Gene Simmons slams Rolling Stones and U2 for 'dishonesty'

Sunday World



Gene Simmons has accused U2 and Rolling Stones of relying heavily on backing tracks at their gigs.

The Kiss rocker believes the iconic bands are being dishonest to their fans by using pre-recorded content when they perform, and thinks it is unfair to charge high ticket prices if shows aren't entirely live.

He ranted: "I have a problem when you charge $100 to see a live show and the artist uses backing tracks.

"You're paying $100 - 30 to 50 per cent of the show is (on) backing tracks and they'll sing sometimes, sometimes they'll lip-synch. At least be honest.

"It's not about backing tracks, it's about dishonesty.

"There's nobody with a synthesiser on our stage ... no samples on the drums, there's nothing. There's very few bands who do that now - AC/DC, Metallica, us. I can't even say that about U2 or the (Rolling) Stones. There's very few bands who don't use (backing) tracks."

Despite slamming the use of synthesisers and backing tracks, the 65-year-old star went on to gush about 'Applause' hitmaker Lady Gaga, who he thinks should ditch pop music to make a rock record because she has such a great voice.

He told News.com.au: "Lady Gaga I like. She's the real deal. She's come to our shows. What she's done with Tony Bennett shows that, above the backing tracks and dancers from Las Vegas on poles, she can really sing.

"I'd like to see Gaga come out with a real rock band and do a rock record. She is the real deal, unlike all the others. She can do what Madonna can't - she can sing."


http://www.sundayworld.com/entertainment/music/gene-simmons-slams-rolling-stones-and-u2-for-dishonesty

Not true. IMO

I saw two consecutive nights of the Voodoo Lounge tour (Toronto CNE Stadium, 1994), peering through binoculars.  There were times in the ballad section when guitar noises were heard while Keith and Ronnie were lolling with their hands far away from the fretboards.  Seeing that the first night made one look for it the second night - and find it one did.

I've been sensitive to that happening ever since, and using binoculars I've caught them several times when they couldn't possibly be playing what I was hearing, and also when playing something else on top of what I was hearing.

In contrast, I saw the No Security tour from the 16th row floor at Pittsburgh's Mellon Arena 1n 1999, and the stripped-down version of the band seemed more believable, though I have to wonder about Out of Control and even the rave-up on Some Girls.

Always keep an eye on the fretboards - which I used to do for pleasure, but has since become a duty.

Backing percussion track on "Sympathy." That's it, as far as I know.

... and I hear some "spooky" effects during "Doom and Gloom," but I seriously doubt that's what he's talking about (if he even knows).

Yeah i really doubt they use a track for anything other than sympathy. But maybe they're hiding Blondie backstage.

there's a band under the stage

mojoman wrote on Mar 26^th, 2015 at 10:25am:

there's a band under the stage

Not far from that...but wasn't Blondie and co playing behind the stage at times?
otherwise the drum tracks SFTD is the only pre-recorded that i am aware of.

This comes as funny to me as Simmons and CO did quite the opposite with the release of Alive II...as they were IN THE STUDIO with multiple takes performing live with the audience added in on many of the tracks...as well as using sound checks with audience added in.

Gene who?

Precisely….

Paranoid Android wrote on Mar 26^th, 2015 at 10:48am:

mojoman wrote on Mar 26th, 2015 at 10:25am: there's a band under the stage Not far from that...but wasn't Blondie and co playing behind the stage at times? otherwise the drum tracks SFTD is the only pre-recorded that i am aware of. This comes as funny to me as Simmons and CO did quite the opposite with the release of Alive II...as they were IN THE STUDIO with multiple takes performing live with the audience added in on many of the tracks...as well as using sound checks with audience added in.

"The band's under stage and it's one of those nights, oh yea!"

Hey Gene...welcome back.... fyi...no one missed you...now fuck off again

he suspects!!!!
I know for a fact Gene is an asshole… and his band sucks...

Stu Played Backstage Right

Kilroy wrote on Mar 26^th, 2015 at 10:23pm:

Stu Played Backstage Right

Stu is accompaniment...not a backing pre-recorded track...

Oh...hey Gene...BTW...Of all the times  i have seen KISS...I never saw a string  orchestra on stage during Peter Criss' (Kiss' only mega-single) BETH...somehow you forgot that???

From Wiki: Live, "Beth" was performed by Criss alone on stage backed by a tape of the instrumental track.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDRdS5lYLXw

Why are we still on this?

There are more important things in life.

Like Joey's morning shit...

we don't use fake blood.

gimmekeef wrote on Mar 26^th, 2015 at 3:05pm:

Hey Gene...welcome back.... fyi...no one missed you...now fuck off again

Exactly, if we're listening to that asshole. Then we need a tour, bad...................Oh wait.  :whatapostronnie