TRENT REZNOR Says GENE SIMMONS Is 'An Old Man Who Puts On Makeup To Entertain Kids'
- July 14, 2009
Philippines' Inquirer.net recently conducted an interview with NINE INCH NAILS mainman Trent Reznor. A couple of excerpts from the question-and-answer session follow below.
Inquirer.net: You're putting NIN on hiatus after this "Wave Goodbye" tour but you'll continue to make music. Is this because NIN as a concept has become a straitjacket for you, since essentially you are NIN?
Reznor: No, I see what you mean. What I specifically said or meant to convey is that NIN as a touring live band or live band that's on the road all the time is stopping. I've just reached the point ... where it has invaded every other aspect of my life. Also I think creatively, my time would be better spent on other stuff that could be NIN or outside NIN. Some of it may be collaborative things. I have a number of projects that are not music-related which I have put on the back burner for a long time...
Inquirer.net: Much has been said about "The Downward Spiral" album and how your life was troubled at that time. But how do you maintain the passion to sing the songs in that record when things are different now?
Reznor: That's a good point ... I may not be the same guy I was then but for five minutes of that song, and probably an hour afterwards, it takes over. It's not going through the motions nor acting, you kinda become — I'm still driven by the same things that drove me to write it in the first place ... I wrote it as a cathartic way to get it out of my system, almost like therapy, and then when we went on tour I turned to drugs and alcohol and the songs spilled over and became me ... Now when I'm offstage, I'm not same guy onstage but it's driven by the same place. I'd never want to be Gene Simmons, an old man who puts on makeup to entertain kids, like a clown going to work ... In my paranoia, I fear that if I don't stop this, it could become that. Because it's nice to get a paycheck, and now the only way to get a paycheck is to play live, so it's all those things swirling around in my head.
Inquirer.net: You've been very vocal about the state of the record industry and how labels have been greedy about the whole business. How do you think it can be improved, if at all?
Reznor: It's a kind of Mafia-type run business .. They have systematically taken advantage of artists over the years from THE BEATLES onwards. You [the artists] do all the work, they loan you money to make records, then you pay them back and they own everything. To see that system collapse is an exciting thing. There isn't a clear answer on what the right thing to do is right now, and as a musician you're up against a pretty difficult scenario: most kids feel it's OK to steal music, and do freely ... The good news is that people are excited and interested in music ...
As an artist it's your job to capitalize on that. It means generally swallowing a bitter pill and saying, "Hey, people don't want to buy music, so let me give it to you. I'll find another way to make money but I want you on my side and hearing my music. So let's get rid of this walled garden of having to pay to hear it, here it is, give it to your friends. Hey, try to come to our show if you can, or you can buy this T-shirt of ours if you like, and that will help us out. Or, here's a nice version of our album that we put in a cool package for a premium price and we're only selling a couple thousands of them."
There are ways that you can monetize your business, but the traditional way of going to a record store and having to pay for it, those days are over. In the States, there aren't any record stores left. The only place ... is like a Best Buy where you go to buy a washing machine and there's a tiny rack of DVDs and CDs. I think we're in between business models right now ...
I'm trying everything I can to contribute to when that next model does come up, whatever it might be, whether it's subscriptions or whatever, where the artist is more fairly represented and has a say and is compensated, and you're not paying for jets for record label CEOs ... They're in their last moments of death and I'm happy to see them go 'cause they're all thieves and liars.
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COMMENT | WOW posted by : NikkiBlack 7/14/2009 11:31:41 AM
...this man is up his own arse....funny how he can be seen on a couple of kiss related videos/dvds kissing KISS's & Genes ass & saying what a influence they are on him.
Sorry Trent you'll never amount to anything remotely close to KISS and thier accomplishments.
COMMENT | Hack posted by : Morgagne 7/14/2009 11:33:42 AM
"Metal" Morgagne says Trent Reznor is a middle aged clown who dresses like a woman to entertain kids
COMMENT | posted by : booch 7/14/2009 11:35:06 AM
nice
COMMENT | Like him or hate him............ posted by : JJJB 7/14/2009 11:37:23 AM
Gene Simmons = Legend
Trent Reznor is and was a joke.
His music sucks as well.
COMMENT | Hey Trent........ posted by : Neil Young's Cocaine Booger 7/14/2009 11:37:48 AM
release the Tapeworm CD now.
COMMENT | NikkiBlack posted by : Neil Young's Cocaine Booger 7/14/2009 11:40:14 AM
That's because NIN is a band and KI$$ is an informercial.
Buy 2 KI$$ Coffins in the next 5 minutes and we'll throw in a box of KI$$ tampons for no additional charge.
ORDER NOW!!!!!!!
COMMENT | Simmons is the rock "Bozo" posted by : borikeepsbanningme 7/14/2009 11:49:15 AM
And you sheep are buying his bit and everything that has a KISS logo on it. Trent is trying to open your eyes but they're sewn shut with Kiss threads and needles. Too bad you have to resort to hating on true expression because you can't understand anything deeper than "Love Gun". You're one dimensional.
COMMENT | Case in point... posted by : borikeepsbanningme 7/14/2009 11:50:43 AM
Fucktheworld420 aka downsuck420. 1d stoner...
COMMENT | posted by : rufus_creampie 7/14/2009 11:55:23 AM
downsuck420:
"my mom lol listens to kiss lol she bought me a cd of thers when i was five lol"
COMMENT | posted by : rufus_creampie 7/14/2009 11:56:49 AM
BTW:
Tapeworm will never be released, it's sealed in the coffin. Enjoy that track on eMotive.
lol kiss used to be cool. Trent is accomplishing lots of cool shit on the net and in the new wave of technology. Gene does what he does best. Milking cow for lots of money.
COMMENT | posted by : Ballzworth 7/14/2009 12:01:38 PM
that's about all the respect Gene Simmons deserves. He's worse than Ozzy. Heavy Metal has never looked so pathetic.
