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Gene Simmons
- Thread starter Qvist
- Start date
He's a bad songwriter ( both his solo albums were... not good IMHO ) but as a bassist in KISS he does his job. He sounds great, he's got his own style, he plays nice basslines. And sings quite well. I really love KISS, without Gene I think it wouldn't be the same.
I always wanted to play with pick because of him
but the pick was harder to learn 4me 
I always wanted to play with pick because of him
but the pick was harder to learn 4me 
I only know the earlier Kiss albums (up to Maybe Love Gun) but I always thought he had some decent bass lines. He's certainly never going to threaten Wooten's job in the Flecktones, but I thought his work in Kiss was right for the material.
Sure, I agree he's an ass, but that's not what the question was.
Sure, I agree he's an ass, but that's not what the question was.
Someone had posted a bass solo of his once.
It did not speak well of his musicianship.
He is, however, an astute businessman...but he does not appear to be the "stud" that he likes to portray himself as.
I've seen his porn tape. As horrible as the solo was, it was nowhere near as tragic a representation of his abilities as the porn tape is.
I did always like his bassline in "Detroit Rock City", though.
...and I do wish I had the man's tongue. I'd probably just sit around all day and lick my eyebrows, and collect girl's phone numbers.
It did not speak well of his musicianship.
He is, however, an astute businessman...but he does not appear to be the "stud" that he likes to portray himself as.
I've seen his porn tape. As horrible as the solo was, it was nowhere near as tragic a representation of his abilities as the porn tape is.
I did always like his bassline in "Detroit Rock City", though.
...and I do wish I had the man's tongue. I'd probably just sit around all day and lick my eyebrows, and collect girl's phone numbers.
I grew up listening to KISS. Their music has become some of the listening staples for the 70's era. Nothing shocked parents better than hanging a poster of the Demon in your bedroom back in the day. I have to agree that Gene is more of a showman/24hr self promoter then a brilliant bassist, but he is a true rock and roller and the most dedicated to his fan base.
Not the most impressive solos, but the crow loves him.
Not the most impressive solos, but the crow loves him.
And through chaos theory if Gene wasn't in KISS there wouldn't be the film detroit rock city either Surely no-one would want that!
Surely no-one would want that!
I have heard a rumor that he didn't play on the studio tracks. Whoever played on them, good lines for the material. KISS and Ted Nugent were the bands I cut my teeth on.
Don't judge Gene's basslines by anything from the last 20 years. Go back to Kiss' first few albums. He added VERY tasteful, walking lines that fit the songs perfectly. Back in those days, Gene was NEVER a quarter note root player back then.
+1
I love his 70's work. Nothing fancy, but everything fits imo. Of course, his 80's work was/is perfect for the beginning bass player to jam along to. "Heaven's On Fire" in all its extreme cheesyness can be played by anyone with at least 2 weeks of experience on bass, and that was definitely the case for me.
Another item of interest with him is that he appears to be one of the earliest (if not the first) players to use a Spector on stage (although not the NS model) - look inside the gatefold of Alive II.
I also heard he didnt play on the albums but that they used studio musicians. I have never seen Kiss live in person but I have seen it on tv/the computer and they are really pretty bad at what they do. Good show? Yeah, but awful playing. I wouldnt be surprised if they didnt play on their records.
Guys -
Gene played bass on at least most of "his" songs through the years. The first 3 albums all the bass is Gene. After that it kind of depends. Usually he and Paul would go and record separately. How do you think those albums came out so fast?
For Animalize, Asylum and Crazy Nights, Gene didn't play any bass as it was handled (mostly) by Bruce Kulick their guitar player or Paul Stanley. But before and after that, again, the bass at least on Gene's penned songs is Gene.
On Gene's 1978 KISS solo album though, he actually doesn't play bass on it. But he plays a fair amount of guitar.
Remember, he was a guitar player and songwriter first so his "thinking" is more towards the Paul McCartney walking/melodic bass lines, at least earlier on.
Gene played bass on at least most of "his" songs through the years. The first 3 albums all the bass is Gene. After that it kind of depends. Usually he and Paul would go and record separately. How do you think those albums came out so fast?
For Animalize, Asylum and Crazy Nights, Gene didn't play any bass as it was handled (mostly) by Bruce Kulick their guitar player or Paul Stanley. But before and after that, again, the bass at least on Gene's penned songs is Gene.
On Gene's 1978 KISS solo album though, he actually doesn't play bass on it. But he plays a fair amount of guitar.
Remember, he was a guitar player and songwriter first so his "thinking" is more towards the Paul McCartney walking/melodic bass lines, at least earlier on.
Gene is not Geddy Lee. However he is a decent player who wrote cool basslines. He also wrote his share of GREAT songsZ(bad ones as well). His basslines caryy the KISS songs....sort of like the Beatles.
Gene can play very well live. he sings 50% of the songs and plays sightless most of the time.
Although I find it a very boring DVD, Rock the Nation has a killer bass mix and Gene shines on it showing his abilities.
I was Gene in a KISS Trib for sveral years. I can tell you that it was the hardest gig....physically I ever had. Mistakes WILL be made carrying around that costume. Gene makes it look easy.
Besides the Punisher is a great friggin bass that I still use today.
Gene can play very well live. he sings 50% of the songs and plays sightless most of the time.
Although I find it a very boring DVD, Rock the Nation has a killer bass mix and Gene shines on it showing his abilities.
I was Gene in a KISS Trib for sveral years. I can tell you that it was the hardest gig....physically I ever had. Mistakes WILL be made carrying around that costume. Gene makes it look easy.
Besides the Punisher is a great friggin bass that I still use today.
I can't say much for the man as a bass player, he served his role in keeping the low end in concerts (in albums it seemed he sometimes played a little but I've also heard Randy Jackson was involved) but he was more of an entertainer.
knarleybass
Commercial User
Perfect lines for the songs.
I don't see how anyone can say McCartney's "Silly Love Songs" is an awesome display of taste and then say KISS' "Strutter" bass line sucks.
I don't see how anyone can say McCartney's "Silly Love Songs" is an awesome display of taste and then say KISS' "Strutter" bass line sucks.
