Gene's bass lines fit the songs. What more do you want, Billy Sheehan riffs in Strutter? I did get to play the Cort Punisher yesterday. If anyone asks, I'd say look somewhere else. Not a nice bass.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
The credibility of Gene Simmons.
- Thread starter crozier247
- Start date
Why does music have to be art. That's they silliest thing I've heard in long time. It's bad because it's entertaining and not art? Being an entertainer is art. He's probably on of the most successful artists ever. Kids don't know who the Beatles, Springsteen or Miles Davis are but most of them know who KISS is. We went to a block party were it got played. He told me he likes the tune and sings it. He's 5 and I'm 50. Gene is doing something right.
Alvaro Martín Gómez A.
TalkBass' resident Bongo + cowbell player
Judging by your age (and with all the due respect), I guess you suffer from the same problem of most young rockers (both players and listeners) in my country: All of them think that they know the band, and even wear Kiss T-shirts. But when you ask them about Kiss music, the most they can say is "Rock And Roll All Nite", "I Was Made For Loving You", "Lick It Up", "Heaven's On Fire", "Crazy Nights", "Take It Off" (only because of Invalid Link Removed) and "Forever". If you are lucky, you have a chance to find someone who also knows "Detroit Rock City". But young rockers have never heard about "God Of Thunder", "Black Diamond", "Cold Gin", "Deuce", "Strutter", "Nothin' To Lose", "100.000 Years", "Love Gun", "I Love It Loud" and lots other Kiss classics. As JimmyM already said, the old Kiss records have lots of interesting basslines. Many guys here have accused Gene of being a "roots only" player, and that's a true calumny. There are Kiss songs with such simple basslines, but Gene didn't create and/or record them, for sure. Here are some examples of Gene's work for you to check out:
YouTube - ‪kiss - goin' blind‬‏
YouTube - ‪KISS - Detroit Rock City Isolated Bass‬‏
YouTube - ‪Kiss - Ladies Room - Houston, Texas 09/01/77 -Rare Video!!!‬‏
Besides, he sings and (used to) jump around the stage while playing, which isn't an easy task. Yes, he's not a "jaw-dropping" bass player, but his job is more than adequate and definitely doesn't deserve all that bashing from people here.
(And I'm not saying that you are one of those bashers. I know you are expressing your opinion in a very respectful way
)
To OP: I wonder which modern rock music you listen to with an upfront complex bass. If anything, bass was a lot more interesting in the older days, especially in mainstream. I think you got your facts mixed. I'd really like to hear those examples of modern upfront bass rock music that you speak of.
also She, Jungle, watching you and ect....
Always with the Gene Haters!! Hey he may not be a Victor Wooten on the bass but that does not mean that he is not a good bassist. He has stated in the past interviews he is more interested in the music as a whole and if that means the bass takes back stage then that is the way it is. There are a lot of good bass lines in KISS music. I have been listening to them for years and have seen them in concert on every tour since Hot In The Shade. While the vocals may have changed due to age they still sound good. Even tighter with Tommy and Eric. Jaco, Victor, Geddy Lee are influences on me, but the reason I picked up the bass in the first place was cause of Gene!!! It anoys me that he comes off (or is) arogent at times, but they always put on a good show. You can still get tickets at a good price. Coming from a military family I also respect all band and Gene has done for our troops!
It certainly was their purpose! They never tried to be the most innovative band out there but they darn sure cared about the music. You don't last 40 years if your music isn't considered great by your fans.
This.
He's not the most technically brilliant bassist in the world, but I've always felt he's been a bit underrated because of his supersized ego. After all his bass playing isn't as good as his ego is big, but imho Gene knows how to groove when he needs to.
Agree with many of the above. If you want dexterity, chops and virtuoso fretboard gymnastics, Kiss is not for you. However, most critics of Genes bass playing are probably unaware of the entire back catalogue, where there are some nice little gems hidden away (Larger Than Life, Almost Human, Rock and Roll Hell...no point listing them really).
