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Underrated bassists???

N

Noseferatu

Feb 12, 2010
673
13
Hermitage, PA
#1
First person I thought of was Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots. I've really come to appreciate his playing lately. You can definitely sense some Jamerson in his style.
I was listening to their new song Between The Lines, and I absolutely love that bassline.


I think, in the confines of rock, guys like Mike Dirnt and especially Gene Simmons definitely do no get their fill.

I've just never understood the people who say Gene can't play his instrument or that he's a hack or whatever. I mean, it's one thing to not like the guy's personality, but I'd venture to say he's one of the best rock bass players of all time. Def some Bruce, Macca, and Pappalardi influence there.


This is mainly what I'm talking about:




And lastly, I think John Paul Jones is WAYYYYYY underappreciated.


What are some you think should be more appreciated??
 
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#2
I agree, JPJ could always deserve more kudos. He's a master.

Gene, on the other hand. I'd rate him as passable. I'd take DeLeo any day. I have to say I never cared much for Kiss. A few songs I've liked. But, man, he is a world-class dick. There's no two ways about it and my opinion of his playing will always be tainted by that. Probably not right, but that's the way it is.

I think this is Invalid Link Removed.
 
#3
Ahhh, the infamous Terry Gross interview. I knew it would be brought up eventually. Yeah he was definitely being a dick there.

But you really SHOULDNT judge his playing solely on his attitude. I mean, what if McCartney or Jack Bruce, or Jaco, or Wooten, or(name any other "approved bassist") were as big of douches as Gene?? Would that tain ttheir playing as well??

I think within the context of a rock band, Gene is definitely one of the best. Listen to him playing live nowadays and listen to the first 6 KISS albums. Great stuff there.

And yes, I think he is an ass as well.




Oh, and I'll take the opportunity to add Duff McKagan to the list.
 
#6
Please no more Chaim Witz !!
He is not underappreciated at all. He plays for 15 - 20 thousand people every night and makes more money on it than most men do. But a great bassplayer? i dont think so.
 
#8
odin70 said:
Please no more Chaim Witz !!
He is not underappreciated at all. He plays for 15 - 20 thousand people every night and makes more money on it than most men do. But a great bassplayer? i dont think so.
Click to expand...

I'm saying he is underappreciated as a bassist.

And why is he not any good? What is your reason for saying that?

Have you even listened to any of the first 6 KISS albums or any of the clips posted above?


Look at:
Strutter
Nothin To Lose
Cold Gin
Love Theme From KISS
100,000 Years
Let Me Know
Goin Blind
Detroit Rock City
Rock and Roll All Nite
Room Service
King Of The Nightime World
Ladies Room
Makin love
Watchin You

Have you listened to any of those?


I don't think so.
 
#10
Gene Simmons is under-appreciated because he deserves to be. Rich and successful...yes, but a great bass player....no. You may like the music of Kiss (which apparently you do), but he definitely does not belong on the bass players 'A' list. Someone who does? Can you say 'John Deacon'?
 
#11
The Delta 5 dual bass combination doesn't get enough mention around here. :)


Heck for the most part a lot of post punk bassists usually don't get the props they deserve, Mike Watt, Kim Deal, Mike Mills, Adam Clayton and Peter Hooks get attention but a lot of other ones are never mentioned.
 
#12
becker4567 said:
Gene Simmons is under-appreciated because he deserves to be. Rich and successful...yes, but a great bass player....no. You may like the music of Kiss (which apparently you do), but he definitely does not belong on the bass players 'A' list. Someone who does? Can you say 'John Deacon'?
Click to expand...


John Deacon is a great addition as well.

However, I want you to explain to me why Gene Simmons is not a good bass player. Is it because he doesnt slap and pop and play over 13/4 time signatures?? Is it because he's used solely a pick his entire career?
Like it or not, Gene is a hard rock equivalent of Macca. Yeah, go ahead and laugh at me. I mean c'mon, he plays with a Macca esque walking style, doesnt play root notes. Rarely looks at the fretboard.

Ask yourself this.

Could I play 100,000 Years or Detroit Rock City flawlessly while running around on stage sweating to death, wearing 50 pounds of armor, in 15 inch platform heels, improvising a good bit, never looking at my bass, with girls in the audience flashin their sweaty wares at me??

If Gene Simmons is not a good rock bassist, tell me what makes one?

By the way, I don't really care for KISS music much, I just listen once in a while because I love Gene's basslines.
 
#14
I don't usually see Chris Wood of Medeski, Martin, and Wood getting too many props, but I've always loved his playing.

And I don't know how the cats over on the DB side of Talkbass feel, but I really dig Brian Bromberg's upright playing and I rarely hear much about him.
 
#18
becker4567 said:
Gene Simmons is under-appreciated because he deserves to be. Rich and successful...yes, but a great bass player....no. You may like the music of Kiss (which apparently you do), but he definitely does not belong on the bass players 'A' list. Someone who does? Can you say 'John Deacon'?
Click to expand...

+1 Just because he's successful doesn't mean he is an excellent bass player. Nothing against him, I just agree with you.

And about John Deacon... He's in my top ten with JPJ and Jack Bruce. I'd really have to think about the rest of my favorites.
 
#19
Noseferatu said:
John Deacon is a great addition as well.

However, I want you to explain to me why Gene Simmons is not a good bass player. Is it because he doesnt slap and pop and play over 13/4 time signatures?? Is it because he's used solely a pick his entire career?
Like it or not, Gene is a hard rock equivalent of Macca. Yeah, go ahead and laugh at me. I mean c'mon, he plays with a Macca esque walking style, doesnt play root notes. Rarely looks at the fretboard.

Ask yourself this.

Could I play 100,000 Years or Detroit Rock City flawlessly while running around on stage sweating to death, wearing 50 pounds of armor, in 15 inch platform heels, improvising a good bit, never looking at my bass, with girls in the audience flashin their sweaty wares at me??

If Gene Simmons is not a good rock bassist, tell me what makes one?

By the way, I don't really care for KISS music much, I just listen once in a while because I love Gene's basslines.
Click to expand...

Don't get me wrong...Gene Simmons is indeed a good bass player....just not at the top of most peoples list. And thats a good point about playing with 50lbs of armor and in high heels (and about the girls too!!!). If that makes him underrated or under-appreciated, I can agree with that, but I don't think you can put him on the same level as Macca, JPJ, Mr. Bruce etc.. Gene is very, very good at what he does, unfortunately, he's a bit of a one trick pony.
 

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