Gene Simmons says he “can’t remember anything Flea plays”
In Gene Simmons’ opinion, musical proficiency and technical ability doesn’t necessarily mean anything in the real world.
In a new interview with Guitar World, the bassist says he “was never really interested in being a bass virtuoso”, adding: “I’m much more attracted to things that are memorable. It’s part of the joy of music for me.”
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He goes on to say how many jazz players are respected and admired within their circles for their chops, but the “rest of the world doesn’t care”.
“We’re going to play a game: name a jazz player that means something,” he adds, before citing jazz fusion pioneer John McLaughlin as an example. “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.”
He goes on: “There are an awful lot of amazing bass players, like Jaco Pastorius and the jazz guys. Or guys like Flea [of Red Hot Chili Peppers], 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.” Flea is, of course, a prominent user of slap bass in his work.
Simmons explains that his approach to songwriting is “less is more”, 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.”
He concludes: “Sometimes, if it’s shockingly simple, and barely moving at all, but I can hum it, that’s what matters because it’s memorable.”
While Gene Simmons is very vocal about his “less is more” approach, former Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick said recently that he “never wants to brag about how good he is on bass”.
“Gene [Simmons] never wants to brag about how good he is on bass and what a tremendous musician he actually is,” Kulick said. “That’s part of his schtick, I believe. I don’t buy it for a second.”
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
