THE CURE are hypnotic. Bass Teacher REACTS to "Fascination Street"

[@thesean3194]

Simon is one of the most influential post punk bassists ever. He isn’t flashy, or technical. But man, his dark tone and lines are integral to the Cure’s sound.

[@mightyV444]

@@thesean3194 - Still _are_ , too! 🙂

[@thesean3194]

@@mightyV444 edited for present tense👍🤘

[@mightyV444]

@@thesean3194 - Good on ya, but it wasn't really necessary either! 😉👍

[@milkcarton6654]

I picked up bass because of him 30 years ago. Although it needs to be stated that quite a few of Cure basslines were written by smith. You only have to hear the home studio demos to realise it. I believe most of the Disintegration basslines, including this one, were written by Robert.

[@kirtfulcher6288]

Disintegration is an amazing album, the basslines may not be complicated but they are exemplary in how a bass can drive a song and hold it together while all the guitars and keys go nuts.

[@annonimouse170]

One of my favourite albums of all time, I don't think there is an album with a better opening.

[@Jaspertine]

I've been a guitarist for decades, and when I picked up the bass a few years ago, Disintegration was the album I played along with to get a feel for the instrument.

[@SO-ym3zs]

@@annonimouse170 Their masterpiece, and one of the greatest albums of the decade. And, yes, that opening is magical cranked up on a good sound system.

[@kirtfulcher6288]

@@SO-ym3zs kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3iYipqrqrOGgMksi=blINNvMGIP1bIsS9

[@descantinginsalubrious]

One of my FAVORITE FAVORITE things about the Cure is that "sound design" and multiple layers of instruments.

[@betoney1]

One thing I Love about many Cure songs is the layers of different melodies happening at the same times.

[@SO-ym3zs]

That's great that you're taking the time to get into what the Cure is all about. An amazing, influential band. Post-punk and alternative bass from the 80's in general is a goldmine of interesting things to hear, play, and discuss.

[@Dystopia1111]

The Hanging Garden has a nice combo of driving bass and drums. Not the best-known Cure track, but definitely an early gem for them.

[@OldSchlPunk]

Yes! Very good song for analysis.

[@hw343434]

Epic song

[@ricardojmestre]

Great song, part of a great album.

[@flyingardilla143]

The Cure always had some satisfying intros to their songs. It is a small thing, but it really helps establish the groove.

[@markmm1066]

The first song on the album has like a 2 minute intro. So atmospheric.

[@marcusedwards8283]

I used to be a drummer in some bands and one of them used to cover this song. Even though the parts are repetitive and not especially technical, I always loved playing it. It's all about the feel and vibe.

[@dmanorozco]

One of the most criminally underrated bass players of all time. He knows how to use pedals for the bass. Great melody on the bass. Jupiter Crash and Trust are my favorites he plays

[@Jaspertine]

You're very close. The first part of the run is sliding from C to D#, but then the second time he slides up a second, from C to D, and you got the rest of the part spot on.

[@davidslusher2190]

Simon Gallup (Cure bassist) and Peter Hook developed a rivalry and friendship over their careers. Disintegration is their magnum opus, but their is lots of great music throughout their career.

[@rupe82]

The Cure have also covered Joy Division. They did a full cover of Love Will Tear Us Apart and Robert has played the She's Lost Control bass riff on guitar when performing A Forest live.

[@annonimouse170]

Those two and Steve Harris from Iron Maiden were the reasons that an adolescent me picked up a bass when all my pals wanted to to be axe heroes or front-men. It's satisfying to see Si invariably wear Maiden shirts when gigging in recent years.

[@markbock3027]

Part of the Cure’s brilliance has always been simplicity. They’ve never been about highly technical playing, just really tasteful melodic soundscapes, and Simon Gallup’s bass playing is integral to that. He actually usually plays a four-string; it’s usually Robert Smith playing the Bass VI as more of an accent instrument. Check out “Pictures of You,” also off Disintegration; it’s one of the best examples of everything I’ve just said.

