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
This is my second post here in regards to this topic.
So Gene Simmons said to those who are drug addicts and depressed: “F**k you! Kill yourself!”
My first reaction to this was what an A**HOLE!!! How could he possibly say those things? What a JERK!!!
I was reminded of his song A**HOLE, where he sings, “How does it feel, to be a real…a**hole!” How fitting I thought. He really lived up to his name.
His comments helped me make up my mind about the KISS concert that I had been on the fence about attending. I decided not to go. I didn’t want to give him one more cent of my money! Ironically, I ended up watching the show on YouTube and semi-regretted not going, but that’s another story.
As Gene’s comments stewed around in my brain, I had a major insight. I realized that I say those SAME EXACT things to myself!!! From time to time I literally look in the mirror, give myself the finger and say, “F**k you!!! You should kill yourself!!!” How does that make me any different than him? How does that not make me an even bigger a**hole than him?
Now imagine if I looked in the mirror and instead of seeing my own reflection, I saw Gene Simmons reflection and he was saying those words to me. Would I be offended? Yes. Would I be angry? Yes. Would I be shocked that Gene Simmons was in my mirror? Yes. My point is that I wouldn’t take that kind of crap from him! But wait a minute…I take that kind of crap from myself! If I truly loved myself I wouldn’t say such destructive things to myself. I’d say good things; encouraging things. Things like I love myself, I accept myself for who I am, I’m a good person, I’m ok and everything is going to be okay, etc….something along those lines. I would stop playing the victim and turn out the lights on my never ending pity party. I would make better use of my time and talents. I would try to make the world a better place.
So to my dismay, I actually want to say thank you to Gene for making those heartless, ignorant comments. Though I think he needs to learn how to have compassion for those who are suffering from addiction and depression and not say such terrible things, he did get me thinking about how cruel I am towards myself. How I need to make major changes in my life. How I need to start having some love and compassion FOR MYSELF!!!
War Machine, you are a hero. I hope you never forget that. (And I would bet a million dollars Gene wasn’t referring to people in your situation).
All I am positing is that Beings are only fully understood within contexts. Is that a door-handle or is it your hand? We want to control our world, we create language, technology, but it ends up controlling us, our thoughts.
Going to work with Lady GaGa huh? Keep in mind Gene that she is an addict herself and has had several run-ins with depression and anxiety and uses drugs to calm her nerves and take a “break” from it all. She’s not shy about telling the world that she does drugs, drinks and parties before during and after her shows. You say your only drug is rock and roll, well wake up buddy! You are a huge hypocrite if you are willing to collaborate and share the stage with someone like GaGa! Yet you’ll collaborate with her and defend her!? Now that’s just SAD for you, you ignorant prick!
I agree with you! His statement made me sick!
Pompous jackass! I don’t even have the words to describe how disgusted I am by his statement. Before he opens his big mouth he should read up about addiction and depression. I hope he never has to see his kids go thru addiction or depression. His lack of understanding or sympathy might find him burying one of them.
Damn gene that’s cold, Maybe with your ugly ass hair and that s-ty ass attitude maybe you should jump.