These days, his egomaniacal capitalist asshat-ery make him an easy target for Internet haters, and as a fan through the late 70's and 80's, that's a bandwagon ive occasionally jumped on too. I've not bought anything since Asylum, which for me was the beginning of the end.
However, here's two things to consider:
1) His solo album in 78 was as bass-lite as you could wish. As the bassist in one of the worlds biggest rock bands, he had an opportunity to showcase his skills as a bass player but, for whatever reason, he chose not to. You may say he didn't have the skills to showcase, but so what?
2) a few years ago, Paul Stanley fell ill just before a big gig and instead of cancelling, Gene decided to play on as a trio. If you are the bass player in a four piece, and your rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist pulled out, would you be confident enough to do that? Purely from a musicians point of view, you cannot dispute that that took balls.
In summary, Gene is not the young, hungry player he was back in the day, but he doesn't need to be. He could not give two hoots about what you, me or anyone else thinks or says. Regarding the OP's point, I think Gene does have pedigree as a player. He is not in the same league technically as most of his peers, but that doesn't matter. He knows his gear, he knows his tone, and most importantly he understands the role of the bass player in his band. Put aside the image of the money grabbing power junkie he has become, and accept that he does the job as the bassist for Kiss just fine thankyou very much.
These days, his egomaniacal capitalist asshat-ery make him an easy target for Internet haters, and as a fan through the late 70's and 80's, that's a bandwagon ive occasionally jumped on too. I've not bought anything since Asylum, which for me was the beginning of the end.
However, here's two things to consider:
1) His solo album in 78 was as bass-lite as you could wish. As the bassist in one of the worlds biggest rock bands, he had an opportunity to showcase his skills as a bass player but, for whatever reason, he chose not to. You may say he didn't have the skills to showcase, but so what?
2) a few years ago, Paul Stanley fell ill just before a big gig and instead of cancelling, Gene decided to play on as a trio. If you are the bass player in a four piece, and your rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist pulled out, would you be confident enough to do that? Purely from a musicians point of view, you cannot dispute that that took balls.
In summary, Gene is not the young, hungry player he was back in the day, but he doesn't need to be. He could not give two hoots about what you, me or anyone else thinks or says. Regarding the OP's point, I think Gene does have pedigree as a player. He is not in the same league technically as most of his peers, but that doesn't matter. He knows his gear, he knows his tone, and most importantly he understands the role of the bass player in his band. Put aside the image of the money grabbing power junkie he has become, and accept that he does the job as the bassist for Kiss just fine thankyou very much.
I'm currently listening to their debut just to check out Gene's style since he's so "love to hate". Damn, "Love Theme From Kiss" is one hella cool groove! So is most the album. Solid, groovin' and in the pocket.
But I really dig the Love Theme groove!
He definitely knows what he's doing.
But I really dig the Love Theme groove!
He definitely knows what he's doing.
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
Ever thought that he really is giving just what he feels the songs need? No more or no less.
How would you feel if your band played some where and a few guys in the audience came up to you and said that they felt that you should have given more to the songs as a bass player.
They don't know what inspired you to play the bass lines that you feel are appropriate for the songs that you created or helped create.
I pay those type of musicians no attention at all.
One of the problems some musician have is that they love to be arm chair bassist.
JAUQO III-X
Inactive
What makes a bass player great?
Do you feel that there is a better bass player out there for Kiss? And if so who would that be?
What makes a bass player great is absolutely a matter of opinion. To me, a great bass player is someone I care to listen to because it interests me and I feel I can learn something from (someone like you Jauqo III-X). I know how to create and play a simple rock bass line (it really isn't difficult), therefore, I don't gleam much from his bass playing. And yes, there are thousands of guys who could create and perform the lines (even the "good" ones) in Kiss' songs. However, there are maybe a handful of guys on Earth who could create the persona and market themselves as well as Gene has. I give credit where it is due. I feel his basslines are just what the song needs, no more, his ability to make money doing what he loves is what stands out to me.
Hoo boy, now you're trying to take down Cliff! I have heard bassists with 100x the chops Cliff has absolutely suck playing AC/DC songs.
