The credibility of Gene Simmons.

crozier247 · #1 06-25-2011, 01:04 PM

Does anyone else get a feeling from listening to KISS or watching any of their live stuff that Gene really is sorta a...not giving 100% player? His bass lines are very simple and I understand sometimes simplicity is key especially with certain bands and bass players but doesn't it seem like Gene should just contribute more? I am not in any way hating on him but his bass lines are often quite simple and I have been told that some of the bass lines and recordings were contributed to by other players. I see Gene Simmons as one hell of a business man and one hell of a show man, I mean talk about stage presence but it seems like bass know-how takes a back seat. Anyone agree?

bassteban · #2 06-25-2011, 01:11 PM

...and you are..?

crozier247 · #3 06-25-2011, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassteban

...and you are..?

don't get me wrong I am not saying I am better than him and I am not trashing him but I am just asking doesn't it seem like he could have contributed more?

droo46 · #4 06-25-2011, 01:31 PM

Detroit Rock City has a sweet bassline.

smeet · #5 06-25-2011, 01:33 PM

He does what he does, very well. If he had contributed more in a bass-playing sense, he would probably have done less in some other area (stage show? singing? attitude? marketing?) and it would have been a different (probably less successful, maybe worse musically) band.

bassteban · #6 06-25-2011, 01:35 PM

Like Kiss or not, they are an incredibly successful business; as a band, IMO they are very well-assembled, & I think Gene's playing suits them nicely.
FWIW, I like(not *love*)them as they were huge in my early teen years, and the music takes me back.

crozier247 · #7 06-25-2011, 01:38 PM

Detroit rock city is pretty sweet that is true and I think "simple" bass was alot more common then vs. today. I wasn't around then so I don't know a whole lot but it just seems that older music has a perfect spot for bass. You don't hear it at first sometiems then when you do you sort of can't un heard it and I think alot of old music has simpler bass lines but simple bass lines tie the whole thing together sometimes. Now a days I think the bass can be to upfront sometimes

GRAHAM SG1 · #8 06-25-2011, 01:40 PM

Who cares ?

Kiss have made the sort of money we can only dream of with what they do, personally I think they look ridiculous and dare I say it `G A Y` in their action man suits but they are not the ones having to work 9 till 5 in an office every day to make a meagre existence

I have heard one or two of their songs and would not go any further than that

waleross · #9 06-25-2011, 04:07 PM

I hate him all the way to the bank. Playing your instrument can only go so far , with rock & roll the rest is pure show biz.
My favorite member of Kiss was the drummer. Never saw them live, wish I had..........................

GRAHAM SG1 · #10 06-25-2011, 04:16 PM

They are the Simon Cowell of rock n roll

Pure unashamed corporate rock industry gods whose act is like a young boys action cartoon with music !!

I only wish I had the drive and personality to succeed like they have but we cant all be action heroes can we

20db pad · #11 06-25-2011, 04:25 PM

Gene is a co-leader, co-writer, and co-vocalist of one of the most successful rock bands ever. He's contributed plenty, and along the way figured out that huge arena rock and the audience it serves doesn't need or want over-the-top bass escapades.

Gene isn't very precious or concerned with bass playing in general, and if he's too tied up with stuff, he'll pass the ball to somebody else. He's done this many times over the years, and can do this due to the nature of his band's music.

Obviously, a guy like Wooten or Sheehan can't and won't do this. Their livelihoods are tied up in the reputation of being a great bassist, while Gene just wants to get the record done and out in the stores. The overall legacy of Kiss hasn't suffered at all because of it. Plus, their fans (myself included as one) couldn't care less, if they even know of it.

MrLenny1 · #12 06-25-2011, 04:33 PM

In a Bass Player article he stated he was the best Rock bassist. Ha.
He likes to blow his horn, he needs a real haircut.

OPBASSMAN1994 · #13 06-25-2011, 04:44 PM

Personal thoughts about the guy's lifestyle and attitude aside, $immon$ is a good showman and businessman, but a mediocre player. Plain and simple. Detroit Rock City is a great bass line, but otherwise, Gene's playing is bland and boring. Adam Clayton and Sting's lines are simple, but creative, and they are only as simple as the song requires them to be. I don't get the creative sense with Gene, nor does he show any signs (DRC aside) that he can rock it up more or tone it down more to fit the song. However, Gene Simmons himself would agree that he is not, nor does he care to be, a particularly skilled bassist or musician in general. As long as he can make a million dollars off of people, he doesn't really care....