[@sxexaxn]

One of my very favorite songs from them. And it’s primarily because of that bass. The punchy groove that it carries under the song is hypnotic.

[@kevinb7126]

This song is what drew me into them after seeing the video when it came out. I was a metal guy and this bass just drew me in have been a fan ever since .

[@zoeherriot]

USUALLY the Bass VI is played by Robert (the lead singer), and it's the melodies (see Pictures of You, Lullaby, Faith etc). Usually has a very bell like, clean tone (but not always). There is a lot of speculation as to whether this bass line was recorded with a Bass VI. We know for a fact Robert's original demo (he wrote the bassline) was written on a Bass VI - But Simon was using a lot of Musicman Stingrays during this period, so it could have been that. And Simon also has said he doesn't like the Bass VI. But then... in the filmclip, here he is using it. It's a complete mystery.

[@kirtfulcher6288]

I thought Robert plays a Baritone, I didn't know he played a Bass VI too

[@zoeherriot]

@@kirtfulcher6288 he doesn't play a baritone at all. He has played a Fender Bass VI (or more recently the Schecter variant) since 1980. Mike Hedges tells the story that he "stole" the white Bass VI from someone that had used the studio previously - and it became a key part of the Cure sound after that. Robert has collected over a dozen Bass VI's over the years - but the one he uses the most for recording (the original one he "stole") was found to be wired differently from a standard Bass VI - which helped give it a distinctive sound.

[@stewartmitchell8007]

The cure and joy division/new order have the most melodic driving bass lines around. Awesome. Your gonna love more cure.

[@mattwarbuckle]

He also wears his bass so low I get carpal tunnel in MY hands

[@mlwsf]

I've been waiting for this one.

[@6demonbag542]

1989 was the best year in music: Disintegration, Paul's Boutique, Pretty Hate Machine, Doolittle, 3 Feet High and Rising, and the greatest album ever: Wrong!

[@zenzenzen4741]

That opening bassline tone is SICK!!

[@jokermtb]

Just added a bass-6 to my repertoire....we've tackled Bowie's Ziggy Stardust with me playing the bass part on the Bass-6 (I'm normally the lead guitarist in the band). It's a truly fascinating (!) instrument that you should indeed try. I love it.

[@viammortis]

Man I love watching your videos. You've got a lot of insight and your theoretical explanations are elucidating in a way that isn't over-complicating.

[@skeeterd5150]

Lovesong on this album made me start obsessing over bass guitar when I was in middle school. I never heard the bass carry as much as Simon does. It is the song

[@kirtfulcher6288]

I know its more of the same concept, but good lord does the title song of this album take this concept to the next level. There is so much build without 80% of the music changing other than in its intensity.

[@espowari]

I love watching your mind be blown by this bass line. Simon Gallup is the flippin' MAN. Check out 100 Years, and Play For Today. Specifically the LIVE versions...

[@amiatarukita1231]

another band with GREAT cyclical basslines is jane’s addiction, particularly the songs on their earlier albums. would love to hear your take on them too! 🙌🏻

[@theskankingpigeon965]

Nothing's Shocking is a great album to jam along to. Really helped me figure out basslines by ear as a beginner.

[@amiatarukita1231]

@@theskankingpigeon965 i couldn’t agree more! nothing’s shocking is def on my top 5 best albums of all time, one of the reasons being eric avery’s basslines! 😎

[@maxvockner]

That bass tone of the cure is amazing. Lots of pick scratch and klankyness and great dynamics. Also the accenting makes it have such a great feel to not get bored with

[@gavinshickle1814]

Here and during your live stream a number of weeks ago I've requested you cover some INXS because I'm confident you can appreciate bass work that isn't overly complex but is nonetheless very solid and drives the song well. This reaction confirms for me that I was correct in that assessment. Love this reaction. Really love me some Cure. So many amazing songs. Some that are massively under rated like How Beautiful You Are. Fun fact about A Forest, it was used in an episode of Penguin.

[@JoneyJefe]

I noticed that too!

[@theskankingpigeon965]

How Beautiful You Are is such a cool bassline. Love playing that one.

