Scott Shiflett’s Punk Bass Line on ‘Bent But Not Broken’ Is a Workout Worth Learning

I’m not even sure how I stumbled across Scott Shiflett’s bass playthrough of “Bent But Not Broken” by Face to Face. Maybe it was a lucky YouTube recommendation or something a student sent me, but it doesn’t really matter. What matters is the ferocity and brilliance of Scott’s bass playing, which I instantly fell in love with.

This track features one of the most challenging punk bass lines I’ve ever heard. Naturally, I had to try playing it.

How to Play the Punk Bass Line to “Bent But Not Broken” by Face to Face

My first instinct was to use a pick, just like Scott does in his playthrough. After several frustrating days of that approach, I switched back to my trusted fingerstyle technique. It was a painful and slow process, but I eventually managed to get it up to full speed.

Once I got there, I recorded my own version of this killer bass line to share with you, fellow low-end enthusiasts.

Bent But Not Broken Bass Line Analysis: Scale, Melody, and Groove Tips

The tone material is very straightforward: everything happens within the F♯ natural minor scale (F♯, G♯, A, B, C♯, D, E).

The song starts with an epic bass intro played in the high register. It’s a prime example of a melodic punk/heavy metal bassline, and as Scott himself mentions, “Bent But Not Broken” shares many similarities with “Aces High” by Iron Maiden, featuring the masterful playing of Steve Harris.

During the verse and chorus sections, the bass returns to a more traditional punk groove, with relentless eighth and sixteenth notes anchoring the rhythm section, but it’s not all business as usual. Check out bars 16, 19, and 20 for some extra melodic spice. These licks help break up the song and add serious character.

How to Practice Punk Bass Lines: Learning Key Sections Without Full Transcriptions

Rather than transcribe the entire track, I decided to concentrate on the main components: the intro, verse, chorus, and a few key licks. These parts are packed with technical challenges and musical ideas worth exploring. Instead of learning the whole song, I often cherry-pick the most meaningful and inspiring sections as part of my personal practice development.

There’s so much incredible music out there, but not enough time to dive into every detail. That’s why I take this “reel” approach – it’s like a focused, high-intensity workout. In this case, a Bass Gym workout.

Watch Scott Shiflett’s Bass Playthrough of “Bent But Not Broken” by Face to Face

If you haven’t already, make sure to check out Scott Shiflett’s original playthrough to see a punk bass master in action.

Watch Scott Shiflett’s Bass Playthrough: