Simmons Doesn’t Kiss Up
Although I wouldn’t call The Henry Rollins Show a favorite, I do find myself occasionally tuning in to listen to his rants and his guests. Rollins is extremely opinionated and vocal. The episode today, which featured Gene Simmons of Kiss was particularly interesting because Rollins and Simmons came off as polar opposites.Rollins gives off a working class vibe. Each week he is dressed in t-shirt and jeans and his set has the abandoned warehouse look. It’s obvious that Rollins cultivates the “I’m just an everyman” appeal. Simmons on the other hand, never backed away from how rich he is and that he doesn’t care about how Kiss is perceived. He was cocky, but honest in all of his responses. When Rollins questioned him about how Kiss has merchandised everything from Visa cards to caskets, Simmons stopped him short with his response. Simmons said that ALL bands sell t-shirts and once you cross that line into merchandising it’s no longer about the music. It’s about making a few extra bucks. So why do people get upset that Kiss has optimized their merchandising power? LOL!
Now I’m not a Gene Simmons or Kiss fan [although I did like their song “Beth”], but I have to admit that I found Simmons and his “this is who I really am attitude” interesting. I know that Simmons has his own show on A&E and I’m not intrigued enough to start tuning in. I just wanted to give him props for his honest answers and not “kissing up” or coming across as another “everyman.”
The Henry Rollins Show is great actually. I’m surprised you don’t tune in more. It’s better than Leno x 10.
The Henry Rollins Show is great actually. I’m surprised you don’t tune in more. It’s better than Leno x 10.
For the last couple of years I’ve DVR
d it and most of the time I do at least scan it.
Hi, wanted to alert you to something very cool that Henry Rollins is doing. He’s offering a chance to sound off on an issue for a national audience — and the one person he personally chooses will be flown to LA to co-host the “Henry Rollins Show” marathon on IFC (Independent Film Channel) with Henry.
Rollins is inviting you to tape a short video “rant” and the person who does the one he chooses will be flown to L.A. (the winner and a guest for 3 days/2 nights), meet Henry and host the upcoming “Rollins Show” Marathon.
Go to ziddio.com/myrollinsrant and record and upload a 30-second video “rant” on one of the 11 hot topics Henry has selected (including abortion rights, has the Iraq war made us safer? Bush’s response to Hurricane Katrina, is America a dumb country? global warming, etc.)
All entries will be watched by, and the winner chosen solely by, Henry. He encourages anyone to enter, no matter their political persuasion – his only requirement: have “passion and attitude!”
An amazing opportunity. And a chance to sound off on some issues!
Henry explains it all, and upload your “rant” at: ziddio.com/myrollinsrant
JBK – Thanks for the tip. Are you gonna give a rant? BTW – I checked out your blog and have bookmarked it for regular reading!