Kim Nekroman is interviewed about the new Nekromantix CD
Who doesn't love the Nekromantix? The Nekromantix have so much more to offer to the Psychobilly Scene, for one because of Kim's Accents in his Vocals, and 2 because the songs are so well written. The New Nekromantix Effort Entitled "Dead Girls Don't Cry" will be released on Epitaph records to record stores near you! Nekromantix.Com and check out Kim Nekroman's Side Project, the Horror Pops at HorrorPops.Com
HRB: Did you teach yourself or did you get lessons?
KIM NEKROMAN: Im 110% self taught!
HRB: Did you learn on an electric bass or an upright?
KIM NEKROMAN: I think I've had an electric bass in my hands 3 times in my life! Never tried to actually play on one, so the answer is upright all the way!
HRB: Your bass has an interesting design, could you tell us about the specifics? what it's made of? What kind of Electronics you've got on it?
KIM NEKROMAN: The scale is somewhere between a 1/2 and a 3/4 size! the neck is maple, fingerboard palisander. For the body I used birch! I am currently using a 'rockabilly slap special' from K'n'K!
HRB: Who are some of your bass influences?
KIM NEKROMAN: hmmm I would say that early psychobilly and rockabilly was my influence/motivation!
HRB: Is it difficult to sing and play that rockabilly bass style at the same time?
KIM NEKROMAN: Not really! I did that from the first time that I picked up the bass and to me it feels very natural and not difficult at all!
HRB: What advice would you give to a beginner Upright Bass player?
KIM NEKROMAN: To avoid the good old ''practice, practice'' I suggest listening to recordings with one's favorite slapper! Use the ears and remember there is NO rules or limits! If it sounds good you are going in the right direction! When I started out I had never tried a stringed instrument before! Opposite of what everybody is saying, I was determined to learn the slap techniques before learning to actually play the bass! I locked myself and my bass inside my room, used pillows to keep the noise down and two weeks later I had the slap down! I started my band and after 3 months we had our first show! Nine months later we recorded our first album! Another important advise is to find somebody to play with! Playing together is probably the best motivation you can get!
HRB: Whats the biggest problem you've encountered on the road? (Gear Breaking, Blisters, Health Problems, etc.)
KIM NEKROMAN: The biggest ''tour problem'' is the voice! Not that I consider it a real problem but fact is that touring wears down the voice. Other problems is not enough sleep and to many hours of travelling!
HRB: How do you approach writing your basslines? How do the basslines relate to the rest of the songs? Are the basslines more the foundation?
KIM NEKROMAN: Its very different from song to song! Sometimes the song is build from a bassline and other times from a guitar riff. I can't really explain how I come up with basslines, they just kind of appear when I jam on the bass! Since the percussion/slap part of the bass style I use is a very important element I try to blend it with the drum beat! A slap bass is kind of a percussionist as well and it is very important to remember that it is the drummer that is the basic rythm and the slap should accompany the drummers beats just like a percussionist would! I love the the fact that I'm not ''only'' playing bass but also add an important portion to the beat too!
HRB: What Kind of Exercises do you to warm up on an Upright?
KIM NEKROMAN: None!
HRB: What can the fans of the Nekromantix expect to hear from the new album? (Dead Girls Don't Cry)
KIM NEKROMAN: Just as always we try to keep a good portion of the old mixed in with new ideas! The same thing happens on ''Dead Girls Don't Cry''. The Nekromantix tries not to do the same album over and over and a good melody is very important in our songwriting process! We wrote the songs for this album in just 14 days and spend around 4 weeks of recording.
HRB: What are Kim Nekroman's hobbies outside of playing the bass?
KIM NEKROMAN: I dont really have time to hobbies anymore unfortunally! I play guitar in my other band ''HorrorPops'' and the two bands fills out my calender! I am also a tattoo artist but that has been held on low pro lately!
HRB: What do you think the future holds for the Nekromantix years down the road?
KIM NEKROMAN: I cannot predict that! But the US psychobilly following seems to be growing fast and that means more touring and more album recording for Nekromantix!
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