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.
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.
Also a fantstic songwriter. You'd be surprised at how many of great Cure songs came from his demos, with Lovesong, High, and Untitled being my favs from him.
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.
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.
Exactly. It's very interesting the way it all comes together. But those layers are what makes it so good to listen to. Joy Division/New Order have that going on as well.
I'm so glad to hear that you intend to dive deeper into their music. Simon is so special to me, I'm playing that bass for over 30 years and he's always been my inspiration. Loved your reaction!
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
"Disintegration" is hands-down one of the most gorgeously produced albums ever. It takes the listener on an indelible, swirling, emotionally compelling, indelible, unforgettable journey.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 .
I don’t know how to play any instruments. But this song has been one of my favorite songs since it came out in 1989 due in large part to the bass guitar part. Absolutely hypnotic and entrancing.
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
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
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.
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.
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 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.
@@mityakirillov89 well, Simon also uses the Bass VI live on "There is no if" - every time. But that's not a tell at all. Because the choice to use a Bass VI or not is more about the sound you want live. If you listen to the isolated track of fascination street, the bass is so incredibly buzzy, that it would likely be awful in a loud environment. His live tone for Fascination Street is nothing like the album. Never has been. But Simon has been quoted in interviews saying he hates six string basses, because there are too many strings (too cramped). He likes a four string bass. That doesn't tell you whether he sucked it up for a song to get a specific sound in the studio. I mean, Robert played a Cello on Cold for the string sound - but Simon played that part on a Moog foot synth live.
Fun tidbit: in the middle of the track, there’s a guitar bit lifted from the song Hot! Hot! Hot! From their previous album. Robert Smith loves to reference his past catalogue like that. It’s in this video starting at 5:23 until about 5:45. This album actually lifted a few things from the previous album even going so bold as to call a slower version of one melody Plainsong, which references (in a way) Gregorian song structures that were used from chant to chant often just changing their tempo.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
I recently listened to an interview with Robert Smith. He said that Simon will not play a five string bass anymore. Robert Smith used a Fender Six string bass to record Disintegration. He has been using a custom Schecter Ultra Cure six string bass since 2005ish.
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...
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 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! 😎
Three Days is still one of my favorite bass riffs. Not as raw and driving as Comin Down the Mountain, but there's just something about the Three Days riff that just, idk, dances.
One of my all-time favorite bands. One of my favorite bass lines from Simon Gallup is on the closing track for their album "The Head on the Door": Sinking. That bass line just hits you right in the feels.
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.
"Just Like Heaven" off the Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me album. Not only is it a fun bass line to study, it might also be the most perfect pop song ever written.
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.
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.
I hope you're enjoying getting into The Cure, it looks like you are! Even though Simon Gallup is playing a Bass VI in the film clip, I don't think he was on the recording. If you want to get a taste of Robert's Bass VI sounds try Pictures of You off the same album or Faith (off the Faith album) - Pictures of You is quite poppy as opposed to Faith which is a little moodier. The guitar Robert is playing in the film clip is an electric Sitar - and as opposed to Simon just using the VI in the clip it sounds like Robert did use it in the studio. (As a guitar player I got a VI and started to mess around with bass primarily due to these guys)
you're correct. From the tone of the bass, I'd say Simon probably used Robert's Musicman Stingray, with a bit of drive. That clangy tone screams stingray
The Cure are masters of layering seemingly simple melodies bit by bit over the top of each other until you get an absolute orchestra of sounds. Fascination Street is one of those amazing songs. That whole album called Disintegration is amazing too. You should check it out.
GREAT reaction!! Man I clicked on this video SOOOOOOO fast! One of my favourite basslines of all time! Sure it's relatively 'simple' but oh so effective at driving the song...the whole time! It's thick, dirty and relentless...all what we've come to love with The Cure! I was 11 when this album came out, and this was the standout track (amongst many great ones) off of Disintegration! Cheers from Canada, eh!
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.
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.
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.
One of the first bass lines I ever learnt. I could not stop playing it. The bass tone is so amazing. They were a big reason I HAD to go to 5 strang bass
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"
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.
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.
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.
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 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...
@@OpunktSchmidt1301 Yup, Robert wrote the bassline and Phil performed it. His story about how he had no idea how to play an upright bass is hilarious. Robert showed him the bassline and Phil had to work out the bassline in advance and use masking tape to remember where the notes are. Phil wasn't a band member at the time, he was the producer.
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.
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. :)
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
This song is new to me as well. I had always kind of written off The Cure because I was only familiar with their pop hits from the late 80s/early 90s. Then decades later I heard "A Forest" and was like, woah.. there's this whole other side to them worth checking out!
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 !!!
Love this band! Always have! Only band I know that has the capability to unite many genres under their umbrella. Seen em 2 years ago and was sporting an Alkaline Trio shirt but seen people with industrial, punk, metal, black metal, grunge, dance, and hardcore shirts. All there showing their love for this amazing band!
You REALLY need to check out the bass on The Cure's "Shake Dog Shake" performed live in The Cure in Orange. It's all over TH-cam. Also, check the bass line in "Sinking" from the album The Head on the Door.
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?
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.
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.
The Cure are one of those bands that really make you appreciate bass. Also: I highly recommend checking Eric Avery on Jane's Addiction's first three albums: simple circular repetitive lines that take more inspiration from UK indie/alt/post-punk than from the soaring metal that guitarist Dave Navarro married them with. Combined with Steven Perkins' poly-rhythmic grooves and Perry Farrell's distinctive vocals, they made something unique. But it was all underpinned by Avery - just listen to how many of their songs start with the bassline. Truly under-appreciated.
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.
@@thesean3194 - Still _are_ , too! 🙂
@@mightyV444 edited for present tense👍🤘
@@thesean3194 - Good on ya, but it wasn't really necessary either! 😉👍
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.
Also a fantstic songwriter. You'd be surprised at how many of great Cure songs came from his demos, with Lovesong, High, and Untitled being my favs from him.
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.
One of my favourite albums of all time, I don't think there is an album with a better opening.
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.
@@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.
@@SO-ym3zs th-cam.com/video/5G5YguuNSJg/w-d-xo.htmlsi=blINNvMGIP1bIsS9
One thing I Love about many Cure songs is the layers of different melodies happening at the same times.
Exactly. It's very interesting the way it all comes together. But those layers are what makes it so good to listen to. Joy Division/New Order have that going on as well.
One of my FAVORITE FAVORITE things about the Cure is that "sound design" and multiple layers of instruments.
It's the way melodies lay over each other, or lead into each other, very clever writing..
THIS IS THE ONE.
That rumble in the intro...
best Cure track ever.
I'm so glad to hear that you intend to dive deeper into their music. Simon is so special to me, I'm playing that bass for over 30 years and he's always been my inspiration. Loved your reaction!
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.
Yes! Very good song for analysis.
Epic song
Great song, part of a great album.
@@ricardojmestretheir greatest album......😎💀🖤⚰
@@mapndo2337 agreed!
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
I love his work on Last Dance.
"Disintegration" is hands-down one of the most gorgeously produced albums ever. It takes the listener on an indelible, swirling, emotionally compelling, indelible, unforgettable journey.
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.
There's some great examples on Disintegration of the Bass VI and Simon's 4 string bass. Lullaby and Homesick are some other good examples.
The Cure always had some satisfying intros to their songs. It is a small thing, but it really helps establish the groove.
The first song on the album has like a 2 minute intro. So atmospheric.
This song is a masterpiece. I was in high school when it came out. I’m 55 now and still love it.
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.
The cure and joy division/new order have the most melodic driving bass lines around. Awesome. Your gonna love more cure.
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.
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.
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.
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 .
The Cure creates atmospheres.
I don’t know how to play any instruments. But this song has been one of my favorite songs since it came out in 1989 due in large part to the bass guitar part. Absolutely hypnotic and entrancing.
I've been waiting for this one.
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.
A song that transports me to another place where I never know if I'm safe or not.
Thanks for reacting to one of my many favorite Cure songs!
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
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
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.
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.
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.
I thought Robert plays a Baritone, I didn't know he played a Bass VI too
@@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.
I guess Simon just used a bass VI for the video shoot just for a laugh or whatever, he always plays a 4-string bass, just check out any live video
@@mityakirillov89 well, Simon also uses the Bass VI live on "There is no if" - every time. But that's not a tell at all. Because the choice to use a Bass VI or not is more about the sound you want live. If you listen to the isolated track of fascination street, the bass is so incredibly buzzy, that it would likely be awful in a loud environment. His live tone for Fascination Street is nothing like the album. Never has been.