COMMENT | posted by : rufus_creampie 7/14/2009 12:02:02 PM
I don't think you're full of shit. I believe every word you say. I just think you're retarded.
apparently no one actually read the article, just the fact that TR ragged Gene out. He was just using him as an example of what a beyond middle aged dickhead who squeezes into that same old gear year after year looks like an asshole and he doesn't want to end up "that guy". Gene has become "that guy", and has been for a very long time; unfortunately for Gene, he doesn't seem to understand that fact and has, and will continue to carry on this ridiculous spectacle regardless of how much is tap dances all over what last shreds of integrity he has left. He is purely a joke, and once you're a joke(ie:Fred Durst), there's no returning.
Now if you read the entire article, you would've seen that TR made some pretty relevant points about the state of the music industry and that the article in whole had nothing to do with Gene's tired ass.
COMMENT | posted by : rufus_creampie 7/14/2009 12:07:00 PM
I download the fuck out of everything. If it's available on vinyl and I like it then I buy it. If it's only on CD then tough shit, I'm not paying fifteen dollars for a plastic disc with tiny ass artwork. I'll go to your shows and buy a shirt but CD's are useless to me.
Trent is basically doing the same thing as what Simmons is doing: Entertaining Kids but Trent is dressing up as an emo
COMMENT | NikkiBlack posted by : BSlash24 7/14/2009 12:16:20 PM
name some of Gene & KiSS' accomplishments that are greater than NIN's? I'm not even much a NIN fan, but beyond selling KiSS Nailpolish remover & KiSS mosquito repelant, what are his great accomplishments, creatively. Don't tell me sales...as stated, I'm not a big NIN fan, but I respect a guy like that, that is at least considering that he might get creatively swallowed up if he continues as he currently is, even if it is commercially or financially successful. This is what I like from artists. the effort to be creative at least.
Gene will have a weak rebuttal, talking behind his big wallet, saying no rock musician does it for the sake of music, only for $$. He's dead wrong. Or he'll say "no one wants to see guys in Jeans & T shirts playing on stage, its boring". again, no its not. Not if the music kicks a$$....
I like some early KiSS, but Gene is everything that is wrong with the industry now, these old rock fossils that are milking every cent from their fans, most of them licking his monster boots.
Trent may have been influenced as a kid, but he is stating now he doesn't want to be come some fat sad old man in clown makeup selling complete & utter junk with the band logo on it, so some 45 year old adult man getting married at a Kiss convention in KiSS plastic pointy ears will be purchasing every last piece of trash for his collection, as Gene rides in a $300K car to the bank....anybody making music for music sake is accomplishing more than KiSS at this point. Alive! is 35 years ago. The semi creative days of Gene are LONG over.
It's about time someone in the music business tells it like it is. The fans of Kiss are children who are impressed by fake blood and cheesy pyrotechnics. Kiss is a tired 70's glam rock band that should stick to their "Farewell Tour" promises and hang it up for good. That way they could concentrate on what Kiss is really all about. Developing shitty Kiss merchandise for their idiot fans to buy.
COMMENT | Best Buy where you go to buy a washing machine and there's a tiny rack of DVDs and CDs posted by : shattered73 7/14/2009 12:19:28 PM
I say that's an appropriate venue to buy Nine Inch Nails music, since to me their 'music' always sounded like someone threw a pair of roller skates in a washing machine and turned it on.
KISS - love em or hate em - despite all their merchendise, could always write good, catchy, hooky pop rock songs that people have, do, and will enjoy for years to come. NIN is noise for little emo kids to annoy their parents with.
COMMENT | J-House... posted by : Sonic Titan 7/14/2009 12:23:30 PM
you might be the only one n here today who can read a posted interview and comprehend what's being said. Blabbermouth often titles the threads in a way as to get attention. No problem with that there. The problem starts when the brain dead morons read the title and don't bother to read the thread. Or they do read the thread and have no clue what's being said. Fucking idiots the lot of you are.
COMMENT | 420 posted by : Skanna 7/14/2009 12:26:40 PM
how nice that you were shooting guns at 4, that's reassuring to know.
it's not cool to say fuck every 3rd word either. every 3rd sentence, maybe.
COMMENT | Trent= pure artist posted by : BOTTLESLAP 7/14/2009 12:27:51 PM
Gene= $$$ grubbin' krusty the klown
COMMENT | posted by : Mingleton 7/14/2009 12:27:54 PM
downsucks420, you're an idiot.
COMMENT | posted by : Sonic Titan 7/14/2009 12:29:13 PM
...and. I agree 100% with Reznor on the record industry. Artists > Ceo's
COMMENT | Trent is brilliant and still relevant posted by : And Then There Were None 7/14/2009 12:31:28 PM
while Gene is a tired, old hack with possibly the worst wig in show business.
Gene does know how to make money, and he's making it off all the suckers buying stupid and useless Kiss-branded merchandise.
that's what Gene is: a shrewd merchandising expert who knows how to suck money from Middle America for crappy products that have nothing to do with creativity, let alone music.
have a nice day.
COMMENT | <> posted by : Platypus 7/14/2009 12:33:31 PM
Fuck NIN,Gene Simmons were playing stadiums when this guy still needed someone to wipe his ass.
COMMENT | Artists do all the work...? posted by : deflepplin 7/14/2009 12:38:27 PM
Hmmm, last time I checked, there are thousands of people who work their asses off for the music biz. I'd like to see some big artist create their own concert hall, sell all their own tickets, do all their own stage setup, provide their own security, bring their own damn whiskey and M&Ms and caviar and what-not, design, print and sell their own t-shirts, hand package and ship all of their cds, record their own music without a producer/engineer....ect ect...
Gawd these aholes really think they are sooooo important, "ooohhhh, look at me, I wrote a song...I'm changing the world, I'm so cultured and tortured and cool and you are all sheep..." bla bla bla. FOR FUCK SAKE WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. YES, thank you for making some decent music to listen to while I'm in my car or whatever, but when you start thinking everything is about you and your fucking art, you can FOAD you pretentious asshole.
