All Mixed Up 04.27.09: Girls With Big Bottoms

Posted by Tom Santoro on 04.27.2009

No, this is not a column about hip-hop videos nor a list of 411’s favorite Kim Kardashian pictures. It is a brief history of women who play bass. Plus, my play list of Top 15 female bass players ever.



Ok, I admit it. I am a bass player groupie; wait let me clarify, I love female bass players. It all started back in 1991 when I first heard the sweet voice of Kim Deal on a college radio station. I thought it was pretty cool that girl was playing bass in a band full of dudes. I am not trying to be sexist, I am saying that it must be empowering for her.

The most well known woman bass player ever is Carol Kaye. You may not know her name, but she was a session player in the 1960s and 1970s. Dubbed the "The First Lady of Bass", Kaye's bass lines are heard on most Beach Boys songs such as "Good Vibrations" and "Sloop John B." She can also be heard on Simon and Garfunkel's "Homeward Bound"; The Monkees "I'm a Believer" and Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Were Made For Walking". Other notable acts she has played for are Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, The Supremes and Frank Zappa. She is one of the most prolific bass players in history and has been recorded over 10,000 times.


Carol Kaye in her hey day.

Other session bass players who have followed Kaye's footsteps are Gail Ann Dorsey, who tours with David Bowie and Meshell Ndegeocello, whose most commercial work is her duet with John Mellancamp covering Van Morrison's "Wile Nights." Both have released solo records.

From my memory, one of the first female bass players to be a full fledged member of an otherwise all male dominated band is Tina Weymouth of the Talking Heads. She is a founding member of the band. She has contributed to some of the most memorable bass lines in music history on tracks like "Take Me to The River" and "Psycho Killer". Weymouth opened the door to other females to be in bands with other males albeit in a slightly passive role (i.e. not the lead singer).

In the 1980s, there were also a slew of bass players in punk rock bands. Though most were replacements for founding members in bands like Black Flag and Gang of Four.

Meanwhile, Kim Deal joined The Pixies in 1986. Her bass playing and vocals gave the band an interesting dynamic. Her abilities often led to tensions with in the band because Black Francis wanted to be the primary songwriter. Kim often wanted to use songs she had written and was often angry that she could not be more a part of the creative process. She was kicked out of the band briefly before the group ultimately went on hiatus. She then formed The Breeders. She is the matriarch of the grunge band females.

Also in the 1980s all girl bands started forming. The Go-Gos featuring Kathy Valentine on bass offered up groove heavy New Wave, while Micky Steele started as the original bass player for The Runaways and later formed The Bangles.

Into the 90s, females could be found in all rock genres. There were D'Arcy Wretsky of the Smashing Pumpkins and Melissa Auf Der Maur of Hole, who helped those bands become strongholds in the grunge scene. There were Sean Yseult of White Zombie, Rayna Foss-Rose of Coal Chamber and Paz Lenchantin of A Perfect Circle for hard rock/metal scene and then there is Laura Ballance bassist for indie rockers Superchunk, the one that got away.



Weeks before I was to attend Lollapalooza 1995, I was telling my friends about how I was going to meet her and compare Doc Martins. I thought she was the coolest chick in the world. She was playing my favorite instrument in one of my favorite bands and I was determined to meet her. Superchunk had a really early set that show and we almost missed it. I had lost my chance to get close to the second stage. I was rather bummed, however later during a set by rappers The Pharcyde, I was hopping around the pit and accidentally bumped into a girl, who fell to the ground. It was Laura! I couldn't believe it! Before I could do anything, she was back behind the security fence. I have not washed my shoulder since.



I love you Laura where ever you are!

I am partial to the bass. I once tried to learn it, but could not find the time to complete the training. These women all have broken barriers playing the most overlooked instrument in the band. In the process, they have created some of the most memorable bass lines in music history, while playing alongside some of music's most elite stars. Here is my list of the greatest songs featuring female bass players.

1. Carol Kaye (The Beach Boys) – "Good Vibrations"




2. Tina Weymouth (Talking Heads) – "Psycho Killer"



3. Kathy Valentine (Go Gos) – "We Got The Beat"



4. Kim Deal (The Pixies) – "Gigantic"



5. Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth) – "100%"



6. D'arcy Wretsky (Smashing Pumpkins) – "Bullet With Butterfly Wings"



7. Melissa Auf der Maur (Hole) – "Celebrity Skin"



8. Laura Ballance (Superchunk) – "Hyper Enough"



9. Meshell Negedecello (John Mellancamp) – "Wild Nights"

SONG NOT AVAILABLE ON YOU TUBE


10. Sean Yseult (White Zombie) – "More Human Than Human"



11. Paz Lenchantin (A Perfect Circle) – "Judith"



12. Jenny Lewis (Rilo Kiley) – "Money Maker"



13. Rachel Haden (that Dog) – "Never Say Never"



14. Mikki Steele (Bangles) – "Walk Like an Egyptian"



15. Gail Ann Dorsey (touring/David Bowie) – "Under Pressure"