Rockmusician · #14 06-25-2011, 05:01 PM

Gene has some good basslines. It would be easy for him just bang away on the root all tghe time but he doesn't. Many of their songs are good because of his playing. I think he is somewhat underrated. I used to be a huge KISS fan. The live shows have been pretty bad the last few years and are only getting worse. I saw them last year and it was by far the worst show I have ever seen by any band. The vocals were terrible, especially Paul's. He was screeching, flat and couldn't hold a note. Gene's bass sounded like it was coming through an AM radio. They have become a caricature of themselves.

MrMeacham · #15 06-25-2011, 05:07 PM

Gene makes it work. It all fits together from the song to the show. At his age KISS still kicks most people's butt when it come to entertaining. How can anyone question if it works or not.

VitalSigns · #16 06-25-2011, 05:21 PM

I've said it before and I'll say it again.. He plays bass and sings, not saying it's a super hard thing to do but it's not easy.. Watch the MTV uplugged video for the Song Goin Blind, you'll see what I mean.

JimmyM · #17 06-25-2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OPBASSMAN1994

Personal thoughts about the guy's lifestyle and attitude aside, $immon$ is a good showman and businessman, but a mediocre player. Plain and simple. Detroit Rock City is a great bass line, but otherwise, Gene's playing is bland and boring. Adam Clayton and Sting's lines are simple, but creative, and they are only as simple as the song requires them to be. I don't get the creative sense with Gene, nor does he show any signs (DRC aside) that he can rock it up more or tone it down more to fit the song. However, Gene Simmons himself would agree that he is not, nor does he care to be, a particularly skilled bassist or musician in general. As long as he can make a million dollars off of people, he doesn't really care....

This business about Gene's playing being bland and boring...where the hell does that come from? Sorry but I don't think you've heard much KISS. I think he's one of the least bland and boring rock bassists out there. OK, he's not Jack Bruce, but I can name a good 10-15 early KISS songs that have great and not-that-easy-to-play basslines...

100,000 Years
Parasite
Rock And Roll All Nite
Ladies Room
Detroit Rock City
Black Diamond
Cold Gin
Goin' Blind
Calling Dr. Love
Take Me
King Of The Nighttime World
Getaway

OK, well you get the idea.

Oh, and when is making money considered bad? Sure, he's crass about it, but nobody forces anyone to buy KISS coffins and pay $10,000 for a M&G.

lomo · #18 06-25-2011, 05:26 PM

KISS is entertainment, not art. The major driving force was and is purely commercial success. Some fun songs, eye-catching costumes. It is what it is, and nothing more. As a businessman, Gene is a savy guy. Musical artistry? IMHO not an iota. It doesn't make him any more or less "credible" or noble than anyone else.

Rama · #19 06-25-2011, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crozier247

I think "simple" bass was alot more common then vs. today.
I think alot of old music has simpler bass lines

1967
YouTube - ‪The Who - My Generation (Marquee Club 1967)‬&rlm;

1968
YouTube - ‪Stevie Wonder - For Once In My Life‬&rlm;

1969
YouTube - ‪Janis Joplin - Piece Of My Heart (1969) Frankfurt, Germany‬&rlm;

You've now been educated.

But simple bass has its benefits of course.

VitalSigns · #20 06-25-2011, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

This business about Gene's playing being bland and boring...where the hell does that come from? Sorry but I don't think you've heard much KISS. I think he's one of the least bland and boring rock bassists out there. OK, he's not Jack Bruce, but I can name a good 10-15 early KISS songs that have great and not-that-easy-to-play basslines...

100,000 Years
Parasite
Rock And Roll All Nite
Ladies Room
Detroit Rock City
Black Diamond
Cold Gin
Goin' Blind
Calling Dr. Love
Take Me
King Of The Nighttime World
Getaway

OK, well you get the idea.

Oh, and when is making money considered bad? Sure, he's crass about it, but nobody forces anyone to buy KISS coffins and pay $10,000 for a M&G.

This pretty much sums it up...