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Gene Simmons is Good

#361
People who want to measure Gene Simmons' musicianship are missing the point big time. He provides musical entertainment, where the balance is tipped towards entertainment : just as Hulk Hogan is part of 'sports-entertainment'. Hogan is by no means a top athlete or a proper sportsman, its entertainment. Sitting down and watching Bill Evans is musical entertainment too, but it sure is a lot less showmanship.
 
#362
Its funny, I was sort of thinking about this the other day, and as much of a KISS fan I am (I bought Destroyer and Dynasty when I was 13 and have pretty much collected all their other albums over the years), I honestly can not picture Gene Simmons as the kind of guy that makes time to just sit and actually practice playing or writing music. The most practice he probably gets is when he's rehearsing or writing with the rest of the band. I just can't imagine him as the kind of guy that sits and just plays and try's to come up with stuff at home when he's not doing the regular "Gene Simmons" stuff.

That said, I don't think he's a bad player. His bass lines really help to define the rhythm in a lot of KISS songs. I don't think he deserves as much bad rep as he gets. I could think of other bass players that deserve it a lot more.
 
#363
The thing with Gene is that his persona is polarizing. If you like his persona, or can get past it to the real man, then you're willing to listen and give him the benefit of the doubt - and you'll think he's a fairly good bass player. If you don't like the persona, or don't like the band, then you'll denigrate him because he made a ton of money and you think you're "better" than he is, but you're not, and it ticks you off, so you knock him. The fact of the matter is, he's better than you are, and I can prove it: he's a multimillionaire due largely to his bass playing, and you're wanking away in your basement.
 
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#364
ooktar said:
Its funny, I was sort of thinking about this the other day, and as much of a KISS fan I am (I bought Destroyer and Dynasty when I was 13 and have pretty much collected all their other albums over the years), I honestly can not picture Gene Simmons as the kind of guy that makes time to just sit and actually practice playing or writing music. The most practice he probably gets is when he's rehearsing or writing with the rest of the band. I just can't imagine him as the kind of guy that sits and just plays and try's to come up with stuff at home when he's not doing the regular "Gene Simmons" stuff.

That said, I don't think he's a bad player. His bass lines really help to define the rhythm in a lot of KISS songs. I don't think he deserves as much bad rep as he gets. I could think of other bass players that deserve it a lot more.
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I agree,practice and technique can disconnect you from the feel of the music,in this case rock and roll.Rock is raw and passionate.With that said I don't see anything wrong with his playing. I'm not even a kiss fan.
 
#366
twdavis13 said:
This is just me, but I think that KISS's non makeup era and the Unplugged MTV concert they did are proof enough that their music can stand on its own. They didnt go for blood or bombs or flashpots, or flying rigs in the 80s and mid 90's, that was when they were forced to think more of the music. I personally think that Gene is a great bassist by definition of what a good bassist should be, that is, when he applies himself.
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Like this?


:hiding:

(I realize I'm quoting a 4 year old post, but I just couldn't help myself.) :p
 
#370
Greevus said:
I think to say McCartney is great and Gene sucks is just stupidity. Technically, neither is amazing, but both play clever, melodic bass lines. Gene does it in a Monster costume and high heels also. I've met so many bass and guitar players who CAN'T play Kiss riffs very well at all, and talk about how bad they are. The Bass solo in the Kiss show is for Gene to spit blood. Don't be a jackazz and act like he fails to be Jaco. How come Jaco didn't spit blood in his solo? Stupid, right? You got to put it all in context. Kiss is an entertainment machine. They also have TONS of great hard rock tunes. So many other rock bands are considered incredible and there tunes are so basic also, and in most cases, directly inspired by Kiss. If you hate Gene, great. I love hearing it. It IS a forum and there will be those that attack. I do it myself. When I think of the Beatles, for example, I think of vocal melodies and accompanying chording. Not reallly a riffing band. Kiss is far more riff oriented. They have huge rock riffs. The bass playing in both bands is very similar, unless you are deaf. But check out some great Kiss riffs and the bass that goes with them, ie "Watchin' You", "Goin' Blind", "Deuce", "Black Diamond", "Parasite", "Strutter", "She", "Two Timer", "Sweet Pain", etc, etc.
However, it would have been very cool to see Jaco blow fire and fly with blood all over his Jazz bass.....
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Neither Gene or McCartney are technical wizards on bass by their own admission, but both inspired me to play bass. Because I love what they both did and still do. (Although I like Genes 70's tone much better.) Because, like them or not they both play what is right for a particular song...not to be technically amazing. All the examples in the post I'm quoting are proof of that. When I look at a bass player, I don't look at whether someone is technically amazing or not but are they playing what fits the song. Because in the end it is the song most people remember not the great bass solo in the middle. A simple melodic bass line can be just as effective as a highly complicated jazz inspired one. An infinite number of rock classics prove that. In terms of that Gene is quite good and McCartney is a master, and that's the style that I prefer to play and enjoy listening to. Just my 2 cents.
 
