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From: AussyAce
On the 19th of MAY of 2005, KISS fan site The KISS Underground Archives conducted an
interview with KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons.
Here is the FULL Interview in it's entirety for those that missed it...
AUSSYACE Recommends to read the Full interview as Gene really does touch on a
whole range of issues 'COMPILATION DISCS, MCDONALDS, NEVER GETTING ON STAGE WITH
ACE & PETER EVER AGAIN, WHILE ALSO ADMITTING THAT KISS IS PAUL STANLEY'S BAND, WHILE
ALSO ADMITTING TO WORRYING ABOUT YOUR OWN MONEY AND NOT MINE AND MUCH, MUCH MORE'
and I highly believe that this here is one of the BEST Interviews I have read in
recent years...
GENE-O...You TRULY are a LEGEND !!!
Thursday May 19th, 2005. While being a "regular" day for most, it was THE day
for the thousands of Star Wars fans who clamored out to see Episode III - "Revenge
of the Sith." Although I am a fan of Star Wars myself, I decided against
"rubbing elbows and assholes" with the diehards who went opening night, to
ultimately see Anakin Skywalker transform into Darth Vader. Instead, I enjoyed a
45 minute conversation with the man who has spent the better part of the
past 30 years on stage, transforming himself into the "Demon" - the one and only,
Gene Simmons. Conducting an interview with Gene can be some what of a sport.
After interviewing him countless times throughout the years, I've learned a few
things from speaking with him before that have really helped in being able to
"successfully" interview 'Gene Simmons.' First of all, Gene doesn't care for
much preamble when your asking him questions. He likes the questions to be
contrite and directly to the point. Gene can also be very short with some of his
responses. So you kinda have to guess when Gene stops talking, that he has either
finished answering the question, or he is just pausing to gather his thoughts before
he continues speaking. The nice thing about this interview is that Gene wasn't in
his 'rush' mode. There have been times in the past where I've talked to
Gene where you could tell that I must have been like interview # 25 out of
the 50 or so he had to do that day or that he was calling me in between changing
flights or something. No matter what the conditions are, Gene always gives a
good interview IMO, but it was nice to hear him sound relaxed at home, as I
could hear him playing with his dogs. As I hit the record button on my
tape machine, this is how it went-
KISS Underground: So what's new in the world of Gene Simmons?
Gene Simmons: Well, since this is for the KISS Underground, I guess people would
want us to talk about KISS.
K.U.: OK, then more specifically, what's going on in the world of KISS?
G.S.: What's going on is that obviously the best way for anyway to find out the latest, is to get
online to KISSONLINE.com. Because when there's news and we're ready to talk about it, it gets
posted. My site is a little different because I don't have to check with anybody, and do whatever
the hell I wanna do. So there's all kinds of activity, all the time. Almost everyday.
Paul's working on his solo record. I know he's very, very excited by that. And I bet it's gonna kick ass.
We were going to go overseas and tour, and I think wisely decided not to do it at this time.
Between Paul doing a solo record, and all kinds of other stuff being worked on at the same time,
there's just not enough time. Because before we can go out on tour, there's all the set-ups,
rehearsals, we gotta build a stage - it takes a lot of work. So there will be a tour at some point,
but right now, Paul wants to concentrate on the solo record, and who knows, maybe he'll wanna go
out and tour in back of it. Which I think would rock. I remember the last time I saw him in
1989, and it was a real treat to be able to sit in the audience and watch, if not THE best front man
in the business, certainly one of the best.
K.U.: That was an interesting time in KISSTORY, as that was what brought Eric Singer into whole
circle of KISS, so to speak.
G.S.: And the irony is, Bob Kulick finally got a chance to play in a 'KISS' band of
sorts. Because Bob Kulick originally was, at least for a popcorn fart, was being
considered to be the guitarist for KISS. But he didn't make it for some reason.
K.U.: The major thing that most KISS fans have been asking for is NEW KISS music.
From what I've read, you seem to be pretty gung-ho about doing a record with the
current lineup, where Paul seems to be more on the fence about doing another KISS album.
G.S.: Well, when you're in the middle of a party and somebody says, "Hey, let's go
to a party," it's not the same discussion if you're not at a party. Whereas if you're
not at a party, and somebody says, "Let's go to a party," (and then you would say)
"great idea." In essence what I'm saying is that right now, Paul is in the middle of
writing and recording his solo record, so the idea of recording MOREmusic with KISS
isn't as appealing. Also, we all know the market place is completely different.