COMMENT | Sonic Titan posted by : J-House 7/14/2009 12:38:55 PM
dig the name. Sleep >>>>>>>>>>>>>> KISS
COMMENT | Well.... posted by : twdavis13 7/14/2009 12:41:46 PM
First of Trent= BULLSHIT FUCKING NOTHING
He came from a shit, nobody hicktown (I know so, because I live in the same town), He's from Mercer, Pa, and I'll tell you up front, he came back a few years back and I met hime, and he is a mega-tool. And everybody thinks Gene is bad?? PFFGGHH!! He is the biggest asshole on the planet, got here, and acted like he couldn't stand to be here for mor ethan 5 seconds because he's "STAR" status now. Bullshit. He is a tool and a hack and will never amount to what Gene has, like it or not. Gene may be a moneyhungry fuck by now, but at least he has the decency to give an all-expenses paid trip to a poor boy who is dying of leukemia, what has Trent done???
Oh and for the people that agree with asshole Reznor's comments, what about the non-makeup era?? Were they makeup wearing freaks then?? Because they seemed to get by very well on their musicianship. What about KISS Unplugged?? It's a perfect kick in the balls for you dickheads who can't recognize what KISS has accomplished. You're all probaably a bunch of virgins sitting at home in your mom's basement whacking off to porn anyway.
BTW, as for KISS not being musically talented, they are no less musically talented than ACDC an if they hadnt worn the makeup they would destroy ACDC.
Bassist=Gene Simmons owns Cliff Williams' ass anyday. Guitarist=Ace Frehley, when he could see five feet in front of him. Rhythm Guitar=Paul, who the fuck cares about Malcom Young?? Drums=Phil Rudd isnt up to par with Peter Criss when Peter could see his hands.
trent reznor is not talking shit about kiss goddamnit, all he is saying is that its sad that gene has to do that to get paid because after time the image became them. thats why trent says he has to stop this and find a way to evolve out of that whole image surrounding downward spiral, and at the same time make a living. he wants to push forward, what is wrong with that? you fucking dumb fucks
COMMENT | downsucks420 posted by : rufus_creampie 7/14/2009 1:02:42 PM
aren't you the same guy that was knocking Faith No More because your mom bought you The Real Thing because it had a War Pigs cover and then you whined because Patton was rapping?
you fucking cheesedick
COMMENT | posted by : Afredo 7/14/2009 1:03:27 PM
I fail to see how a dude with emo hair who talks in a monotone voice over a beatbox and calls it music thinks he is in a position to make fun of a metal legend.
COMMENT | twdavis posted by : BSlash24 7/14/2009 1:07:10 PM
Trent/NIN might be a joke to some, but whether or not his music sux, he's speaking the total truth. We as fans can call crap when we see it, & most of us have done less musically than trent. I'm not a Trent fan. Henry Rollins calls it like it is too, and his music is terrible, but I like some of his opinions on music. He comes with a bit of background & thought on a subject.
Forget Trent, he can be a complete pompous twit that overrates his own significance. you ask some respected legit rock musicians and they'll say the same about gene & kiSS. They have. Its been 30 years since they've done anything remotely creative. THey're 70's stuff was fun, catchy, but it always had a kiddy element to it.
The non makeup talent, KiSS non makeup years might be some of the worst rock music ever. Had that been their total output, from Lick it up to....whatever piece of crap they last put out, we're talking some of the worst rubbish in rock history. heaven's on fire, tears are falling, crazy crazy crazy zany nights, Uh all night, X in Sex. Staggeringly bad. All Desmond Child pollution. They were a trainwreck, followers, with sad "gunslingers" on guitar, just a complete cliche, looking like posers. The songs mind numbingly bad. Out to destroy rock. Paul loving the chance to really let his feminine side out.
finally, KiSS & Ac/Dc, you gotta be kidding. While Ac/Dc is straight forward, Gene is a painfully basic bassist. Yes, he spits blood. Is it the fire breathing that makes him good in your eyes....I love Ace, but Angus would school him. They are from the same school of rock too, so you can make that comparison, Angus has more vocabulary, & better technique. I am probably more an Ace fan too, but....and Ac/Dc writes(wrote) with a hell of alot more edge, the Let there be Rock album alone with melt any KiSS LP. Of course that is subjective.
As far as living & jerking off in the parent's cellar, I always got the impression the sterotype was more the nerdy KiSS fan that fit that bill. Getting Christened by Vinnie Vincent while wearing Gene makeup at a KiSS Convention, all done up in their KiSS pointy ears, yelling "live long & prosper", wearing their Paul Stanley autographed panties in Mom's basement, hand a blur while gazing lovingly at the StarChild dressed as Bea Arthur in the "Shandi" video. Sleeping in their KiSS sleeping bag, holding their KiSS Dolls. Finishing all over their KiSS pillow case, cleaning the mess with KiSS fabric cleaner & KiSS Keanex.
COMMENT | Neil Young's Cocaine Booger posted by : LordofSalem 7/14/2009 1:09:19 PM
I agree. I'm surprised Simmons hasn't changed the name of KISS to KISS Inc.
Trent seems to actually give 2 shits about the music, while Simmons seems to only care about what everyday product he can stick the KISS name on.
COMMENT | the NIN gimmick posted by : jondazzle 7/14/2009 1:10:18 PM
Is that NIN is "genuine?"
was that the point, Trent?
I love how bands/artists try to sell themselves as Genuine (capitalized, of course), and in order to prove that, who do they parade out? Yup, you guessed it, Gene Simmons! (canned sitcom applause, no one seen that coming)
Like Groundhog's Day, whenever it's time to update one's "credibility," let's slag Gene, because by distracting people from our product (and music is a product in this case), people will feel better about buying stuff with the (your band name here).
COMMENT | NIN is booooooooooooooooooooooooooo-riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing posted by : Angry Johnny 7/14/2009 1:15:11 PM
Trent is still reading the media press releases from the early 90's when dressing gay/goth and programming a drum machine was some kind of "exciting new ground to cover".