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#371
Found this topic..Sorry have to comment!! It was Nikki Sixx & a little of Gene Simmons..That made me, want to play bass... The opening comment..Nikki playing boreing bass lines???? He is doing his job!!! Laying down very catchy bass lines.. ( Dr FeelGood) being my favorite.. And Gene..I love the "Demon" don't care much for the man.. But another guy that plays very catchy bass lines..IMO ..Gene suck at bass???? I don't think so.. Love him on bass
 
#373
123Nil said:
Found this topic..Sorry have to comment!! It was Nikki Sixx & a little of Gene Simmons..That made me, want to play bass... The opening comment..Nikki playing boreing bass lines???? He is doing his job!!! Laying down very catchy bass lines.. ( Dr FeelGood) being my favorite.. And Gene..I love the "Demon" don't care much for the man.. But another guy that plays very catchy bass lines..IMO ..Gene suck at bass???? I don't think so.. Love him on bass
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I like both Motley Crue and Kiss, but most of the time Nikki Sixx is playing the same thing as the guitar, basically note for note, "Dr. Feelgood" included. Sometimes he's playing a pedal note to the guitar riff, which is fine by me if it fits the song.

Gene Simmons, on the other hand, is often playing contrapuntal riffs and melodic and walking bass lines, just like... Paul McCartney! Not saying he's of the same musical caliber as him, just that his bass playing style is similar.

I just don't get all the bashing. Must come from jazz snobs.
 
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#379
neckdive said:
All of these posts from TB members discussing how [insert famous bassist and likely non-TB members] sucks really should stop. They are successful bassists for a reason.
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I guess you haven't seen the "performance" I am referring to then:



Furthermore, Nikki is a successful bassist for a few good reasons. He was in the right place at the right time are at the top of the heap. He's also very lucky, having survived so many overdoses.

Don't get me wrong, I loved Motley Crue, and only sometimes change the station when "Dr. Feelgood" comes on, but what the fans consider a good bass solo is appalling sometimes.

Which brings me back to the subject of the OP. Gene can play, and I would rate him a better player than Nikki, but his solos are just stage fodder.


Michael B said:
Yeah, Kiss (at least the first crop of albums) is why I got into heavy metal as a kid.
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I don't think even KISS considered themselves Heavy Metal until after they took their makeup off.


Michael B said:
It was a quick jump to Black Sabbath from there.
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True Heavy Metal!
 
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#380
Killed_by_Death said:
I guess you haven't seen the "performance" I am referring to then:



Furthermore, Nikki is a successful bassist for a few good reasons. He was in the right place at the right time are at the top of the heap. He's also very lucky, having survived so many overdoses.

Don't get me wrong, I loved Motley Crue, and only sometimes change the station when "Dr. Feelgood" comes on, but what the fans consider a good bass solo is appalling sometimes.

Which brings me back to the subject of the OP. Gene can play, and I would rate him a better player than Nikki, but his solos are just stage fodder.




I don't think even KISS considered themselves Heavy Metal until after they took their makeup off.




True Heavy Metal!
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Yes I jumped to Heavy Metal from Kiss.
 
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