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Exclusive: Kiss Blame Fans For Industry Downturn

added 16 June 2008 at 14.22

Seemingly oblivious to the irony of headlining a festival called 'Download', Kiss bassist Gene Simmons holds some unequivical views on the nature of downloading: frankly, he's against it, it's all your fault and it's preventing Kiss from recording and releasing new material.

Simmons raged: "In all seriousness - and it's unfortunate - but the record industry is dead; it's six feet under the ground and unfortunately, the fans have done this. They've decided to download and file share and there's no record industry around. We're gonna wait till everyone settles down and becomes civilized and as soon as the record industry pops its head then we'll record new material."

Singer-guitarist Paul Stanley had a slightly different take as to why Kiss aren't releasing new material: no one wants to hear it. He explained: "The truth is, we have no plans to record. The reason we don't record is because any classic band that hits the road, the last thing you really wanna hear is their new song.

"Everyone says go out and do a new album but if you put on a live DVD of any classic band, turn off the sound and I'll tell you when they're playing a new song: it's when everyone is sitting down."

So there you have it: stop being naughty and Kiss might just record new material. Just don't expect them to play it live.

Find Kiss on iTunes

Tagged as Kiss, Exclusive, Festivals, Interview

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comments

1. Ok, Michael, Gene will be the first to tell you that he is not talented sooooo why post such a comment? He has never claimed to be talented and since he doesn’t make this claim, why would you just assume to think this? This is what’s wrong with the industry. Too much silliness. As far as we smart people are concerned, Gene is right, the industry is dead because of the fans and it's sad. In addition, as far as the gentleman who claims Kiss has not put out music since before file sharing, um, what planet are you from? Even in 95 I knew people that were file sharing, so next time you wake up, make sure it's on earth.

   Posted by Kris Kancler on 11/07/2008 01:54:53 | report abuse

2. I've got to agree with Paul. Kiss' time as a recording band is over.
   As a live band however, they're still in a different league to any one else. Long may it continue - they were awesome at Download!

   Posted by Gary-S on 19/06/2008 16:17:45 | report abuse

3. Gene really is the Krusty the Clown of Heavy Metal. I agreee, this off the shelf Kiss is barely tolerable as a live act, performing not very good classic music. Please don't try to sell yourself as talented artists with ambitious new musical directions. Especially without the only two members that ever had any musical talent to begin with. And I say this as a fan!
   

   Posted by Michael on 17/06/2008 18:23:42 | report abuse

4. Gene's just in controversial mode, as ever.. Stanley's right tho - we don't want new Kiss material.
   And we DEFINITELY don't want another Gene Simmons solo record, not even to download for free.

   Posted by gareth53 on 17/06/2008 12:22:13 | report abuse

5. Apparently Gene forgot they haven't put any new material out before downloading and file sharing was popular

   Posted by Jason on 17/06/2008 03:34:01 | report abuse