This whole "Industrial" style is such a snore-fest. I'm not saying that there's not a HALF A DOZEN GOOD SONGS that Trent has managed to scrape out of his virtually talentless hack-hood . . . but he's got absolutely no fucking business trying to step on ANY OTHER BAND'S TOES.
I would rather NEVER put out an album then live a day as Trent Reznor.
COMMENT | posted by : hookinmouth 7/14/2009 1:36:08 PM
they shoud shut down the internet, turn off the power button and make it no longer available...
this way we could go back to the cd shops and save the careers of so many wonderful artists by giving them and their record companies our money
if they had did it in time they could have even saved lives like micheal jackson's
I'm pretty sure gene simmons would like the idea of put an ending in this bad joke they call internet, he would cash in extra money from cd sales that aren't going so well lately
that's why I say: make gene happy, kill internet now!
Don't let this self pretentious prick who thinks he can just bust any ones balls because his music career is failing get you all worked up. that's what he wants, NIN and Kiss are 2 different animals. You can't compare the 2. Look at it this way, if you had the resources to do what Kiss did, I'm sure you all would have done the same. They've built and empire, not because they suck, because they could and fans made it happen. So blame the fans for helping Kiss become an infomercial. Sure, sometimes I think Kiss is a littel excessive, but it's not affecting my life, their freaking legends man! As for Trent the Doosh, he needs to take his PMS meds and quit talking shit about every one, like he's some all knowing wizard, sure I like NIN, I think they rock. But NIN is a band, Trent's not up there all by himself like he thinks he is. Why make an ass out of your self when your shits falling apart. Sick of every one posting his dumb assed bullshit! lol
COMMENT | I'm a huge KISS fan! posted by : AnthonyLynch 7/14/2009 1:48:23 PM
So, yesterday, while I was waiting for the bus, I was listening to The Slip, I was trying to get into it, I've never really gotten into NIN, and everythng was going ok...
Then, I woke up this morning, and I read the above interview, and I'm like, Trent, you really don't know what you're talking about. You've sold a few albums and even had to give one away.
Maybe you are, jealous. What could be more threatening to Trent Reznor's angst than a good time at KISS concert and BRAND SPANKING NEW KISS ALBUM! Have some coffee Trent, take a Prozac, buy the new KISS album and go see KISS on tour, twice, you can afford it!
COMMENT | posted by : abigllama 7/14/2009 1:50:03 PM
"I've been listening to metal since I was like 3 and a half or some shit."
The Donald Duck sing along on your fisher price was brutal but it's not metal.
Anyway I saw NIN this summer for the first time, and Trent really is "that guy". He does his thing, pretends to get angry, knocks over a keyboard, the kids go crazy, another guy runs out and sets it back up, then Trent does it again a couple songs later.
Knock over keyboards or put on make-up it's the same redundant shtick crap that people expect you and you feed them.
COMMENT | posted by : Biki 7/14/2009 1:51:32 PM
But trent, SO DO YOU!!!
COMMENT | at least kiss is entertaining. posted by : megal0maniac 7/14/2009 1:53:49 PM
NIN is depressing modern crap rock/dance drivel performed by metrosexual looking dudes !
COMMENT | BIG news posted by : Selma 7/14/2009 1:56:23 PM
;-)
COMMENT | A little depth please posted by : headshrink 7/14/2009 2:01:24 PM
I didn't see Johnny Cash in a hurry to cover any Kiss tunes.
COMMENT | respect? posted by : BSlash24 7/14/2009 2:11:18 PM
again, I think Trent isnt' what he thinks he is, and someone mentioned he does the same act each night, knocking over his keyboard, etc, sort of fake angst. That too is lame, but he's admitting he doesn't want to get in a rut....what's there to respect or pay respect, to KiSS? I'll give them their legacy, they were 70's giants, quite a spectacle. But they are doing everything possible to cremate their legacy, but they have die hard fans that they could defecate on & they'd still say "KiSS rules"....its all about $$, non musical product. its been 30 YEARS since they've even attempted doing anything good....
I agree with Trent, if I were a relatively successful rock musician, they are the blueprint I'd want to stay clear of. KiSS is simply a business, Gene a business man. He'll tell you himself. I can't listen & rock to business or earnings. I don't care about KiSS Propane tanks. Spare me the KiSS Cordless Extension Cords. Keep your KiSS Wine stoppers. Rock me.
COMMENT | I actually feel stupider by having read this thread posted by : mcman71 7/14/2009 2:15:12 PM
1. Reading the posts on this thread is kind of like listening to a bunch of retards rambling, whether its at the Special Olympics or in Congress. (apoligies to anyone with Down's syndrome that is not currently a Congressman). What does this thread have anything to do with Guns 'n Roses or whether Vinnie Paul is assfucking Phil Anselmo? BTW, this 420 dude is the probably the funniest poster I have ever read. I have a hard time believing that subhumans like you actually exist. But then George W. Bush was elected twice.
2. Trent Reznor is a whining little bitch. The only thing he got right in that whole post is that the record companie's front money to bands in order to record, and then expect to be paid back. News fash: to make a record, make cd's, promote it and everything else costs MONEY. It costs a hell of a lot more money then most bands have. That's why the record companies are there. Oh, and they deserve to make a profit, most of it in fact, because they are the ones that ensures that your music gets heard? Where would you be today if TVT records had told you to go fuck yourself years ago? Where would you be if TVT didn't front you the money to go on Lollapalooza all those years ago? And did you repay them? By fucking them over? Because you wanted to be James Dean? Well, James Dean is a studio creation that never existed. The actor who went by that name was as much of a clown enteraining children as Gene Simmons, Robin Williams, Angus Young and you Trent. You are an entertainer, a clown, a Fool performing for the King. You have cured no diseases , prevented no wars, helped no children. Get over yourself and make music.
