Gene Simmons challenges U2, Rolling Stones to a battle of the bands

[Tommy_Carcetti]

The story:

http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/2010/03/12/13203296-wenn-story.html
KISS rocker challenges U2, Stones

KISS rocker Gene Simmons has challenged U2 and the Rolling Stones to a battle of the bands, insisting his heavy rock act would blow both supergroups away.

The outspoken bassist insists Kiss are the best live act in the world - and no other band would stand a chance of matching up to them.

In a radio interview in the U.K., Simmons says, "I would love to play on the same stage as U2, the Stones and anybody out there who considers themself a world champion.

"You come on up on that stage with us, baby. Show me what you got, and then we'll show you what the big boys do."
________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I'm sorry, you don't have to be a U2 fan or a Stones fan or even passively like their music to know that either the Stones or U2 are lightyears ahead of KISS, a joke novelty band one step up from the Insane Clown Posse.

I'd even go as far to say that even if you dislike U2 and/or Rolling Stones, but consider yourself a music fan, you'd still agree there is no contest here.

[progressoid]

1. Isn't it about time for him to retire to Boca?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

2. He better not.

I don't want that freak living anywhere near where I live!

[rcrush]

15. Gene Simmons will live forever.

[graywarrior]

3. Shouldn't you have to be kinda good to challenge bands like that?

[Coventina]

4. Sounds like a sad plea for attention to me.

I'll admit that I've never been a fan of KISS, but nothing I've ever heard by them holds a candle to either the Rolling Stones or U2.

I've seen U2 live a number of times, and as a live act, they are hard to beat.

[Mojambo]

28. If Gene Simmons is proposing it, it's about making a buck.

I swear, that guy is one of the most capitalistic rock "stars" to ever live.

[LynneSin]

5. But each of those groups do not have the same fans as U2

Rolling Stones - old farts trying to relieve their acid flashbacks from the 60s
Kiss - old farts still living in their mother's basement trying to look kool wearing KISS makeup with their gut hanging out over their KISS costumes
U2 - The rest of us.

[TZ]

11. Rolling Stones might have a bigger fan base than

KISS and U2 combined. Have you ever been to one of their concerts? You have people my mothers age down to teenagers! I can tell you that neither KISS or even U2 have multigenerational fans.
Oh and the Stones still have my personal record for the BEST LIVE SHOW I'VE EVER SEEN. They are true Rock N' Roll Artists. KISS is a bunch of clowns with guitars. U2 is an above average rock band.

[Captain Hilts]

30. That summarizes the situation pretty neatly. nt

[Forkboy]

32. We must have seen different U2 shows.

:rofl:

[NYC_SKP]

6. Struggling to seem to be in the same league?

Struggling to remain become relevant.

Once you've done Celebrity Apprentice, you're toast.

[SteppingRazor]

7. You know, I'm a bigger Rolling Stones and U2 fan than I am a Kiss fan, but ...

I think Simmons could have a point, as far as who has the better live show. I mean, have you seen a Kiss show? Wow!

I caught U2 on its Zoo TV tour, so I know they can do the massive, theatrical live show as well as anyone, but Kiss does it consistently.

That said, there is the little problem that both U2 and the Stones make better music.

[SoxFan]

19. OK, here's the challenge

Fight it out in theater with no pyro, no makeup, and only a few basic lights.

U2 wins in a landslide.

I saw U2 on the Unforgettable Fire tour. A few songs into the set, something went wonky with the hydraulics in the lighting rig. The show had to be stopped for 20 minutes while the crew took down a huge bank of lights that was dangling ominously over the front rows of the crowd.

The band came back and played with what amounted to an overgrown set of dive bar stage lights. Didn't matter. It was a remarkable set that had the audience singing the refrain from "40" in the streets of downtown Worcester long after the concert ended.

Let's see Kiss pull off a show without the circus theatrics.

[SteppingRazor]

20. I agree that, in a stripped-down show in this day and age, it's U2 by a mile.

Now, put these bands in their various primes, and I think the Stones could easily compete with U2. but there's no question that Kiss wouldn't be in the same league.

[SoxFan]

21. Fair comment

Stones and U2 are true rock bands. Kiss are street mimes with Marshall stacks.

[myrna minx]

8. Is he an 8 year old?

He apparently needs some attention. How sad.

[Heidi]

16. Nah. He's a 60-year-old doing a very believable impersonation of an eight-year-old. (nt)

[TZ]

9. If we are talking battle of the Bands..KISS wins for

Total image over quality. Seriously. The only reason they got at all famous was for the outrageous costumes/makeup. Not for any real original music.

[edbermac]

10. A tossup between what band is worse: KISS or Oasis.

At least KISS had the decency to wear makeup to cover up their ugly mugs.

[Forkboy]

12. Seen both Kiss and U2. Kiss was way more entertaining.

Musically, I don't really like any of them, but Kiss was so much better live it's not even funny. U2, dare I say it, was a snooze fest, and in the top 5 most boring shows I've ever seen. At least Kiss is upfront about their wankery.

