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BassPlayer.com >> This Month >> Simple Plan's David Desrosiers
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Click on the Images Simple Plan's David Desrosiers| January, 2008 “I’m a perfectionist freak,” states Simple Plan’s David Desrosier, whose aptly named band plays straightforward radio-friendly rock with energetic precision. Originally a guitarist and then a drummer, the stylishly alternative Desrosiers has enough stage presence and vocal ability to front most bands. He uses his overall musical understanding to craft bass lines that support lead singer and writer Pierre Bouvier’s songs like steel girders inside a sturdy skyscraper. On the group’s eponymous third album, Desrosier’s tone has enough growl to provide a modern edge, but never so much as to obscure the band’s singular vision of crafting flawless pop punk tunes. What instruments did you use to get the tones on the new CD, and what do you play onstage? I had been playing the same Fender Hot Rod Precision Bass my whole career, but on the CD I use mainly a custom P-Bass. I loved the ’62 Reissue P-Bass I saw Bryan Adams play on his Live at the Budokan DVD [A&M, 2003]. I could tell the neck was unique, and when I found out it was shaved, I ordered one just like it. I like the 1e"-width neck, but since I’m not a fan of thick lacquer, I had them shave down the back just like Bryan’s. I like a worn feel. I’m going to play Fender Relics on tour because they are new basses that have already been broken in, and I don’t want to risk ruining or losing vintage gear on the road. How does Simple Plan’s creative process usually flow? Pierre demos a lot of songs on his own to provide a basic song structure, and I create my bass lines from there. In the studio, I like to record with just the engineer and the producer. I have an attention deficit, so too many people in the studio can easily distract me. I have the green light to try different things in order to capture spontaneous energy. I call the guys in when I’m almost done. If a better idea comes along, we’ll just comp it together. What aspect of your bass playing are you experimenting with most? I started playing some songs fingerstyle on our previous record, and I continued experimenting with it for this one. Onstage, I still rock it with a pick most of the time, because I haven’t developed my fingerstyle technique enough to get the same intense energy and attack. The fingerstyle players I always admired growing up were guys like Flea who play so hard with their fingers that it almost sounds like pick playing. The single “When I’m Gone” features an alternately driving and melodic bass line. How did that develop? That line has one of the coolest feels I’ve ever gotten to play. The ascending melody in the second part of the verse rules, and I told Pierre so when I heard his original demo. In general, I add my little spices here and there, but I never like to go too far out, even though I like music that does. Our band philosophy has always been that we love pop music and pop structure. We want the vocal melody to carry the song. I was the lead singer in my previous band, and I sing a lot of backing vocals in Simple Plan, so I’m always conscious of that. Our approach to the bass line is simple: If it’s taking you away from the song, then it won’t end up in the song. CAN BE HEARD ONSimple Plan, Simple Plan [Lava/Atlantic, 2008] CURRENTLY SPINNINGIma Robot, Ima Robot [Virgin, 2003] GEARBasses Various Fender Precision Basses Rig Ampeg SVT-CL Classic head, Ampeg SVT-810 cabinet Effects Fulltone Full-Drive Strings Dean Markley Blue Steel Bass (.045, .065, .085, .105) |
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