Annie Reuter of Radio.com reports:
Gene Simmons of KISS has some heated words for drug addicts and people dealing with depression in a new interview with Songfacts.com.
When asked if he keeps in touch with the original players of KISS he answered with a resounding “no.”
Why’s that? Simple: they’re either drug addicts or just downers.
“I don’t get along with anybody who’s a drug addict and has a dark cloud over their head and sees themselves as a victim,” Simmons said. “Drug addicts and alcoholics are always: ‘The world is a harsh place.’ My mother was in a concentration camp in Nazi Germany. I don’t want to hear f–k all about ‘the world as a harsh place.’ She gets up every day, smells the roses and loves life.
And for a putz, 20-year-old kid to say, ‘I’m depressed, I live in Seattle.’ F–k you, then kill yourself.”
He added “I never understand, because I always call them on their bluff. I’m the guy who says ‘Jump!’ when there’s a guy on top of a building who says, ‘That’s it, I can’t take it anymore, I’m going to jump.’ Are you kidding? Why are you announcing it? Shut the f–k up, have some dignity and jump! You’ve got the crowd.”
While Simmons said KISS has new songs ready, there are no plans to record anytime soon. But, there is one artist he’d love to record with in the future: Lady Gaga.
“I think Lady Gaga is the only new rock star, although she’s not a rocker,” he said. “I would like her to throw away all the disco stuff and get a band. Don’t use tapes, come out with a real live band and guitars. She’s a bona fide musical artist. She did a duet with Tony Bennett, real great pipes. She can sit at a piano all by herself. She’s a legitimate artist. A lot of the other pop divas who are really talented are not artists.”
Simmons said KISS and Gaga tried to collaborate on their last record but both were too busy.
“We got close. She got busy, we got busy. We would have done it.”
additional source: radio.com
245 Responses
Gene & Paul have been bitter and blasting hatred for decades towards Ace & Peter for their drug use…..hmmmm…..seems to me Gene & Paul have had decades of abuse themselves. Please keep posting all of their mentally f’d up real life issues. Uh Ace and Peter have the problem you guys say????? I’m thinking the words “Clarity & Reality” is something Gene & Paul can’t quite embrace. Joe in a The Cuse
Dana you got way too much heat from this post. Hopefully you won’t cave to any peer pressure after this by not posting anymore Kiss related news. I haven’t agreed with much of anything that comes from the Kiss cover band camp for some time now, but I have to admit I always get a laugh out these posts whenever Gene and Paul show their asininity with these statements of theirs. Regardless of what a number of people are saying, clearly these Kiss news posts drive traffic and are the most interesting things on here judging by the lack of comments other articles receive.
Most of the news is doing good if they get ten remarks out of it, whereas Kiss receive on average anywhere from one to two hundred comments! It’s like blaming a promoter for always booking Kiss, but based on the numbers this is who people are evidently coming to see compared to everyone else booked, or in this case, featured on this site. Even guys like Steven Tyler and Joe Perry put out a new version of Dream On and it gets one comment, so what does that tell you. You and Eddie are just smart by giving the fans what they evidently want based on the stats. Keep up the good work!
Hi Nic,
Your comment could not have come at a better time as I was also reprimanded by a poster who claimed that as a moderator, I am far too involved with commenting. It’s funny, because for years I was a mute. If there is one thing I have learned, there is no pleasing everyone. I am not sure what I will do going forward, as I must confess being a woman, my feelings were a bit hurt.
Anyway, thank you so much for understanding the concept of “traffic” and for the kind words. They mean more than you know.
Cheers,
Dana from here 🙂
I agree 100% with Nic’s comments, and although you can’t please everyone all of the time, overall everyone is always pleased with your comments Dana. Keep up the good work, as only you & Eddie can. 😉
Dana,
You have always pleased me. 🙂 Call me.
Depression is an emotional imbalance in a person. It has nothing to do with drugs. I’ve suffered with it for a good portion of my life, but have made the best of it. For Gene, its so easy to give up on somebody, even if its not someone he cares about. One time he bitches that people don’t give RICH people respect, and in turns spits in the face of people he knows nothing about. I used to be a Gene supporter, but lately he’s gotten worse. Personally, he’s just an angry old man caring only of himself. That’s fine if its buys the happiness you seek. But, my question…. Is he truly happy? His arrogance has blinded him of that fact.
I’m not going to read all the comments, I’ve wasted too much time reading about Gene Simmons and Kiss on this site anyway (I’m not a fan) and I’m almost ashamed I’m taking the time to even write my own response. While some people may just be looking for attention with suicide threats and claims of depression, drug use and alcohol abuse, for others it’s a very real problem. Maybe they got themselves into it, but I guess in Gene’s eyes that’s it – they don’t deserve a second chance. Too bad we’re not all as perfect and guiltless as Gene (yeah, right). Substance abuse is a mortal sin in his eyes but sleeping with thousands of women and cheating on your wife are OK I guess? Maybe I’m wrong, I don’t know Ace Frehley, but I was under the impression he’s cleaned up his drug use and alcoholism. If that is true, then good for Ace – I’ve never had to battle those demons but I know it’s a hard road to travel and a lot of people fail. Those who succeed probably appreciate life a lot more and are better people for it. No, it’s not the same as surviving a Nazi concentration camp, but it’s still a personal battle for a lot of people. Gene seems to feel that once you’re an addict you’re always an addict and redemption is not an option. Think about what a scary world it would be if we all felt the same way he did. I’m not saying people don’t need to take responsibility for their mistakes, or that it’s not their fault – it is – but to just say “Eh, f ’em. Die”? Mr. Simmons, you may be rich but you’re still an a hole. Oh and by the way you’re a shitty musician too.
Metalmania , you said it well and I would like to confront this jerk and let him know how thankful I am he is a minority and the world could use a lot less of those who are like him. I used to be a kiss fan and was until now and obviously he needs to spend more time looking in the mirror and do something to that brillo looking whatever mangey mess on his head. Ugh what a low life Mr. Simmons.!
It has gotten far away from a band of guys who should just be quiet and play music..all they want to do is bash not only ex band members but others as well..and he might as well bash Paul Stanley who spent years in theapy because of depression brought on from a birth defect.