Gene Simmons (KISS): Radiohead are boring

by on June 13, 2008 with 106 Comments in Radiohead News

So, it can be Chris Martin every day. Here’s Gene Simmons again. The frontman from KISS has hit out at Radiohead again, calling their live shows boring.

Talking to WENN, Simmons said that bands have to offer their fans more than just a static performance: “I admire bands like Radiohead, but the idea of being that serious? Fuck that, get up on stage and blow shit up.”

“Bands that stand by their microphones and strum their guitars are forgetting one important point – people are bringing their eyes, it’s audio and visual. If you’re not fulfilling the visual part it’s like watching a movie with your eyes closed. One of the biggest compliments we get is (when people say), ‘I fucking hate their music but that’s the best show I ever saw in my life.’” For those who are curious, KISS play Bercy in Paris a week after Radiohead did.

Earlier this year, Gene Simmons suggested Radiohead were on crack for their ‘In Rainbows Business Model’.


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  • spin

    oh, yeah, dressing up like clowns is fucking great. idiot.

  • Atta

    But we have strobe lights and such!!
    Simmons has a point, but i think that of all live shows, they’re all mostly overrated, unless there is fire involved. Then thats the sh!t.

  • http://wolfparade.nonstuff.com maria

    this coming from a man who sticks his tounge out and spits fake blood to get a crowd reaction! such a showman!

  • Kervin

    really he just needs to shut up and just go back to his clown costume.
    because he is concentrating sooo fucking much on his “show” his music sucks basically. give me great music everyday over “blow shit up”, i can get that watching CNN.

  • http://www.killradio.org Honky D

    I’ve sen both bands live, and I think it’s like comparing apples and oranges. Kiss is plenty entertaining live, but they’re stupid, and they kind of do one thing well and that’s it. Radiohead are a lot more versatile than that, but moreover they’re just interested in doing something different than what Kiss is. Similarly, people who go to a Radiohead concert and love it (like me) want a different experience than people who go to a Kiss concert. Gene Simmons ought to be able to accept that people can be entertained by something other than him strutting around in a codpiece. But since he’s demonstrated in numerous interviews that he is an amazingly conceited asshole, this is not surprising. Still, he ought to at least get it right. Radiohead do not just stand there by the microphones. Thom Yorke is a hugely energetic presence on stage, a Rock Star (whether he likes it or not … and I think his dirty secret is that he does like it.)

    Perhaps Gene Simmons shopuld keep to things he’s good at, like making an ass of himself and his family for public consumption. Now THAT’s entertainment.

  • ariel

    i don’t quite understand the first line
    of this post…’so, it can be chris martin
    every day…’ what do you mean by that
    Ade?

  • iamwormbuffet

    at least Radiohead offer quality material!

  • http://rantingraving.wordpress.com/ Nikita

    Meh, an aging rocker in face paint doesn’t do it for me no matter what shit they blow up. I’d much rather have high quality music to listen to.

  • David

    I… wanna rock and roll all night
    and party every day

    (repeat 50x)

  • m

    i guess he doesn’t appreciate Thom’s dancing…

  • Jakaria

    On the original for this, the last sentence:
    ‘Radiohead were criticised by music fans earlier this week who called the opening nights of their European tour “terrible”.’

    Has anyone ACTUALLY heard anything bad about their tour?

  • http://www.myspace.com/bloodleaf Hannah

    last tim i checked, who requested a reality show about his family/how much sex he has had? ew, gene simmons is gross, and KISS is old news.

  • Jacobanko

    Anyway, I NEVER and say NEVER liked the KISS. So?? What should I care??

  • http://khristopher.com Khristopher

    Gene must be trying to get attention.
    I do agree on the visual aspect though. I guess that’s partly why they have awesome lighting for this tour.

  • http://fahig.free.fr Fähigalex

    What a moron ! Thom can dance, he drives me crazy when he dances to Idioteque, he’s so good at it !
    And also… What ? The opening nights of their European tour were “terrible”. Wasn’t I in Paris last Tuesday ? Was THAT ‘terrible’ ?
    I LOOOOOOVE ‘terrible’ !!! ^^

    GENE = JEALOUS

  • left

    Has he even seen a Radiohead show? Has he seen Thom dance during the Idioteque breakdown?