But Simon has been quoted in interviews saying he hates six string basses, because there are too many strings (too cramped). He likes a four string bass. That doesn't tell you whether he sucked it up for a song to get a specific sound in the studio. I mean, Robert played a Cello on Cold for the string sound - but Simon played that part on a Moog foot synth live.
That opening bassline tone is SICK!!
Fun tidbit: in the middle of the track, there’s a guitar bit lifted from the song Hot! Hot! Hot! From their previous album. Robert Smith loves to reference his past catalogue like that. It’s in this video starting at 5:23 until about 5:45. This album actually lifted a few things from the previous album even going so bold as to call a slower version of one melody Plainsong, which references (in a way) Gregorian song structures that were used from chant to chant often just changing their tempo.
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.
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
That opening guitar arpeggio is so Cocteau Twins (ala "Garlands" album). Who influenced who?
Almost certainly went both ways, but Robert is known to be a fan of the Cocteau Twins.
The song “Disintegration “ is amazing as well!
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
He also wears his bass so low I get carpal tunnel in MY hands
And it just keeps getting lower. Simon rules!
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.
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.
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.
I recently listened to an interview with Robert Smith. He said that Simon will not play a five string bass anymore. Robert Smith used a Fender Six string bass to record Disintegration. He has been using a custom Schecter Ultra Cure six string bass since 2005ish.
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...
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! 🙌🏻
Nothing's Shocking is a great album to jam along to. Really helped me figure out basslines by ear as a beginner.
@@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! 😎
Three Days is still one of my favorite bass riffs. Not as raw and driving as Comin Down the Mountain, but there's just something about the Three Days riff that just, idk, dances.
@@jeffkoenig7402 the songs in ritual de lo habitual are also phenomenal 😎
One of my all-time favorite bands. One of my favorite bass lines from Simon Gallup is on the closing track for their album "The Head on the Door": Sinking. That bass line just hits you right in the feels.
Sinking, I was going to mention that one! Overwhelming bass 🙂
Oooh, Sinking is a very good one.
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.
I noticed that too!
How Beautiful You Are is such a cool bassline. Love playing that one.
"Just Like Heaven" off the Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me album. Not only is it a fun bass line to study, it might also be the most perfect pop song ever written.
I could not agree more. It's genious how it ends just a little bit too early, leaving you with a need to hear the song again
Really interesting analysis, thank you
I got to see The Cure in 1992 on the Wish tour. One of the best concerts I've seen.
This was one of the first basslines I learnt, it's a bassline that made me want to play bass.
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.
Stuart Morrow was unique, but his replacements, Jason Harris and then Nelson, were excellent too.
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.
I hope you're enjoying getting into The Cure, it looks like you are!
Even though Simon Gallup is playing a Bass VI in the film clip, I don't think he was on the recording. If you want to get a taste of Robert's Bass VI sounds try Pictures of You off the same album or Faith (off the Faith album) - Pictures of You is quite poppy as opposed to Faith which is a little moodier.
The guitar Robert is playing in the film clip is an electric Sitar - and as opposed to Simon just using the VI in the clip it sounds like Robert did use it in the studio.
(As a guitar player I got a VI and started to mess around with bass primarily due to these guys)
you're correct. From the tone of the bass, I'd say Simon probably used Robert's Musicman Stingray, with a bit of drive. That clangy tone screams stingray
You picked the proper album for mood and atmosphere. You owe it to yourself to give a full listen.
"The Cure - Mixed up" is a must listen. Most remixes are not good, but the remixes (and bass lines) might be better than the original.
Exactly what I have always thought. It's probably the only remixes that I ever listen to and I get goose bumps when I listen to Fascination Street
The Cure are masters of layering seemingly simple melodies bit by bit over the top of each other until you get an absolute orchestra of sounds. Fascination Street is one of those amazing songs. That whole album called Disintegration is amazing too. You should check it out.
GREAT reaction!! Man I clicked on this video SOOOOOOO fast! One of my favourite basslines of all time! Sure it's relatively 'simple' but oh so effective at driving the song...the whole time! It's thick, dirty and relentless...all what we've come to love with The Cure!
I was 11 when this album came out, and this was the standout track (amongst many great ones) off of Disintegration!
Cheers from Canada, eh!
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.
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.
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.
One of the first bass lines I ever learnt. I could not stop playing it. The bass tone is so amazing. They were a big reason I HAD to go to 5 strang bass
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"
My 2 favorite albums by The Cure "Desintegration" & "The Head On The Door" 🔥
Please listen to the whole Disintegration album, from start to finish. You won't be disappointed.
