News

Gene Simmons: Fans are to blame for death of the music industry

12:08 p.m. · June 17, 2008 · by Nick Neyland

A grumpy Gene Simmons slammed music fans during a press conference at the Download Festival this weekend. Simmons, who seems blissfully unaware what the “Download” in “Download Festival” means, announced that the band wouldn’t be releasing any new material until fans stopped sharing music for free online.

"The record industry is dead," says the long-tongued KISS bassist. "It's six feet underground and unfortunately the fans have done this. They've decided to download and file-share. There is no record industry around so we're going to wait until everybody settles down and becomes civilized. As soon as the record industry pops its head up we'll record new material."

Unfortunately the dollar signs in Simmons’ eyes have prevented him from seeing that people are more likely to purchase a KISScoffin than a new album from the band. Singer Paul Stanley at least acknowledges that KISS is a nostalgia act, saying: “With any classic band that hits the road, the last thing you want to hear is their new songs. But we don't go away. We're like herpes."

Highlights from the press conference follow in this YouTube clip. Among the many highlights is this quip from Stanley on the band’s penchant for outré merchandising: “Between the condoms and the coffins we’d get you coming or going.” [NME]