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I know most don't like Gene Simmons.

#121
I also have a neutral attitude toward KISS, although I suspect that sometimes comments I make might be interpreted as anti-Gene. My problem is I just don't like their music itself at all, just like I don't like U2's music at all. I'm not comparing the two bands. I'm just saying these are two hugely successful and influential bands who probably haven't made even one song that I can say I actually enjoy listening to. But millions of people feel otherwise. But I'm not going to go so far as to say Gene Simmons isn't good at playing bass just because I don't like KISS's music. That would make no sense and would be pointless and totally inaccurate.
 
#123
GregC said:
Sure, Joe wanted the money (just about everyone would like however much it is), but there were obviously a lot of things he wasn't willing to do to get it. Just as an example, the Clash never reformed, though I'm sure they got some pretty sweet offers to do so. And Joe's solo work wasn't Clash-like at all, for the most part. I'm not saying reforming a band is inherently bad (I was glad the Pixies did it so I could properly see them live, and so they could finally make decent money off their music), just showing why Strummer fits my definition of "punk" much, much better than Simmons.

Johnny's been all over the place through time, from willfully avoiding the Pistols' legacy (through PiL) to trading on it quite a bit. I'll always love the Ramones, but they definitely embraced their almost cartoon-character image. Neither party will be confused anytime soon with a punk purist like Ian Mackaye.:D
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I can't argue with anything you say here. I was basically offering some food for thought.
Gene threads tend to turn into us vs. them and I was trying to throw something different out there.
If you are old enough to remember the 70's, things were pretty much defined as rock and roll, rock, and hard rock. When punk came about, there was a period where people didn't really know who fit the "definition", especially in the US. I remember an article where Kiss was grouped with the Ramones and others as being part of the New York punk scene.

That said, I don't think they considered themselves to ever be part of that at all. But I do see the way they lived their lives(especially Gene) to be very punk. He has always been a do-it-yourself-er that fought all odds. He has never cared what people thought about him. He created the band he wanted to see, and he stuck with it and gave it his all. I have seen them when they couldn't put 2000 azzes in the seats, and he still played like it was 100,000 people there and televised.

But no, I'm not saying Gene is the punkest punk out there, but that he is more punk than people usually realize. Most of those considered "true punks" would probably give a vital organ to be in his dragon boots.;)

I was tempted to say he was missing the anger that has been associated with punk, but if you ever caught his show when someone pissed him off, he's not to be screwed with. From getting in people's faces and telling them "I will see you in hell", to buying the salon where Shannon was dissed and firing everyone, he his quite capable of anger and revenge.;)
 
#126
I got into bass thanks to Gene and all the great early KISS stuff. I try not to stuff his pockets any further due to the current state of KISS as a "half KISS/half tribute band" status. I just don't think it's right for anyone else to wear Ace and Peter's costume/makeup.
 
#128
Noseferatu said:
Even better with bacon in the middle.

:hyper:
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Mmmmmm.....

BACON
BaconSandwich-1.png
 
#131
Thundar said:
+1 I dont think its right either, but man I love listening to Tommy and Eric play :bassist:
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I used to not think it was right, but saw some interviews with Ace and he is fine with it. He doesn't want to wear the makeup anymore and he thinks Tommy's great. Also, Ace still gets paid when Tommy puts on the spaceman suit, and when he sings his songs.
If Ace doesn't care, why should I?
PS..I think Tommy did a fine job on the first clip of this thread, his singing has definitely improved.
 
#132
THand said:
I used to not think it was right, but saw some interviews with Ace and he is fine with it. He doesn't want to wear the makeup anymore and he thinks Tommy's great. Also, Ace still gets paid when Tommy puts on the spaceman suit, and when he sings his songs.
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I hold that if Eric Carr and Vinnie Vincent had to have their own characters, then Tommy and Eric have to do so as well.
 
#133
The EH Man said:
I hold that if Eric Carr and Vinnie Vincent had to have their own characters, then Tommy and Eric have to do so as well.
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In a perfect world, Tommy and Eric would have their own characters....but this is no perfect world...
but a world where the Spaceman and Catman tarry forth without the original faces beneath the makeup...
And the fox and the Egyptian guy are laid to rest in the annals of Kisstory....where they await their foretold resurrection:
"Elder: Morpheus, you have been summoned here to offer your judgment of the boy. Do you still deem him worthy of the fellowship?
Morpheus: I certainly do my Lord. As a matter of fact, I, I think you're going to like this one. He's got the light in his eyes. And, the look of a champion. A real champion."
 
#134
Nice quote from THE ELDER! I love that album....I dont care what anyone says about it, it totally friggin' rocks...especially DARK LIGHT, one of my favorite Ace Frehley solos in that one.

JimmyM...I have been a big fan of Tommy's since the early 80's when he was in BLACK N BLUE...I know he doesn't get much love, but he is a blazing guitarist, I think he just doesnt get to show it anymore now that he has to play "Ace"...they should have gotten Richie Scarlett to do the Ace thing, I always thought...hehehehehehehe
 
#139
THand said:
I can't argue with anything you say here. I was basically offering some food for thought.
Gene threads tend to turn into us vs. them and I was trying to throw something different out there.
If you are old enough to remember the 70's, things were pretty much defined as rock and roll, rock, and hard rock. When punk came about, there was a period where people didn't really know who fit the "definition", especially in the US. I remember an article where Kiss was grouped with the Ramones and others as being part of the New York punk scene.

That said, I don't think they considered themselves to ever be part of that at all. But I do see the way they lived their lives(especially Gene) to be very punk. He has always been a do-it-yourself-er that fought all odds. He has never cared what people thought about him. He created the band he wanted to see, and he stuck with it and gave it his all. I have seen them when they couldn't put 2000 azzes in the seats, and he still played like it was 100,000 people there and televised.

But no, I'm not saying Gene is the punkest punk out there, but that he is more punk than people usually realize. Most of those considered "true punks" would probably give a vital organ to be in his dragon boots.;)

I was tempted to say he was missing the anger that has been associated with punk, but if you ever caught his show when someone pissed him off, he's not to be screwed with. From getting in people's faces and telling them "I will see you in hell", to buying the salon where Shannon was dissed and firing everyone, he his quite capable of anger and revenge.;)
Click to expand...

That's cool, you did bring something different to the table and I appreciate it. I could go on about why I don't think of him as punk, but I don't want to spend too much time bagging on the guy or Kiss. And I'm definitely not so blinded by my dislike that I would claim he's a lousy bassist--that's just not true. I grew up in the '70s; Kiss was never my cup o'tea, though I did love Cheap Trick (another band that was briefly lumped in with punk).:)
 
#140
Thundar said:
JimmyM...I have been a big fan of Tommy's since the early 80's when he was in BLACK N BLUE...I know he doesn't get much love, but he is a blazing guitarist, I think he just doesnt get to show it anymore now that he has to play "Ace"...they should have gotten Richie Scarlett to do the Ace thing, I always thought...hehehehehehehe
Click to expand...
i thought richie scarlett was ace's buddy.
 

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