09-24-2025, 10:30 AM
It's one half of the rhythm section, for sure, traditionally. I think it depends on what the song is asking for. Some songs don't have guitar; some don't have drums; some don't have bass; some don't have vocals, etc.
I've always wondered what some of the bass-less White Stripes songs would sound like with a traditional bass. Jack uses a whammy pedal to shift into those bassy octaves on his guitar. I think his songs have a lot of breathing room without the bass; he has the drums be steadier and more primal to fill that depth, and his hooks are so beefy, it might be overkill to have the bass. I like the "empty space" in his songs; it's refreshing, and it works with his weird, sinister, beautiful voice.
Strong bass songs:
I've always wondered what some of the bass-less White Stripes songs would sound like with a traditional bass. Jack uses a whammy pedal to shift into those bassy octaves on his guitar. I think his songs have a lot of breathing room without the bass; he has the drums be steadier and more primal to fill that depth, and his hooks are so beefy, it might be overkill to have the bass. I like the "empty space" in his songs; it's refreshing, and it works with his weird, sinister, beautiful voice.
Strong bass songs:
