GENE SIMMONS' Simmons Records To Be Relaunched

October 31, 2008, 15 years ago

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KISS' bassist/vocalist GENE SIMMONS has posted the following message on his web site:

"I am closing in on two separate offers to relaunch my Simmons Records label. When I've decided which offer I'll accept, you'll read it here first.

For those of you in bands who have demos (demonstration tapes), please don't send 'em. I've received literally thousands upon thousands of demos over the years. There simply isn't enough time in the world to wade through it all.

The history of Simmons Records dates back to Bob Buziak, former head of RCA Records. I signed HOUSE OF LORDS (a name I trademarked and let Greg Giuffria use for his band), SILENT RAGE, a California rock band and GYPSY ROSE, a Canadian rock band RCA wanted to release through my label.

Music was going through a revolution and grunge and Seattle snuffed out most of the rock bands of the day. I went on record then and stand by what I said: Though the bands coming out of Seattle were certainly valid, the tone and self-destructive nature of it was not. Seattle would be the death of most rock bands. And it was. What followed was the saddest period in rock I can remember. Gone were rock shows. Gone were groupies. Gone was the culture of rock. The bands that ignored Seattle and simply went on doing what they did best: rock!!!... survived. And got bigger. Seattle bands? Almost all are gone.

Back in the early '90s, I was also managing Liza Minnelli's recording career and got her a deal at Epic Records. Her record was produced by the PET SHOP BOYS.

For the most part, I lost interest in fighting an uphill battle with my label. Then by early 2000, I met and liked the nice folks at Sanctuary and over there, I re-launched the Simmons Records label for two releases: my solo album, 'Asshole', and a Canadian one-man-band named BAG. Eventually, Sanctuary went under and that forced us to shut our doors yet again.

This time, we have two majors who want to do this the right way. And we will. As soon as more news comes, you'll see it here first."


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