The Fans Q&A
This Q&A is an exclusive to this site. It was a chance presented to the SZC forum users to put forward their questions to Stuart (and he kindly agreed to take part!). If you would like to use any parts of this article somewhere else, please contact us first.
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SZ – Firstly, i would like to thank all of you for your continued support and encouragement throughout my career. You guys Rock!!!!!!!!!!!
1) I hate to keep on about Jamiroquai, and I know you’ve moved on, but do you think that Nick Fyffe kept the consistency in the predominant bass lines once you’d left the band (both your own work and his own)? (by Liam)
SZ – I think Nick is a great player.
2) At the beginning of joining Jamiroquai, how did you practice your parts? For example the track “If I like It, I do it”. (by Bass Master)
SZ – A lot of the stuff that was written by us was spur of the moment, so there was really no time to practice it. All the good stuff usually comes in the initial idea or theme.
3) What are your expectations this year with Leroi (especially in the UK) and do you miss Jamiroquai? i.e. publicity, touring, writing, old school good vibes! (by Delime)
SZ – It’s been quite some time since I toured last and I’m really looking forward to getting back out there and playing live again. Whilst at the last rehearsals in LA, I sat back on the couch and watched the rest of the guys perform and was blown away! I guess every artist will say that the best and most pure thing in this somewhat sordid business is the feeling that one gets when performing. It’s that connection with the audience that I miss the most.
4) Do you miss a lot of touring like you used to do with Jamiroquai, and do you ever regret having to leave the band? Do you know it’s very important for us that you are coming back on to the stage again? (by Leo)
SZ – I have no regrets because everything has a beginning, middle and an end. I am very proud of the music that we made in Jamiroquai. Leroi has brought a bigger sense of pride to me and I can’t wait for you to see us live.
5) What kind of bass(es) do you use now since both of your custom Warwick (the Iroquai and Chrome Ender) basses are now owned by fans? Do you still have/use your 8-string Warwick? What’s your relation with Warwick now and did you use Warwick basses because you really loved the basses or because you had an endorsement deal with Warwick? (by Muzzander)
SZ – I usually play whatever the track needs. I find the older basses have more dirt and less of a clinical sound than the new ones, though there is some monstrous bottom end to be found on some of the newer models. I lean towards my trusty 64P-bass a lot these days. Its unfortunate what happened to my custom basses but this is through no fault of my own. I do hope that one day they may find themselves at an auction raising lots of money for a charity that would benefit some more deserved people rather than me or the current owners. I bought my first Warwick before I joined the band and it was only after the success of the first album that I was approached by them. I did use a variety of basses on all the albums. Alembic, Fender, Musicman, and Warwick were the basses used. I currently hold no sponsorship deals from any Bass Guitar or String companies.
PS….my uncle has the 8 string. I know he won’t sell it!!!!!!
6) Could you give us a small insight into your technique, particularly with regard to slapping? I’m also keen to know how you devised the bass lines in the Jamiroquai stuff. How much freedom were you given to play what you wanted? (by Andy)
SZ – I usually slap quite hard, right above the pick up. It gives more of a thud. I also used to dampen the strings and slap bass drum patterns. A good example of this is “Virtual Insanity”. I tend to use my whole arm to slap where as a lot of bass players use their wrists. There was a lot of creative freedom given to me, and for that I am grateful.
7) How would you rate the Warwick basses you’ve used? Which ones did you find to be fantastic, and which ones didn’t really work out for you (if this has ever been the case)? (by Big T)
SZ – I think that my favourite Warwick bass was the first one I bought. A 4 string Streamer Stage I. It was the bass used on “Too Young To Die”. There was just something about it… hmm.
8) How do you view the progression of your bass playing from the heart-pounding funk of your Jamiroquai days, to the now smoother sounding (but equally as good, if not better sound) of your new project Leroi? Also, what bass players inspired you to play? (by BASSHeadJ)
SZ – Leroi is much more of a song driven band and I think what I have done is actually step back so that the song and the melodies can get through. I have however adopted a pick and have been playing with it whilst singing. Once the album has had a mix I’m sure you will find something funky in there to sink your fingers into. The bass players that inspired me were: Jaco, Alphonso Johnson, Larry Graham, Bootsy Collins, James Jamerson, Nathaniel Phillips, Stanley Clark, Bernard Edwards, Chuck Rainey, Paul Jackson, Verdine White, Helmut Hatler. All of these players have had a tremendous impact on my bass playing, and in turn, my life. I thank them all eternally. The cycle continues!!!!!!
