In a band, the most underrated member of them all is often the bassist player.
Part of the reason is because people think they have the easiest instrument. As it turns out, thatโs not always true. If you donโt believe us, consider this videoโฆ it just might change your mind about bassists.
The bassistโs name is Larry Williams of the Mike Wheeler Band.
Williams and his band were playing a show in Westmont, Illinois when he got the chance to showcase his skills. During an instrumental break, the band told him to step forward and do a solo. Needless to say, his bass solo captivated the audienceโhis funky, energetic style and his intricate bass lines went on for about three minute!
The video was posted in 2012, and has the band performing their rendition of the song, โThatโs What Love Will Make You Do,โ originally written by the Jerry Garcia Band in 1997.
As he plays, Williams keeps busting a move the whole time!
The song kicked off with a minute-long instrumental, which then led to the verses. But when Williamsโ solo came in, it entranced people with its quick transitions, note-to-note precise bass slaps, palm mutes and staccatos.
Eventually, it becomes full-on percussion with all his taps and slaps! Just by watching it, you can really see how complicated those riffs are. His skills were beyond insane especially considering it was done live. The groove was endless.
Busting his mini-dance moves while playing with his bass guitar seamlessly, Williams showed off his incredible skills while literally having the time of his life on that stage. I bet even the people listening were drawn into grooving with him all throughout his funky bass adventure!
Though it goes without saying, Williams is definitely in love with playing bass!
The video of the full performance of the song was posted on YouTube about seven years ago, and the cut version where only Larry Williamsโ bass solo was highlighted was posted by YouOriginal two years after. The latter went viral, gaining internet fame and hitting a total of 4.6 million views and 57,000 people hitting like on the video.
Most of the reactions from the comment section was how they admired Williamsโ skill and control over the bass guitar. Others compimented him as the โJimi Hendrix of bass,โ and others asked fellow YouTubers to do reaction videos to it! One person even said: โMy feet are doing involuntary movementsโ from listening to the clip.
What makes the video even more interesting is that Williams is a lefty!
What amazed the people even more was the fact that he played a five-stringed bass guitar inverselyโa right-handed bass flipped to play left-handedly. He didnt even bother restringing the instrument!
According to some bassists, itโs a nearly impossible feat to play the bass that way without making modifications. Despite all that, Williams still totally nailed it and made it look effortless!
Although the clip itself was a YouTube sensation until now, the Mike Wheeler Band remains underrated. As the three-man band continues to play gigs throughout America, Larry Williamsโ artistic showmanship with his bass guitar continues to thrive. Fans will continue to love him, the band, and their funky rock style that would make your feet sway to the beat.
Congratulations to Larry Williams and the whole band! Check out the full video below:
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
