A favorite song of many bassists because of its groove, Cult of Personality is a staple rock song of the late 1980s. 1988, to be specific.
This song is played using all fingers and requires accurate fretting to get it right. Also, atypical to most rock songs of the late ’80s, the bass can be heard loud and clear, even in the original studio mix.
Where tone is concerned, it edges more towards midrange punch rather than in-your-face low end. Having strings with a piano-like twang to them also helps (which is more or less the sound of new roundwound strings).
Cult of Personality sounds deceptively simple, and is a total groove monster.
Isolated bass track (original studio recording below)
Original studio recording (full mix)
Awesome! Love this track!!!
Thanks for finding/sharing.
Muzz Skillings is a straight up Monster. A hard rocker with be-bop chops https://youtu.be/IRAc2pNl6Xg
Listen to his solo on Under cover of darkness.
Blast from the past!
Always loved the song, not just the bass – everything about it! Surprise, surprise (to me) – Living Colour will be performing here in Australia next month just across the border from me (different State) & I will be there! Coincidently, I’ve seen some You Tube live footage recently; sad thing is, the bass is not that prominent in the mix – be it with Muzz Skillings or Doug Wimbish in the lineup. Thank you for this gift of FINALLY hearing the lone bass!
Great band, great number, and yes that’s a bass line. Maybe something technically challenging next time we can all learn from?
Thanks for making this possible!
“Arrogant is the man who thinks he is above learning something from every situation.”
I liked these guys first time I heard and got to see Vernon at the Tri-tone in Philly. Also dig Open letter to a landlord