The drummer has been the butt of many a music joke for decades. At least when it comes time to shine though, they can take the spotlight like no other member of a band. Then there’s the bass player. If there’s ever anyone who needs a bit more respect on stage, it’s the bassist. One of the greatest to ever grace the instrument is former Rush bassist/vocalist/keyboardist, Geddy Lee.
His passion for the instrument is matched only by his skill. Now that passion will be on display in a new way… by uh, joining other bass players in their personal hobbies.
Keep in mind, Geddy has a quirky sense of humor. After all, this is the band that brought washing machines on stage to fill the stage. Alex Lifeson had his huge guitar amps, Geddy had his washers and dryers. Anyway, that sense of irreverent humor extends to the title of the upcoming Paramount+ series, “Geddy Lee Asks: Are Bass Players Humans Too?.”
The answer of course, is yes. And Geddy intends to show that by visiting with four different bassists, talking music, and following them along on some of their interests.
Across four episodes, Geddy will visit with Krist Novoselic of Nirvana, Metallica’s Robert Trujillo, Melissa Auf der Maur (Smashing Pumpkins and Hole), as well as the legendary Les Claypool. Geddy and Les actually go way back as Claypool’s band Primus has opened for Rush on tour. Not to mention Claypool has frequently cited Geddy as one of his biggest inspirations for bass playing in general. So it’ll be fun to watch them chat with each other and uh, drive a small jeep through a field if the trailer is anything to go by.
That’s where the quirkiness of the show really comes into play as along with talking music and jamming, we’ll be able to watch Geddy potentially attempt to surf with Trujillo, fish with Claypool, and spend time in Novoselic’s kitchen. It’s all an attempt to show how interesting the lives of musicians can be when they’re not on stage. It also helps that this series comes off the heels of an upcoming book tour that Geddy is doing for his memoir, “My Effin’ Life.“
The book will hit shelves in November. “Are Bass Players Human Too?” will debut December 5th on Paramount+. Maybe then he can make a film adaptation, otherwise known as a “Moving Pictures” version! Eh? EH!?!
