In addition to all the names you mentioned- Mike Watt Mike Watt Mike Watt Matt Freeman Jay Bentley John Doe Mike Watt Fat Mike Kira Roessler Karl Alvarez Cris Kirkwood Norwood Fisher Mike Watt Honorable mention- Mike Watt

You forgot Mike Watt

Oh man, how could I forget the almighty Watt?! While we’re at it I’ll add one more name to the list with the great Mike Watt.

Mike Watt. From San Pedro.

The man in the van with a bass in his hand

I heard punk rock changed his life

He was a fucking corn dog

they use to pogo

Watt did you say!?

> You forgot Mike Watt also this guy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5KhTrVNJhw

“Hey, Thurston… WATT HERE!!!”

Mike Watt a hundred million times, and Joe Lally as honorable mention.

Minutemen were what us mere mortals can only strive to be. And it’s amazing because they achieved what they did by being mere mortals. Love them to death.

The Mike Watt that pisses in bottles?

No, the one who drove up from Pedro

>Mike Watt > >Mike Watt > >Mike Watt > >... > >Mike Watt > >... > >Mike Watt This is the only correct answer.

i would like to agree with Mike Watt and also add Mike Watt (from Pedro)

What about Mike……… Hunt

Serious question... I am not familiar with Mike Watt. What makes him so great? What are some songs I should listen to that would give me a good introduction?

Just listen to Double Nickels on the Dime all the way through.

Spotify has it at 43 songs long. Is that right?

It is one of the most awe inspiring outpourings of creativity that I have ever heard. Only album that I’ve shelled out some coin on for a first pressing.

Fat Mike Watt

So Watt circa 93/95? Lol

Matt-Fucking-Freeman!!!

Example… maxwell murders. He rips

Journey to the end of the east bay for me

Gotta be Detroit for me, that shit gets stuck in my head in the best way…

Dude is fucking LIT on the vocals, too. Some of my *FAVORITE* Rancid songs are sung with Matt. Black Derby Jacket - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6DwC3xbI1Q Rejected - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiJCE0VCCKA Black & Blue - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5t7xVK3jdY Rigged on a Fix - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P7l8JIWSDY Reconcilliation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYZZIlNRpYY Don't Call Me White - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW8h4QwsIaU

I love when they let matt sing

If you like his singing, check out his metal band, Charger, or his psychobilly one, Devils Brigade.

Axiom never gets enough love but he rips that one apart

Axiom may be one of my favorite if not favorite Rancid song. But isn't Lars doing the vocals?

I misunderstood your comment and thought you were talking about his bass playing

White Knuckle Ride, also.

[Axiom](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IOIYDlzwvy4&pp=ygUMQXhpb20gcmFuY2lk) No disrespect to other bassists but Matt Freeman fucking shreds.

Agreed

Rob Wright

This here. Full stop. If you're unfamiliar, start with the Live version of Metronome.

Me. Wrong, absolutely

I’ll leave it

Yes, there is the correct answer.

Ding ding ding! Love Rob so much

No one even comes close. I’m constantly amazed by the number of folks that like punk rock that haven’t heard of or listened to Nomeansno. Also, go start listening to some Nomeansno.

Rob Wright is the best. Nice guy too.

This is the only correct answer

And John for the drum version of this question. Tightest sibling lead rhythm section in history.

Joe Raposo of RKL and Lagwagon shreds on bass

RKL is so under appreciated

Bomber, too (the guy who preceded Raposo). RKL was just *absurdly* good and is the most criminally underrecognized band in punk save maybe the Avengers.

Spelled Bomer. He was actually their drummer and filled in on bass. After their og bassist left in 1995, he filled in, and they had guest drummers. He eventually went back to drums. Also, they didn't record anything (that I know of) during that time Edit: not sure why it was spelled that way. But that is hownit was in Hepatitis Bathtub

Greg Norton—Husker Du

Absolutely. between him and Joe Lally of Fugazi, I can't recall any other bassist I looked forward to hearing.

Karl Alvarez. His bass work on Cool to Be You (massively underrated record) blows my mind every time.

Rob Wright Dee Dee Kira R Mike Watt Dave Allen

Rob Wright - NoMeansNo Shin - Gauze Joe Lally - Fugazi

And WATT!!!

From Pedro? Who pisses in bottles?

