A closer look at the APMAs nominees for Best Bassist
With the second annual AP Music Awards taking place July 22 (get your tickets now), at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, we thought we would use the weeks leading up to this epic event to give you a category-by-category breakdown of the nominees. Read on to learn about the Best Bassist nominees, and get your tickets to the show!
Kyle Fasel, Real Friends
Kyle Fasel is an obvious choice here, because he’s not just a killer bassist—he’s the driving force behind Real Friends. Fasel serves as the band’s primary lyricist, businessman and creative force. He’s totally fine letting singer Dan Lambton be the face of the band, while he’s hard at work behind the scenes. He’s pretty much the Pete Wentz of next-wave pop-punk.
Jeph Howard, The Used
Uh… have you listened to “Take It Away”? Those chords will slice your eyeballs out. Those tones, bro. Those tones. Howard is a powerhouse, slicing though ragers like “Blood On My Hands” and “Bird And The Worm” —and continuing to dominate them live—while adding the right texture to some of the band’s newer hits (“Cry,” “Revolution”). It’s that dark, trembling power you feel beneath Bert McCracken when he sings, “You felt the coldness in my eyes” that sets Howard apart from the pack.
Ryan Jay Johnson, letlive.
Simply put, letlive. are a talented bunch of guys, blending hardcore, hip-hop, punk and soul into an energy-charged smoothie of sonic goodness. Not only does Ryan Jay Johnson have to lay the groundwork for these fast and complicated arrangements, he has do it during ll.’s insane live show, keeping up with berserk frontman Jason Butler, who may just climb a balcony at any moment. You can especially hear his power slapping on thumping numbers like “Banshee (Ghost Fame)” and “White America’s Beautiful Black Market.”
Zack Merrick, All Time Low
I’ve said it before (last year, when he was also nominated), and I’ll say it again: Zack Merrick has a tough job: keeping up with the speedy, hook-laden riffs of Jack Barakat and the zippy vocals of Alex Gaskarth. Without his heavy bass anchor, the spitfire-quick bursts of ATL pop-punk would simply shoot off into outer space. We need this man, people.
Devin “Ghost” Sola, Motionless In White
Another returning nominee, the spooky dressed Devin “Ghost” Sola first made his mark on Motionless In White’s 2012 album, Infamous. Songs like “Devil’s Night” and the Marilyn Manson-esque title track really showcased his abilities. On Reincarnate, the band are moving closer to an industrial-rock sound, giving Sola’s low-end even more chances to shine.
Dallon Weekes, Panic! At The Disco
Dallon Weeks originally joined Panic! At The Disco as a touring member, following the departure of numerous members. But he proved himself invaluable, joining as the full-time slinger in 2010. As Panic!’s songs grow more funk (“Hallelujah”) and hip-hop-inspired (“Miss Jackson”), Weeks’ bass power has become a crucial element to Panic! CEO Brendan Urie’s sonic whims.