  • mike

    I hate kiss, they’re retards and offensive to music

  • jo

    lol. yeah, well, if Thom is standing by the microphone through the whole show, or Ed or Colin doesn’t move at all, then – fuck me, but i must be blind.

  • MamaCass

    I don’t get the Chris Martin mention.

  • http://www.myspace.com/cascanueces Stefano

    he’s got a point there… but he’s not the indicated to say something like that… ¿clown? yeah… that’s VISUAL entertainment (?).

    I never saw Radiohead live (’cause i’m from Argentina and they never made it here), but i saw Oasis (just an example, nothing to do with RH), and they suck live… they’re f**kin static live… that made me hate the band forever…

  • http://??? kid amnesiac

    It’s all how you look at it. Kind of analogous to how some people like wrestling and/or monster truck rallies. KISS is more or less a derivative of both of those. You don’t go to a KISS concert expecting any kind of lyrical or musical talent, you go to see shit get blown up and 4 idiots in clown make-up. It’s also kind of a fine line when it comes to being there for the music or being there for the show. For instance, the band Tool is very talented musically and visually but all the visuals are so complicated and synched to the music that the setlist was the same at EVERY show. You go to one of them and you’ve been to all of them for any given tour. The visuals are fantastic and the performance flawless but there is absolutely no spontaneity at all. With Radiohead you get a generally different show every night, with a great performance and Thom dancing like a hippie on a bad LSD trip during “Idioteque”. I’ll take that over a wrestling match, a monster truck rally, KISS or anything else anytime.

  • pixilated

    i think he’s jealous. all Thom needs to do is smile and that is alllll the entertainment we need as oppose to dressing up as a dork and flailing left to right.

  • http://www.leveautobombo.blogspot.com levedad

    yes and no.

    but like someone said, cannot compare what kiss trying to offer and get to what radiohead is.

    anyways, i always wonder why, having such a great artist as Mr Stanley they do not get him to work for live concerts decoration and so.

    imagine a 10 meters tall drawing moving on stage ….

  • Trex

    What an excellent endorsement for Radiohead. If Simmons finds it boring, they must be doing a lot right!!!!! Keep up the good work guys. Frankly I close my eyes during most shows, because the music is SOOOOOOOO Phenomenal. I’m a deadhead from the day as well. I guess since Jerry just stood there for 2+ hours and took us on a magical music tour, that was boring as well. As well as Grateful dead ticket sales in comparison to Kiss ticket sales. But let us remember, Gene, not everyone is in it for the money, like you. Some are more about the art, like Radiohead.

  • Peter

    Radiohead = art, Kiss = entertainment

  • http://plasticexplosives.net trip fontaine

    guys. it’s gene simmons. you should be worried if he LIKES radiohead.

  • Mark

    “Bands that stand by their microphones and strum their guitars are forgetting one important point – people are bringing their eyes, it’s audio and visual.”

    And Gene’s band forgot the audio part. I guess if you have no musical talent, you have to make up for it with theatrics.

    And your band, Gene, forgot the audio part, so fuck off

  • veggies

    Gene is a business man — he makes music for money (& chicks). He’s admitted as much with a hilarious quote about musicians who considered themselves artists:

    “You say you’re an artist? Then paint my house, bitch!” (I believe this was from Entertainment Weekly back in the 90s, but I can’t be sure — lots of hits on google and mostly found in people’s sigs).

    Ultimately, what he thinks about Radiohead’s shows is meaningless. as someone else said — it’s apples and oranges. Or, apples and old ugly man with no real musical talent.

  • JJ443

    But, in terms of a “show,” Radioheads lighting this tour BLEW ME AWAY!!!!

  • http://www.waste-game-news.com Mike

    Radiohead’s lighting shows have been most of the visual part of their performances, and their lighting shows kick ass…so whatever, Gene. I brought my eyes to the RH show on 5/14 and it was a delight in both the audio AND visual experience. Besides, even in plain white light, there’s unquestionably something magical about watching RH make their music happen live on a stage. There’s a LOT going on to watch. Radiohead doesn’t need some visual gimmick to be a great band to watch perform.