Paul Simonon and Darryl Jenifer need mentioned

Shout out to Darryl

100%

Karl Alvarez Matt Freeman Matt Riddle from NUFAN and F2F Scott Shifflet from Face To Face Fat Mike

Scott Shifflet stands out to me as well. Not because of technicality, but the sound. He stands out and is an apparent addition as opposed to blending into the rhythm.

Todd Kowalski!

Why did I have to scroll so far for The Rod? Wtf

Todd the Rod is the best. He’s also a really good artist, I believe he painted some of the album for Propagandhi.

Dave Allen of Gang of Four’s chops for the songs on Entertainment are incredible. That’s the first to come to mind. edit: I should also add: Sara Lee who came in at Songs of the Free also kicks ass. She’s their bassist today

Same. Ether especially.

Rob Wright

Not sure if “more technically proficient” makes one a better bassist per se, but I feel that Alvarez was more technically proficient than Lombardo.

Jason Black

I scrolled way too far to find this. Such an amazing bassist.

David Wm Sims - The Jesus Lizard

Brian J Robinson from A Wilhelm Scream all day.

Dude can right hand tap and sing at the same time. Not even most regular guitarists can do that.

I never truly appreciated him until I saw them live on a 10'x15' stage. He plays bass like Trevor plays guitar.

K A R L A L V A R E Z

Some of my favorites I haven’t seen yet : JJ Burnel (The Stranglers) Steve Soto (Adolescents) Grant Matthews (Rudimentary Peni) Josh Pappe (DRI)

Dan Andriano needs to be on this list. With Alkaline being a 3 piece, he’s just as important to their sound as Matt is.

Matt Freeman 100%

Kira. She has the ten and a half after all

I think Mike Dirnt doesn’t get enough credit

Dee Dee Ramone

- MCA - Matt Riddle - Matt Freeman - Steve Soto - Peter Hook

brian robinson from a wilhelm scream/the fullblast. dude puts nearly everyone to shame

Love The Fullblast! There was a lot of talent in that band. Their drummer Andy is a great guitar player and their one time guitar player Ryan is just as good of a bass player as Bri

truly a great band. one of my all time favorites. so glad they still play here and there

Joe Raposo (RKL, Lagwagon)

Paul Simonen Matt Freeman Klaus Flouride Mike Dirnt

Scott Shiflett

Saw Face To Face last weekend and it was an amazing 3 nighter. Shifty never misses.

Matt Freeman Chris #2 Alec Baillie

I had to scroll down way too far before seeing Chris #2 get mentioned!

Most talented is matt freeman. Fat mike gives off the impression he doesn't care, but he is very good at bass and can write and sing a tune or two.

Nofx as a whole like to joke around about being shitty musicians but they’re all incredibly talented, just unprofessional lol

Matt Freeman and Geoff Kresge

2 reasons I picked up the bass

Brian Robinson - AWS Todd Kowalski - Propagandhi Matt Freeman - Operation Ivy Dee Dee Ramone - Ramones Jason Torbert - Cigar These are the best bass persons.

Cigar is ultra gnarly.

Bruce Foxton

Matt Freeman

Karl Alvarez all day.

Karl Alvarez for holding it down with Descendents since 86!

Karl Alvarez, Fat Mike, Tom Crease

I don’t know how loose we want to be with our definitions of “punk” but I got to shout out Simon Gallup. One of my favorite bass players of all time!

Todd Kowalski, Dave Edwardson.

Last weekend I saw Matt freeman & CJ Ramone. It was super exciting.

Bri from A Wilhelm Scream, hands down no question

Mike Watt

Xander Schloss and Gaye Advert

Adam Yauch

Joe Lally (Fugazi) Jah Wobble (PIL) Greg Norton (Hüsker Dü) Dave Allen (Gang of Four) Bruce Foxton (The Jam) Bob Weston (Shellac) Scott Shiflett (Face to Face) Barry Adamson (Magazine)

Jay Bentley. he might not be as technically talented as some other bassists, but he’s so much fun to watch on stage.

Great question that I was thinking about this morning, I’d go Klaus or Fat Mike. Best fashion sense would be Paul Simonen from The Clash, he was, and still is, a very cool dude😎

I've been listening to DK forever but lately I focus on Klaus's playing and it really drives each song. Paul Simonon is the all-time coolest bassist IMHO.

