Influences

I know, "Influences" is such a crappy word but it'll have to do - Inspirations is far too pretentious, and heroes makes me sound about twelve. Anyway, whatever you want to call them, these are just some of the people who's playing I like (particularly on the tracks I've listed) and who might have a bearing on the way I play. I don't really know who I sound or play like - I'd like to think that there's elements of all these in my playing. There probably isn't, but if I've got a tenth of the feel, groove, talent, originality or ability of any of them I'd be happy. This is a totally personal and subjective list - I'd love you to email me at and let me know any of your favourites I've left out. This isn't a league table of Bass Players - Each one has something different, so in no particular order...

John James Parker (Nizlopi)

"Find Me" and "JCB" - "Half these songs are about you"
You HAVE to see this man play live

Jaco Pastorius

"Come on, come over" (From his solo album "Jaco Pastorius")
"Teen Town" and "Birdland" - (From the Weather Report album "Heavy Weather")

James Jamerson

"You keep me hanging on" - The Supremes
"Heard it through the Grapevine" - Marvin Gaye
"I want you back" - Jackson 5

John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin)

"Dazed & Confused" - Led Zep I
"Ramble On" - Led Zep II
"Black Dog" - Led Zep IV

Mani (Stone Roses)

"I am the resurrection" - The Stone Roses
"Daybreak" - The Second Coming

Nathan Watts (Stevie Wonder)

"As", "Sir Duke" and "I Wish" - Songs in the Key of Life

Baghiti Kumalo

"Diamonds on the soles of her shoes" and "Boy in the bubble" - Graceland (Paul Simon)

Flea (Red Hot Chilli Peppers)

"Around the World" - Californication
"Give it away" - Blood Sugar Sex Magic

John Entwistle (The Who)

"The Real Me" - Quadrophenia
"Won't get fooled again" - Who's Next

Andy Rourke (The Smiths)

"Barbarism begins at home" - Meat is Murder
"Heaven knows I'm miserable now" - Hatful of Hollow

Jake Erwin (Hot Club of Cowtown)

"Diga Diga Do" and "Crazy 'cause I love you" - Continental Stomp

Francis Rocco Prestia (Tower of Power)

"What is Hip?"
"Funkifize"

Brian Ritchie (Violent Femmes)

"Blister in the Sun" and "Please do not go" - Violent Femmes

Paul McCartney

"Penny Lane"
"Saw her standing there"
"Helter Skelter" - The White Album

Honourable Mentions

and probably loads I've forgotten.