The best way to judge a punk rock bass player is by the length of his strap. Or any bass player, for that matter. those “bow-tie bass” types, with the really short straps and too many notes, they’ve obviously gone to school way too long to make good music.

Speaking of music, I was just listening to some, which I almost never do unless I’m being paid to learn something*, and you know what? The Damned’s “Love Song” has just that kind of punk rock bass that I do treasure so dearly… I don’t even know if it’s Captain Sensible or Algae whatshisname or even Lemmy Kilmeister, but sheet, bro, that sounds like a long-ass strap. I mean after the false intro, right after the “hey man, what’s happening?”

Maybe that song’s not “punk” enough for you. Try listening to it with a safety pin in your eye; works for me. I also love the way it lyrically references Fats Waller’s charming “Porter’s Love Song To A Chambermaid” which I used to sing to very old people in very expensive restaurants.

Go listen to some music kids! It’s great (in small doses)!

Both songs mentioned are buried somewhere in this finetune playlist:

*I believe this may be related to the curious mental block that restricts me from playing guitar off the clock. Ever. I’m nearly positive I used to enjoy it a great deal…