COMMENT | posted by : Thurteen 7/14/2009 2:19:01 PM
KIDS MY ASS
HE PLAYS FOR MIDDLE AGED VIRGINS
COMMENT | posted by : rufus_creampie 7/14/2009 2:22:10 PM
Steve Albini was saying all of this about record companies 20 years ago.
COMMENT | deflepplin posted by : o2w4e 7/14/2009 2:26:50 PM
Well said! I was thinking the same thing!
COMMENT | mcman71 posted by : The Return of Adam West 7/14/2009 2:35:12 PM
"You are an entertainer, a clown, a Fool performing for the King. You have cured no diseases , prevented no wars, helped no children. Get over yourself and make music."
I think entertainers are as needed as people who cure diseases, prevent wars and help children (which by the way, for the last 2... check out what Marley did for Jamaica... and for the first one... investigate what Stanley Jordan does with music therapy, you'll be surprised). I feel your comment is a little demeaning towards entertainers in general, as if we were less important than doctors or politicians... they need us as much as we need them. I played Batman, I know what I'm talking about.
The sad part is, people is forgetting how important entertainers are, and want to be entertained for free, but that's another story...
Anyways, back to the subject... I think Reznor IS Gene Simmons. He is equally a clown, indeed... but artists are prima donnas, thats what they do... bitch, complain, and create... not necessarily in this particular order... Whatever.
To be honest, I wouldn't really care if Trent OR Gene fell off the face of the earth.
I like Kiss, and I love how Gene does play bass, it isn't that bad. But the simple truth of the matter that Kiss' reunion tour, Psycho Circus, and Farewell tours CLEARLY state how Kiss lost the plot. Paul and Gene should have continued on with Eric Singer and Bruce Kulick after the unplugged concert, toured for Carnival of Souls, and just keep making new music.
To this day I have no idea as to why Kiss decided to continue to tour after the farewell shows or even put out a new album out after Alive IV Symphony. Kiss could have done what they're planning now instead of just touring for over a decade without any new material.
Hopefully the new album will be good and will silence the naysayers, and hopefully there will be another album AFTER that one.
Trent Reznor on the other hand IS a fake from the start. NIN is just a blatent carbon copy of Ministry. Reznor just tapped into the angst of teenagers of the 90's who were still 'mouring' the death of Kurt Cobain and Trent made millions off of it. In this decade all Reznor's done was just make songs against G.W. Bush and Republicans in hopes to promote the liberal/democratic cause and STILL people eat his shit up.
Not to mention T.R. is mainly responsible for "discovering" Marylin Manson...
In the end, Both Gene and Trent aren't really worth the adulation that they think they deserve. Sure Gene may do something nice and humanitarian once and a while, but what has Trent done that is even worth mentioning?
COMMENT | KISS & NIN posted by : RiotAct666 7/14/2009 2:48:20 PM
Are both great bands who make good music. i'll leave it as that.
COMMENT | defleppin posted by : vanbasten6247 7/14/2009 2:52:37 PM
100% agree with you. I don't believe in that what some musicians said "we do all the work". I've been involved in the music business in diverse ways, and eventhough I agree that some major music labels have suck the blood of some artists like leaches, it's also true that without their support (more doing it more honestly or considering more the artists than others) they will never got out from their garage when they used to rehearsal or playing dirty/filthy clubs for 200 $ the gig. The are partnerships, and there are pacts with the devil, where they own your soul and everything you create. There must be a winning - winning solution, where everybody is happy. It's a filthy business, infested with sharks (less in these days, but still), but if ou make the right choices (get a good lawyer to advice you all the way, per example). Anyway, artists (musicians in this case) don't do all the work like T.R. says, maybe he does a lot since his music is mostly computer created and he can be able to do a lot of stuff on his own (produce, mix, record, artwork, whatever...), but is not the general situation.
COMMENT | Majorgeek posted by : BSlash24 7/14/2009 3:04:43 PM
you trash Johnny Cash, a real mccoy, while you sit & spin listening to the Crazy Crazy Nights Cassette all day. Kiss was good fun in 1976, but not alot of depth...Kiss in the 70's was like a Gateway drug, easy to digest, the stepping stone to the bands you can really sink your teeth into....knocking real legends while you sing the praises of Jill St. John's guitar tapping on "tears are fallin" comes off....you can fill in your adjective.
008, NIN is a fake to start, if that's the case, then KiSS must have been a complete fraud. Do your homework. KiSS was ripping off EVERYONE, including the makeup/shock bit. Alice Cooper, the Crazy World of Arthur Brown(had Gene's exact makeup in late 60's), Bowie, NY DOlls, should all sue KiSS. Musically they were ripping off....you name it. I don't like NIN, but if we're talking fakes, or originality, they are more original. KiSS just took all those elements, watered them down & served them up to preteens all over. I too ate it up. Then realized I wanted the real thing. Again, they were the simple stepping stone....and Gene's bass playing is beyond minimal. He holds that one disco note real well at the beginning of "I was made for lovin' you". Gene's a business man 1st, family guy second, makeup artist 3rd, fire breather 4th, blood spitter 5th....somewhere way down on that list is musician.
COMMENT | posted by : pigchop 7/14/2009 3:06:05 PM
we paved every road with gold did it all for every randy dandy ain't no looking back on tomorrow no lead lined thruway today
COMMENT | Majorgeek posted by : 008 7/14/2009 3:10:14 PM
Everyone knows Kiss borrowed whatever they could from The Beatles to Alice Cooper and even the hair metal bands from 85-93. It just wasn't worth mentioning or even repeating.
COMMENT | posted by : rob1980 7/14/2009 3:19:01 PM
KISS is a waste of my time.