[@BockwinkleB]

I would recommend checking out Eric A from Janes Addiction, Deconstruction and Polar Bear if you havent already. He writes bass lines that are a mixture of post punk, 80s emo mixed with hard rock and industrial.

[@krazykylelapointe2710]

I really find their song structures interesting. Like this song is a 1 minute intro, verse, chorus, instrumental, chorus then outro. Just a weird way to do it that goes with the flow of things

[@Monsterdrumma]

Imo Simon writes the most singable memorable bass lines ever! The cures tunes are epic to me!

[@Azabaxe80]

The word you're looking for (instead of singable) is lyrical, which is a technical term meaning melodic. However, the word is nowadays used to mean something else, and I think that's sad.

[@gorillaump5869]

Hell yes! This song is freaking epic! Check out "pictures of you" that song will convince you your lover just dumped you or a close family member just died.. the power of music is amazing, its hard the believe this album is from 1988.

[@burnstwo]

Simon Gallup and The Cure are the reason I picked up the bass. A Forest and Lovesong and Fascination Street!! The songs give me all the warm and fuzzies and his chordal influence over melody makes it. There's a lot to study here.

[@annonimouse170]

Simon Gallup, Steve Harris and Peter Hook - the 'unholy' trinity that influenced an adolescent me to pick up a bass when all my friends wanted to be axe heroes or front men.

[@zhegwood]

Others to check out for moody/goth sorts of bands with bass parts in similar vein... Sisters of Mercy - Lucretia My Reflection, Bauhaus - She's in Parties, Muscle in Plastic, God in an Alcove, Kick in the Eye, In the Night... David J is one of my faves.

[@piershollott339]

Public Image Limited did a song called "Death Disco", and the phrase fits here. When you listen to a lot of early post-punk and goth music, like Bauhaus, Siouxsie, Joy Division, PiL and the Cure, the sound is bass heavy, and the bass is kind of disco, kind of reggae, but clearly neither of these. Most of the other bands moved away from that sound eventually, while the Cure perfected it. Also, if you haven't listened to Savages, they were one of the best recent post-punk bands. Their KEXP session is phenomenal.

[@rupe82]

This was one of the first basslines I learnt, it's a bassline that made me want to play bass.

[@LetsGoMetsGo33]

i'm a fan. i got a Robert Smith "pop" figure fow Christmas (and I'm a punk enthusiast). when I saw them around '92, they did "a forest" as their encore, and they extented the last bass note as an outro for minutes, to the point that my concert companions said "lets leave and beat traffic", lol. but they're great.

[@DavidWalter-yl2ic]

You've covered all my favourite bassists,bar one,New Model Army's Stuart Morrow.Vengeance and No Rest for the Wicked albums only.Try the track "Frightened " for starters.Amazing bassist.Love the channel.

[@markbock3027]

Stuart Morrow was unique, but his replacements, Jason Harris and then Nelson, were excellent too.

[@remco2777]

Really interesting analysis, thank you

[@matthewzehnder1466]

Dude, if you're into moody music, you just found the motherlode. The Cure really are the pinnacle of that particular mountain.

[@jankoegl]

ANOTHER JOURNEY BY TRAIN never gets mentioned anywhere for some reason… Insanely cool and catchy bass melodies there

[@hernanmartinez5982]

The Fender Bass VI is just for the video. The bass lines of this song weren´t play on that. But the record Disintegration has a LOT great Fender Bass VI parts, especially "The Same Deep Water as You"

[@synthetix_808]

The songs bassline wasn't recorded with the Bass VI. He just grabbed one for the video. Just like Robert wasn't playing an electric sitar, he just thought it looked good for the video. Simon used one of his standard 4 strings (likely Thunderbird or Gibson ES, back then). Robert played the Bass VI for many of the other lead parts on the album (Pictures of You). You can watch any of their live videos, regarding instrumentation. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHzUimxued2dj9ksi=V8vUvb3TVTsbl6n3

[@philippendletonmusic]

That opening guitar arpeggio is so Cocteau Twins (ala "Garlands" album). Who influenced who?