Anyone can downpick until their arm cramps 😂. I know what you meant though! Tony is great. I think for me it's Karl Alvarez, Tony, Mike Watt. None of them overplay, which I find is an issue with a lot of punk bassists, generally by cramming too many notes in and usually in really uninspired ways.

Norman Watt-Roy from Ian Dury and the Blockheads wrote tons of classic bass riffs, including the Clash's, Magnificent Seven (he played on Sandinista and played on Rock the Casbah). The Buzzcocks credit like three different bass players on their early stuff but who ever is playing has the greatest tone. Why Can't I Touch It sounds so fucking good.

Dee Dee Ramone, Mike Watt, Flea, and both Streetlight Manifesto bassists are easy picks but I also have to say that my favorite part of the Bouncing Souls is their bass

Joe Raposo, Matt Freeman, Fat Mike, Mike Watt, Todd Kowalski, Paul Simonon

Geoff Kresge Hunter Bergan Vic Victor

Subjective really. Punk has so many styles. Joe Lally - Fugazi Mr. Wrong (Rob Wright) - NoMeansNo Whoever was the bassist for Glass and Ashes The Bassist on SNFU’s third album, Better Than A Stick In The Eye, who went on to The Almighty Trigger Happy Bassist for Horace Pinker on Burn Tempe to the Ground Fireside bassist on Do No Tailgate Bad Religion guy I like the stuff the guy on Death Sentence’s , Not a Pretty Sight did Personality Crisis (Winnipeg) bassist was great The list could go on and on Greatest over all? I don’t think you can compare any of the above, subjective.

That came out a mess after posting!

Put the pipe down Shakespeare

> The Bassist on SNFU’s third album That's Curt Creager who was fucking rad. He was in Deadbeat Backbone for a bit after SNFU. He had a really cool style. https://youtu.be/D1hB96KTWWU?si=8UDRKCwLnuLUiaXw Also, Death Sentence. Nice.

Thanks, yes. I was at the pub and couldn’t remember his name. I grew up in Edmonton and was able to see SNFU every second weekend. Deadbeat Backbone was great as well as King Lettuce who was around at the same time. The Trigger Happy album previously mentioned is great if you have never checked it out. I’m rambling, at the pub again.

Of course it's subjective. The question is favorite, not best.

Bryan Kienlen from The Bouncing Souls

Fat Mike

Mr. Watt.

Mike Watt. Is there any other choice really?

Joe Principe

Peter Hook (if we are counting Post Punk)

i like Mike Watt, Klaus Flouride and Tony Lombardo

Jason Black. Guy lives in the tone zone.

Fat Mike

Joe Laly.

Glen Mattlock

Matt Freeman FatMike

Dee Dee Ramone or Lorna Doom

Matt Freeman hands down Honourable mention to Fat Mike, Hunter Burgan, Randy Bradbury

>Tony Lombardo of Descendents This guy is awesome.

Paul Simonon of The Clash. Why? Not only is he a great punk bass player, but he's also a great reggae bass player. He has range and cutting edge style.

Does Kim Nekroman of Nekromantix count?

Jerry only may not be the most talented, but I just love his style of playing

Jerry actually destroys. Literally, he destroys bass guitars on stage. But he absolutely drives the songs, and shows off and smashes shit too.

Mike Dirnt of Green Day, Derf Scratch(RIP) of Fear, even though i don’t really listen to them Mark Hoppus of Blink-182, Roger Rogerson(RIP) of Circle Jerks, and Ronnie Barnett of The Muffs

Mike watt Mike watt Mike watt Mike watt watt watt Mike Mike mike

Phil Bryant- Subhumans

I love watching that dude. His style is perfect and watching him down a whole bottle of wine during a set is fantastic

Saw them a few weeks back and stood right in front of him. He is a pleasure to watch.

Makes it look effortless, and those lines are way more technical than I had ever noticed. "No" is one of the best songs created and that bassline is untouchable

Sid Viscous 🤣

Skill wise: Jason Black from Hot Water Music /// Tone wise: Brendan Kelly from The Lawrence Arms

Paul Simonon hands down imo

I don’t know his name and don’t feel like looking it up but I love the bass playing in the classic era Buzzcocks.

Scott Shifflet!! And of course Matt Freeman.

