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
I suppose Gene wasn’t being the writing of “Reason to Live” off of Crazy Nights. Gene ought to save his words for writing some better lyrics, and maybe some of the old guard Kiss fans who checked out long ago might actually be interested in their new material. For a guy who purportedly wants to move past the whole Ace and Peter drama, he always seems to fuel the fire with his comments that have pretty obvious references to them. Get over it Gene, and if you’re so busy, then you wouldn’t waste time trying to bury your former mates, and those that were part of your band’s greatest success at that!
All these wild, unbelievably dumb things Paul and Gene have put in the press have made me listen to classic Kiss a lot lately, maybe to remind myself what they used to mean to me. So actually, I probably need to thank them. Last night, I had the urge to listen to Eric Carr era Kiss. It started with what I consider the most underrated album in Kiss’ history, and my favorite without the original band, CREATURES OF THE NIGHT. After I listened to that full album, I listened to CARR JAM 81 from the REVENGE album. Eric was a true drum hero. God bless Eric and may he rest in peace. He should have gone into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame when Kiss was inducted. Bruce should have been inducted to.
I bet a lot of people with drug issues & depression have bought A LOT of KISS merchandise…..so I’m thinking that part is just fine with Gene. Just when I said Gene has a heart he says this retarded b.s. He talked so badly of his father for years but literally breaks down and cries at his fathers grave……but once again we have the same old meatheads here on Eddies board that just neglect to see the obvious, and once again….YOU CAN’T TEACH STUPID!!! Joe in The Cuse
Maybe it’s time to stop giving this guy, and his sidekick a soapbox, microphone or ANY form of attention at all. Seriously … go away old dudes, go away. Your new product will never rival your original product.
Desperation starts to smell over time and you two are quite ripe.
They’re doing interviews and answering questions. People still want to interview them. They are still popular. They still sell tix and music. Maybe you should go away if you don’t want to read about it. Do you think he’s on a street corner yelling out shit and some reporter happens to walk by and write it down and publish it? You and the rest of the haters need to go comment on the new Dream On with Nic. Hell it only got 1 friggin comment. Why waste your time here? Whose desperation is really starting to wreak? KISS is the only band that drives any traffic on this site. The haters are getting real annoying. Take it for what it is, or don’t read it. Its pretty friggin simple. Just remember the old days when Bob Kulick or Alice Cooper’s guitarist were doing Ace’s spots for him and you thought it was all Ace, and you still do to this day. Remember the days when Peter started messing up on purpose during the Dynasty tour and didn’t give a shit about the fans in attendance. Just remember the times when Thayer sat in make up and a costume cause the rest of the band had no clue if Ace was showing up. Just remember the times when Peter claimed to have written Beth when he didn’t. But the band wanted to prop him up and make him look like an equal. The hate can go both ways. Its childish, but it can.
DR,
I did not want to have to go there–but you did. Great post! Imagine if some of the “haters” had been at a concert that Ace didn’t show up to or that Peter intentionally sabotaged. Would they be defending them now? Thought provoking. I say this even though I love the original band. Its painful, but true.
Like I’ve said before, I get it if you don’t like this version of the band. I really do. But the legend of Peter Criss and Ace Frehley is growing by the minute with the haters. Ace was my favorite by far growing up, and if there was ever a way he could still be in the band, I’d be all in on this version that would include Singer on drums and not Criss. But its apparent that for both Ace and G/P’s sakes that he not be in the band. So you have Thayer playing the Space Man. It is what it is. Get over it or ignore it. I’m really starting to believe that alot of the haters on this site are nothing more than casual KISS fans from the 70’s who don’t really know jack about this band and it’s history (Doug R + Joe in the Cuse not included). Those who defend Peter Criss on this site particularly know s about this band. Only Ringo Star was a luckier SOB than him in the history of music.
Thanks DR, because I don’t hate anyone, not even Eric or Tommy, I hate what they’re doing, but I don’t hate them, or blame them, I blame Paul & Gene, but I don’t hate them either. Peace! 🙂
DR,
Even though I agree with your points here, I want to clarify that the current lineup is great. I love the current lineup and am totally past any reservations about Eric and Tommy wearing the makuep. I think they fill the shoes nicely. However, I will admit that there is nothing like KISS in the 70s–nothing. They sound better now, but the mystique, the adrenaline, the attitude they had in those days–its not the same. Tommy is great. He sings great, plays great, does not copy Ace’s moves on stage, the same goes for Eric Singer. However, Eric does not have the same voice as Peter’s. I miss Peters vocals from the 70’s. He was awesome. Ace moves and the guitar solos on every album 74-82 were original and creative. Ace shined the entire time from 74-82 (KISS to the The Elder). I think Eric and Tommy deserve the wear the makeup, but I CAN understand both sides. Ace and Peter in the band now? No way. But, the 70’s KISS was the most exciting–at least on that point, I can relate to “the haters”. I think they are just bitter because of the way things have turned out over the years–not really haters. I use that term loosely. That is my position.
I also just meant to say–and I have said this before–I miss Ace’s stage presence. He was one of those performers that never had to try. He was just a natural and his laid back and “off balance” movements on stage complimented the rest of the band. I watched a video of Ace performing with his current band (at least I think they are the current band) and Ace played well. He has his guitar chops for sure, but…
I would rather not say. Like I said, the things you said in your post are true IMO, but I hate to say anything negative about Ace and Peter. I have good memories of them from growing up listening to them and seeing them on the Reunion and Farewell tours.
Thank you…well said, all of it…
Wow Paul … you’re pretty passionate about this. Unreal.
Don’t consider myself a hater … but look at Gene’s comments there … full of hate.
Sure he’s entitled to his opinion, but that’s life & death he’s talking about there. I’m on the record for endorsing both Eric & Tommy as solid players, but no way I buy a ticket for that. Even with Leppard on the bill. Dude, are you REALLY on board for the football team? the reality show about the football team? the restaurants? the kruise? Let it go.
Ditto
“Joe in the Cuse” is like that 6 year old nephew who annoys everyone by asking questions – “why is the sky blue?” “Why are dogs furry?” At first you engage him to be polite, then after a while he becomes absolutely annoying because everything he says is ridiculous. Then all you can do is ignore him and wait for his parents to take him home. Was that the doorbell I heard? OK Joey, time to go home. Your parents are here. (Thank God!)
No technical terms this time…(and you should learn that stuff, hate me all you want)…just pointing out the blatant bullying here. You and George are so dysfunctional.
nobody puts joe in the cuse!