Top 5 Punk Rock Finger Style Bassists!

[@PickTheBass]

Please enjoy, and make sure you LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE! You're all awesome!

[@caffeinatedinsanity2324]

Pretty good list and also nice to see people in comments acknowledge HWM's Jason Black.

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment! Jason Black and Mike Watt seem to be the bassists people bring up the most... they are most definitely beloved. I hope you've LIKED and SUBSCRIBED, you won't want to miss what's coming up!

[@mrpickles7812]

Love the videos man! Keep it up!

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment, and the encouragement! If all of you keep watching, I'll keep making them! I hope you've subscribed, you won't want to miss what's coming up!

[@AILofiGuy-beats]

this vid is awesome! thanks for putting it out, i hope you dig into goldfinger, mxpx etc! just excited for more

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment! I 100% will be digging deeper into Goldfinger, MXPX, and bands in that "genre"... that's some of my favorite stuff. I have a few more videos planned that are similar Top 5 videos, and then I'll likely start putting out videos on single bands or players, and hopefully some unboxing, gear review, and interview videos... it all depends on what people want. I love that people are excited, it makes it worth it! I hope you've subscribed, so you don't miss what's coming up!

[@brucemangan3807]

Stumbled across this vid .. between diving in on bass again after many years and the walk down memory lane here with your choices (I’m only 3 years older than you) … subbed..

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment, and thanks for subscribing! Bass is the best, welcome back! I definitely want my videos to be informational, but also be entertaining, and hopefully bring up some nostalgia for others as I relate my experiences to each thing. I'm glad everyone is digging it. Stay tuned, I've got way more coming up!

[@1thess523]

Finger style bassist for in no particular order would be Matt Riddle of Face To Face, Karl Alvarez, Jason Black of Hot Water, Mike Herrera of MXPX early stuff, and Tony Rocha of Quit 👍.

[@PickTheBass]

Matt Riddle was great, but I'm way more into the Scott Shiflett era. Everyone keeps bringing up Jason Black, I guess I'll have to try harder to like HWM.

[@1thess523]

@@PickTheBass i like HWM early stuff the best, they were rougher and 90's-er

[@inktvisje575]

@@PickTheBass check out the album Fuel for the Hate Game by HWM, that has aggressive bass work on it and sounds more punk than the recent stuff I've heard

[@PickTheBass]

@@inktvisje575 Hot Water Music is next on my list of bands I need to really listen to and try and have it click. I will definitely check this one out! Thank you!

[@travisedwards3543]

•Royce nuley(sp?)- suicide machines •karl alvarez - descendents •eben diamico - saves the day (The girl that played in black flag played finger style but im not a particularly big fan of her playing.)

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for. the comment! Everyone always brings up Suicide Machines... I guess I'm just really picky about ska, I never got into them. Karl is already on my list, he was number 3... I love Karl! I hope you're subscribed, you won't want to miss out on what's coming up!

[@ADepressedWooper]

dukowski, the bassist on the damaged record also played with fingers but from the sound of the bass from the album i assume that at first he used a pick and transitioned to a fingerstyle later, my only source is his photo on wikipedia

[@scheissami]

Jason Black of Hot Water Music is a monster

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment! I never really got into HWM, but I'm down to try. What should I start with? I hope you've subscribed, you won't want to miss what's coming up!

[@scheissami]

@@PickTheBass I got into them in the late 90s so my favorite albums are “Forever and Counting” and “Fuel for the Hate Game.” The rhythm work between Black and George Rebelo (drums) is just generally amazing, but the bass lines in “Man the Change,” “Trademark,” and “Rock Singer” are pretty killer. He’s a MM player, supposedly with a bit of a jazz background as well.

[@PickTheBass]

I just listened to those songs and a few more... the bass is great. The band is great. It's just not for me. I always try to circle back on things that other people love but I don't connect to. HWM is a bit too heavy and sludgy for me. I will listen a couple more times before I put it away for a few more years, but I don't think this was the time that I get it. I tried!

[@scheissami]

@@PickTheBass I get it for sure! Their newer material is way less aggro, more straight ahead than their older “orgcore.” The albums Feel the Void and Vows are way less sludgy. They’ve talked a lot about how they changed their production while recording, they don’t love the sound of the old records. For me, though, it’s the best stuff lol Thanks for giving them another listen 😎

[@1thess523]

​@@scheissamiyes yes and yes! Those two are my favorite albums, I really only listen up to No Division because they kinda got a little mellow for me after that

[@ericknighton5615]

You’re killing it bro

[@PickTheBass]

Thank you... and thanks for the comment! I've got a lot more in the works, so stay tuned!