  • T

    “I fucking hate their music but that’s the best show I ever saw in my life.”

    Simmon’s obviously a douche and a liar. Who would pay to see a band whose music they hate, and then say it’s the best show they’ve ever seen?

    Radiohead is genius and I go to their shows for the music and because I love the band. Frankly, I would be annoyed if they used pyrotechnics and crap. Radiohead doesn’t need gimmicks, KIIS does.

  • asd

    kiss is 10% music and 90% show.

  • iLuvYa

    no there ‘s more : 11% and 89 %

  • Wealthy Industrialite

    He’s wring here, bottom line. Radiohead does put thought into the visuals of their shows, and it is a great experience all around.

  • Pip

    One of the biggest compliments we get is (when people say), ‘I fucking hate their music but that’s the best show I ever saw in my life.’”

    I would not view that as a compliment. You can only polish a turd so far!

  • Tara

    Gene Simmons is a reality show whore. He exploits his family for a paycheck and was on Celebrity Apprentice and didn’t even win. His opinion means nothing.

  • What?

    Don’t get your panties in a bunch over the Demon’s comments. I happen to think Radiohead give the best live preformance I’ve ever seen. Now that is my humble opinion. . . Some dude that digs canisus may strongly disagree, prefering the lead vocals of a pitbull over Thom. Now thats retarded!

  • spike

    watching johnny rip through a solo is visuals enough.

    I do like when some bands put on a visual show especially Muse, and Coldplay – KISS go way over the top, it’s not tasteful at all.

  • http://58821.spreadshirt.com/us/US/Shop/ fridgge buzz

    KISS hasn’t been relevant for decades. Fuck off Gene Simmons, you’re washed up.

  • Muldfeld

    What pathetic whore of a human being Gene Simmons is. Sexist, materialistic, self-absorbed, exploitative, untalented, commercial in ways George Lucas never dreamed, and dumb. What’s to love?

    The fact he doesn’t like Radiohead means all is right with the world, since he’s so despicable that I couldn’t imagine being on the same side of any issue as him.

    What a loser.

  • Frank

    One of the biggest compliments we get is (when people say), ‘I fucking hate their music

  • luke

    At least he says he admires the band. I give him credit for that.

    Personally, I don’t put any stock into what Gene Simons says though because the guy is the epitome of a “sellout.” Anybody who’s seen his show Family Jewels and knows how he constantly tries to market the Kiss brand and put his face on virtually anything will know exactly what I mean.

    But anyway, Kiss used their space costumes as a gimmick to sell records and create concert entertainment for their fans. Radiohead doesn’t need to do any of that because the music and lyrics speaks for itself.

    Did Bob Dylan ever walk out on stage and start spitting blood and blowing shit up? I think not.

  • sue hutchins

    kiss are men dressing as women who want to be
    men
    If I was in 6th grade maybe I would think kiss rocks-
    not so much now

  • Gene

    The only people dumber than gene simmons are the skanky women he claims to have had sex with.

  • ken

    radiohead arent a circus act, they actually have music that is worth hearing. which is more than i can say about gene simmons…

  • Rita

    Jealousy. He just wishes he was relevant.

  • h_e_n_r_y

    What is this “KISS” you speak of?

    [Keep It Simple, Stupid?]

  • Weirdfish7

    gene……just hush please

  • trojanpony

    He clearly doesn’t know what the fuck he’s talking about. If he’d ever seen Radiohead live he would know they don’t take themselves seriously on stage at all and they have crazy light shows accompanying the music. He’s talking out his ass.

    If Radiohead’s to blame for letting the MUSIC be the focus of the performance rather than all the smoke and mirrors bullshit then fuck it, I want it done the Radiohead way. KISS can keep making their shitty music and hide behind stage gimmicks.

