10 Questions With Jennie Vee

Jennie Vee of Eagles of Death Metal reveals the best bass advice she's been given, which player she'd want to sub for, and much more

10 Questions With Jennie Vee

Jennie Vee of Eagles of Death Metal reveals the best bass advice she's been given, which player she'd want to sub for, and much more

From her early roots growing up in Ontario, Canada, to her big stage playing now, Jennie Vee has always known exactly what she’s wanted to do in life — and that is simply to rock. After teaching herself how to play bass at a young age, she boldly left high school and moved to England where she started drafting out her first demos and collaborating with other musicians. By the time she relocated to Los Angeles in 2014, she already had gigs waiting for her touring with Courtney Love, appearing with the 5G Band on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Myers, and performing her own solo material. 

In 2017 she joined Eagles Of Death Metal as their permanent bassist, and when she’s not hitting the road with them, she can be found performing with her legendary drummer husband, Slim Jim Phantom of the Stray Cats, in his Rockabilly Trio. In her time away from touring the globe and delivering electrifying performances, she keeps busy in the world of fashion, where she’s released a line of signature eyewear and various clothing collections. We spoke with Jennie on a day off at her home in sunny L.A. to ask her our 10 Questions. 

1. What was your first bass?

It was a 1991 Mexican P-Bass in Arctic White. I still have it, and I play it all the time.

2. What’s one element of your playing that you most want to improve?

I want to get better at playing super-fast riffs. I’ve also been practicing my hammer-ons a lot lately.

3. What’s something readers would be surprised that you listen to?

I love Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran — a lot of the original rock & rollers.

4. What is the first concert you ever attended?

It was the Jacksons Victory Tour in 1984.

5. What’s the best concert you’ve ever attended?

Definitely the Cure in Toronto, Canada, on the Prayer Tour for their album Disintegration.

Vee performing with Eagles of Death Metal

6. If you could have lunch with any bass player today, alive or dead, who would it be?

Paul Simonon from the Clash.

7. If you could sub for a bass player in any band, who would it be?

Simon Gallup from the Cure.

8. What’s the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you during a show? 

I fell on my butt wearing giant platform boots after getting into it with some heckler in the crowd. I was in my first band, and I played guitar and sang lead vocals. I was in the middle of some power rant and I flipped him the bird, spun on my heels, and then promptly fell on my butt. The crowd had my back at that point, but I still felt so embarrassed!

9. What are four items that you absolutely need to have on the road with you?

Greens+ Energy Bars, my heating pad for my bunk on our always-freezing-cold tour bus, black 1mm Dunlop picks, and a fuzzy leopard coat.

10. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given about playing bass?

To play as often as you can, and play what you like.

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Jon D'Auria   By: Jon D'Auria

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