Gene Simmons Slams Radiohead

[Qvist]

Just stumbled upon this article on ultimate-guitar.com

http://ultimate-guitar.com/news/gene...radiohead.html

Kiss star Gene Simmons has slammed bands including Radiohead, who he believes put on boring live shows.

Simmons said that bands have a responsibility to provide a spectacle for their fans and shouldn't just stand static with a guitar.

"I admire bands like Radiohead, but the idea of being that serious? **** that, get up on stage and blow **** up,” Simmons said.

Simmons went on to compare live performances to films, saying that they require audio and visual elements.

“If you're not fulfilling the visual part it's like watching a movie with your eyes closed,” he told WENN.

"One of the biggest compliments we get is (when people say), 'I f**king hate their music but that's the best show I ever saw in my life.'"

Radiohead were criticised by music fans earlier this week who called the opening nights of their European tour “terrible”.

What do you think? Angry old man or is he correct?

[Depth_Charge]

This is old news:

KISS really disappointed me today

[lunarpollen]

I think he's correct....

"I admire bands like Radiohead, but the idea of being that serious? **** that, get up on stage and blow **** up,” doesn't sound like anger or resentment.

"One of the biggest compliments we get is (when people say), 'I f**king hate their music but that's the best show I ever saw in my life.'"

I like that philosophy.

Of course I would like there to be engaging sounds as well as sights at a live show. And a visual spectacle doesn't need to involve $100,000 worth of pyrotechnics, lights, stage sets, etc. Some visually-interesting performances are done on extremely low budgets...

[Cambass]

Surely this depends on the band. I would expect Kiss to put on a huge spectacle with lights shows and flames but I wouldn't expect it of Radiohead.

He's entitled to his opinion but I don't think all bands should have to do it to be entertaining.

[12bass]

Gene's right - Radiohead are wankers.

They'd be much better live if they added blood and pyrotechnics.

Or maybe that comment comes from someone who is in show business to make a lot of money rather than interested in making music for the sake of making music? Frankly, I kind of miss the days when you didn't even know what artists looked like, but you loved the albums anyway.....

[keb]

All I can say is that the best live show I've ever seen was Leo Kottke aided by nothing but a couple microphones so his voice and guitar could be heard, and a stool for him to sit on.

[Lizooki]

Yeah, he's right.

I don't know anything about Radiohead, but Gene and the boys made millions as semi-talented hacks w/ a show full of spectacles.

W/ out the make-up and other stuff.....they MIGHT have been one-hit-wonders.........or never heard of.

**~~IMHO~~**

Matt

[12bass]

Originally Posted by Lizooki

I don't know anything about Radiohead, but Gene and the boys made millions as semi-talented hacks w/ a show full of spectacles.

This seems to be related to the matter of whether music ought to be considered art or a salable "entertainment commodity". People like Peter Gabriel seem to straddle both, while others tend toward one or the other. I'm more interested in the quality of the art than being "entertained"....

[TheDarkReaver]

Originally Posted by Lizooki

Yeah, he's right.

I don't know anything about Radiohead, but Gene and the boys made millions as semi-talented hacks w/ a show full of spectacles.

W/ out the make-up and other stuff.....they MIGHT have been one-hit-wonders.........or never heard of.

**~~IMHO~~**

Matt

+1 about KISS

[Mon Rominee]

Gene Simmons is a deluded little puppy who lashes out because he realizes (without any guilt mind you) that he's been bilking the public just going throught the motions reliving past "glories" for the past 30 years.

Did anyone REALLY give a damn about anything KISS put out musically, post-makeup?

What, Tears are Falling? Lick it up? Gimmie a break Gene...write a song worth a damn and maybe you won't NEED to resort to putting your makeup on again. Hack. How's about integrity Gene? Yeah, why not sell out your family too, like a 3rd rate "Osbournes"... sad pathetic deluded. That show has about as much entertainment value as watching me rub my scrotum with an ostrich feather whistling Yankee Doodle Dandy.

[dancehallclasher]

He's a dumbass. Radiohead was one of the best live shows I've ever seen, so I don't even accept his premise.

[bryan bailey]

After a certain point, musicians become so talented that they don't need pyrotechnics and ti-tow cameras or booze endorsement deals.

I mean GWAR wouldn't be who they are if they didn't do their live show, but even still they are talented dudes in comparison to KISS.

And furthermore one of the most intense bands I have ever seen, lightning bolt, just set up and the floor and play, the bass player doesn't move and the drummer is seated but its one of the craziest local shows you can find here in RI, or near it.

If you have 'perfected' the audio aspect of music you don't need an over the top live show to get people to see you, bottom line.

[Parabolic Box]

Personally, when live, I would like to see a song "performed" than "played", even if played perfectly. "Ham it up," as Freddie Mercury once said.

[fenderhutz]

Better not make fun of Thhhhohm Yorhhhhkhhh. He might do something stupid to himself.

[Mon Rominee]

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

Better not make fun of Thhhhohm Yorhhhhkhhh. He might do something stupid to himself.

What would make you say that? The man has not ONCE shown himself to be an unstable person, maybe a tad depressed post- OK Computer, but never "emo" tendencies...quite the opposite actually... not to mention that he's a political and environmental advocate and a family man who doesn't feel the need to push his personal life to the media for a buck and is willing to take chances and steer his and his band's musical vision where he sees fit, regardless of a fear of "slumping sales", and retains his integrity... hardly stuff to scoff at, unlike Stanley & Simmons.

[invader3k]

Originally Posted by Mon Rominee

Did anyone REALLY give a damn about anything KISS put out musically, post-makeup?

Well, enough gave a damn to shell out money for albums like "Lick It Up" to achieve at least gold status. Just saying...

KISS has been debated to death on this forum, especially the stances of Gene Simmons.

[DanGouge]

Originally Posted by Qvist

Simmons went on to compare live performances to films, saying that they require audio and visual elements.

“If you're not fulfilling the visual part it's like watching a movie with your eyes closed,” he told WENN.

Hmm, based on Kiss' pyro-driven idea of "fulfilling the visual part" I imagine Gene Simmons is baffled that Michael Bay hasn't won, like, ten Oscars.

[Valerus]

Originally Posted by Mon Rominee

Did anyone REALLY give a damn about anything KISS put out musically, post-makeup?

doubt it.

[Mon Rominee]

Originally Posted by invader3k

Well, enough gave a damn to shell out money for albums like "Lick It Up" to achieve at least gold status. Just saying....

I know... but it was more driven by curiosity about it being their post-makeup debut than stellar songcraft, methinks.

Originally Posted by invader3k

KISS has been debated to death on this forum, especially the stances of Gene Simmons.

Agreed. sorry to add fuel to the fire.

[guitfiddle0409]

Kiss is frivolous, but harmless.

Radiohead puts out OK music, but their relentless sanctimony has really made them insufferable for me at least anyway.