelter on a fretless?

[@ryanmurphy4110]

Calm like a bomb also very good bass

[@Morbid0007]

@@joninawhitecoat No Shelter has two overdubbed bass tracks; one of them is played on a fretless bass.

[@CrazyJamaicanCook]

Maria is a great song for the Bassist as well. Star of the show.

[@wingnut643]

Great video, love this song and the fills that Tim throws in just prior to the solo. You should check out Chris Wolstenholme from Muse as well (he and the band took some inspiration from Rage, especially on their earlier work). The song Hysteria is usually Muse bass song that most would point too (the riff is great but there isn't a ton of variety in the song), but I'd also recommend the songs Hyper Music, New Born, Knights of Cydonia, Reapers or The Handler for songs with great riffs and a bit more variety.

[@John.Doe42069]

Tim ist the reason I started playing bass. As soon as I heard that screaming bass with massive distortion and a bass-wah on 'Calm like a bomb' I was hooked. He is such a huge inspiration for me! He might not be the most technical bassist or have the most elaborate bass lines, but Tim sure knows how to move a crowd with just four strings!

[@djgamer5546]

Street Sweeper Social Club is another super band featuring Tom Morello. They were the opening act of a concert I went to over a decade ago featuring Nine Inch Nails and Jane's Addiction. Best show I've ever attended.

[@mrdylanja]

I would love to see more rage breakdowns ("Fistful of Steel" plz). I've been revisiting them quite a bit, and Tim really sticks out to me now.

[@PATMAN0910]

not the flashiest bassist but the best SOLID bass player. he's the rhythm bass player too. his distorted tone and sound is clean. that's hard to do live.

[@akhayat89]

Calm like a Bomb has a great bass riff

[@mohamadnadzri3167]

That song is awesome but the bassline is pretty weird i guess timmy c using wahwah paddle on the bass

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Thanks for this and the 2 videos a week! I highly recommend their first album giving the stingray bass tone he had and it was ferocious!! He then played J basses for years now he’s back with Ernie Ball and has some amazing signature Stingrays! Definitely gotta do some Audioslave!! 🙏🙏 his main influence was Geddy 🤘🤘

[@samthompson1843]

Dude Tim and Brad carries the rhythm for this band like true maniacs! Tom and Zach had 2 secret weapons in those 2

[@neilscottfaulkner]

This was amazing. I’d love for you to do more of their songs.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Thank you so much! What do you recommend?

[@neilscottfaulkner]

@@LowEndUniversity Down Rodeo, People of the Sun, and Revolver has this cool bass part in the verse where it gets quiet. Has a dope vibe and cool crunch on the bass in select parts, they seem to emphasize it more as the song goes on.

[@Neon_Rust]

This is about them live... Technical ability wise Tim's great. But his just general solidness is what I really appreciate. I say the same for both him and Brad the drummer. They're skilled but not necessarily in a show off way that blows you away. But their tightness. Unreal. I've seen 2 bands that truly stood out how tight they were live. Rage and Linkin Park. Incubus probably a close 3rd. But Rage and Linkin Park sounded like they were just pressing play on a CD. Rages rhythm section on record and performing live is literally flawless. Never an unnecessary note add or a note wastes.

[@sinakaedwards2009]

Man, great choice. My favorite Rage song by far.

[@midkingsteve]

Broooo check out their track Calm Like a Bomb for ultimate heavy groove

[@kitader]

One of my all-time favorite bass solo intros ever to a song!!!

[@kaynesantor8136]

You should check out bullet in the head. It's got a couple iconic riffs in it. Some of the first riffs I ever learned. When I found out Tim didnt use a pick, I though the fast riff was basically impossible with fingers, therefore Tim was the best bassist ever. Rage rules.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Nice!! Thanks for stopping by, I’ll add to my list. They are a fantastic band and I wish I would’ve checked them out more years ago.

[@trai13rtrash]

That bass in "people of the sun" though

[@sinakaedwards2009]

Timmy C is in my top 7 of all time. He is the bass riff master.

[@PRESTIGEworldwide32]

Great Video. Tim Commerford and Dirk Lance are the main reasons i picked up bass instead of guitar back in the early 2000s.

[@chivobass]

In rage he uses his fingers 100% in Audioslave the only time I saw him use a pick was the opening of Cochise

[@scottnelle]

Back in these days I read an interview where Tim said he winding his own pickups to get the exact tone he wanted. I don't know if he still does that now that he's with EBMM, but he's a total tone geek.

[@aavila1206]

You gotta do something off of Battle Los Angeles! Oh and also do Audioslave and Incubus with Dirk Lance on bass!!!

[@snap2snip]

Commerford uses pizzicato technique, I’ve never seen him play with a pick

[@SkateSoup]

That delicious crunchy sound that's most clear during the first verse is kind of his signature sound, and I love it. No idea what pedal he's using for it, though it wouldn't surprise me if it was custom. Part of the reason Tom can do those scratches is he's done extensive work on the guts of his guitars and added some features of his own. The whole band has big mad scientist energy. As you said, I don't think Tim used a pick for his Rage work, he's just close enough to the bridge that the extra pop can make it sound that way. I've also seen interviews with him talking about using a single finger as much as possible and only going to 2 or more if a part is something physically impossible or damaging with only one. That keeps the pluck consistently in a single spot on the string which may contribute to that pick-alike sound.

[@emisor73]

Great video. You’ve missed one of the most amazing bands on earth for years. Never too late!

[@cnucklz09]

I saw them back in 1996 and it was one of the most amazing and craziest shows I have been too.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Geez. Can’t imagine a 90’s RATM show 😵

[@cnucklz09]

@@LowEndUniversity there were 3 big circle pits happening all at the same time. It’s was wild. This was in Sacramento and I was 16. My mom dropped me off there by myself and I met some of my friends inside the show and then she picked me up when the show was over. It was a simpler time.

[@SomeSwain778]

You should give a listen to "Bullet in the Head". In my opinion RATM's entire catalog is a bass masterpiece.

[@joanne488]

Hi,can you do one on D.D.Verni from Over Kill? The guy never got mentioned enough really.Super underrated.For me personally he has the best/unique tone out of the whole thrash scene(he probably responsible for inventing the whole “krank”sound out of the bass tbh). Any song from the album “Under The Influences” is highly recommend if you never listened to them before but if you have to choose only one song then “Head First” is an absolute must. Thank you🙏🏼

[@winstonsmithamm]

6:07 - "Heads bobbin to the funk out yo speaker." - Zack de la Rocha

[@dennisbrandt2063]

The Redskins - it can be done! Joy Division - atmosphere Refused - the deadly rhythm The Stranglers - down in the sewer The Specials - Longshot kick de bucket (live) Gadjits - traffic tickets

[@jacobsternig3580]

I Must recommend a reaction should go toward a small-time but developed punk band called Rebel Spell for one or both these songs called "Can't Fool Me" or "It Can't Just Be Me". There are more well known songs that they have performed, but these song is more bass heavy and I would find your take on it very interesting.

[@DotteeG]

Know Your Enemy gets my vote for RATM's next song!

[@hailhummus]

I think Tim C has said in interviews that he wants to have an ugly bass tone when it is solo'd but sits really nicely in the mix and is hard to replicate. Nasty and effective for sure

[@Blkglssjw]

One of the first albums I owned was a RATM album.

[@its_all_bullshit]

F A I T H N O M O R E !

[@aarontalksculture4946]

I highly suggest Calm Like a Bomb. The bass in that song is face melting. You've been warned. 😆

[@LowEndUniversity]

Yeah? Thanks for this comment and reminding me I need to get back to RATM!

[@dylaninvalid]

check out the bass from the price is right theme

[@bradleyring7541]

Look into the bass solo on maxwell murders by Rancid. It's probably o e of the greatest solos ever created.

[@WVMOTARD]

He recoils his own pickups

[@nondescriptcat5620]

Tim sounds picked because he plucks with very hard attack, but he mostly uses fingers. the actual notes he plays are primarily funk, just played heavy, so he holds the bass pretty high. RAtM's entire discography is a timeless classic, all their bass lines are incredible. Take The Power Back live at the Vic Theater kind of rides one groove forever, but it's a real good groove.

[@isidrolopezhernandez6286]

Hey, I enjoy a lot of your videos, I'm from Mexico but we like bands from dfferent countries, RATM was a good option today, as I said before, we love music, and there's a band from Argentina that you should check out. it's Soda Stereo, the bassist was on a great level, the album "cancion animal" would be good for a reaction, thanx!

[@peeholio3260]

Sean Yseult from early Robb Zombie Thunder kiss 65. Chic can hold her own too.

[@MoviesWithDad]

For base - I think Gorilla Radio and Wake Up might be their best base rifs. Rock on! 🤘

[@Scoots1994]

Tim uses Barefaced cabs now with the same Ampeg amps ... at least last I saw him. And I believe he is a Music Man artist but also plays Lakland and Fender J basses, and I've seen him play a P-bass but not in a show.

