The bottom line Bass players across a wide range not only think plenty of creative life remains in the instrument, they say the music wouldn’t, and can’t, exist without it.

“One of the things that music “Getting rid of the bass in “It’s kind of like when the DJs “Emerson, Lake & Palmer, “Bass and drums are the “[It’s true that] the White “When I listen to the national is about to me is contrast, music is slightly ridiculous, came around. When I was a Human League, Kraftwerk, bottom, the basis for all Stripes continue to write anthem in Great Britain, I’m and without the bass, it’s and those bands would kid, everyone wanted to play Soft Cell ... bands with no grooves. The pocket. That’s hit after hit, but it’s because listening to the bass line. not really possible. Though be better if they had bass guitar. Nowadays everyone guitars. Were guitarists where the music sits in. their songs are just melody When I listen to classical it’s true, you could have a players. The bass is the thing wants a turntable. But has worried? Let’s tune in again And if one of those two and hook and the drums are music, I’m listening to the sousaphone or a tuba or that moves your heart, that that killed sales at Guitar a year from now and see instruments is missing, carrying them. But not really. bass line. Any great song has something.” makes you want to dance, Center? No.” what’s happening with then you’re missing half the The songs have no bottom something moving in the Oteil Burbridge that lay people don’t pay Les Claypool bands. Until then, don’t pocket.” end. back, concerned with the Allman Brothers, Oteil and attention to but miss when Primus, Oysterhead, forget drum ’n’ bass music George Porter Jr. Caleb Scofield rhythm. And that’s the bass.” the Peacemakers it’s gone.” Les Claypool’s Frog Brigade — lots of bass, no guitars!” The Funky Meters, Gov’t Cave In John Waite The Allman Brothers Melanie Campbell Tony Levin Mule, P.B.S. Cave In plays the second Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band Band plays at the Tweeter Burning Brides Peter Gabriel stage at Lollapalooza ‘03 The band plays FleetBoston Center next Sunday. The Burning Brides arrives with July 25 at Tweeter. Pavilion July 27. Waite’s CD, Peacemakers have an album the Lollapalooza ‘03 tour at “Figure in a Landscape,” just out, “The Family Secret.” Tweeter July 25. comes out in August.

GLOBE STAFF GRAPHIC/MICHAEL PRAGER