The Daily Anarcho-Stack. The curious case of the Female Bass Player.
Am I the only one noticing this or has this been happening all my life?
The Female Bass Player. Why do I notice this? Is this a thing? Why are there so many female bass players in bands I listened to? I searched for this answer and the responses where very unsatisfying:
One observation is that in mixed-gender bands, if there is only one female member, she is more likely to be the singer, keyboardist, or bassist, in that order of likelihood. - List of female bass guitarists
A perception that bass and keyboard roles are more supportive, while lead guitar and vocals are more prominent and visible. - Serious Question: Why are most female in rock bands either singers or bassists?
Additionally, some suggest that bass is often seen as an easier instrument to learn the basics of compared to guitar, making it a more accessible choice for female musicians who might be new to the instrument. However, this is a generalization, and there are many skilled female guitarists in both mixed-gender and all-female bands. ← This is very poor understanding of bassist players as some of the best bassist players are male. And a lot of group-fronted guitarists are female.
So, I can only surmise that it is me who is noticing this and that means that I subconsciously purchase music that has these women in said band? Maybe. The bass guitar is usually a four-string, thirty-four inch instrument that weighs, on average, between seven to ten pounds. Besides, keys (synths) and some drum kits, having a bass guitar and an amp can be a lot to lug around on a tour or for practice. At least, from what I have see when seeing live bands on tour.
What I do know is that a large part of my music collection has these women in the band and / or that they are fronting the band as a bassist player. So here are my top three female bassist players / groups that have I followed throughout their career:
The Revolving Kittie Bassist:
Yes, I followed (or at least tried to) each bassists’ career after Kittie but it was extremely difficult to do so. There were FIVE bassists in the band over their 20+ year career and they just released a new album in 2024. The average “stay” of a bassist player in Kittie is about 4.4 years with the most current one, actually being the most stable one. I do not have a favorite in this group:
Jennifer Arroyo - (+ her other group Suicide City.)
Talena Atfield - (Now an Associate Professor in Indigenous History!)
Fallon Bowman - (+ her other group Amphibious Assault — which is still producing music!) Here is a video from her in 2021 about a Life Update:
Trish Doan - (R.I.P. - 1985 - 2017) She may have been part of one of my favorite songs by Kittie; ironically titled: Funeral for Yesterday.)
Here is her live in Mexico City in 2024 with Kittie:
Melissa Gaboriau Auf der Maur - (Member of Tinker, Hole, Constant Comment, The Smashing Pumpkins, Team Sleep, The Chelsea, Hand of Doom and Solo!) Following her is like following a new band every other year and yet, she survives more than the bands she is in. I had a choice between The Chelsea, Hole, and The Smashing Pumpkins as my favorites of her in a group and I chose The Smashing Pumpkins as the band allowed her bass playing to come through clearly, like in this live video of “Cherub Rock”: p.s. I am still not a Redhead connoisseur…
Nicole Margaret Fiorentino - Another Smashing Pumpkins bassists, Nicole has participated in three I listened to in the 1990’s in the 2000’s-2020’s which I find very interesting. But I decided to forgo her stint in The Smashing Pumpkins, Veruca Salt, and now Garbage(!) and chose the official video of The Cold And Lovely"Not With Me" as you can clearly hear her bass and she is a feature of the band and not a supporting band member, per se. Plus, she sings!
Now, there a a LOT more female bassists to pursue and this list confirms it: List of female bass guitarists (70+!) and would like to make a shoutout to D’arcy Wretzky as she is still around and may or may not rejoin The Smashing Pumpkins again. I hope this helps your journey for exciting new bands, whether they be old or new to listen to!
In Her Name,
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