[@nixdawegda]

I like how you have not much knowledge of The Cure but appreciate everything they do. The Bass VI is a melody instrument in the cure, mostly. You could do entire videos on "how the Bass VI is used in The Cure-songs".

[@zoeherriot]

I would recommend Primary - again, not a complicated song - but it is just Drums and TWO P-Basses. OR - Lullaby, off this album. A slightly terrifying film-clip and has a great bass line, and also shows off the Bass VI playing the melody.

[@81bats61]

I was 8 when this came out. When ever this song would come on MTV, I would just get lost in the bass line. Still one of the my top 5 albums of all time. Great Video. Everytime I saw them live, he was playing a thunderbird for Fascination Street btw.

[@Vintech64]

For a bass player you need to check out The Cure "PLAY FOR TODAY" or "JUMPING SOMEONE ELSE'S TRAIN". It is fun and a bit more of a challenge for you. Faster songs that are feature the bass more than the guitar...🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥A Forest, Play for today, and Jumping Someone Else's Train were the first 3 songs that I learned to play flawlessly.

[@OpunktSchmidt1301]

Simon Gallup is such an awesome bass-player. I especially like him playing the upright-bass in "Lovecats". "Just like heaven", "Lovesong" and "Inbetween days" are also grand! Thanks a lot for the video! 😊👍🏻

[@pau1rose]

SImon didn't play the upright bass in Lovecats. But I agree, he is an awesome bass player.

[@OpunktSchmidt1301]

@@pau1rose Oh! Sure! I forgot that he left the band after an argument with Robert just before "Japanese whispers". So it was Phil Thornally who played the bass at this time. My fault...

[@tofuleg]

Great stuff. Love The Cure. My first "big band" concert was The Cure in the mid 90's. I've heard this song on the album and the radio, but never saw the video. Very nice indeed.

[@ronroidz2925]

If you ever want to look at more basslines from the Cure, maybe some with more variety, I highly recommand "jumping someone elses train" or "lovesong"! especialy the first influenced a lot of my own bassplay.

[@jthompson5341]

Maybe it's time for some, JANE'S ADDICTION. "Three Days", "Up the Beach", "No On'e Leaving", and "Then She Did". I mention these songs(and this band and especially the bass player, Eric Avery), because the Bass drives almost every song, and the bass is how the songs were written. Check them out!

[@tampastu]

You picked the proper album for mood and atmosphere. You owe it to yourself to give a full listen.

[@mightyV444]

Nah, I'm pretty sure he didn't actually play a Bass VI during the recording of this song but instead one of his semi-acoustic basses like Knight, Eccleshall or Gibson Jack Casady (Whichever one of the three he was using at that time). And yes, Simon Gallup's bass sound had changed from the 'A Forest' sound to this grittier one with the 'Pornography' album (Their 4th, and he plays a Ric on it), and he still sounds a lot like this today. And there also _are_ plenty of Cure songs with much less static bass lines. Some of _my_ favourites are in 'Foolish Arrangement' 🙂 HAPPY NEW YEAR! 😀🙌💚🌈☀️🍀🦋🌻

[@zoeherriot]

He's even more distorted these days. The tone on Burn live at glastonbury is DIRTY. It's still a mystery about the Bass VI... Robert's original demo (he wrote the bassline) was very similar, and likely played on a Bass VI. But this version is grittier. But I still don't understand why Simon decided to play the Bass VI in the filmclip, especially given he's not that fond of them.

[@mightyV444]

@zoeherriot - Yes, it sure is a strange choice. Then again, he can also be seen with a Gibson EB-2 semi-acoustic bass in the 'Lovesong' clip, and I can't remember ever seeing him play one live on stage!

[@zoeherriot]

@@mightyV444 Pretty sure he plays and EB-2 during the Show concert? Maybe during Edge of the Deep Green Sea and Forest? Or it's the Dick Knight custom, which is basically an EB-2 style body with active pickups.

