Brian P. Simms
For today’s 20 Questions, we’re jumping across the pond to the Great White North’s capital of Ottawa, Ontario. Brian P. Simms is the vocalist/guitarist with The Kardashians.
1. Why do you play the guitar?
2. What was your first guitar?
Fender Model F-200 acoustic. Still have it; over 30 years old.
3. Who was your biggest musical influence?
4. What was the first concert you ever saw?
5. If you could jam with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?
6. What’s your dream guitar?
Fender Classic Player Jaguar
Electric Ladyland – Jimi Hendrix
Friday Night in San Francisco – Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin, Paco De Lucia
News of the World – Queen
Led Zeppelin IV – Led Zeppelin
Best gig: Being part of the house band for the Just For Laughs festival at Barrymores in Ottawa and getting to hang out with Jim Breuer and Brett Butt.
Worst gig: Crackers 2, Ottawa… late 80s with a cover band that played primarily Fishbone, Living Colour, Hendrix… owner asked if we could play some Lynard Skynard, or some more songs ‘that everybody knew’… it was a long night.
10. The Beatles or the Stones? Why?
11. What’s your secret weapon on stage, aside from your guitar?
12. What music on your mp3 player would surprise people the most?
13. What guitars are you playing now?
I am using a 1986 Ibanez Talman, a 2011 Gretsch Electromatic and a 2014 Fender Acoustic / Electric AM NAT series.
15. Gibson or Fender? Why?
16. If I handed you a guitar and asked you to play the first thing that came to your mind, what would you play?
17. Name the three most important things a guitar player should know?
Tuning by ear;
How to implement a good practice routine;
Proper posture.
18. What’s the greatest guitar song ever recorded?
1st – Scuttlebuttin’ – Stevie Ray Vaughan
2nd – Dick Dale and the Del-Tones – “Miserlou”
3rd – Pat Metheny / Lyle Mayes – It’s For You
4th – Ralph Macchio (Ry Cooder) / Steve Vai – Paganini’s 5th Caprice, Guitar duel from Crossroads
5th – Jimi Hendrix – Third Stone From the Sun
Guitar strap breaking mid-song. Wasn’t a complete disaster, played through, but it appeared as if I was cradling a baby for the rest of the tune.
Let's Rock 