Gene Simmons recently revealed why KISS cannot play live again whenever they want, explaining the situation during an appearance on 94.7 WCSX.
Simmons discussed the band’s deal with Pophouse, which acquired the rights to KISS’s makeup, music catalog, and publishing, and how this agreement impacts their ability to perform live.
“I had this kind of epiphany,” Simmons said. “You know, KISS was actually sold — the makeup and the tunes and the publishing and all that — for a [a lot of money]. And a great company called Pophouse is our partner. We’re involved together in the future, so there’s gonna be a motion picture, which is being cast now, and there’s gonna be — I don’t know — cartoon shows, theme park, you name it, it’s all coming up.”
He explained that while major projects are in development, the acquisition also places restrictions on the band’s live performances.
“So it’s gonna be bigger and better than you’ve ever heard, including the avatar show,” Simmons continued. “But that also means that KISS can’t play live without Pophouse’s permission, ’cause they own the makeup and everything. But I didn’t wanna stay away from the stage. It’s the most fun. Being up on that stage and rocking out is the most fun I can imagine with my pants on. And there’s a magic that happens there.”
Simmons then shared his perspective on the importance of sharing art and performing for an audience rather than keeping it to oneself.
“We can sit here and kind of glibly talk about it, but imagine being a painter, and you paint something, and you’re really proud of it, and it just stays in your living room, and nobody sees it,” Simmons added. “Or if you write a song, and you really like it, you go, ‘Whoa, this thing rocks,’ but you’re the only one who hears it. No, no, no. Whether you write a book, you don’t wanna be the only one that reads your own book. No, you wanna share it with people. Or if you’re gonna throw a party, and you’re the only one in the room eating potato chips and drinking Coca-Cola, that’s not much of a party. I need you to be in the party. What’s a party without you? So I can’t stay off the stage. I love it too much.”
This explains why Simmons continues to tour with the Gene Simmons Band following the conclusion of KISS’s farewell tour.