  • pakoh

    what this clown is saying is that they have to act. pose. sell. it doesnt matter how the music makes them feel while playing. thay have to exagerate and act and dance for us like monkeys. radiohead doesnt feel like wearing costumes and lots of pyros, but they should go ahead and use these gimmicks anyway to entertain us like circus monkeys. what a tool

  • Gradgreat

    someone please tell me what the chris martin reference means. does he take shots at radiohead? i remember reading in an interview that he was a humble fan and that their music influenced his songwriting alot.

  • Jon

    Through the years, and many of those years fo hocking anything with his band’s name on it, Mr. Simmons has forgotten what it is really all about. THE MUSIC. Poor Gene.

  • sommerface

    funny, i thought Radiohead’s show in St. Louis was frigging awesome. Then again, I loathe KISS.

  • Nate

    Maybe i rather have the music entertain me then crazy stage antics that really have no relevance to the song or the band. I think gene has to realize that he’s extremely egotistical and shouldn’t give advice to a band thats 100X better then them in every way.
    From what i’ve seen and will see in august at is that there live show is perfect for them, and one of the best live bands.

    so go put your makeup on and play shitty songs you washed up old hag.

  • Nate

    The comment about chris martin refers to how boring he is…some people consider his music boring…so chris martin everyday is boring

  • deceasedlavy

    i thought my opinion of gene simmons couldn’t get any worse. i honestly thought that.

  • belisha beacon

    gene simmons is not an idiot, he’s a master of his art, after 35 years kiss are atill touring and selling out stadiums, how many bands can say that? love him or hate him the man has earnt his right to be critical. I saw kiss last night at download and it blew me away, im not ashamed to say i had a tear in my eye at the awesomeness!!!! if i was a radiohead fan id be pissed too at his comments, but again hes been outspoken and kept kiss in the news..job done!!!

  • superfunk

    haha

    thats hilarious

    because honestly

    their music sucks, but their live show is great

  • http://www.gamehoarders.com Alex

    I don’t think anyone ever really “talks” to WENN. They just rip quotes from other peoples’ interviews.

  • Pajonch

    Don’t you just love it when people from such relevant bands as Kiss offer their advice to Radiohead?

  • Josh

    we hope that Gene Simmons chokes.

    he just don’t get it, does he?

    Radiohead live is a nearly religious experience. i guess, the kind of connection this band has with their fans is waaay beyond Gene’s understanding.

  • musation

    Unlike his career… some have their career actually build on the music on not the in time worthless crap around the music

  • Jorge

    Kiss sucks…Radiohead rules!!!

  • Martyn D

    At a Radiohead show the sound is the spectacle. Watching Jonny thrash his guitar during paranoid android is far more satisfying than watching Gene Simmons dress up and play 2 chord song

  • Briannie

    Lol. I think Gene Simmons is missing the point that Radiohead are musicians.

  • King

    I think Gene Simmons is the one on Crack! Kiss is dog CRAP!! Gene is a jealous, untalented hack.

  • Me

    Gene Simmons – really?? How about recording new music instead of charging peeps to see you dressed up for Halloween? And even if you come up with new music and offer it for free, I wouldn’t waste my time listening to it.

  • Lyn

    I think Gene Simmons is on crack. And Kiss is way passe, he should fucking retire or simply stick to his reality (yea right) show. Radiohead is the shit. I went to their WPB concert on May 5th. and spent the entire concert with my eyes closed…transported to a nether region. That’s what Radiohead is all about. Unlike Kiss, they don’t need props. ;)

  • brian

    jewish mimes that spit fire and play the same songs for the last 40 years. AWESOME

  • Ana

    …And KISS are a bunch of ‘has-been’…

  • natiluta

    go to sleep GRANDPA!!!

  • http://welcometotheblocks.wordpress.com Schmoo

    Honestly I don’t think Gene will think anything is interesting unless it comes with a pair of tits.

  • emme

    thom yorke dances.

    you cannot even deny them glorious performances. “blowing shit up” is for creepy old men who leave big carbon footprints. i just can’t be a fan.

  • etc

    that’s what james bond films are for, gene. and your most amazing tv show.

  • http://www.buddyhead.com roots

    uh…kiss is cool but radiohead is not las vegas but they may go there.

  • Pingback: Gene Simmons (KISS乐队): Radiohead很无趣 | RADIOHEAD 華語網

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