KISS co-founder Gene Simmons has spoken about his bass-playing preferences, saying that Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers doesn’t have a “memorable” style.
Speaking to Guitar World, the musician explained: “I don’t consider myself – and was never really interested in being – a bass virtuoso. I don’t like show-offs in music. I’m much more attracted to things that are memorable. It’s part of the joy of music for me.”
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Simmons continued: “You can be a jazz player and be respected by musicians, but the rest of the world doesn’t care. We’re going to play a game: name a jazz player that means something.”
He went on to use jazz fusion pioneer John McLaughlin as an example, adding: “He’s a great player. But here’s a question: can you hum any melody that he’s ever played on a solo? Of course not.
“All due respect, but that music is intended to show off how well you play – but I don’t care about that. The hardest thing to do is write a good simple song or riff. That’s really hard.”
Simmons said: “There are an awful lot of amazing bass players, like Jaco Pastorius and the jazz guys. Or guys like Flea, who is really good on his instrument, but I can’t remember anything he plays – and I also do not like the sound of a bass being slapped.”
Gene Simmons performs live. CREDIT: Elsie Roymans/Getty
The bassist and vocalist explained that he has a “less is more” approach, before quoting Eric Clapton: “The hardest thing to do is to know what notes to put in a solo, and what notes not to put in a solo.”
Simmons concluded: “Sometimes, if it’s shockingly simple, and barely moving at all, but I can hum it, that’s what matters because it’s memorable.”
The musician has also recently weighed in on the prospect of a Smiths reunion, responded to Oasis fans being unhappy with dynamic ticket pricing and shared his thoughts on Linkin Park’s new singer Emily Armstrong.
In other news, Simmons recently defended the controversial comments he made on Dancing With The Stars after receiving accusations of misogyny.
The KISS member said last month that he’s fine with being called an “asshole” – even suggesting he’s “reclaimed” the word and attempting to compare it to “black people taking possession of the ‘n’ word”.
KISS finished their farewell tour in New York last December, but they have since shared plans for an “immersive” avatar show that will be “beyond anything that anyone else has contemplated”.
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