not sure I understand what you mean, the bass has always been a rhythm instrument, its traditional role is to mark tempo and provide the root for harmony. do you maybe mean using it as a percussive instrument, like Claypool often does with muted slapping?

It's honestly kinda cool the ouroboros-like influence between Les Claypool and Geddy Lee. Les has always credited Rush as a huge influence, but then Geddy's playing has also gotten progressively slappy-er over the years just from hanging out with Primus