Gene Simmons on KISS' first Long Island gig, his new band, more

Gene Simmons is at an interesting point in his life. He’s 75 years old and he no longer wears makeup on his face, spits blood, breathes fire or flies in the air wearing bat wings. However, he’s still rockin’ and rollin’. Now fronting the Gene Simmons Band, the once demon-faced KISS bassist is going solo sans massive lighting rigs, smoke bombs and pyrotechnics.

 While KISS has stopped touring, the band lives on in multiple ways ranging from new catalog releases to non-makeup appearances to an upcoming avatars show. Meanwhile Simmons remains the band’s visual focal point and spokesman.

Newsday’s David J. Criblez spoke to Simmons prior to his May 9 gig at The Paramount in Huntington.

Is it true one of KISS’ first shows took place on Long Island?

Yes, it was at The Daisy in Amityville. In fact, it was our second gig and I should know because I booked it. We didn’t have a manager in those days. At the time, I was trying to convince club owners to book us because we didn’t do covers. Back then if you didn’t have a record contract it was tough to get a gig.

What has made you continue performing after KISS’s "End of the Road" farewell tour?

Simply because I love it. There’s a kind of feeling you get up on that stage that you can’t find in canned goods on a grocery store shelf. I get to do songs that KISS has never done live, some unrecorded songs as well as covers. It’s really a fun show. The guys that I have in my band are killer. Each one is a multi-instrumentalist and they can all sing.

What’s it like playing with a younger set of musicians?

It really doesn’t matter because I’ve never lost my voice plus being up on stage without 40 pounds of studs, armor and 7-inch heeled dragon boots is easier than wearing all that stuff while performing. It was torture, much like going to the gym for two hours. With this setup, I could do two shows a day, easily.

You are currently offering fans an opportunity to be your roadie for a day for $12,000. How did this come about?

It started off as something I always wanted to do because I never got a chance to do it as a fan. People experience what it’s like being back at the hotel to hang with the musicians, going in a limo to the gig, setting up equipment and being called out on stage to sing or play. We can only do one at a time and it ain’t cheap. Insurance is expensive. It’s not for everybody. But I can fill up my capacity with the people that want the experience.

KISS is set to perform in Las Vegas this November. How did that come about?

Well, it’s the KISS Army that’s taking over the whole event [KISS Army Storms Vegas, Nov. 14-16, Terre Haute, Indiana]. It’s less of a concert but more of going to a party with the fans. There will be KISS tribute bands with lots of special guests jumping up, plus a Q&A and autograph sessions. We are going to the event that the fans are throwing. We will be performing without makeup. We are keeping our eyes and ears open in order to give the fans what they want. We did 13 years of KISS Kruises  where fans from 34 countries would get together. They would show us their KISS tattoos on their body and introduce us to their kids named after our songs. I met a little kid whose legal name was Dr. Love. How cool is that?

In 2006, "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" came out on A & E and ran for seven seasons, showing another side to you. What made you take that step to let the cameras come into your personal life?

I’m such a happy camper. I don’t think I’ve had a bad day in my life. However, people think I’m Darth Vader all the time who eats children and spits blood. But once they meet my kids, Nick and Sofie, as well as my beloved, Shannon, they are shocked. Nobody has tattoos or piercings. Nobody says, "Hey dude!" They are just nice people to be around who are gracious and humble. You can’t keep the Superman outfit on the whole time.

In 2011, you got married. How come you took so long?

Men take a long time to grow up. We tend to be selfish, self-absorbed and arrogant. Here’s a fair warning to all heterosexual females: Do not get serious about a guy in his 20s and 30s. Men don’t mature until later in life. I didn’t get serious about marriage until I was 62.

Even though KISS is off the road, the band continues in various capacities. What’s on the agenda?

We are working on a lot of things at the same time. The biggest thing is a company called Pophouse Entertainment, which literally bought KISS — the makeup, the catalog and all that. We are working together with them and planning a KISS Avatars show, which is going to be the most futuristic thing you’ll ever see. It’s difficult to describe, but it will blow you out of your seats. We have a KISS movie coming that we are currently casting, plus KISS cartoons, a Broadway show, a lot of stuff.

Because you’re no longer in the demon persona, do you still stick your tongue out anymore?

I usually can’t because, you see, the floor is often dirty.

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.