Primal Scream's Simone Marie Butler interview: 'Mick Jagger is a very fit man'

All about the bass: Simone Marie Butler

Simone Marie Butler has powered Primal Scream since 2012, when she replaced their former bassist Mani (who left to join The Stone Roses). She’s toured the world with bandmates Bobby Gillespie and Andrew Innes and hosts her own show on Soho Radio.

“If my house was falling into a sinkhole I’d run in to grab my guitar and my passport,” says Butler, “because then at least I can still go on tour.” It’s all about the bass, after all.

Strangest thing you’ve seen on stage?

Somebody crowdsurfed a wheelie bin to the front of the stage at a festival once. You see blow-up dolls and all kinds of stuff in crowds but I was pretty impressed with that. Those things weigh a ton.

Most “pinch yourself” moment?

Supporting The Rolling Stones at Glastonbury is a hard one to fit into a conversation without sounding big-headed but that has to be the high point for me.

The best indie bands of all time

1/15

What would you need to build the perfect rock star?

Mick Jagger’s hamstrings. He’s a very fit man. David Bowie’s wardrobe. And Prince’s vision. I remember being 14 and at the front of the crowd at Earls Court during his Diamonds and Pearls tour. He’s adored already but his legacy will live on for years.

Something you’ve learned about London?

Pimlico is a time warp. There are still 1,500 working gas lamps there, and a guy who goes around them all with a ladder turning them on and off again each night and morning.

Tell us a joke...

A little boy starts getting bass lessons at school. He comes home from his first lesson and his dad says, “What did you learn today?” The boy says, “The first two strings, E and A.”

Then the next day he comes back and says to his dad: “The second two strings today, Dad, D and G.” On the third day he says: “I didn’t go today, Dad — I had a gig.”

Simone Marie Butler is an ambassador for Fender's app, fender.com/play

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