# Is Flea considered a really good bassist? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 22, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-flea-considered-a-really-good-bassist/622738 "2012-05-22T17:38:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-flea-considered-a-really-good-bassist/622738/21 "2012-05-23T14:12:16Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Wait… the voice of the dog on _Invader Zim_ has a day job? You mean the voice of Donnie from The Wild Thornberries. Also Needles from Back to the Future But yes…apparently he does. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-flea-considered-a-really-good-bassist/622738/22 "2012-05-23T15:19:47Z")
Although he does not have even close to the same high profile as Flea, I think Dave LaRue is the best bass player working currently. ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-flea-considered-a-really-good-bassist/622738/23 "2012-05-23T15:42:46Z")
According to my bass player, “Flea sucks.” But he says that about everyone who isn’t him. Funny thing is, if I had to describe his playing, I would use Flea as the example. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-flea-considered-a-really-good-bassist/622738/24 "2012-05-23T16:40:41Z")
> [@Shakester](#): > > On the bass forum [Jaco Pastorius](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaco_Pastorius) gets that kind of acclaim, and I’m not actually a fan of Jaco. Too busy for my tastes. I prefer reggae/dub bass players and old-school double bass jazz players myself. > > But, if you find Flea amazing, YouTube Jaco Pastorius and prepare to have your mind blown. I have his first solo album, the first Weather Report album, and the Trio of Doom album and I’ve had trouble getting into them. He’s very good, but all of those albums reflect the period where jazz fusion turned into noodling and what might be worse is that the production is really dated. Portrait of Tracy is beautiful, though. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2012, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-flea-considered-a-really-good-bassist/622738/25 "2012-05-23T22:17:11Z")
> [@Shakester](#): > > Fair enough - I probably sounded more dismissive of Flea than I meant to - he is a good bassist and I do like what he does, I was just trying to say that he’s not considered a towering Godlike figure among actual bassists. > > On the bass forum [Jaco Pastorius](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaco_Pastorius) gets that kind of acclaim, and I’m not actually a fan of Jaco. Too busy for my tastes. I prefer reggae/dub bass players and old-school double bass jazz players myself. > > But, if you find Flea amazing, YouTube Jaco Pastorius and prepare to have your mind blown. I would be curious if folks like James Jamerson, Duck Dunn and other pre-Funk, pre-Jaco/Stanley Clarke type bassists are considered “towering Godlike figures” on those forums. I mean, on guitar forums, some shredders are revered as GODS, Man! GODS! but for the most part, that is just guitar-geek navel-gazing on the part of a fairly small few. And asking them about pre-shred masters like Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton (who, granted is always controversial) or even Hendrix draws a blank stare or a dismissal. And Chuck Berry - who was one of the first rock and roll guitar innovators is tossed off as Chapter 1 in a beginner’s book. In the circles I travel in both online and amongst pro and semi-pro musicians in my neck of the woods (California originally and now the Northeast), yes, Flea is VERY highly respected. Jaco is like John McLaughlin - undeniably talented, but not in a way that is particularly accessible to the masses. Someone like Eddie Van Halen was so transcendant in his day because he was so clearly technically out there while also delivering accessible music. Flea was not THE innovator of new techniques, but is close to EVH in his combo of top-notch chops and commercial accessibility. Also, fwiw, folks like Bootsy Collins and George Clinton _love_ and respect Flea. Clinton produced one of their first albums because the RHCP’s asked for him and were unabashed worshipping fans that then became long-time friends…he was at their induction to the RRHoF… ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-flea-considered-a-really-good-bassist/622738/26 "2012-05-24T03:57:43Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > I would be curious if folks like James Jamerson, Duck Dunn and other pre-Funk, pre-Jaco/Stanley Clarke type bassists are considered “towering Godlike figures” on those forums. I mean, on guitar forums, some shredders are revered as GODS, Man! GODS! but for the most part, that is just guitar-geek navel-gazing on the part of a fairly small few. And asking them about pre-shred masters like Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton (who, granted is always controversial) or even Hendrix draws a blank stare or a dismissal. And Chuck Berry - who was one of the first rock and roll guitar innovators is tossed off as Chapter 1 in a beginner’s book. > > In the circles I travel in both online and amongst pro and semi-pro musicians in my neck of the woods (California originally and now the Northeast), yes, Flea is VERY highly respected. > > Jaco is like John McLaughlin - undeniably talented, but not in a way that is particularly accessible to the masses. Someone like Eddie Van Halen was so transcendant in his day because he was so clearly technically out there while also delivering accessible music. Flea was not THE innovator of new techniques, but is close to EVH in his combo of top-notch chops and commercial accessibility. > > Also, fwiw, folks like Bootsy Collins and George Clinton _love_ and respect Flea. Clinton produced one of their first albums because the RHCP’s asked for him and were unabashed worshipping fans that then became long-time friends…he was at their induction to the RRHoF… I know what you mean; bass shredders. There certainly are such creatures. But I provided a link to a discussion of this exact topic on the Talk Bass forum, you can read it yourself rather than question me about it. Yes, Jamerson and Dunn get plenty of respect that I’ve seen on that forum. Yes, most of the more recent “bass gods” are players that leave me cold. I’m not defending the opinions of the members of the Talk Bass forums, I’m not agreeing with them, and I’ve already stated where my personal opinions lie in terms of both Flea and bass playing in general. ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-flea-considered-a-really-good-bassist/622738/27 "2012-05-24T03:59:48Z")