It's different for us, it's different for the Stones. It's different for any band
that has been around for an awful long time. As we all know, the new Stones record
is gonna come out, but it's not going to get the attention that it would have got
like when they first came out. But it doesn't dilute the fact that it's a very
important group that you wanna go see, because they're Legends. So, to be honest
with you, it is less appealing to go and try to do new music because the market place
is certainly different. I mean, Elton John came out a few years ago and said, "I'm
through making new music. I'm happy to just get up on stage and play songs that I
love playing."
K.U.: It is ironic that the music scene today is similar that of the 50's and 60's,
where the emphasis is not being put on supporting the longevity of a band or albums,
but it's all about the single. And it seems like, when the single's done, the band is
done.
G.S.: For a lot of bands, that is true. Very few bands, as always, survive the
test of time. But invariably, which is a big word like gymnasium, it all goes back
to people. If they fall in love with a band, the band will happen. If they don't,
the bands won't. The last bands that I remember that were once perceived as "new"
bands, that actually stood the test of time, was a long time ago. I mean Metallica,
Nirvana, and I can't remember who else. Nirvana's probably the most recent and they
didn't last long. There are new bands all the time that put out records, like
System of a Down and Incubis, and this and that, time will tell who's gonna last.
K.U.: What do you have to say to the fans who complain about all of the compilation CDs?
G.S.: There are 2 points to make, once and for all. One, the compilations DO NOT
come from us. They come from record companies who own the rights to do those compilations.
Two, and this is a really important one, just because YOU have those songs, doesn't mean that
new fans do. So every once and awhile I'll go out and buy a greatest hits album by the Sweet.
And when I look at the greatest hits section by the Sweet, or Slade, or any other of my
favorite bands, there are TONS of compilation records. But hey, I didn't buy every Sweet
or Slade record. So when I buy one of those records, I buy a compilation. And there's
going to be even more new (KISS) compilations. You're going to hear "Detroit Rock City"
and a million other songs A HUNDRED TIMES, and they (the compilations) may not be for you. It may be for a brand new fan who doesn't wanna buy 40 albums, who may just wanna buy a taste of KISS.
So those compilations WILL continue, and if you don't like it, there's a simple rule in
Capitolism, don't buy it. But complaining about compilations and other issues about
the band means nothing. You're not in control.
K.U.: It's funny that you say that, because I've posed the question many times to other KISS fans
who do nothing but complain. I've asked them what do they think they're getting out of the
constant bitching? Like if they've been eating at McDonalds for years and then start
having issues with the way Ronald McDonald or any of the other characters are being
portrayed, or don't like the way the Big Mac is being made anymore, are they gonna go
outside the restaurant and complain?
G.S.: The real answer is that they should create their own hamburger line and create
their own clown. Or just don't buy McDonalds.
K.U.: Exactly! That's why I don't understand the bitching.
G.S.: I do understand, I think it comes from passion. I don't think it's negative. It's misplaced.
It's misunderstood. And that's OK. And that's why we don't spend a lot of time trying to answer
those things. Because answering them means you have to educate somebody.
K.U.: Do you think there will ever be a day when KISS, would once again, perform
without makeup or do you think KISS should remain a makeup entity until the band
stops performing?
G.S.: I've said this before, that we'd never put the makeup back on again, but there
we are. We did put it on. I said that we would never play with Ace and Peter
and then we did. As I stand here now, I would NEVER get on the stage with
Ace & Peter again. Put on the makeup, don't put on the makeup, but who the hell
knows. You never know, you live and you learn.
K.U.: If KISS does decide to ultimately record a new CD, would you keep it to only
the current lineup playing on it, or would you be open to bringing in former members
to participate as well?
G.S.: I tell what is great is that you never know. But I will tell you from the
bottom of my heart that it's a real treat to play with Tommy and Eric because they're
positive people. There are no dark clouds hanging over their heads. There's no
agony, there's no chemicals. It's a pleasure to play with guys who really love
being onstage. And nobody wants to hear this about their Mom and Dad.
You don't wanna hear your Mom say bad stuff about your Dad, even if it's true.
But I wanna tell you that the fans get really pissed off at me for telling the
truth. It's been torture with Ace & Peter. Forget about the drugs and the alchohol
and all that, it's just been sometimes beyond miserable. Trying to get along
with guys who have a problem with life itself. They're just difficult human
beings. That doesn't mean I don't wish the best for them, I do. I love 'em,
but for years and decades, they couldn't even figure out a way to help themselves.
