AFI: “Punk Meets Jamerson”
When asked by Bass Player Magazine (in the July 06 issue) what his favorite bass players to listen to are, AFI bassist, Hunter, responded with:
“James Jamerson and Eric Avery. Jamerson’s Motown bass lines are crazy and melodic . . .”
I have prepared a response:
Dear Hunter of AFI,
FUCK. YOU.
Sincerely,
Justin
HAHAHAHAHA! Wow, I have to link to this man.
Seriously, Alex, we are ALL Jamerson disciples. He is, in many ways, the origin of contemporary bass playing. Before Jamerson electric “Fender bass” players were either guitarists or upright guys who doubled and did basically the same job as the big doghouse. Jamerson gave the instrument it’s voice. I really believe that. Recently (since the release of the Standing in The Shadows of Motown documentary) more and more people have become aware of his signifigance.
I have noticed a trend, though, where people name-drop Jamerson who have absolutely no idea what the hell they are talking about. Do you think Hunter can hold down the groove to “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” or “I Was Made to Love Her?” I don’t think he can.
From what I can tell he has enough trouble playing AFI’s bass lines.
And yeah, AFI sold a million records. blah blah blah. They’re on their fourth comeback.
He probably has never heard “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Actually, I don’t know that, and it’s wrong to assume. I just dislike AFI.
Look, I’m a dyed-in-the-wool rocker, but I actually enjoy jazz and Mo-town (thanks dad!), and I learn how to play all of this stuff to make my overall playing better! If I don’t know how to play something, or am not familiar with a certain bassist…I just admit it. Shocking, I know, but there you go. I agree with you 100 percent. It’s like a Christian saying “Oh yeah, that Jesus guy…he’s been a big influene on me too, along with Abe Lincoln dude and what’shisname…Martin Luther King.”
There was some guy in another issue of Bass Player a few months back, Matt Rubano, the bassist for Taking Back Sunday, and when asked what he’s listening to, he said, “Looking at my iTunes, I’ve listened to Weather Report, Fugazi, and A Tribe Called Quest all in the last two days.” OOOH WOW YOU’RE ECLECTIC, SO YOU MUST BE COOLER THAN ME.
I read that too. I was more impressed by him because I was shocked at his conviction to playing with one finger. I agree with his approach to that, as well. However, I also felt like “Wow. You like cool music. How come your band is so boring?”
But that time it was just me being a jerk.
Hah! And I’m going to cop my response to this and put it in my blog, so we’re even!
My favorite thing about this blog is how the comments are always longer than the posts.
“Wow. You like cool music. How come your band is so boring?â€
Yes, he did know about “The Hook,” which I respected. It was just his musical name-dropping…I HATE it when musicians do that. Flea is notorious for trying to sound cooler-than-thou regarding listening habits. Just put your pants on, dude…please!
“My favorite thing about this blog is how the comments are always longer than the posts.”
You know what though? That’s the whole point of blogs: they’re a springboard for discussion and an excuse to make fun of stuff. God Bless America.
It’s like a Christian saying “Oh yeah, that Jesus guy…he’s been a big influene on me too, along with Abe Lincoln dude and what’shisname…Martin Luther King.â€
…funniest thing I’ve heard all day, Alex. That’s like when people try to talk about psychology and they say things like, “Yeah, I totally subscribe to Freudian theories.” Name another psychologist you know other than Freud and I might be half-impressed.
Hah yeah, there are the cliche picks for everything. Although I have to admit, as a fan of Miles Davis, whenever I tell people I like jazz, and they ask “who do you listen to?” and I list MIles Davis, or maybe John Coltrane (who really IS my favorite) among them, I get a “Pfft…yeah, of course you like Miles…let me guess, you own Kind of Blue,” and I say, “Well yeah, who doesn’t?” and they go “Pfft. Exactly.” Right. Just ‘cos I don’t own the complete works of Sun Ra and can recite Ornette Colman’s enitre geneology, I guess I’m not a real jazz fan.
Wait, where was I going with this?
I just used psych as an example because it happens to be my thing. Also, I don’t know the first thing about jazz, BUT I get a little angry when people say Art “Blakely”.
Anyway, point of my original comment was you made me laugh. I needed it. Thanks!
Hahahah! Welcome, Kim! Sometimes I type before thinking, and it occasionally comes out funny. Usually it’s gibberish.
twelve comments? ridiculous.
Make that 14!
As a member of the punk rock community I just don’t know what to say. Maybe it’s a good thing that Hunter is just name dropping notable artists so kids can go and check them out. Then they can be like “wow, this is great music” and then be turned on to something truly noteworthy.
I grew up an AFI fan and became a James Jamerson fan thanks to Justin. Hopefully more kids can do the same.
Thanks for commenting, Tom. I know you read all of my gibberish, you are always welcome to chime in.
I have been thinking about this on and off since I jumped the gun and made the post. I know that my statement is strong and I realize Hunter may have said more in the interview that was not printed. I also acknowledge that my disgust with AFI\’s direction colors my judgement (just as I introduced Tom to Motown, he turned me onto old AFI which can be pretty bad ass if you know which albums to buy).
I agree that if someone can find Jamerson through Hunter than all the better. However, I think most everyone who reads Bass Player magazine knows who James Jamerson is or will be exposed to him in much greater detail by more expansive articles or informed interviews.
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Anyway… if any of you are in the New York City area you should go see Tom\’s band Encrypt Manuscript before they become the next big thing. Also, Tom will be backing up Shanti Wintergeen this summer on Warped Tour. Unlike me, Tom is not a big grouchy < ahref=\"http://m-w.com/dictionary/curmudgeon\">curmudgeon.
< / plug >
key word for me is “hopefully”. I see your point, Tom. I wholeheartedly agree that it might be a good thing to name drop for the sake of the kids. I guess my problem is that I don’t have much faith in the kids. But there’s always hope…