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Gene Simmons

#84
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#86
Man, I have not been on here in forever, and now I am reviving an old thread, that maybe most bass players, can't stand. There has been a big Kiss emergence in my life, since the 40th anniversary celebration in my hometown of Cadillac, Michigan. Where Kiss showed up in 1975 to help celebrate at the high school homecoming. In any case, It has led me to researching Gene's rig. Yeah, his guitar solo, sucks, when it comes to a bass player, wanting to hear something great. (Kind of like Michael Anthony's in Van Halen, still a great player though.) But it does not take away the rock solid grooves he has laid down in the past.
A lot of people, discredit Kiss as a heavy rock band. The word heavy has certainly changed over time in the music world. Let's not forget that Ace Frehley was good enough for Dimebag, which has certainly paved the path to the new heavy.
In any case, regarding Gene's basses, has led to some pretty intense reading. To own one, would certainly, just be a major Kiss fan, or someone that wants to play in a tribute band. My thoughts would lead me to building my own, if I was to play in a tribute band. Maybe look like it, but built to, what is comfortable for me to play. I was able to find some good info here is on, TB, which has reminded me, that I have been away from here, far too long.
Gene, is definitely no slouch in the bass department. Would I say he is the greatest bass player, as he may think, definitely not. But, he is up there in my choices. I prefer that guys that lay down some killer grooves. Greg Chaison is another favorite of mine that seems to get overlooked.
 
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#87
Can't help being the big Kiss fan. Was in the Kiss Army 1977-1979 and probably 10 of the first dozen albums I ever bought were Kiss records. Used to have their posters all over the walls of my room.

They mutated from a good rock band to comic book heroes to a cynical business enterprise, but it's the moves they made for continued success. Even though I stopped paying attention after the Dynasty album, still think of myself as a fan.

I still spin their first two albums and Alive I (which I know was largely studio overdubbed) and a few later 70s things from their catalog now and then.

I think they are perfectly competent musicians (I freakin' loved Ace especially) but they are more entertainers and salesmen now, and that's fine. They are honest about that and I don't hate them for it, even if I havent followed their music much the past few decades.

Always been curious to hear Music from The Elder...
 
#88
Muddslide said:
Can't help being the big Kiss fan. Was in the Kiss Army 1977-1979 and probably 10 of the first dozen albums I ever bought were Kiss records. Used to have their posters all over the walls of my room.

They mutated from a good rock band to comic book heroes to a cynical business enterprise, but it's the moves they made for continued success. Even though I stopped paying attention after the Dynasty album, still think of myself as a fan.

I still spin their first two albums and Alive I (which I know was largely studio overdubbed) and a few later 70s things from their catalog now and then.

I think they are perfectly competent musicians (I freakin' loved Ace especially) but they are more entertainers and salesmen now, and that's fine. They are honest about that and I don't hate them for it, even if I havent followed their music much the past few decades.

Always been curious to hear Music from The Elder...
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Funny, you bring that up. I just recently listened to it on Spotify. Certainly a big departure from what they were known for, but shows the versatility they could easily have. Gonna check out their newest releases as well, since they had claimed to going back to their roots on them.
 
#89
Gene Simmons is an icon, and truly deserves the credit that he gets. It wouldn't kill him to favorite a tweet every once in a while. "We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for our fans" I've personally contributed to that in record sales and concerts.
 
#90
Just tossing it in for those who still want to know. Live rig
The thunder starts with a Shure U4D-UHF into a Radial JD-7 Injector. From there it goes out to an Empress Compressor and one of two Tech 21 VT-Bass 1969 A Strymon el Capistan is inserted in one of the loops of the JD-7 and is used during Simmons' blood-spitting solo.The signal then hits one of two Tech 21 SansAmp PSA 1.1 preamps and is blended with the 1969 for Gene's in-ear mix. The amps run into one of two Ampeg SVT 810 E cabs.A Furman PL-Plus C keeps the amps powered up while a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power Digital handles the pedals. A Peterson VS-R StroboRack tuner lives in the rack as well and keeps everything in tune. :thumbsup:

 
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#91
rtslinger said:
Just for those who still want to know. Live rig
The thunder starts with a Shure U4D-UHF into a Radial JD-7 Injector. From there it goes out to an Empress Compressor and one of two Tech 21 VT-Bass 1969 A Strymon el Capistan is inserted in one of the loops of the JD-7 and is used during Simmons' blood-spitting solo.The signal then hits one of two Tech 21 SansAmp PSA 1.1 preamps and is blended with the 1969 for Gene's in-ear mix. The amps run into one of two Ampeg SVT 810 E cabs.A Furman PL-Plus C keeps the amps powered up while a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power Digital handles the pedals. A Peterson VS-R StroboRack tuner lives in the rack as well and keeps everything in tune. :thumbsup:
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Wow! I've wanted to know that for years! What did you do? Call him?
 
#95
scottbass said:
That's quite common in order to get the letters of a word that makes sense. The extra letter(s)/number(s) at the end have no effect when you are making the call.

So, yeah, the REAL number is 1-609 PUNISHE. No big deal. Ozzie could have 1-555-LORDOFDARKNESS if he wanted. The "ARKNESS" would merely be superfluous.
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I'm going to start a band named ARKNESS just so I can be the only person in the room at every show tmwho knows where it came from. :D Or maybe I'll borrow the leftover R from the other number and call it RARKNESS. :roflmao:

But, then again, that would just sound like Scooby-Doo saying "darkness". :roflmao:

(No, I have not been drinking. Just a funny stream of thought.)
 
#99
Why should celebrities just shut their pie holes? I make beer so my opinion is automatically better?

Why shouldn't accountants have to just shut up and do math stuff?

I don't follow the logic. I think a lot of times this just translates into "celebrities who I don't agree with should shut up and entertain."
 
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