Gene Simmons Tells Critics to Kiss Off
- Posted on Oct 14th 2009 11:30AM by John D. Luerssen
- Comments (21)
Kiss bassist Gene Simmons doesn't think much of music critics. The 60-year-old tongue-wagging reality star and merchandising guru calls music scribes "An unnecessary life form" in a new interview with the BBC promoting 'Sonic Boom,' his band's first new studio album in eleven years."We own some very big houses that critics have bought us with their bad reviews," Simmons cracks. "There's a large Kiss cemetery at the back of our houses where we bury them."
Of course, the lack of critical praise hasn't kept the band's diehard fans from propelling the album to a No. 2 debut on the Billboard charts, making it the group's biggest success in 20 years. Simmons also revealed he was proud of the band's recent accomplishment.
"We made Kiss, with our look, all the pyrotechnics of our live show, the epitome of everything we wanted from a band," he explained. "And now here we are 35 years later and I think we've released one of the best records of our career."





Reader Comments(1 of 2)
Hollyat 10-15-2009
Saw KISS in Detroit (Rock City) For opening show of the tour! The guys were truly "HOTTER THAN HELL!" KISS takes a back seat to no one in the biz! ROCK ON!
kellyat 10-15-2009
He has a point. Look at his bands track record. Or, how about Jimmy Buffet? He has one grammy and was with a song he did with Alan Jackson yet his albums go platinum. The guy owns a string of restaurants and can afford to own a Gulfstream.
Critics mere voice their opinions. Doesnt mean they are very good.
Rockinat 10-15-2009
35 years later
lol they must of bought some big songwriters also
then burried them outback
Lisaat 10-15-2009
I think Gene would tell anyone/thing to KISS off if they don't agree/like what KISS/Gene is doing.
Rockinat 10-15-2009
wow
so like now they will be a one hit wonder
is that what Im getting
35 years later
hemoriods n all
Rockinat 10-15-2009
they must use some heavy duty thread in the backseam of their pants
Rockinat 10-15-2009
so tell me where do they put your big houses once they put you out to pasture
Rockinat 10-15-2009
tell me gene
how much for the billboard spot
seriously
Rockinat 10-15-2009
Ill bet .. one lil house
you went around and bought all your cd's
Cee64Eat 10-15-2009
I suppose you have a bigger house, Rockin? Your own reality show, a successful business, more money than you can shake a stick at... No? Time to come up outa mom's basement, doncha think?
Lonelypoetat 10-15-2009
Gene Simmons has more money than you all will ever have, and, the last time I checked, "ENVY" is still one of the "Seven Deadly Sins."
frizzbat 10-15-2009
love sister---it's just a kiss away...........
Rockinat 10-15-2009
wow time to put my boots on and take a walk around back of genes house
looks like Ill need a hanky
envy? lmao
must be the size of that plater caster on the bookshelf
former kiss fanat 10-15-2009
the shame of it all, is that gene has managed to "shake down" his fans for a long time, over priced memoribilia and logo's on everything, i wonder who's the idiot that paid 10,000 dollars for a kiss coffin?
former kiss fanat 10-15-2009
..... a logo ace frehely created, by the way!
bigiron1973at 10-15-2009
All of these yuppie larve spewing their jealous rhetoric! KISS will always be one of the Hoteest Bands in the World. Gene is a master of promotions! Anyone in their right mind would be. Don't criticize ambition. It beats the lazy welfare mentality of the youth today! Keep on Rockin' Gene!
jodyat 10-15-2009
Been a kiss fan since 1975...saw them with makeup and without..Gene is a great showman along with Paul however I can't stand to watch their new shows. I loved Ace and Peter and grew to love Bruce and Eric as well but I just can't get into this new interchangeable kiss. I look on stage and can't quite figure out who they are trying to pass off as Ace. Gene is a bit annoying with all of his self promotion. Well I should not complain as Gene was/is known for his showmanship and sense of theatre not his refined sense of taste and culture. Kiss was my first concert and in many ways still my favorite after hundreds of other shows.
isabelat 10-15-2009
Rock on Gene! We may be grey-haired, hemorrhoid ridden and have to line our pill bottles up in the morning, but we still own Rock and Roll.
Rockinat 10-16-2009
and who goes and buys all of that junk
hes like the ronco of the music industry
and theres no difference than going to mc donalds getting a "hamburger" and a happymeal with a "toy "inside
hey if your gona rip off the world wear a mask !!
Rockinat 10-16-2009
I mean hey there he is sitting at that desk surrounded by junk no one wants
and if you ask me he's the only one who buys the crap
he will go out of his way to buy his junk back and he will do the same with his cd's
as an musical artist like pop like son no talent
the true kisstory has a missing chapter
you got popcorn but no peanuts
ronco on the boardwalk with his wares
I sum this one up to one word "GimmicKiss "