During an appearance on the latest episode of Steve-O’s Wild Ride! podcast, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons was asked if he now tours and performs with his solo band. He responded (as transcribed by blabbermouth.net), “Yes. Gene Simmons Band already headlined — oh, goodness. We were in South America, São Paulo [in April]… So we’re going to Europe [this summer] to headline festivals and other stuff. And [we’re] just having a lot of fun.”
He continued, “By the way, I designed a business model that is just semi-genius. I show up with my guitar pick. That’s it. There’s no manager, no roadies, no trucks, no equipment. Everything is provided by the promoter. The flights, the hotels, all the amplifiers, the drums, everything is rented locally. That’s the promoter’s cost, and whatever six-figure or more amount there is, I pocket. And I literally make more money per gig being Gene Simmons and the Gene Simmons Band than I did in KISS — not counting the ancillaries and all that — because you don’t have a 60-man crew, three double deckers, private jet that’s on call seven days a week and 20 to 24 tractor trailers.”
In addition to Simmons, the Gene Simmons members include guitarists Brent Woods (Wildside, Sebastian Bach, Vince Neil) and Jason Walker alongside drummer Brian Tichy (Lynch Mob, The Dead Daisies, Whitesnake, Billy Idol, Foreigner, Pride & Glory, Slash’s Snakepit).
11 Responses
Well apparently Gene’s money bag isn’t heavy enough yet…
I hope Real Paul Stanley replies…………
Worst fake hair helmet in the business.
Gene claims he “designed a business model”….what a bunch of B.S.. Gene simply copied a practice that’s been utilized by touring bands for a long time. Gosh, why does Gene need to try so hard to present himself as an entrepreneur/business man? He’s a successful musician, and there’s nothing wrong with being a successful musician.
I saw some recent video of Gene’s band performing live….I think Gene still sounds great as a vocalist. I’d love to catch a show, if he comes near my area. I’m sure he’d play some deep KI$$ songs.
Peeooooppppllllle WOOOOOOO!!!! How ya doin’ people owwweelll!!!! Alright lithen! Lemme hear ya!!!! Woweelllwah!! You know, I said you know Gene and I have been brothers for over 50 years! That’s F-I-F-T-Y! Now it’s no secret, it’s no secret Gene’s always been full of hot air!!! When I wrote Love Gun, Gene got jealous because my love gun is longer than his tongue LEMME HEAR YA PEEEEOOOPLLE WOOOOO!! Awe hey. Alright. Gene $immons, people, Gene $immons will always be my brother from anotha mutha, same color, unda cover, like no otha, wooo!!! But lemme tell ya something he ain’t making more money than he did in KI$$!!! Now, how many of you people have heard of my band Soul Station? This next one, I said this next one comes off our debut album Now & Then. Ready? This one is dedicated to all those hot and crazy women we met on tour. And after we got done playing the hall, each night we had our pick. I’d always set the mood back at the hotel by playing this song for those lovely women on acoustic guitar. And if they were lucky they got a star in their crotch! People, this one is dedicated to all the lovely ladies! It’s called BABY I NEED YOUR LOVING!! Somebody hit the tapes ah 1-2-3-4!
Not sure how and where…….but I’m FOLLOWING Real Paul Stanley.