Tool's Sober got Jason Momoa into playing bass: "I could just feel the connection"
Khal Drogo / Aquaman / all-round dude Jason Momoa reveals his passion for bass "exploded" when he learned to play Tool's Sober.
We've long admired Jason Momoa's metal credentials – from blagging himself a snazzy early copy of Metallica's S&M2 to playing Ozzy Osbourne in The Prince Of Darkness’ video for Scary Little Green Men. And now the Hollywood megastar – who you'll most likely recognise as Aquaman or Game Of Thrones' Khal Drogo – has revealed where this love of the heavier side of things first came from, as well as how he specifically got into playing bass guitar.
"Pantera, Rage Against The Machine, Primus, Black Sabbath, Red Hot Chili Peppers," Jason lists off to Bass Player when revealing the music he listened to as a teenager. "I really, really love John Frusciante and Flea, they’re really huge in my life. Tool, too. I listen to pretty much all of it. A lot of the music I search for is a lot more off the beaten path nowadays. I respect everyone out there doing it, because it’s so hard and so challenging, and I just try not to judge."
When it comes to picking up the bass, the actor and musician recalls that jamming to Tool's Sober made him quickly fall in love with the instrument.
Read this: 12 bands who wouldn't be here without Tool
"It was my assistant’s birthday, and she really loves Tool, so I borrowed a bass from my buddy and we all played Sober for her," he says. "Right then, my passion for bass really exploded. The moment I put it on, I could just feel the connection – and it was all over.
"I always knew I wanted to play bass," he continues. "After that I wanted to play standup, so I bought one and now it’s a passion for me, with how it makes me feel and how it sounds. I studied and studied and studied bass, and I was like, 'My God, I wish I would have done this when I was young.’ I wish that I had that opportunity – but I’m making up for lost time."
A fine choice, sir. Do you fancy letting us know your thoughts on our list of the 20 greatest Tool songs? (Spoiler: Don't worry, it includes Sober.)