Sorry for bringing this thread back from the dead, but I really think Matt Freeman doesn't get the credit that he deserves. I once saw a comparison of Matt Freeman and Flea on YouTube, and Matt was clearly the better bassist. The thing I love is that in a music industry and genre dominated by 6 stringers, and bassists who are really just guitar players who weren't as good as the other guy in the band, Matt comes to the forefront in his songs, and he's truly a bass player.

I take alot of inspiration from the way he plays. I try to emulate him in my own playing style, and the guys in my band think I'm one of the best bassists they've ever heard when I come off with something cool like what Matt does in nearly every one of his songs. When really I'm just trying to play like him. See, I was a guitarist for 10 years before I picked up bass. I bought a bass just to see if I liked it, and to allow my more opportunities in bands. It wasn't until I listened to Matt in all of those Rancid songs that I fell in love with the instrument, and I no longer call myself a guitarist, and I'm quite proud of that.

It's kind of hard to explain the way he plays. He's not the best technical or theory oriented player out there. Mostly he's playing blues and jazz scales, but he's playing in a way that I don't think any other punk bassist would ever attempt without hearing him do it first. To me, it sounds almost like he's doing long division in his head, and that's the effect I try to stress in my own playing.

If you don't know his music, some songs I would suggest are obviously Maxwell Murder and some other songs from the self titled album. But personally I feel that he's at his best in songs like As Wicked, Who Would've Thought, and the acoustic version of their album Let the Dominoes Fall. In particular, the song New Orleans comes to mind from that album, but I'm not able to listen to it atm to suggest some other good ones. I definately insist that any aspiring punk rockers check out his work, and even dedicated musicians from other genres who are looking for something new to learn from.

"He's not the best technical or theory oriented player out there."

this may not be a very good way to describe him. everything he plays seems harmonically rooted and played with a consistent, clear tone. This is probably why what he does works so well.

Freeman's an insane bass player. He's got the right amount of flashiness and at the same time he can hold down the tune. It's too bad I just can't get into Rancid's music. . .