Personally, I wouldn't pay to see any of them now.

[backwoodsbob]

29. yep I've seen both

KISS LIVE..remember he said LIVE would blow U2 off the stage..U@ make better music BY FAR but that wasn't the challenge..it was a live show.

KISS can do a live show

[Forkboy]

35. Exactly.

:)

[rcrush]

13. KISS is a way better live act than U2 or the Stones.

Bono and Mick Jagger are nothing compared to mighty KISS

[rcrush]

14. I'd pay real money to see Gene Simmons make Bono cry with his awesomeness.

IT WILL HAPPEN

[datasuspect]

40. bono would lay prostrate before Gene's awesomeness

licking the spiked dragon boots

[Urban Prairie]

17. I was at the concert for KISS' first Alive! album in '75

and they were ahead of their time as far as their stage presence took them, but even back then, platform shoes/boots had already gone out of style.

[Throd]

18. Go up against GWAR you fuckin' lightweights

Oh wait, GWAR is better musicians in cooler costumes.

[Iggo]

22. KISS by a frickin mile.

Battle Of The Bands ain't about catalog. It's about stage show.

KISS would wipe the floor with the 80 year old Stones and nobody would even remember if U2 showed up.

[kwassa]

38. so the members of Kiss are a few years less geriatric than the Stones ....

I've never seen Kiss. I can't imagine why anyone would want to, they are a trivial and idiotic novelty act.

The Stones are a great live band. That has not changed.

[Iggo]

53. We disagree.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

23. I Think We Are Confusing Music And Stagecraft

I suspect Kiss is better at the latter but nowhere close to U2 and the Stones on the former.

[Captain Hilts]

31. Why not? People confuse politics with showbiz and beauty pageants.

[Forkboy]

33. If we're going by the latter, it's the Stones, U2 and Kiss.

If we're going by the former it's the opposite order. :)

[Mojambo]

24. A battle of the bands between 3 overrated (to varying degrees) bands?

Can't wait!

:eyes:

[Forkboy]

25. heh

:thumbsup:

I have to say, at least no one can accuse what I listen to of being overrated. It's not even rated at all yet. :)

[begin_within]

26. Would this be a Battle of the Bands that Geritol might sponsor?

[LostInAnomie]

27. Wow! Is Simmons trying to create a dream line-up for worst concert ever?

Or, the douchiest fans contest?

:hide:

[Forkboy]

34. LOL

Douchiest fan would be a tough competition to have to vote for.

[asdjrocky]

36. That would be the-

Worst. Show. Ever.

[Taverner]

37. Isn't this kind of bravado supposed to die when you turn 30?

I mean, come the fuck on...

[datasuspect]

39. KISS would stomp a mudhole in their respective asses

[Sebastian Doyle]

50. Maybe KISS would have

But KISS hasn't existed since 1979. Oh sure they did that reunion tour in 1996, but they were shells of their former selves.

[BulletproofLandshark]

41. Sit down and be quiet Grandpa.

Metallica, even now, would blow all three of these bands off the stage.

[Forkboy]

45. Only if they dropped every song between Garage Days and Death Magnetic from their set.

:)

[ElboRuum]

42. KISS...

They never were all that good except for a talent for self-promotion and merchandising. If you were looking for music... well, better go elsewhere.

[jmowreader]

43. I think Gene's right

KISS basically invented the rock and roll circus. Musically they're questionable, but they're definitely the best SHOWMEN of the three groups.

You will, however, notice he didn't challenge Iron Maiden to go head-to-head with his organization.

[rcrush]

44. You are right on that one.

Eddie would eat all the members of KISS and crap them out on to Bonos head!

[Forkboy]

46. Maiden would provide a serious challenge.

They put on a great show the three times I saw them.

[jmowreader]

48. They also play very, very good heavy metal

[Forkboy]

49. Yep, and it still holds up today.

I'd take Maiden (and Priest) over any of the bands being discussed. :)

[ScreamingMeemie]

47. Kiss is the best live act in the world. It doesn't mean their music is

better than U2, it just means their concerts are sort of worth the rip off that all concert tickets are these days.

The lamest concert I ever went to was a Rolling Stones concert...and I've been to some lame concerts (ahem Martina McBride).

[riverdale]

51. actually have seen all three of these groups live

would rank their shows as follows:

1. KISS
everything you could expect
2. U2
standard show, minimalist set, with crazy overpriced tickets
3. Rolling Stones
Mick Jagger was great, but he was the only band member who appeared to be alive

[Amerigo Vespucci]

52. OK, but we get to choose the set list.

U2 will play "Pride (In The Name Of Love)" and "I Will Follow."

The Stones will play "Gimme Shelter" and "Jumpin' Jack Flash."

KISS will play "Shandi" and their sell-out disco smash, "I Was Made For Loving You."

:rofl:

[zonkers]

54. Yeah, Gene, sure. What some hacks won't do for some press.

[mdmc]

55. Would Peter Criss and Ace Freley play as well?

If not, KISS would get beat worse then they would normally by U2 or the stones..