Watch: GENE SIMMONS And His Solo Band Perform KISS Classics In Indio

KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons and his solo band, GENE SIMMONS BAND, performed this past Saturday, June 13 at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California. Fan-filmed video of the entire concert can be seen below (uploaded by Knucklebutt_FavBands on YouTube).

GENE SIMMONS BAND consists of Gene on bass and vocals, Jason Walker on guitar and vocals, Brian Tichy on drums and vocals and Brent Woods on guitar.

According to Setlist.fm, the setlist for the Indio concert was as follows:

01. Deuce (KISS song)
02. Shout It Out Loud (KISS song)
03. War Machine (KISS song)
04. Calling Dr. Love (KISS song)
05. Christine Sixteen (KISS song)
06. I (KISS song)
07. Spit (KISS song)
08. I Love It Loud (KISS song)
09. Domino (KISS song)
10. Charisma (KISS song)
11. Rocket Ride (KISS song)
12. Cold Gin (KISS song)
13. Parasite (KISS song)
14. Rock And Roll All Nite (KISS song)

In a recent interview with Whittier Daily News, Gene stated about his solo band: "My side band, they're killers by the way. They're multi-instrumentalists, and all sing lead. It's really a terrific idea. We don't have a manager. There are no trucks, no nothing. We just set up and play. We have the flexibility of doing requests someone may yell out. Or if we're asked if we know 'Tush' by ZZ TOP, we'll look at each other, it's the key of G, let's go and boom, you're off to the races."

He added: "We're going to do material KISS that has never done. We're going to do some stuff that maybe has never been recorded. The other thing we can do that KISS never did is pull fans up from the audience. Do you want to be a rock star? I may pull you up if you can play an instrument. Or, if it's a kid that looks like he can hold his own on stage, I'll pull him up. No rules."

During an August 2024 appearance on the Steve-O's Wild Ride! podcast, Simmons stated about his performances with his solo band: "[We're] just having a lot of fun."

He continued: "By the way, I designed a business model that is just semi-genius. I show up with my guitar pick. That's it. There's no manager, no roadies, no trucks, no equipment. Everything is provided by the promoter. The flights, the hotels, all the amplifiers, the drums, everything is rented locally. That's the promoter's cost, and whatever six-figure or more amount there is, I pocket. And I literally make more money per gig being Gene Simmons and the GENE SIMMONS BAND than I did in KISS — not counting the ancillaries and all that — because you don't have a 60-man crew, three double deckers, private jet that's on call seven days a week and 20 to 24 tractor trailers."

Simmons was born Chaim Witz in August 1949, at Rambam Hospital in Haifa to Jewish immigrants from Hungary. He was the son of Holocaust survivor Flora Klein and a father, Feri Witz, who soon abandoned his family, leaving them penniless prior to emigrating to America in search of a better life.Simmons is a serial entrepreneur, philanthropist, and media mogul. He has achieved success that reaches far beyond his music career, extending into television shows, films, publishing, merchandising, worldwide restaurants, consumer products, and more.

Gene was inspired to become a rock star when he first saw a televised performance by THE BEATLES. He formed several bands and then met fellow KISS co-founder Paul Stanley in 1970 and they formed the group WICKED LESTER. In the winter of 1972, with a desire to create the "ultimate" rock band, not just "another" rock band, Simmons and Stanley formed KISS with original band members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley. Inspired by his love of comic books and horror films, Simmons conceived the concept of his face paint. The addition of elaborate costumes, frenetic stage performances and ostentatious concert effects, catapulted KISS to international stardom and a coveted position as one of the most recognized rock and roll bands in the world.

Since their inception, KISS has developed millions of fans around the world, also known as the KISS Army. With over 100 million CDs and DVDs sold worldwide, KISS sold out stadiums and arenas around the world for five decades, breaking box-office records set by Elvis Presley and THE BEATLES.

KISS was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2014 and in 1999 received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. Merchandising giant Simmons's keen business acumen has expanded the KISS brand beyond the stage. With more than 5,000 licensed/merchandised items, KISS has generated more money from merchandising and trademark deals than any other band in music history.

More recently, Gene launched Gene Simmons MoneyBag soda — a new line of sodas made with all natural flavors, colors, and pure cane sugar, and packaged in painted bottles.

Simmons is renowned and sought after worldwide as a notable and opinionated media commentator on a diverse range of topics from politics to business.