Playing bass (or music in general) is all about personal taste and interpretation.... If some people don't like Steve's way of playing, fine.. What can you do about it? Force him to like it?
As a musician you learn to play for the people who like your style. You just can't play in a way everyone will like it. What's the point in giving up your own style just to get some more people to like you.
k, I admit, thinking Steve ruined ITP is an example of bad taste, but like I said, there will always be people who just don't like the way you play..