[@tphvac87]

Call like a bomb is an excellent bass song played by Timmy C!! Check that one out

[@laggers54]

Look at Joe Raposso from RKL. Blocked out off live in a dive or In your mind from riches to rags. Thanks

[@sephiroth7818]

As a Xennial bassist, Tim is one of my influences.

[@brnreyna]

Nyetflix and Chill by Nuclear Power Trio! 🙌🏽🤘🏽

[@f.b.jeffers0n]

For sick bass tone, Berried Alive - Ghost Pepper

[@girs666]

Im a guitarist but love bass and great reaction ! Tim is SO underrated… heavy Groove master

[@arezethecoder2799]

You should do karnivool next they have a very good bass player who plays a six string.

[@metalmankam]

I know you swapped the pickups in that bass to EMG but did you also change the preamp?

[@LowEndUniversity]

I did! I believe it’s the EMG-BQS system: Volume, Blend, Bass, Treble, and stacked mid boost/cut and EQ sweep.

[@AAlejandro15]

Please take a look at "Critical Bass Theory" by Nuclear Power Trio, its their new single and its soooo tasty!

[@LowEndUniversity]

Will do!

[@jeremyrossi4211]

Rage for the machine

[@Belly_Beane]

I know you’re a bass player, but you should check out this performance of Tom starting at 1:15. This is from their short-lived tour last year. Zack had torn his achilles on the second night, and had to do the rest of the shows sitting down. The boys had to carry him on and off the stage, he couldn’t walk at all. Tom stole the show on this one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJqYZKenjqp5rac

[@nadograymountain20]

✊🏾

[@kibretzelalem5250]

Bro, I don't think timmy is a pick guy. I never saw him use a pick.

[@LowEndUniversity]

I believe it! I thought he did before I watched this video.

[@joncote6035]

Killing in the name of….

[@jaron91]

Great song, but not near the best one to showcase Timmy.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Point me in the right direction! 🙏🏼

[@jaron91]

@@LowEndUniversity Bombtrack, Bullet in the Head, Take the Power Back, Testify...lots of options. With your unfamiliarity you just happened to pick a popular song, just not one of his nastier grooves. Not your fault to be sure.

[@LowEndUniversity]

Thanks Jaron! Noted!

[@girs666]

@@LowEndUniversityHow i could Just kill a man ( cover but huge) , RQeNEGades album

[@JennaTills902]

"tinged"

[@ben8083]

Tire me-RATM

[@bradami1234]

Not ever a huge RATM. Fan.. but Tim is a monster on bass with that heavy distortion... Then when he went to the audioslave he continued to impress.. he is very funk based player..

[@KDelta1986]

Which line 6 helix do you use?

[@LowEndUniversity]

Just the regular Floor unit! Got it in 2017 and haven’t looked back once.

[@KDelta1986]

@@LowEndUniversity The one with 3 switches?

[@LowEndUniversity]

No, the regular large one with the expression pedal on the right side. I think what you’re talking about is the “stomp”.

[@KDelta1986]

@@LowEndUniversity Gotcha... Thanks!

[@LowEndUniversity]

Anytime! The small one with 3 switches can do all the same stuff, I’m pretty sure. Their product line is pretty seamless between them all - the difference is mainly just the hardware (extra switches, wah pedal, etc)

[@JS-hs1qu]

There were so many original ass "alt" rock bands in the 90s. Rage, tool, primus, AIC. You name it. It's all phoned in and copied these days

[@TheMaxer03]

Commies on Parade.

[@trevisol22]

love you, but how does one miss RATM...

[@LowEndUniversity]

Just did, man. I found 50 bands I loved growing up and didn’t really look further.

[@waylondaly7629]

Its also anti capitalist! Which is always a big plus

[@deloriablackwolf1251]

Shadow on the Sun would've been a better Tim baseline.

[@LowEndUniversity]

I’ll add it to my list!

[@alexbruce5684]

Propagandhi Please anythimg off Todays Empires or Victory Lap

[@AbyNeon]

you talk too much

[@chraffis]

Come on. You're not sure if you've heard that?? Really? 🙄

[@LowEndUniversity]

It’s the truth. Half of the videos I do focus on songs I’ve heard 1,000 times. Why would I suddenly lie about this one? 😂

[@chraffis]

@@LowEndUniversity Ok ok. My apologies. I forget that I'm getting old. In the late 90s that song was unavoidable.

[@LowEndUniversity]

All good man. I truly have maybe heard this a handful of times, maybe more passively. I recognize the main riff but nothing else about it. Much more familiar with “Killing in the Name” for sure. Past that, I need to go check out more of their work!

[@hcktylr1]

Is there a reason you even wear a bass in your videos?

[@LowEndUniversity]

Yeah. I play it.