The Weird World and Driving Bass of Gianni Scalise

"Rhythmically, Gianni Scalise is not just an elite bass player, he might be the most talented musician I've ever played with." -Chris Donofrio, percussionist of The Sixty-Six. 

"G is one hell of a bass player and one hell of a musician. He is the only guy I can play music with that understand even my most obscure references; like when I tell him I want the bass line to sound like a big old-school grandfather clock looks...then he gives me exactly what I want. He gets it. He gets it completely."- Scott Liss, lead singer/rhythm guitar play of The Sixty-Six.

When two of the most talented musicians around share a similar sentiment about the same figure, that person is deserving of a deeper look. With that, I introduce the bass player of The Sixty-Six, Gianni Scalise. 

Regarded by most performers in our region as the bassist to have, Scalise does not fall short— extremely creative, highly intelligent, unmatchably talented and insanely animated on stage.

He takes the preset notion of "they only play bass, they're just a bass player, its easy" and obliterates it. With the ability to pick up almost any instrument and immediately understand it, Scalise is blessed with pure, unlimited, undeniable, raw, overpowering talent. Once you hear him strike his chords and you can almost hear that raw talent drip off of him. 

He has been one of, if not the most in-demand bass player in the area for years. His quirky, eccentric, odd, amusing personality draws people to him. His musical prowess draws jealousy. I recently dove into Scalise's weird world to gain some further understanding of one of our areas most amusing and most rhythmically talented musicians.

Gianni, how did you get started playing music?

I come from a musical background, and I've never really been formally trained. My uncles and father were always playing old Italian folk songs on the accordion when I was little, and my brother was a keyboardist. I used to watch him play and practice with his bands in the basement and always was fascinated with music. I'd even get snuck into the bars when I was younger to watch them perform live. Eventually in high school my friends picked up instruments and so did I. 

You've been performing in some facet for a long time. Explain the famous "Gianni Scalise" pre-teen tapes to us.

I was always mimicking my brother on the keyboard and guitar. Rhythm and melody came naturally to me and I took my brothers old tape recorder and started playing some tracks on our little Casio keyboard. At age 9 I wrote some pretty weird and complex songs (for a 9 year old) with some dance beats and simple melodies. My family found it pretty entertaining other than the songs with profanity and perverted disgusting comments about feminine hygiene and products.

With The Sixty-Six, you're surround by limitless talent. How has this line-up shaped your sound and performance individually?

These guys are the best musicians I've ever played with. They constantly push me to be better every time we play. I'm a pretty aggressive bass player and have a cutting harsh tone to complement it. I like the use of many pedals and different tones and my bandmates allow me to be raw and unique with my playing and we give each other plenty of room to be creative and dynamic. Every show sounds and is performed differently.

When people say, "It's just bass, it's not hard," what is your reaction?

The bass guitar is relatively easy to pick up and learn just like playing soccer or riding a bike. But because I felt the need to stand out more when I first started, I've developed my own sound and technique in my 15 years of playing. Whether you're playing Victor Wooten slap bass/finger tap, Jaco Pastorius finger/harmonic techniques or a Justin Chancellor picking style, it's not something you learn in one session. 

Both Chris and Scott were quoted to your testament of being an incredible bassist and musician. How do you view their contributions to what you do musically?

Well its pretty simple. Scott is the most clever and creative songwriter I know, and Chris is the most dynamic and rhythmically inclined drummer I know. So they make it easier for me to execute a bass line for a song, by creating space for me to write, and inspire me to make a contribution to the song.

The music industry is a constant struggle. Seeing a band that is equally as talented as individuals that isn't a mainstream band is painstaking as a fan. With much less talented acts making it into international spotlights, do you use that as motivation or does it frustrate you?

We definitely use it as motivation. Unfortunately we have almost no control of the industry. All we can do is just work hard at what we love and express ourselves through it.

You're a quirky guy and the most animated in the band. How do you relate your everyday demeanor to your persona on stage?

I try to be honest. I cant help being animated in life so it just comes natural to me on stage. Quirky? You must know me really well. 

I ask this in each interview. In your opinion, who are some of the most underrated bands/artists in our area?

There are lots of talented musicians an bands in our area. I'm really into Chemtrail and their no vocals 'soundscape-rock' style of music. Also check out a new band Ruby The Hatchet and there debut 'sludgy psychedelic rock' album. I anticipate them to turn some heads.

Where do you see your musical creativity going in the future?

As long as I stay inspired, it could go in absolutely any direction.

As a whole, your band is regarded as one of the more talented if not the most talented collection of musicians around. How do you react to that?

As I said before there are a lot of great musicians in the area. We appreciate the kind words.

What does The Sixty-Six need to do to achieve mainstream success?

As long as we stay honest with our music, we can achieve any measure of success. I read that on a fortune cookie.

Lastly, what can we expect from you and The Sixty-Six in the future?

More of us.