Gene Simmons' Family Jewels - Page 2

Cloud · 07-15-2008, 01:44 PM

yeah, they're spoiled rich kids; and part of the "shtick" is that Gene is overprotective.

But they still exude genuine family feeling, and that's what I watch it for.

Certainly not for Gene's hairdo!

classicman · 07-15-2008, 10:22 PM

They are the last thing our kids need to aspire to.

nowhereman · 07-24-2008, 03:23 PM

Never been a "Kiss Army" type, I prefer music with some actual thought behind the arrangements (particularly horn charts). Watching the show, it looks to me like Gene doesn't make money playing bass, he plays bass as a way to make money, notwithstanding the gazlllions he makes from merchandising. Don't see much musicianship in him.
The best parts are when Shannon "zings" him good.

Sundae · 07-25-2008, 08:11 PM

Gene Simmons did two series over here (6 shows each usually), called Rock School. The first was at a private school which specialised in music. His challenge was to get the classically trained children to "rock out" and also to accept that there might be different types of music that were equally valid (even if it wasn't his). There were personality clashes and some teen hormone issues, but mostly it was a clash of cultures and they respected eachother in the end.

The first one was a walk in the park compared to the second though. He did the same thing with in a comprehensive (public school) and worked with the "problem" kids. His challenge there was to get them to commit, to listen, to show any enthusiasm, to pay attention, to turn up, to do anything apart from sit with sulky looks and then bugger off down the chip shop moaning that everything is crap and there's nothing to do round here. Fucking Gene Simmons in your school starting a band!

They finally perked up a little - those that showed enough commitment to stay in the band! - when they got to LA and saw his house. Because they could dismiss him as a has-been all they liked, but he lived in a house bigger than their local police station. But even then, there were temper tantrums.

Both were interesting to watch. I liked the fact most of the kids met their match in him, especially the dont-care-wont-care ones. But then I also quite liked the fact that a bunch of English schoolkids refused to be awed by him and dismissed him in turn. Of course it wouldn't have affected his ego (and nor should it I suppose) but it certainly made him pause.

I admired him for sticking at it. I had no idea he had children (that he acknowledged). His attitude and patience makes more sense now. He might have been hamming it up, but he did seem to care.

07-15-2008, 01:44 PM	#1
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	yeah, they're spoiled rich kids; and part of the "shtick" is that Gene is overprotective. But they still exude genuine family feeling, and that's what I watch it for. Certainly not for Gene's hairdo! __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

07-15-2008, 10:22 PM	#2
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	They are the last thing our kids need to aspire to. __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

07-24-2008, 03:23 PM	#3
nowhereman sliding down the razor blade of life Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: just over the edge Posts: 228	Never been a "Kiss Army" type, I prefer music with some actual thought behind the arrangements (particularly horn charts). Watching the show, it looks to me like Gene doesn't make money playing bass, he plays bass as a way to make money, notwithstanding the gazlllions he makes from merchandising. Don't see much musicianship in him. The best parts are when Shannon "zings" him good.

07-25-2008, 08:11 PM	#4
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Gene Simmons did two series over here (6 shows each usually), called Rock School. The first was at a private school which specialised in music. His challenge was to get the classically trained children to "rock out" and also to accept that there might be different types of music that were equally valid (even if it wasn't his). There were personality clashes and some teen hormone issues, but mostly it was a clash of cultures and they respected eachother in the end. The first one was a walk in the park compared to the second though. He did the same thing with in a comprehensive (public school) and worked with the "problem" kids. His challenge there was to get them to commit, to listen, to show any enthusiasm, to pay attention, to turn up, to do anything apart from sit with sulky looks and then bugger off down the chip shop moaning that everything is crap and there's nothing to do round here. Fucking Gene Simmons in your school starting a band! They finally perked up a little - those that showed enough commitment to stay in the band! - when they got to LA and saw his house. Because they could dismiss him as a has-been all they liked, but he lived in a house bigger than their local police station. But even then, there were temper tantrums. Both were interesting to watch. I liked the fact most of the kids met their match in him, especially the dont-care-wont-care ones. But then I also quite liked the fact that a bunch of English schoolkids refused to be awed by him and dismissed him in turn. Of course it wouldn't have affected his ego (and nor should it I suppose) but it certainly made him pause. I admired him for sticking at it. I had no idea he had children (that he acknowledged). His attitude and patience makes more sense now. He might have been hamming it up, but he did seem to care.

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