“Before me it was classic Fender Jazz, but I showed up with a bunch of Yamaha basses. Billy Corgan was totally cool with that… it’s never been, ‘Do what I say or else’”: How Jack Bates splits his loyalties between Smashing Pumpkins and his dad, Peter Hook

Jack Bates performs onstage with the Smashing Pumpkins.

Given that Jack Bates’ father is Peter Hook – one of the most distinctive bassists ever – it might seem as if Bates was destined to play bass, too.

But when asked if his dad was the reason he started, he tells Bass Player: “Partially, just because those instruments were around the house. It wasn’t a case of a 12-year-old me being like, ‘I want to be just like my dad.’ But after playing with him for years, he’s inspired me more and more.”