[@Tony-tt5mn]

Chuck Dukowski of Black Flag, big part of what made them so heavy. I think Richard Hell too. Honorable mention to Mike Watt, since most of the Minute Men's catalog he was using a pick, honestly should be on the top 5 pick list too.

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment! I was never really that into Black Flag or Television, so those bassists wouldn't really be on my radar. Same with Mike Watt, I definitely respect him, but was never really moved by his tunes... he does come up all the time though in the comments. I'm way more of a skate punk and pop punk person, which is probably obvious when you watch my videos. It's been really cool learning what everyone else is into though. I hope you've LIKED and SUBSCRIBED, you won't want to miss what's coming up!

[@ADepressedWooper]

Louiche Mayorga from Suicidal Tendencies also played with his fingers, he wasn't flashy but he knew how to follow fast drum beats

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment! I never really got into Suicidal Tendencies, but I appreciate what a huge influence they were on a lot of my influences. Sometimes I think playing with your fingers can make it easier to follow along with a drummer, especially if you're not playing flashy. It seems to really lock in that way. I hope you've LIKED and SUBSCRIBED, you won't want to miss what's coming up!

[@WilliamTrimble]

I don't know if you saw, but Jesse is filling in with Lagwagon while Lil Joe is out...I wish they were coming close...he was my favorite all time punk bass player!

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment! I did not see that, but I wish I could see them with him again... Joe is awesome, but it was so much more with Jesse.

[@AndrewBarsky]

The fact that Pete from Streetlight isn’t on this list should be criminal.

[@AndrewBarsky]

The sheet music for his playing gives me a headache if I’m honest

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment! I've never really listened to them. Aren't they a Catch 22 offshoot? I was never into them, so I never listened to Streetlight. What should I start with? At some point I will have to listen to all the stuff that is recommended to me and make a video on that. I hope you've subscribed, you won't want to miss what's coming up!

[@PickTheBass]

That's awesome... I can't read sheet music, so it would give me a way bigger headache.

[@AndrewBarsky]

@@PickTheBass The “live at fearless music hd” is a great live recording. It’s really hard to say where to begin. They did Keasby nights which was a catch 22 album I believe. Everything goes numb, or somewhere in the between are both solid albums in their own right. Can’t expect everyone to listen to everything, but Pete is objectively great.

[@PickTheBass]

So I listened through Somewhere in the Between... I don't think it's for me. It's way too ska for me. The bass was incredible though, I just can't ska that hard. Really good stuff though... the writing, performing, and recording are all stellar, I'm just not this kind of ska guy.

[@markculpepper9136]

Rich Tshirhardt from Suicide Machines (2002-present) is the best punk finger player.

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment! I'm not familiar with any of their work after the mid 90s... I'll have to check it out. I hope you've LIKED and SUBSCRIBED, you won't want to miss what's coming up!

[@Lucas7kopas]

Very good

[@PickTheBass]

Thank you for the comment! I hope you've LIKED and SUBSCRIBED... you won't want to miss what's coming up!

[@rapaiz7]

Jason Black from HWM and Jonathan Hischke from Cigar would be on the my list for sure

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment! Jonathan is an incredible bassist. In general Cigar is highly underrated. I hope you've LIKED and SUBSCRIBED, you won't want to miss what's coming up!

[@EricNygma]

Hell yeah to 2 of my top 5 being in this list! My personal 5 would be: Karl Alvarez of Descendents Norwood Fisher of Fishbone Brian J. Robbin’s of A Wilhelm Scream Glen Matlock of Sex Pistols Kira Roessler of Black Flag

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment! That's a great list. Glen Matlock is a killer bassist. I hope you're subscribed, you won't want to miss what's coming up!

[@Odennis]

Amazing list, Lagwagon always brings me back to 2000 and Im playing Harvest Moon on an SNES Emulator blasting whatever of their songs I could get off of Napster in my headphones at 2am.

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment! That sounds like a pretty good time.

[@noahskatess]

Mike Watt

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment. I've never really listened to Mike Watt, but he always comes up. I suppose I should give him a listen. What do you suggest? Maybe I'll include him in a future video, once I learn a bit more. I hope you've subscribed, you won't want to miss what's coming up!

[@jansendwan1221]

@@PickTheBass Buzz or howl under the influence of heat. Super short, you can do it!

[@Redbeard4321]

Double Nickels on the Dime-he’s transitioning from pick to finger picking on that album. In 2000 J Mascis asked him to use a pick for The Fog tours, had him bi amp with a Marshall stack taking half the rig and use a couple effects pedals. His time in J Mascis and the Fog ended with a van crash in Europe. But he used effects on the next solo album. The song Beltsandedman has some amazing solos.

[@Redbeard4321]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIfVoI18iL6DZpIsi=9WjV1Bg-KfK8WcYl

[@jzoomradog583]

Lee Rocker, he's one of my favorites. Rumble in Brighton.

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment! I'm not familiar with him... but I'll have to check it out! I hope you've subscribed, you won't want to miss what's coming up!

[@plp291]

Jesse from will always be my #1❤️

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment! He definitely rules. Regardless of finger vs pick, his parts are incredible. I hope you've LIKED and SUBSCRIBED, you won't want to miss what's coming up!

[@dinginternet5199]

Some of my favorites punk fingerstyle bassists are Dug E. Bird from Beefeater (One of the rare slap bassists in hardcore punk), Fred Erskin from Crownhate Ruin and Hoover (Moody, groovy and dubby basslines with killer tone) and Terrin Durfey (RIP) from Boilermaker (Sing and play the bass) Terrin play both pick and fingerstyle but goddamn his basslines are so good especially on Boilermaker last album.

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment! I honestly have never heard of any of them... I'll have to check them out. I hope you've subscribed, you won't want to miss what's coming up!

[@SethIzenzon-W2]

I love your list. I like it when you do these lists, not only do you list your favorite tracks, but go down the rabbit hole of gear the Basist used, at least Bass and Amps. Would I Change Anything on this list or add to it? Let's say I would have to research to see if my favorite Punk Basists use Picks just their fingers or even both. Like I have said before, even on my Stingray; I play both. Whatever tone suits the song I am playing. Great Video as well. The only thing I would change is instead of saying "Pick" so much LOL, I would say at the end instead... " Put a Finger on it" LOL. Lastly, and unrelated, speaking of your #5 Band pick, have you heard the new Reel Big Fish song with the band Ice 9 Kills where they do a really good Ska cover of K.C. and the Sunshine Band's "Walking on Sunshine"? It just came out. If you have not seen it, look up the music video. It is great. If I come up with a Finger style 5 list of my own, I will add them as a comment here as I look myself. Otherwise, again, great video. What is next, Tapping since you already discussed that a bit or Slap style? LOL.

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment! I'm now anticipating your comments when I put something out... so I'm glad I'm still doing good! I might use my fingers more if I didn't suck at it so much. It's like I don't know how to play when I put my pick down. I have not heard the Reel Big Fish song, but it's on the list... I've heard good things. The next video I'm working on will be my 5 favorite Grunge bassists... hopefully it won't take me forever to get it out. Stay tuned!

[@handywithshovels]

Mike Watt would be on my list. Also, a great finger player that’s under the radar is Jeff Long from LA’s Wasted Youth album Reagan’s In. Iirc, I read Karl Alavarez has also played Ibanez basses and Reverend basses at times. I could swear he was playing an Ibanez when I saw ALL around 1989

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment! I think basically all bassists play an Ibanez at some point... while I never had an Ibanez, my Fender Prophecy II is basically a Fender that is an Ibanez. Karl did in fact play an Ibanez as well as a Reverend... I found this video where he talks about it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJjVlHujmZ14fMU

[@handywithshovels]

@@PickTheBass I played a fender jazz bass special for many years, but it got stolen from me. I recently bought a Reverend Mercalli 4 and and super pleased with it

[@PickTheBass]

That sucks that you lost a Jazz bass, but it's super awesome that you have a Reverend.

[@onedropbass9807]

Want by Lagwagon is on the album Let's Talk About Feelings.

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment! It is on Feelings now, but initially when it came out it was on Leftovers... it wasn't until Leftovers went out of print that they separated all the B sides and put them with the albums they were originally tracked with. I still think all the extra Lagwagon songs as being from Leftovers, even though its been years since I've listened to them that way. I hope you've LIKED and SUBSCRIBED, you won't want to miss what's coming up!