> [@Shakester](#): > > On the bass forum [Jaco Pastorius](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaco_Pastorius) gets that kind of acclaim, and I’m not actually a fan of Jaco. Too busy for my tastes. **I prefer reggae/dub bass players and old-school double bass jazz players myself.** For the people who apparently missed it. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2012, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-flea-considered-a-really-good-bassist/622738/28 "2012-05-24T06:19:52Z")
Add me to the list of Flea endorsers. I’m not really a RHCP fan, but Higher Ground, Give it Away, and Soul to Squeeze are my faves from them, mainly because of his great bass work. Melodic, funky, plays in the groove. Granted, I’m an amateur bassist, but I detect artistry in his playing that isn’t that common. I know he’s from an immensely talented family; I think his dad was a professional trumpeteer, and Flea himself is classically trained on the flugelhorn or some such. You want an underrated funk bassist? Try Louis Johnson. **punch line loser** , I suspect I’m the biggest Blur fan on the Dope, but I wouldn’t have ever thought of Alex James as a technically proficient bassist. He’s tasty but not complex. In fact, if I’m not mistaken, I think Steven Street overdubbed some of his basslines on their second album. ---
**Author:** ![dnooman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/839c29/32.png) [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-flea-considered-a-really-good-bassist/622738/29 "2012-05-25T04:41:00Z")
IMHO Jaco, Victor, and Les are some of the real legends (like them or not). Flea does desrve respect for what he does though. The part from “Higher ground” does sound really good, but it’s just a slapped version of Stevie’s keyboard part. Flea can be technical when he wants to be, see [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PVWOVUR8U0#t=01m17s). I think that anyone who says he isn’t a good bassist isn’t being objective. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-flea-considered-a-really-good-bassist/622738/30 "2012-05-25T04:47:49Z")
> [@dnooman](#): > > The part from “Higher ground” does sound really good, but it’s just a slapped version of Stevie’s keyboard part. Flea can be technical when he wants to be, see [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PVWOVUR8U0#t=01m17s). I’m also a fan of his part in Soul to Squeeze, which is one of the few RHCP songs I’m actually into. It’s a much mellower song, so it stands out from the heavier funk stuff. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-flea-considered-a-really-good-bassist/622738/31 "2012-05-25T11:55:32Z")
> [@Shakester](#): > > For the people who apparently missed it. Sorry, my job sometimes gets in the way. The SDMB is a mental coffee break for me and I only have so much time. I wish I could follow all of the links provided; but it is not going to happen. I wasn’t trying to poke back or say anything negative about your tastes - I was just reflecting on the nature of gear-specific message boards and their tendency to attract an intense few… ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2012, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-flea-considered-a-really-good-bassist/622738/32 "2012-05-25T12:37:44Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Sorry, my job sometimes gets in the way. The SDMB is a mental coffee break for me and I only have so much time. I wish I could follow all of the links provided; but it is not going to happen. I wasn’t trying to poke back or say anything negative about your tastes - I was just reflecting on the nature of gear-specific message boards and their tendency to attract an intense few… Oh, no problem, and it wasn’t directed at you in particular. It’s the nature of internet forums that if I say “over on the bass forum, some bassists think Flea is overrated” then people will read it as **me** saying that **I** think Flea **sucks** , and want to argue with me about it. I should know that by now. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![rodneydangerfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@rodneydangerfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rodneydangerfield)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-flea-considered-a-really-good-bassist/622738/33 "2018-11-13T02:08:42Z")
I’ll join the chorus of people who think Flea is an absolute delight yet aren’t really fans of RHCP. His timing is absolute perfection, and that’s something you just can’t really teach. Technically, he’s good, but not savant-good, he’s just very creative and in-tune with his instrument. He’s a natural, playing in a band full of incredible musicians. Anthony Kiedis is a good singer and songwriter too, but I’m simply not a fan of his cadence and syncopation, which often lends too heavily from Flea’s baselines. The entire band is pretty fucking cool too. I wish I could be a fan. But yeah, as a bassist nowhere near as good, I can say with complete certainty that Flea is one of the absolute best bass players and writers of all time. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2018, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-flea-considered-a-really-good-bassist/622738/34 "2018-11-13T11:38:13Z")
The real question then becomes: how good was Flea when he was six? ---
**Author:** ![Frank\_Burly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frank_burly/32/24_2.png) [@Frank\_Burly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank_Burly)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-flea-considered-a-really-good-bassist/622738/35 "2018-11-14T21:00:32Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Jaco is like John McLaughlin - undeniably talented, but not in a way that is particularly Not that it’s his fault, but I find it hard to listen to Jaco now because so many shitty lite-jazz and jam bands imitated and overused his sound. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2018, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-flea-considered-a-really-good-bassist/622738/36 "2018-11-14T23:09:03Z")
Anecdote: Years ago, I was watching a show about the Chili Peppers (I do know that it was not “Behind The Music”) and one of the interviewees was his junior high band director. Flea’s first instrument was the trumpet, and when he auditioned for chair positions, not only was he a shoo-in for first chair, the director called his parents in for a meeting and told them, “I’ve been teaching for 20 years, and your son is far and away the most talented student I’ve ever had.” As for second place? When he first started teaching, he was Herb Alpert’s junior high band director. I think Flea is MUCH more proficient than Les Claypool, who plays one chord very fast. I noticed this when I saw Primus in the mid 1990s, as an opening act for another band with a renowned bassist - Rush. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-flea-considered-a-really-good-bassist/622738.md?page=1)