[@zoeherriot]

@@mightyV444 BTW - the bass in the Lovesong filmclip is almost certainly a Washburn AB-40 acoustic bass. It's not an EB-2 because it clearly has an angled fretboard at the neck join. So yes, he doesn't play it live - but by the same token Boris didn't play stalagmites live either. The reason I suggested it was weird Simon was playing the Bass VI in Fascination Street is because the guitars Porl and Robert used where likely the ones used to record the song (The Coral Sitar is definitely on Fascination Street, as is Porl's Gibson). Now... this is definitely the weakest evidence out of all the evidence and is only interesting when you know the fact the demo was recorded with a Bass VI, and there was an interview with Simon where he talked about using a metalic pick on the Bass VI to get the sound (but no one can find this interview... so it's again... weak evidence).

[@mightyV444]

@@zoeherriot - That's all very interesting and intriguing info! Also, thank you for the 'Lovesong' correction; I'd remembered it wrong 😅 I _still_ find it hard to believe we're really hearing a Bass VI on 'Fascination Street', though! That so sounds like a proper _long-scale_ bass to my ears (which will also contribute to the Dick Knight sounding nothing like an EB-2, on top of the different pick-ups), and I doubt a Bass VI could ever sound like that. But who knows...!?

[@cosmicbackwoods]

every few years this song comes back into my life and I'm never bummed about it. check out the album My Anti Aircraft Friend by Julie, the bass is awesome

[@garageink74]

Been waiting for this one a while.

[@johnmordecai2776]

I read somewhere, but can't confirm, that the Bass VI part was played with a metal pick or coin to get that extra jagged, metallic sound.

[@COwens]

It's lifted from 'State of the Nation' by New Order, but still a great song. Any chance of reacting to Killing Joke? Particularly Turn to Red, Pssyche and The Hum?

[@jean-christophelebachelet5926]

You're right for this song Simon Gallup Played the bass line on Fender Bass VI on the album.... for years people wonder why they can't have the gritty sound from their bass...... and they can't be blame because Simon plays this track on regular 4 strings bass guitar for concert ! For fantastic bass Tone from The Cure try Other voices or The holy hour from the 1981 FAITH ALBUM or The figurehead or The Hanging Garden from the 1982 Pornography Album, Goth rock masterpiece !!!

[@widewailcorduroy7278]

The tone and punch of the live 4-string bass is completely different, and tbh kind of destroys the mood of the song.

[@crothefool1651]

According to the 1989 liner notes, "Disintegration" was mixed specifically so that the louder you play it, the more layers you can hear. Get some good headphones and check it out. :)

[@descantinginsalubrious]

I BLEW my car speakers OUT listening to this tape at max volume.

[@matthathaway5015]

Welcome to the Cure! What a wonderful time to come aboard, while Disintegration is their best album, their album that came out just a few months ago has some of the same Robert Smith magic

[@m1k3g3tz]

technically, 2 basses on this track - simon on the 4 string (stingray maybe?) and porl on the bass vi

[@AlanEnriqueJavier]

I suggest you review a live song from The Cure, there you can really see -and hear- when they use a Bass VI and a 4-string

[@danooc1]

I will be fascinated to see another Hot Water Music review someday.😂😂 Sorry, couldn't resist. Good review.. keep them coming.

[@drod7117]

Check out Stavesacre’s cover of this song.

[@PowderedToastMan420]

I spent many high school nights listening to THE CURE with my RADIO SHACK headphones. ✌️

[@philippendletonmusic]

Also, you really need to listen to Mick Karn (Japan). Was lucky enough to work with 2 members of Japan on my next release (Robert Dean and Steve Jansen).

[@robrosario4721]

The instrument Robert Smith is playing is a Coral electric sitar

[@pau1rose]

If you like gritty bass tones from the Cure you need to check out Screw on the Head on the Door album.

[@Tonixe86]

Sergio Vega, during his time with Deftones, used to play a Bass VI. Very interesting.