[@shanesmith2853]

Jimbo Wallace of the Reverend Horton Heat🔥

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment! That's the first addition of an upright player... I don't even know how to compare that, but I should probably address upright bass at some point. I hope you've subscribed, you won't want to miss what's coming up!

[@shanesmith2853]

@PickTheBass All upright players are finger style, but not all upright players are Jimbo 🤠

[@PickTheBass]

True. Are there other great upright players in punk bands?

[@GremlinBones]

Finding out there is a Pro Angler named Matt Wong and that the bassist of a fish titled band is also Matr Wong. Hilarious. Never seen you channel before now but looking forward to more

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment! That one gave me a good laugh when I put it all together. There are puns for days between those 2 dudes. I'm glad you're enjoying the content! I hope you've subscribed so you don't miss out on what's coming up!

[@ryankuchera9477]

Excellent..

[@PickTheBass]

Thank you! More to come, stay tuned!

[@1thess523]

I met Jesse when I saw Lagwagon for thr Hoss tour and he let me try his new Stingray 😃, Jesse was playing a Mesa 400+ head when I saw him the two times

[@PickTheBass]

Jesse was great... I love Joe Raposo, but they were so much more with Jesse. At some point in the mid 90s, everyone had a Mesa 400+ before they switched to Ampeg. I mostly play my Ampeg, but I also have a 400+ that I love, but never use because it's way too loud. It was great when I was on tour and playing big venues... but its not a basement or bar amp. I'd imagine you did, but I sure hope you've subscribed... I've got a lot more coming soon, and you won't want to miss it! Thanks for all the comments!

[@robertoanthony6228]

Jason Black from hot water music?

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment. I'm getting a lot of Jason Black comments. I never really got into HWM, so they didn't make my list. I'm going to try and get into them now though, since everyone seems to dig them so much. I hope you've subscribed, you won't want to miss what's coming up!

[@allenpeters7995]

Mike Watt, minutemen!

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment. I'm going to have to do a deep dive into Mike Watt at some point, he keeps coming up. I hope you've subscribed, you won't want to miss what's coming up next!

[@Redbeard4321]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIfVoI18iL6DZpIsi=9WjV1Bg-KfK8WcYl

[@PickTheBass]

That's some great tone! Also, that lineup!

[@adamdev9391]

Pretty sure Matt Riddle (Face to Face/No Use for a Name) is a finger player.

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment. I too believe Matt was a finger style player... but I'm way more into Scott Shiflett's work with Face to Face. I hope you've subscribed, you won't want to miss out on what's coming up!

[@NoUseForAName0626]

Yeah, Matt is definitely a finger player.. I Love the Band No Use For A Name (Obviously, I use that name as my KZbin name lol) No question, Scott is an Un-freaking-believable Bass Player and I may even prefer his playing in Face to Face compared to Matt's.. Matt was Perfect for NUFAN I think.. 8:26 Speaking of No Use For A Name if you've never heard their Punk Rock cover of Badfish from Sublime.. I cant recommend it enough!! Lol 🤘

[@bushleague3472]

@@PickTheBass As far as raw talent goes one has to give the nod to Scott, but IMO Matt just did his job better. He stayed present and busy while still filling out the bottom end. A fair bit of Scott's playing, and especially his tone, seems like its more about being heard than actually making the band sound better. F2F seems to have a pretty good grasp of giving the bass lots of space, so to me Matts big round tone just generally worked better.

[@eliangonzalezandthecoastgu2321]

Every Wilhelm scream album is amazing but the most recent one was I feel a little bit watered down

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment! I hate to talk smack on a band that I love, but it was way less exciting and lighter in tone than all of their previous work... I never really listen to it. I hope you've LIKED and SUBSCRIBED, you won't want to miss what's coming up!

[@matthewharris5586]

Your insertion of the punny pictures makes this unwatchable. Just saying

[@PickTheBass]

Thanks for the comment! I appreciate the criticism. I have toned that way down in the newer videos, and will continue to do so as I find my style... this is a very new channel after all. Perhaps if you watched newer videos, you may find them more to your liking. I hope you've LIKED and SUBSCRIBED, you won't want to miss what's coming up!

[@matthewharris5586]

@ I just subscribed. I’ll check out the new stuff. Thanks

[@PickTheBass]

Thank you! Welcome to the channel... I promise to do my best to improve as I go!