On the recent episode of Steve-O’s Wild Ride! podcast, KISS bassist and vocalist Gene Simmons was asked if he currently tours and performs with his solo band.
“Yes. GENE SIMMONS BAND already headlined — oh, goodness. We were in South America, São Paulo [in April]… So we’re going to Europe [this summer] to headline festivals and other stuff. And [we’re] just having a lot of fun,” Gene responded.
“By the way, I designed a business model that is just semi-genius,” he continued. “I show up with my guitar pick. That’s it. There’s no manager, no roadies, no trucks, no equipment. Everything is provided by the promoter. The flights, the hotels, all the amplifiers, the drums, everything is rented locally. That’s the promoter’s cost, and whatever six-figure or more amount there is, I pocket. And I literally make more money per gig being Gene Simmons and the GENE SIMMONS BAND than I did in KISS — not counting the ancillaries and all that — because you don’t have a 60-man crew, three double deckers, private jet that’s on call seven days a week and 20 to 24 tractor trailers.”
Joining Simmons in the GENE SIMMONS BAND lineup are guitarists Brent Woods and Zach Throne, along with drummer Brian Tichy.
On December 2, 2023, KISS performed the final concert of their “End Of The Road” farewell tour at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
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