So is NIN, actually. Not that I think he's wrong in this interview about Gene Simmons or the music industry, because I agree with him 100%. His music just does nothing for me.
the fact of the matter is GENE SIMMONS love him or hate is a workaholic who likes to work and get paid, work means, KIS live, comics , reality shows, merchandising...the guy likes to work period and you can not hold that against him because his "brand" is one of the most successful in the industry, remember kiss never represented the bands who were after critical acclaim, they were the polar opposite to that and represent excess in all forms and fun. Trent is an aging bitter goth trying to justify himself in public and props himself off by slagging other artists recently when hes become a parody of a thick necked jock....watch for the NIN reunion in 5 years...hes working to Gene's model all along the only difference is gene is blatant while trent needs street cred to survive - his catalogue is definitely worth a listen but his mouth is just talking bollocks get back on the drugs trent you were far more interesting then
COMMENT | BSlash24 posted by : JRSPON 7/14/2009 3:26:48 PM
You and i have been on here for a long time and i respect your posts, but i dont understand this one, if that is the case i can be sued for wearing cloths because they wore cloths in the 70's, or i can be sued for brushing my teeth because they did that in the 70's, because kiss does the make up thing doesnt meen they copied any one, they play guitar but they arent copying anyone, any ways, peace dude,
COMMENT | Anyone who actually thinks... posted by : tenhundredchicago 7/14/2009 3:27:51 PM
...that Gene Simmons has more credibility than Trent Reznor at this point needs to take a step back and take a close look at each of their respective careers.
Jesus...Ace Frehley has more credibility than Gene Simmons at this point.
COMMENT | abigllama posted by : Billy Oxygen 7/14/2009 3:28:45 PM
I'm guessing the sing-a-longs still happen to this day...just before nap time.
COMMENT | NIN is Music for Emo kids? posted by : wmbatteryguy 7/14/2009 3:30:04 PM
This band has been in the limelight since before the term "Emo" was even coined.Gene was the man for awhile and so was Trent back in the 90's.Hell in 20 years we will have Chester Bennington being quoted on here for some shit just like this.Gene needs to retire and Trent needs to take a look at Jourgensen and bow out while he's ahead.
oh and i saw KISS recently and the concert was fantastic...nuff said for aging old men in make up...remember "entertainment business" not "boring goth electronic MINISTRY rip off business"....and trent has worn enough make up to clasify as "clown" on his work permit :)
COMMENT | posted by : bigborman 7/14/2009 3:33:35 PM
FUCK YOU TRENT REZNOR
COMMENT | JSPRON posted by : BSlash24 7/14/2009 3:38:13 PM
I was just exaggerating a bit to make my point that KiSS was stealing in the day....I actually don't like when people sue. So strike that from that post. I went too far. Sue me(is this thing on?)....I agree, Ace does & always had more credibility. I got the feeling he was at least about music, even through a space haze.
I will say, Payola, that is what I DO hold against Gene. His being a workaholic, a consomate business man, looking for the next $$ 24/7 disgusts me. They are a rock band, music should be #1. I guess that's why KiSS lost me in 1979 as a tyke....and there were many better replacements.
anytime you are offering fans KiSS toilet brushes, KiSS Pool Liners, & KiSS industrial fans, then reaching out to Desmond CHild for song writing help, you are completely about making a buck, not making music. Wasn't that the point? To listen to the music, both studio & live. Are you into Gene's other products, are you into KiSS because they sell a mean Electrical Fuse?...this is the point TR is making, whether he isn't good or not is moot.
COMMENT | whatever posted by : rando 7/14/2009 3:52:07 PM
Personally, I would rather be a clown entertaining children than a neurotic loner entertaining suicidal teenagers. Nevermind that Kiss has created far better music and way better concerts. This guy, his "music", and the entire trend he represents are a big part of why most music sucks these days.
COMMENT | good point posted by : BSlash24 7/14/2009 3:58:39 PM
Rando McNally makes a good point as well. I've seen both bands, thoroughly liked KiSS better. Saw NIN on first Lollapolooza, that was decent, then got drag a couple years ago, a snoozefest. Just a wall of industrial noise, that NIN. a rare show that I just wanted to go. Very robotic, souless show...but then again, that is KiSS now too, I'd have more respect w/out selling Thayer as Ace, and mixing up the set list.
COMMENT | BSlash24 posted by : JRSPON 7/14/2009 4:02:14 PM
Great point, Gene goes over the edge with his mouth, i am probably a Kiss fan because still to this day, again this is my opinion they put on one of the best live concerts to this day, i dont buy any of their shit , but i will pay to see them, even with this line up, but i will also pay to see Ace on his own, and i musrt say he put on a good show on his lasy vebture, but Paul;s solo was one of the best shows that i have ever seen, i was at the Orlando show and it was amazing, on the other hand i wouldnt pay to see Gene if he did a solo tour, ant ways, take care, you and i are about the last two of the originals here,
COMMENT | posted by : JRSPON 7/14/2009 4:03:33 PM
I am doing this in between customers, i miss spelled every thing!!!!
COMMENT | Space Ace -JPSPRON posted by : BSlash24 7/14/2009 4:07:40 PM
Ace to me is the man, in KiSS. I saw him in a club the year before the reunion tour & it was fantasic, loud as ALL hell, beyond loud but i loved it. Right up near the stage, he appreciated the audience, good fun with a beer or 7. I didn't see Ace on his last Vebture, or Venture, but would gladly see him again...and peace to you! I respect your opinion, cuz that's what it all is.
Ace separated himself from KiSS on that Late Night with Tom Snyder show, in 79. He was a riot, R&R attitude, Gene & Paul were humorless bores.
COMMENT | JSPRON posted by : BSlash24 7/14/2009 4:09:02 PM
are you a male prostitute? If so, I don't think anyone will hold the spelling mistakes against you. Maybe you're a blacksmith?
COMMENT | PS posted by : BSlash24 7/14/2009 4:11:21 PM
who's to say you're male. I shouldn't assume....there was a guy that sold RV's out here, maybe that's you. KiSS RVs?
COMMENT | PPS posted by : BSlash24 7/14/2009 4:12:57 PM
you mispelled miss spelled! you must have lots of customers today. least you're workin'!
COMMENT | posted by : JRSPON 7/14/2009 4:26:18 PM
Good memory, i sell RV's, Pensacole Fl., its slow with this economy right now, see ya on the next one.
