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 have a Family member who suffers from Depression, extreme Anxiety and has had really bad Panic Attacks, then I have to hear Gene say to people with Depression, “Go kill yourself” this is just sickening. How would he like it if one of his Family members suffered from Depression would he tell them to “Go kill themselves?” Would Gene like it if someone told his Family member with Depression to “Go kill themselves?” What if he had it himself and someone told him that, would he do it? Simmons is one sick person and needs to shut his mouth! Stop insulting people, Gene you are a sorry excuse for a human being!
Is he trying to compete with Ted Nugent for the King Tard crown? Please Mr. Simmons..stop talking. You are an out of touch goof. Blah. What a filthy b.
dana, I am very sorry for your loss. it is a credit to you to try to make sense of gene’s insensitive comments at such a difficult time. may you know of no more sorrow.
Bless you Elliot,
I am very much thankful for your kind and lovely words.
D 🙂
Gene Simmons hasn’t written a good song in 25 years. Paul carried that band once Gene decided that the almighty dollar was more important than keeping his fans truly happy with good music. Gene, I dare you, take off the makeup and see how many people truly care about you anymore. It’s the wake-up call your ego truly needs.
Really sad that I am at the point of not checking this site out anymore. Not for Gene’s comments but for you idiots here that post your crap. Gene is right on with these points. Get off the liberal, socialist, political correctness brainwashing b.s. propaganda people. Control your weakness and pathetic emotions. When you bitch about what Gene has to say here because you know someone or some s going through depression all your doing is making an excuse for it. Take that energy and hate that you post and get the fuck off your addictions or cope with your depression. Gene is a greedy piece of shit most of the time but I agree with him %100 on these comments. The brave are found dead, cowards cry for attention.
Wendigo,
You are entitled to your opinion, but as someone who has been touched by this, I can tell you this with every fiber of my being, these disorders can sometimes be brought on by head trauma. So, in some cases there was a physical injury that precipitated the depression. Michael Hutchence of INXS’ father said the same thing happened to him. He said he was a happy, positive good natured man, but after a car accident in which he endured major head injuries, he entire personality changed. He became severely depressed and he eventually took his life.
I think it is a bit insensitive and ill advised to think there is a one size fits all explanation for depression and mental illness.
Dana from ET.com 🙂
Wendigo, I hear the anger and disgust in your comments. You want people to quit being pussies and pick themselves up by their own bootstraps. You want them to stop whining and complaining and make the necessary changes to get their lives together. I get it. In some cases that’s definitely what’s needed.
However, I disagree that this subject has anything to do with “liberal, socialist, political correctness brainwashing b.s. propaganda,” It has to do with ignorance and heartlessness. Maybe to you there are easy solutions like “controlling weaknesses and pathetic emotions,” but it’s not as easy as you think to overcome biological depression, hard core addictions or traumatic experiences that result in PTSD. People who are mentally ill or addicts need love and compassion. They are sick. They need help. Sometimes their issues are so huge that it keeps them from seeking help to begin with. And sometimes all the therapy in the world still doesn’t fix things. My suggestion to you is try to be a little more understanding by putting yourself in other people’s shoes and seeing things from their point of view whether you agree with them or not.
My cousin cried for help for 40 years of his life….until he finally killed himself with a shotgun in his apartment. So which is it, WENDIGO? Was he a coward for suffering with his depression for 40 years, or brave for finally killing himself?
You loser.