9) I’ve managed to obtain a few samples of the AZUR project that you worked on a few years ago. One of them is a track called “All These Things Remind Me”, which sounded very funky. I was wondering, have you carried any of those ideas you had then into ‘Leroi’ or have you had to start a new approach all together with this album? Secondly, how did you meet Jonah (you guys seem to be very involved musically more so than you were with JK)? (by Darryl)
SZ – I find that all ideas are carried through even if they manifest themselves in a different guise. There is however some interesting interludes which are in a “straight up funk” stylee… lol. Maybe I will post the end of “Into the Sun” up so you guys can hear for yourselves. Jonah and I met 11 years ago through my then girlfriend Milla. We were always goofing around and singing with the guitar… then one day we thought, lets do it for real… then we thought naw lets keep goofing around… and that’s what we are doing… lol. I think that with any band relationships it is so important to communicate, to let people know how you are feeling about any situation at any time. As long as there is communication there will be a great relationship. That’s what myself, Jonah and the rest of the guys have.
10) Would you ever consider doing a solo project like Michael Manring/Steve Lawson etc? Or maybe a duet project with another bassist, just pure bassotronics? (by Emma)
SZ – I would love to do a “bass player album”. I think I would do it like a Headhunters album but with two bass players and two drummers. How does that sound?
11) Tell us some of your gig disasters from your early days playing in bands. Also, were you really as scared as you look in the Cosmic Girl video? (by Andy)
SZ – I have had many a gig disaster, especially when I was 16-17. I used to break the g-string (lol) on a regular basis. Of course this would put me in some rather uncompromising positions. Because I was broke I could not afford to get new strings or have spares ready. I would quickly repair it on stage with the use of a matchstick. The string would always break near the bridge so I could tie a knot onto the matchstick and use that as the end. Like the A-team huh!
Yes, I was that scared. Jay had had a number of rather unfortunate incidents with other people driving his car so he was not in a good mood and that was carried through in his driving. One of the stunt drivers had crashed the car so it had no front windscreen and there were bits of loose gravel flying into the car. Jay did not want anyone driving his car so he was rightfully pissed. Anyway, Jay is a very good driver and I guess I’m a chicken!
12) What recent music have you found inspiring to listen to? (by Marshall)
SZ – I have been listening to a lot of different stuff and always do. Daft Punk, Aqualung, Interpol, Kings of Leon, Doves, Aphex Twin and the elevator music at the Holiday Inn. lol
13) How do you consider you got close to music and learning it? Is there anybody that you consider as your “teacher”? Lastly, have you passed hard moments at studio and composing times? (by AJP)
SZ – I have always been into funky music. My first encounter with “the funk” was James Brown. I remember when I was about six singing “get up off that thing” and annoying my grandmother endlessly with imitations of his infamous squeal. The person that inspired me to play bass was a man called Roly Wynn. I forgot to mention him as one of my influences. He was the bass player for an acid rock band called The Ozric Tentacles. We became good friends and he introduced me to Jaco and Helmut Hatler from Kraan. He was my biggest influence when starting the bass. He was like the Jimi Hendrix of bass. Everyone has had hard times in the studio, especially when you doubt yourself and your ability. If you push yourself these doubts will disappear. I don’t want to sound like a preacher, but your mind is the most powerful tool you have. We can make ourselves sick with our minds. We can also heal with our minds. The thought is the power; the positive intension is the means in which you can achieve what you want to.
14) Do you still practice on your bass during the day and what kind of music do you like to play for your own pleasure at home? Also, did you lose some of your finger velocity and technical ability when you left Jamiroquai as you were not playing as frequently? (by Leo)
SZ – I don’t really practice that much anymore. When I was learning the bass I would obviously practice for hours every day. I have been playing for 15 years now and unless I get arthritis I don’t think I will lose any “velocity” and “technical ability”. I think I have actually improved by not practicing…weird you’re probably thinking. I think once you reach a good level of technical ability, it’s about your life experience that will give you the feel. I’m all about the feel. It is like riding a bike though…you never forget, you may be a bit rusty but it’s nothing a day with a great drummer can’t fix.
15) The thing that I’ve often wondered when watching old clips from around 1994 is; what the fuck did you do to your Stage I man? There is a massive chunk missing around the 24th fret where the left hand goes. Also, in your heart of hearts do you prefer playing 4 or 5 (or 6, or 8) string? (by Chris)
SZ – I actually cut that particular section out so I could get my hand to the 24th fret easier. It looked a bit crude and I never sanded it down, but it did help me get to the top…he he. I will always go back to my roots on a four string.
16) In your early days, did you play many scales or learn theory, or did you just keep learning albums straight off? Also, what is the name of movie you recently watched, and what is your favourite one? (by Phunky)
SZ – I never learned any theory. I just see shapes and patterns that produce scales and riffs. By learning other people’s albums you start to see these patterns and shapes. I quite like old films from the likes of Federico Fellini, but I think my all time best film would have to be “2001 A Space Odyssey”. Stanley is a genius. The most recent film I have had the misfortune of seeing was “War of the Worlds”. If you have seen it, then I’m sorry. If you haven’t……don’t!