COMMENT | Trent's right (in a way)... posted by : kirneh001 7/14/2009 5:08:17 PM
Gene Simmons is a clown who puts on makeup... but it's not to entertain kids. It's to keep the fans' wallets wide open.
Gene has been lucky that most of his business decisions have worked out.
Would it still be successful if the Reunion had never happened? I have no idea. I would still buy the older stuff, and anything with good music on it (legally of course), but how many others would be like that?
Henrik
COMMENT | This is hilarious posted by : Get up and make it work 7/14/2009 5:09:08 PM
When your colleagues are laughing at you.
Never have been and never will be a NIN fan, but last I checked, they pull in a good sized crowd. $cab Ki$$ struggles to fill 1500 seat casinos, opens for Aerosmith, and now play state fairs and camp grounds. Mean Gene is really showing the "little boys how the big boys do it".
COMMENT | Get up and make it work posted by : JRSPON 7/14/2009 5:22:59 PM
Dude get your facts right - Kiss does not struggle to fill 1500 seats casinoes, they still sell an average amounts of tickets, the fair concert was not a fair, the arena is on the fair grounds, and look it uo and you will see that most good bands play there, it only make you sound like an idiot when you shoot off when you dont know what the hell you are saying,
COMMENT | posted by : violentdope 7/14/2009 5:30:34 PM
TRENT IZ A TRUE MUSICIAN.....GENE IZ A HACK AND SHOULD RETIRE OR BURRY HIM ALIVE IN A KI$$ CASKET!!!!
COMMENT | posted by : JRSPON 7/14/2009 5:32:20 PM
One more thing, 2004 Kiss tour, wasnt great on ticket selling but they sold more tickets on that tour than 95 % of the band mentioned on this site, and that is without having new music.
COMMENT | posted by : sharpskies 7/14/2009 5:37:38 PM
NIN>KISS, even though I concede the fact that NIN may not have ever been with out KISS.
all aspects considered, NIN > KISS.
that's my opinion. i don't care about yours, internet! ;) mwahahaha.
COMMENT | J-House... posted by : Sonic Titan 7/14/2009 5:49:49 PM
SLEEP! Someone got it. Finally! Holy Mountain and Dopesmoker = Heavy DOOM!
Hey JRSPON, long time no see! New Ace material in September baby!
COMMENT | a story of TWO OLD MEN!! Ozzy and Tony Iommi posted by : jvm138 7/14/2009 6:02:09 PM
here is Ozzy giving his TOP TEN REASONS why he is suing Tony Iommi!!!
...that Trent eats his own words and does the comeback tour years from now?
KISS ain't struggling to fill places either...a 15,000 seat sellout last night, 21,000 last weekend.
Gene's early basslines are better than given credit for. I love the McCartney-like bassline to "Goin' Blind" and tracks like "100,000 Years" certainly sport more than "one disco note"
While KISS bore influences that came before (namely Slade) Trent outright admits to ripping off Skinny Puppy and Throbbing Gristle and decorating it for a larger audience. He also cites KISS as an influence too and was slated to cover "Love Gun" for the KISS MY ASS cd.
While its typical for BBmouth to highlght the comment above in order to get people to come on and overreact, it seems Trent was trying to make a larger point about the music industry as a whole.
COMMENT | STFU.....Trent..... posted by : Rockin Ray 7/14/2009 6:25:41 PM
Sh%t band anyway.Cold Gin time again.)
COMMENT | So! posted by : BassGod73 7/14/2009 6:27:08 PM
You put on Mascara and Nylons for EXACTLY the same reasons you fucktaard!
COMMENT | hmmmm posted by : Prezz13 7/14/2009 6:39:03 PM
this guy is always bashing on other artist.
-billy corgan
-chris cornell
-gene simmons
Just to name a few. I wonder if there is any jealousy involved.
COMMENT | NIN VS. KISS IN HERE posted by : longsincedark 7/14/2009 6:40:00 PM
Dumbest fucking posts I have seen if you guys still worship the fake Kiss and Gene Simmons you need to seriously check your head.
COMMENT | Sonic Titan posted by : JRSPON 7/14/2009 6:46:21 PM
Hey brother, i am starting to see more of us old timers on here, hope all is well, BRING ON THE US DATES!!!!!!!!!
COMMENT | longsincedark posted by : JRSPON 7/14/2009 6:56:46 PM
This is not about worsiping a band, its about going to see a band (KISS) that brings it 110% every night , best rock live performance on the earth!!!!
COMMENT | silence is deafening posted by : snowy white 7/14/2009 6:58:35 PM
The only thing that Reznor is way off about is saying that Kiss is appealing to young people. Today's youth market doesn't care about Kiss and their older audience is only interested in the nostalgia factor Kiss brings live.
Their new record is gonna tank and during the up coming tour when Stanley says "Do ya wanna hear a new song!?!" the only thing you're gonna hear is a pin drop.
COMMENT | TRENT REZNOR Says GENE SIMMONS Is 'An Old Man Who Puts On Makeup To Entertain Kids' posted by : Scotts_Orange_Juice 7/14/2009 7:20:48 PM
Uh
....I knew that already.
COMMENT | Tell you what though posted by : Scotts_Orange_Juice 7/14/2009 7:22:16 PM
Trent is sure the shit talker ain't he....
COMMENT | . posted by : Blackenistheyend 7/14/2009 7:33:27 PM
If you like Kiss better than Nine Inch Nails you may be retarded
COMMENT | Sleep posted by : wmbatteryguy 7/14/2009 7:35:50 PM
Sleep's Holy Mountain,Vol.II,Jerusalem and Dopesmoker....Closest thing to Sabbath period.
COMMENT | wow he's clever posted by : simmons & stanley 7/14/2009 7:54:40 PM
gene's old and wears make-up. would have never known.kiss IS gonna be back,and those who dont think so arent fans anyway.
