Stanley Simmons, the collaborative project of Evan Stanley and Nick Simmons — sons of Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, respectively, from KISS— has released its debut single, Body Down. The official lyric video for the track can be seen below.
Regarding the collaboration’s musical direction, Stanley told KTLA‘s Andy Riesmeyer, “We grew up loving a lot of roots stuff, Americana folk, so you hear a lot of that in there. It really has nothing to do with what our dads do. I think the interesting thing is we do actually have a lot of the same influences.”
Simmons added, “We were excited. I never get to do just stripped down, rootsy Americana music. And so it was, like, ‘Let’s do it. ‘Cause it would be fun.’ And then people were, like, ‘No, you should do this.'”
He also acknowledged that Stanley Simmons will likely encounter some pushback from fans, particularly criticism suggesting nepotism.
“I am like every other consumer out there — I’m a little sick of the family members of people trying to insert themselves into our eyeballs,” he explained. “But it doesn’t really matter if one of them is actually good.”
3 Responses
Sounds like Crosby, Stills and Nash.
No pushback here. I’m a music magpie. This single, I heard it for the first time today, it’s still in my head. MILES past that Amber whatever band Evan had. This is a great song. I don’t think of them being Kiss Kids that much. This stands on its own. I love and am an absolute sucker for great harmonies, and the retro feel isn’t too much, but just right in my opinion. A touch. These compliments coming from a die hard music snob lol, I am a very hard sell. Right away I was hooked. Go boys, go, let’s see what else you guys have. If an album goes on sale, I’m in!
Pleasantly surprised! This is a great song. Love the drum breakdown before the guitar solo. It has audience participation written all over it. Seems these young men are very talented and not trying to be Kiss 2.0. I will definitely buy their album!