17) What made you switch to a completely different style of music compared to the more funky stuff you’ve done in the past? (by CONFUZION)
SZ – I love all music and think that a musical path is a continuum. I still move my neck in the same way whether playing Rock or Funk. I was always trying to move Jamiroquai into a Latin-Funk-Rock thingy. When I joined the band I was playing a lot of Latin riffs and was informed by Jay that “the Latin thing is good…. but it’s a Funk band”. Jay also loved Latin music but was probably a bit apprehensive about trying to fuse the Pop/Funk thing with the Latin side. When recording the first Sony single “Too Young To Die” we spent hours trying to work out a funky chorus bass line, but it just didn’t sound right. I was playing this Jaco-esque type of chorus bass line that had a lot of notes in it and at the end of the night we just gave into it. Good thing hey! Sony really liked it and that was the beginning of the sound we created. I was also trying to add elements of my youthful rock beginnings into the music. When I was 13 I used to listen to a lot of Rock and Punk. Bands like The Misfits, The Dead Kennedy’s, Sex Pistols, Hendrix, and Led Zep. So really it is no departure and I have never switched. I have always been a rocker at heart. I find it strange that people can pigeon hole their tastes, but hey …each to his or her own. I just love it all and think that this kind of open mindedness can only make the world a better place. It’s all funky at the end of the day!
18) Have you met any of the bassists who were influences on you when you were starting to learn? What were they like and did you tell them that they had influenced you? Also, what’s it like to hear people say you’ve inspired them to want to play bass or make music? (by Marshall)
SZ – I never met any of my influences when I was starting to learn, although I did have some form of bond with them via the music. After the success of our first album I did meet Larry Graham and found that we had a lot in common. We were both snare drummers in high school bands and both used to make ghost kick drums by dampening the strings in an attempt to compensate for the lack of drummers kick drum skills. He is a wonderfully kind man with no pretension. It always amazes me to find out that I have inspired people. I think this is probably the best feeling and ultimate goal for any musician. If I could do just two things right in my life it would be: Being a good father and to be an inspiration to people.
19) What’s your favourite colour? From reading quite a few interviews that you gave in the Jamiroquai days; in one of them you say that you started playing bass two years previous to joining Jamiroquai… is that accurate? Did you reach that level by just playing loads and loads? As you also said once that you don’t practice that much, and only play when you feel like playing. (by Rob)
SZ – My favourite colour is a turquoise/sky blue. I picked up the bass at 16 and did not put it down until I could play most of the Weather Report album “Black Market”. I never did my homework – much to my mother’s dismay- and spent hours in my room trying to emulate Jaco and Alphonso. If all you want is to reach a goal…you will reach it. I still thought I was crap though, even in the band. It was only when I heard that other bass players thought I had the skills of someone of 40 years that I realized that maybe I was getting closer. I think my own insecurities never let me stop questioning my ability and this is what sped up the process of my progression.
20) Do you realise how influential you are to many people throughout the globe? For instance, you do realize that people (bassheads that is) look up to you the way you looked up to JACO when you first started on the bass. Also, did you play the original (album) version of Space Cowboy (too many rumours floating around about that one)? When will that cut with D’angelo come out as a single or even on D’angelo’s album? (by Dee Rosa)
SZ – I only realise now after so much time has passed that I have been an inspiration to people. I kind of live under a rock and have good friends that keep me grounded. It is however a wonderful feeling and I do hope that I can continue to inspire. I did not play the album version of Space Cowboy. It’s a kind of sore spot for me because at the time we had finished the album and I had planned a holiday with my then girlfriend. We were coming to the end of our relationship and I wanted to try and get some closure. Jay then told me that we were to go into the studio to record an album version of the single on the date I was supposed to leave. We went to a cafe and had a heart to heart and I was sure he understood why I had to go and see her. My heart was breaking. The holiday was actually planned a month before the new session was booked. Anyway, he informed me that it was cool and that we would work something out. Well needless to say when I arrived back in town he had got another bass player in to play with the band on that version…Mr. X. It was a double whammy for me because I learned on my holiday that my girlfriend had an affair wih someone else…..bogus huh! This was the beginning of the end for me, for I had always looked up to Jay and then, to have him do that really hurt. I do however understand that he had to do what he had to do. It was after all his band.
21) If the house was on fire, which bass would you save? (by RussJM)
SZ – Hmmmmm….well if the house was on fire i would save any lives before any basses but… if there were no lives and just an empty house full of my basses, i would save my 1974 precision.
22) Do you still play Jamiroquai bass lines at home for practice, or do you try to “forget” those wonderful bass lines? (by Ian)
SZ – I often play old bass lines albeit they are parts of my new ones. Playing is a continuum. What you played years ago you play today… just a bit different and hopefully better!