You can only go so far, and we went so far OVER AND OVER again. And it's
been miserable. It's been a REAL FUCKIN' TORTURE!
K.U.: You CAN see the difference. I can recall many Reunion shows where I saw you and Paul
giving Peter and Ace the 'look' when they made mistakes etc. and it would make you
wonder if they would make it through the show. Where on the Rock the Nation tour,
it just seemed that everybody on stage was just happy to be there.
G.S.: The sad part is when the fans read this, it reads like you're slagging
Ace & Peter. You're really not. You're doing 'truth' justice. The part about
truth, that is not everybody's favorite thing, is that it hurts. It's easier to
lie and say everything's great. But when you tell the truth, it doesn't mean
everyone wants to hear it. So if you're a real Ace fan or if you're a real Peter
fan, and I am. A fan of both, as members of KISS. As human beings, it's
JUST...FUCKIN'...TORTURE. And I wanted to say that slowly...
K.U.: And considering you and Paul have kept the band going since the beiginning,
the both of you have felt the brunt of it all.
G.S.: I'd say Paul's kept the band going even more than me. Whatever I may or may not do
musically, Paul's always been there. No question about it. I'm more one of those guys that wants
to piss you off by thinking up new things that you're not suppossed to do. I love comic books and
action figures, toys and games, and I think that's part of America. Music purists think that rock
bands should stay away from that. I care about big dreams.
K.U.: Do you feel that you accomplished what you set out to do with the "Asshole" album?
G.S.: When you do a solo record, that's when you sort of roll up your sleeves and go, "This one's for me." No
games. No trying to figure out what everybody wants or what radio wants. Just enjoy it.
And I have a feeling Paul's record is going to be EXACTLY what he wants to do. I think it will go
pretty much right down the middle, a mixture of a rock record with guitars and ballads. I think
people will be much more happier with his solo record than mine. But more importantly, he's gonna do
what he wants to do, and that's what a solo record is about.
K.U.: I think if you go back to even your first 'KISS' solo album, you can see that you enjoy diversity.
I think that the fans who didn't "get it" with "Asshole," were perhaps expecting a 'Gene Simmons
OF KISS' solo album.
G.S.: But it wasn't called that, and I didn't do the makeup thing. But people can expect what they want. Oh well.
K.U.: As far as any new KISS products, is there anything coming out? Like the "Rock the Nation"
DVD?
G.S.: That's been done for awhile. We're just waiting for the right time.
K.U.: I also just read on KOL that there's going to a special 'movie' showing for the "Rockin' the
Corps" concert KISS participated in.
G.S.: Yes, one time only in selected movie theaters across the country. What
I did find out recently is that we're having discussions with the Fantastic Four movie
people about taking "Firestarter" off my solo record for the theme song for the
movie. That would be a kick.
K.U.: You recently sent a shock wave through the KISS fandom when it was announced that a
7 Million Dollar injunction was placed against Roy Damm for creating and selling the fake
KISSVISION Remastered DVDs. Now that the sale of these bootleg versions have been stopped,
will KISS be releasing any of the KISSVISION titles or any other old footage "officially?"
G.S.: When we're ready. And it's never early enough for the fans, but we're not ready to put that
stuff out. And I know people don't understand, but that's OK.
K.U.: Since you made it clear where the band stands with the "selling" of bootlegs, what is your
position with "trading," where no profit is being made?
G.S.: I'm not a fan of it. You're not even allowed to make a copy of it. Because by trading,
you're diluting the value of it. You're taking away money from the person that owns the copyright.
K.U.: OK, because a lot of fans were curious, what was your stance was on "trading"
and were asking about it.
G.S.: They know the answer. They're just saying, "We're not like bootleggers."
Well that's true, but you know you're not supposed to be making copies. The truth is
they don't care. They go, "Ah, you got enough money." But that's actually not
for anybody else to decide. Everybody should look at their own plate and decide if
you have enough money. Don't worry if I have any.
K.U.: With the recent tragedy of the shooting of Dimebag Darrell, did that at all
make you question your own vulnerbility when taking the stage?
G.S.: No. You can't live your life in fear. Otherwise you become an osterage and put your head
under ground. That doesn't mean just because you hide your head, that the rest of your
body isn't exposed. Which is to say, every day of the week people get run over by cars,
but you still have to cross the street.
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