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.
Yes! More Cure, please!
Also, Simon plays with a pick. Big part of his sound and feel 🎸🎸
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.
the IMMEDIATE stank face when the basse came in is all of us ❤
My introduction to this song was from the Chimaira cover. Now I love both versions.
I love that you love them. It’s not necessarily about the individual instruments but the whole arrangement. The Smiths are similar.
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.
Sergio Vega, during his time with Deftones, used to play a Bass VI. Very interesting.
Clan Of Xymox "Back Door"...Nuff Said. 🔥
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! 😊👍🏻
SImon didn't play the upright bass in Lovecats. But I agree, he is an awesome bass player.
@@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...
@@OpunktSchmidt1301 Yup, Robert wrote the bassline and Phil performed it. His story about how he had no idea how to play an upright bass is hilarious. Robert showed him the bassline and Phil had to work out the bassline in advance and use masking tape to remember where the notes are. Phil wasn't a band member at the time, he was the producer.
@@zoeherriot Doesn't matter if he was the producer. When the bass-player is missing then it's "All hands on deck!" 😂
@@OpunktSchmidt1301 hah hah - so true. :)
Simon Gallup will always be my favorite bassist in all of “rock and roll”. An amazing player and the picture of cool
My most favourite bass lines from The Cure are from the songs "Sinking" and "Icing Sugar" - so hypnotic as well ❤
Imo Simon writes the most singable memorable bass lines ever! The cures tunes are epic to me!
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.
This bassline was written by Robert. But Simon's performance elevates it.
I will be fascinated to see another Hot Water Music review someday.😂😂
Sorry, couldn't resist. Good review.. keep them coming.
the drums are also hypnotic in a lot of their songs - especially the toms! combine that with the bass and it’s mind numbing in the best way
Dude, if you're into moody music, you just found the motherlode. The Cure really are the pinnacle of that particular mountain.
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. :)
I BLEW my car speakers OUT listening to this tape at max volume.
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
This song made me obsessed with The Cure decades ago and haven’t looked back
This song is new to me as well. I had always kind of written off The Cure because I was only familiar with their pop hits from the late 80s/early 90s. Then decades later I heard "A Forest" and was like, woah.. there's this whole other side to them worth checking out!
The ultimate version of this song is the one on "Mixed Up"
Completely agree.
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 !!!
The tone and punch of the live 4-string bass is completely different, and tbh kind of destroys the mood of the song.
Love this band! Always have! Only band I know that has the capability to unite many genres under their umbrella. Seen em 2 years ago and was sporting an Alkaline Trio shirt but seen people with industrial, punk, metal, black metal, grunge, dance, and hardcore shirts. All there showing their love for this amazing band!
Been waiting for this one a while.
I spent many high school nights listening to THE CURE with my RADIO SHACK headphones. ✌️
ANOTHER JOURNEY BY TRAIN never gets mentioned anywhere for some reason… Insanely cool and catchy bass melodies there
The instrument Robert Smith is playing is a Coral electric sitar
man, enjoy your journey with The Cure, you have a lot to get through!
technically, 2 basses on this track - simon on the 4 string (stingray maybe?) and porl on the bass vi
Porl is not playing a Bass VI on this.
Robert used the Fender Bass 6 guitar on this LP you will notice the sound on Lullaby.
The bass tone on this track reminds me of the tones Kim Coletta uses playing with Jawbox.
You REALLY need to check out the bass on The Cure's "Shake Dog Shake" performed live in The Cure in Orange. It's all over TH-cam. Also, check the bass line in "Sinking" from the album The Head on the Door.
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?
Def one of my favourite cure songs with an awesome line up?!
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.
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.
The Cure are one of those bands that really make you appreciate bass.
Also: I highly recommend checking Eric Avery on Jane's Addiction's first three albums: simple circular repetitive lines that take more inspiration from UK indie/alt/post-punk than from the soaring metal that guitarist Dave Navarro married them with. Combined with Steven Perkins' poly-rhythmic grooves and Perry Farrell's distinctive vocals, they made something unique. But it was all underpinned by Avery - just listen to how many of their songs start with the bassline. Truly under-appreciated.
The cures new album song Drone:Nodrone
Absolutely hypnotic. I'd love to get the vinyl, spin it, and watch the woofers on my vintage speakers GROOVE!