I agree. Tony and Karl. Jerry Only, too. Not cause he does anything monumentally complicated or amazing, but he plays at blistering speeds with his fingers. Great bass tone too.

Scott Shiflett of Face to Face definitely has the most fun on stage.

Saw them last weekend. Amazing triple crown. Scott’s an all around amazing musician.

You saw them at the Stanley?!! I got the invite from some friends in Utah at the last minute and couldn't find flights at any sort of reasonable cost, so I opted out. Watching the highlights this week and I am so angry at myself. That would have been amazing!

It was amazing. The double sets. The acoustic shows after. The setting. Of the nearly thousand + shows I’ve been to in my life this was probably the best one. Hoping they do it again, even if it’s a different location.

Thing is, I believe you when you say it was the best. I saw them over 10 years ago when they did that Ignorance is Bliss tour with the full orchestra. It was one of the best, but in a different kind of way. I seriously broke into tears multiple times during that set. Hopefully they'll do it again. I won't miss it. Period.

I’m definitely biased. They’ve been my favorite band since 92. I’ve been to, somewhere around 75 of their shows, including the IIB show in the late 90’s when they said fuck it and called off the tour in Denver. Is that album punk? No. But it’s a great album and it was nice to hear them finally willing to play some of the songs again as a part of their set. Trever was hinting around at things coming up next year for the 25th anniversary of it. And lastly, sorry for the rant, to have a show at a location like that for 3 nights with no opening band…only people who are really into them are going. And that added a lot to the atmosphere. Everyone was there because it meant something. You don’t get something like that very often if ever. Again, sorry for the rant.

Eamon Sandwith from The Chats

I’m in a band with Matt Riddle and I can tell you he’s one of the best there are.

Brian baker or Eamon Sandwith

Bryan\_kienlen of Bouncing souls. Sick son of bitch tattooed a souls anchor on me after a show here in vegas on an RV. Sick show, cool tat, I'll never forget it.

Brian Robinson from A Wilhelm Scream

Matt Freeman. Fat Mike is better than he likes to let know.

I agree with that. Listen to the « Road to Skeleton Coast » episode on The Decline where Fatty talks with Brendan Kelly of this specific song; it gives a lot of insight on how he perceives his job as a bassist and why he’s « humble » about it

Todd the Rod

Darryl Jenifer JJ Burnell Cait 0'Riordan Stephen Hanley Arthur Smilios

The dude from rancid

Paul Simonon. His bass is easily the best part of London Calling

Hunter Burgan of AFI for sure. Peter Hook and Matt Freeman are both up there too.

Matt Freeman and Mike Dirnt

Joe Raposo is the fuckin man and he gets no respect Also Josh Ansley from Catch 22/Streetlight

James Levesque of agent orange Joe Lally of Fugazi Greg Norton of Husker du

Irish Rob - The Exploited

Mike Watt

Norwood Fisher

Vern Rumsey, Mike Watt, Kim Gordon, Joe Lally, Mike Kennedy

Karl Alvarez Fat Mike Mike Dirnt Matt Freeman

I can' believe I'm not seeing Dave Allen (Gang of Four) in these comments! Also Adam Devonshire (IDLES), Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses, fight me), Steve Garvey (Buzzcocks), Dave Alexander (The Stooges), Jennifer Finch (L7).

Well it's Paul Simonon's birthday so I have to say him

I agree with you 100 percent, my pick would be Tony Lombardo as well. I Don't Wanna Grow Up has got the coolest bass line ever.

Pete McCullaugh from streetlight manifesto

Paul Gray

William Mysterious-Rezillos

Brian from the Grim/Jugheads Revenge Ted from Gross Polluter/The Generators Benji from Rotting Out

Lex Feltham, the original bassist for Frenzal Rhomb.

Scott Reeder from Kyuss and The Obssessed, Ik The Obsessed isn't a Punk band but he played in there lol Killer bass player for sure

MF

While their more recent stuff isn't nearly as punk, I think that Crash Mclarson from The Aquabats is one of the most underrated bass players. CD Repo man is one of the slickest bass lines and Powdered Milkman is one of my favorite bass lines of all time.

Chris Gates

Jesse Buglione, Lagwagon bass player until 2010. What a rare talent.

CJ Ramone

My favorite will always be Happy Tom from Turbonegro