[@bedroomarcade3160]

They just came out with songs of a lost world. in my opinion their best record. Old ones are good too. But it's so refined that I like it best. Alone. And nothing is forever are awesome songs I can never say good bye too.

[@jonnydisaster]

HAPPY TO SEE THE CURE BACK ON THE CHANNEL. “100 YEARS” FROM THEIR RECORD “PORNOGRAPHY” WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT SONG FOR YOU TO CHECK OUT

[@tylerarcher2976]

The cures new album song Drone:Nodrone

[@Canine77]

Check out “A Forest” and “Prayers For Rain”.

[@LowEndUniversity]

🤔

[@christophermwalsh]

This is the song that made me want to pick up a bass for the first time.

[@kool_thing]

You gotta check out Primary by The Cure. They're using two bass guitars in this one, really cool.

[@franzwohlgemuth2002]

One of the greatest songs EVER!!!

[@absea7918]

The Cure are a great "mood" band. I will say, this is the video single version of the song. The album version is longer, and a bit more winding and doomy. In the album version, the vocals take a while to start, so I understand why they edited for the video (MTV actually featured this back then), but as a composition, I think the album version is better.

[@DarkCreation08]

Pretty sure it's actually Robert Smith playing the Bass VI and Simon is playing a standard 4 string.

[@TarkasBane]

Often, yes, but not in this. In Lullaby, Smith plays the melody on a VI with Gallup on a 4-string.

[@JordanPeacock]

I highly recommend There Will Not Be Scum by Frodus as an example of where the guitar is repetitive in order to let the bass and drums play

[@HerveBoisde]

Lovecats shows the Cure’s light but quirky side with an upright jazzy bassline that I got a kick out of playing. There’s some great basslines on the new album and Simon Gallup employs a gritty almost abrasive tone on some of the darker songs. Endsong stands out as a 10 minute epic with some great bass work. One of The Cure’s best songs since the Wish album

[@JoeDawson-h9m]

Other Voice has a nice heavy bass tone also Carnage Visor it is 23 minute instrumental with 2 bass guitars.

[@guitarbo1]

Also, Simon plays with a pick. Big part of his sound and feel 🎸🎸

[@montgomeryreece7720]

The Cure creates atmospheres.

[@user54389]

When I was a kid I dismissed these guys too but the older I get, the more I love The Cure; their music is so cathartic to me. You should check out Stavesacre's cover of this song, it doesn't miss.

[@Runner1999]

Northern skyline- banner pilot pleaaase!!! You need to hear this

[@LowEndUniversity]

All in time! They're on my list, too.

[@MedalionDS9]

Welcome to Gothic Post Punk Pop Rock... The Cure... absolute legends!

[@tom.mcf.]

Has anyone suggested AIR? AIR play "Moon Safari" - Royal Albert Hall - ARTE Concert

[@deloriablackwolf1251]

Definitely get a bass xi.

[@Azabaxe80]

I watched your take on "Forest". I'm sure that my comment there was for you to check "Primary". There are no guitars or keyboards on that record, just Simon Gallup and Robert Smith both playing bass. Check that.

[@MrAlframseysrevenge]

For a song similar in sound you should listen to the Cocteau Twins - Blind, Dumb, Deaf - really interesting and diverse bass line

[@Llamafarmer423]

Should check out Primary by the cure, both Simon and Robert play bass

[@bradhogan646]

Disintegration being Their highest selling album is kinda shocking. It’s a great album that made me a fan of them. I would have thought a poppier album would have sold more.

[@sjukfan]

Moahaha! Soon he'll be doing the last song on the 1982 album 🙂

[@TarkasBane]

I think the bass VI might sound lower and boomier because he boosts the bass(and treble to get the grit) and scoops the mids.

[@descantinginsalubrious]

SCOOP THE MIDS

[@robertspindler5652]

There's 2 different bass here a six played mostly as a baritone guitar and traditional 4 string playing low rhythm

[@landisix9709]

The Cure - “Burn”

[@espowari]

Also of note he uses a bit of delay and chorus / flanger modulation when playing this live.

[@theskankingpigeon965]

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!