Over at the increasingly essential music blog of The Guardian, Will Byers addresses the oft-forgotten player in the formation of a good rock band: the bassist. In his "School of Rock" column, Byers argues that too many new bands tend to forgo bass guitar work (Snow Patrol and Suede, for example), or are victims of producers who choose to bury the bass in the mix of an album. In reality, all great rock, from The Beatles to New Order to The Smiths to the Pixies, relied on heavily on the bass. After providing a set out ground rules, including following the kick drum and alternating from the root note, Byers declares: "Give me a band without a decent bass player, and I'll give you a reason why they're not a good band." Strong words, but smart ones all the same.

[The Guardian]