23) First off, I really digged the look of the white Stage I with the white fingerboard. Tell me, how did you broker that design with the Warwick guys and, why did you change it to the Stage II? Secondly, I’ve got the Phoenix 1997 concert and I was wondering if you used any effect on your “clean” tone. I can definitely hear the fuzz on that breakdown in Travelling…but your slapping solo on Emergency sounds as though it has some sorta texture. If so then what did you do? (by Nick)
SZ – I cant really remember why we changed the white bass from a stage 1 to a stage 2, although i do have small hands and the stage one has a thinner neck so this is baffling to me….hmmm maybe i was trying to be a tough guy! ha ha ha. In regards to the second part to your question i used a clean sound when slapping but i think on that particular song there was a suspicion of chorus on the bass.
24) How did you work your bass lines for Jamiroquai; did you use tape recording or someone show you what to do? Also, do your uncle and your sister have some musical projects? It was said that your uncle was a flamenco guitarist and you sister was in a punk band a long time ago, are they still in to music? (by Bass Master)
SZ – Some of the songs Jay would sing a bass line and i would take over and improvise fills and a chorus part then others we would all play live and write our own parts. My uncle is now into buying and selling properties and my sister is a mommy but they both still play music…that is our blood….it will never leave(in a scary voice).
25) What is your favorite word?
What is your least favorite word?
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
What turns you off?
What is your favorite curse word?
What sound or noise do you love?
What sound or noise do you hate?
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
What profession would you not like to do?
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Whats your favorite food?
Whats your favorite movie?
and do you belive in any god? (by Tadaaki Harada)
SZ – First of all, thank you very much for the painting Tadaaki….now, for the screen actors guild questions.
1.Yes.
2.No.
3.Love
4.Hate
5.Bollocks
6.A woman having an orgasm (very rare to hear..tee hee)
7.A woman farting (not so rare to hear…boo hoo)
8.I would be a great horticulturalist.
9.Unfortunately i would hate to work a 9 to 5 job of any kind and think that anyone that is in a 9 to 5 would agree…..but if you do love your 9 to 5 then more power to ya!
10.What time do ya call this then!
11.Sushi
12.Goodfellas.
13.I believe in all Gods, the spirit, or any connection with a higher power.
26) Do you think you can write a French song(s) for Melanie or for French singer in the future? (by Sabrina)
SZ – Unfortunately i cant speak french that well but i would be more than happy to write for a french artist and they could then translate the words. I know sometimes the translations are not as accurate as the original language but I’m sure it would be good.
27) What basses did you use during the recording of TROTSC? Also, effects and amp info would also be great to know, if only for trivia purposes! How long did that album take to record, and what reflections did you have during that period (on both your bass playing and song writing as a whole)? Finally, Just Another Story really stands out as the best jamiroquai track ever in my opinion, just where did it come from? (by Ben)
SZ – The basses used during TROTSC were: Alembic, Warwick, Fender and i think there was a Musicman in there somewhere. I used Trace Elliot amps with a direct input also…so effectively, there was always two signals going to the desk. Effects used were an Auto wah and another major companies product of which i cant name cause they didn’t give me squat!ha ha. It was a lovely time for music and i. Although, the working conditions were, to say the least-at times very strained. By the way Morning Glory was me on Nylon string guitar (thanks for the credit… Jay) ha ha. Don’t worry bruv…still love ya! The album was recorded in about two months at various studios in London. Jay was not that happy with some of the studios we were using and we ended up all over the place. It was cool though. Just another story started out as a jam and then turned into ….a jam….ahhhhhh… There were and are a lot of tracks like that in Jays vault somewhere, of us just jamming for hours…some really amazing stuff…headhunters on acid!
28) Why did you never use your fretless and 8 strings basses on any recordings? Also, why does the track “Manifest Destiny” have a different pitch? (by AJP)
SZ – I could not use the fretless because Jay found it hard to pitch to and he was right. It is quite hard to pitch to bass in general. I usually take the bass out when i record my voice…weird huh. I cant remember why manifest destiny was in a different pitch….its been 11 years and all the pot i used to smoke has erased parts…ahh…whats my name again…ahh…who am i?…..where am i? DON’T DO DRUGS KIDS!!!!!!!!!!
29) Do you think that timing is the most crucial part for playing proper bass? Also, do you still have that beautiful 8-string bass you’re using in the Space Cowboy video? How much do you want to have for it? (by Rob)
SZ – I think for my playing, timing is crucial. I’m really laid back…sometimes too much so. It will, at the end of the day, always make a track funky to lay back on the groove. My uncle has my eight string and I’m sorry….i cant sell it….its got eight strings on it! ha ha ha.
Thank you to everyone for all your questions and time. I hope this has been informative. I’m sorry it took so long to answer them all but i got there in the end. Lots of love and respect.
Yours,
Stuart
