GENE SIMMONS Talks About 'Moneybag' Clothing Line

John Mackie of the Vancouver Sun conducted an interview with Gene Simmons of KISS and designer Jason Dussault at Leone's store in Vancouver, Sept. 14, 2007. The occasion was the launch of their new clothing line, Moneybag. An excerpt from the chat follows:

Vancouver Sun: So why did you [Gene] want to get involved with something like this?

Gene Simmons: "I'm involved in a few different businesses that have nothing to do with each other, [including] a marketing company called Simmons Abrams Marketing that works on the Indy Car series, and NGTV.com, which does live broadcasts on the Internet. And I'm in KISS, I get up onstage, I'm behind the scenes.

"But at the end of the day it all comes down to people. You don't want to work with somebody who looks at the clock, who looks at a nine to five thing. Jason is a possessed man. If you can channel that passion for stuff into business, into a point of view. It's a work ethic. Most people worry about jobs, we simply love work. There's a difference. We don't look at the clock. And that's the kind of partner I want to be involved with, a guy that actually sees the big picture and [will do] whatever it takes, no matter how long. That will think out of the box, go for it.

"We're doing lots of stuff together, this isn't the only business we're involved in. There will be others, because he's a multi-faceted kind of guy. Most people do one thing, they're masters of one trade. One trick pony, they call 'em. [Jason's] in the investment community, in the creative community. That's the way to do it, you've got a nice broad range.

"See, the problem with asking me a question is that I will talk your head off. So be careful what you ask for."

Vancouver Sun: Why did you copyright "moneybag" back in the 1970s?

Simmons: "Actually there's a distinct difference between a copyright and a trademark. I started signing Simmons with a double slash, just because I was... arrogant... like most guys who play guitar. Before I really knew what it was. Then we brought out our [KISS] signatures as jewelry. An astute lawyer said 'Gene, maybe you want to trademark the two lines going through the S.' And I did, and there was no sort of challenge to that. Then I was wondering if anybody actually owned the moneybag logo, with the dollar sign inside. It turned out no-one had [trademarked it], so 28 years ago I trademarked that, and have been using it.

"I used to have a magazine, Gene Simmons' Tongue, Simmons Records, Simmons Books. In other words, engage in inter-state commerce, so it bolsters the underlying rights of the trademark."

Vancouver Sun: And you love the moneybag, clearly. You love money.

Simmons: "Well, I think any fool that tells you he doesn't is a fool that I call a liar. Because if God appeared to every person on the face of the planet and says 'I know what's in your pocket.' I'm going to give you two choices. I can make you have less money, or I can make you have more money. Because after all, I'm God. What would everybody answer?"

Vancouver Sun: More.

Simmons: "Yeah. So I'm just like them. And anybody who says I'd rather have less money, send your cheques to Gene Simmons, P.O. Box....

Read the entire interview at this location.