COMMENT | ... posted by : Raiders757 7/14/2009 8:48:50 PM
Damn Trent, my local Best Buy has over three rows dedicated to music. They even have more variety than the local FYE. My area also has several mom & pop music stores still surviving. I guess I'm rather lucky.
COMMENT | how exactly posted by : benstl 7/14/2009 8:52:01 PM
is trent reznor not just the same thing of a different generation
he wrote some great stripper music
sold a few records, wore chick make up and brooded
nin is and always was a barely talented group of musicians making keyboard drum dance songs
COMMENT | Majorgeek posted by : headshrink 7/14/2009 10:18:50 PM
Hey, It's not like I'm a huge Johnny Cash fan and no I haven't even seen much of "Walk The Line". the point I was trying to make is he was able to do wonders with one of Reznor's songs because it actually had some depth and substance. Look I get the whole good time Rock N' Roll thing but you think Kiss might have few songs of some depth by accident alone as long as they have been doing it. Someone earlier mentioned that they borrowed everything from Alice Cooper but even Alice who talks about it all being "showbiz" has some songs with some depth to them.
COMMENT | Platypus posted by : Neil Young's Cocaine Booger 7/15/2009 1:32:08 AM
Funny......because Mean Gene The Human ATM Machine needs someone to wipe his Geritol-guzzling ass these days!!!!!!
Trent's legacy is the slanted emo hair cut of 90% of rock bands today....thanks Trent, that was awesome dude!!!
COMMENT | sung in a gene simmons key posted by : dave imstayin' 7/15/2009 5:57:02 AM
"I look like 59 but charged you for nineteen"
LMFAO
COMMENT | Trent and the current state of music etc. posted by : zombiestompa 7/15/2009 9:03:45 AM
I think he had a lot of really valid points, let's not forget that Trent Reznor has made some spectacular music and not necessarily as part of NIN - It's easy to wax lyrical about what he said about Gene Simmons, but he didn't necessarily say anything that out of order. The music Industry is turning back toi the Dinosaurs in a genre that has often been defined by the oldies but driven forward by the new acts out there.
There are no new relevant acts that are driving the genre forward. Noone is making fresh new and interesting music. It's just the same regurgitated mess with a different name and a bunch of different Haircuts. Christ look at Papa Roach - the masters of changing their haircuts and following the trend.
Gene Simmons is representative of this logic, repackaging the same old crap and wringing all the potential out of it and discarding once the world's bored.
I think that Trent Reznor is one of the last artists to have actually wrenched the genre from where it was lulling at the beginning of the 90's and threw it kicking and screming into the 21st Century. Like it or not, he did a lot for the genre.
I'm not a fan of NIN per say, i like some of it, i'm not entirely convinced by sll of it but he did help forge the industrial scene along with Al jourgenson/Paul barker of Ministry. So let's not verbally slap the guy down for one of the cuff comment, which in all fairness wasn't too far off the mark.
Yes Gene Simmons is a legend, I've seen Kiss live, whatever, it was amazing but being a legend doesn't mean you can own the book their written in. He should write music for the new album, record it, tour it. Not decide what we listen to in the future as he has no understanding of the current music market.
Trent should also not be so bold as to believe that he isn't going to do more NIN tours as he'll run out of cash and go back on the road again as NIN.
To be fair, i've composed this post for next to no reason as nothing will change and cycle of Media spin will continue on and on relentlessly.
:)
COMMENT | KISS' classic music IS timeless... posted by : KISSOFF 2004 7/15/2009 9:30:14 AM
...and some Blabbergoof claiming otherwise can't change that fact. As someone who owns cds by both KISS and NIN, I find it funny (and predictable) that some want to come on here and generalize people in two seperate camps and in negative terms either way.
And why in the hell would anyone want KISS to record music with "depth" as opposed to the straight forward rock they have excelled at? I wouldn't ask that of AC/DC or Motorhead or any band that could give two shits about creating music with "deep meaning"
Kudos to Spaceman69 for his comments.
NP: Marillion "Script For A Jester's Tear"
COMMENT | zombiestompa posted by : KISSOFF 2004 7/15/2009 9:33:17 AM
Excellent post. Fair points and well said.
COMMENT | posted by : dave imstayin' 7/15/2009 9:57:53 AM
cant agree more on that one from the previous poster
its all a matter of time, everyone has to face it and yea, kiss were great back in the day. flamboyant makeup, pyros etc. corpse paint pioneers, the freshiest of the 70's, haha
whatever happened to gene summons, or gene gimmesomeofyours
he oughta admit he IS old. that'd at least make his awful greed more or less justified
LMAO
COMMENT | Coulda picked a better candidate to bash posted by : weallcamefromsomewhere 7/18/2009 10:40:09 PM
Lots of posts out there on this. Some with good points, some with bad points, and some with no relevance whatsoever.
Realistically, if KISS hadn't existed, rock may have gone another direction, and bands like NIN may not have ever been popular enough to be on the map. Of course, that's all just speculation.
The reality is, Gene Simmons still makes a lot of money based on the popularity KISS earned in the 70's. If he can do it, kudos to him! Trent Reznor doesn't want to be a Gene Simmons. Lucky for him, that will never happen. 30 years after the height of his popularity, very few people will remember who he is.
It's very easy to slam one of the most popular bands in history. It's not very easy to become one. I'm not a KISS fan. Yes, the music is one-dimensional. This may be a shock to the kids these days, but music is a form of entertainment. And as a form of entertainment, KISS had no rival. NIN has never had, nor ever will have that kind of impact.
So what is Reznor trying to do? Change the world through his music? He'll never have the impact KISS did. Is he trying to make lots of money? He'll never make as much as Gene Simmons has, and if that's his goal, he's quite the hypocrite. Is he trying to battle his own demons? If so, great. Hope it all works out for him, but that doesn't give him any credibility.
It's just too bad that rock music has evolved from music to make you feel good to music that screams "hey, this guy's life didn't turn out to be a fairy tale either! This music speaks to me, and so they must be the best band ever!"
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