Gene Simmons Solo?

[Stadler]

So, Gene Simmons is doing a handful of shows, without makeup and without Kiss, in conjunction with a touring comic convention (or something like that).  He's played I think three show now, and it's a pretty good setlist.  Some old favorites - Deuce, RnRAN, Calling Dr. Love - some obscure Kiss tunes - Charisma, Parasite, Goin' Blind - and some solo songs - Radioactive, See You Tonite.   I found out he's playing the Trocadero in a GA show on June 2.   I figure, STUB HUB! because Gene "God of Thunder" Simmons is certainly going to sell out a club; it'll be pandemonium!    Long story short, I just went on the Troc site today and tickets are still available.   

General hatred of Kiss notwithstanding, his voice is intact, he's never done a solo tour/show before this, it's a small place (1200 seats), and the setlist is high quality (if you're a Kiss fan).   18 songs, and NUGGETZ!

Why is this not sold out?  Am I missing something? 

[PowerSlave]

I don't think that he's endeared himself to too many people outside of his role in KISS. I always thought that Family Jewels didn't exactly put him in a flattering light at times.

[Mosh]

I don't think solo concerts by members of Kiss are in high demand.

[El Barto]

This seems about right, and eventually he'll probably sell most of those 1200. At the average KISS concert, what percentage of the 12k in attendance are actual KISS fans, as opposed to people who want to go and see the spectacle and hear RaRaN? How man of them would even know what The World Needs a Hero is if he played it? The big group won't bother with this and the smaller one will. This happens all the time with people doing solo gigs. I saw Bruce (with Geezer Butler opening) play to ~300 or so in a club. Casual fans don't think it's the same and don't recognize the opportunity. It's just the way it works. Personally, I don't think the fact that he's an asshole factors into it.

[Tick]

I would go. I saw Paul Stanley at Toads Place in New Haven in 89 and it was an awesome show in a tiny room.

[Kotowboy]

And now he IS 89

[MirrorMask]

This happens all the time with people doing solo gigs. I saw Bruce (with Geezer Butler opening) play to ~300 or so in a club. Casual fans don't think it's the same and don't recognize the opportunity.

Last time Bruce toured solo I missed it because I still hadn't a proper internet access and I simply wasn't informed in time about the concert. I've had a huge luck with concerts over the years and I've seen everyone I want to see, I really have no regrets, but THAT one still stings a bit. A Bruce solo show would be very high on my list of concerts I want to see, probably on the podium. And I won't miss for anything in the world another solo show from James LaBrie, should he ever tour solo again and come back here. And I know I'm in the minority in thinking like this...

[TAC]

I saw Paul Stanley at Toads Place in New Haven in 89 

I went to the West Hartford show. Fantastic!

[ytserush]

So, Gene Simmons is doing a handful of shows, without makeup and without Kiss, in conjunction with a touring comic convention (or something like that).  He's played I think three show now, and it's a pretty good setlist.  Some old favorites - Deuce, RnRAN, Calling Dr. Love - some obscure Kiss tunes - Charisma, Parasite, Goin' Blind - and some solo songs - Radioactive, See You Tonite.   I found out he's playing the Trocadero in a GA show on June 2.   I figure, STUB HUB! because Gene "God of Thunder" Simmons is certainly going to sell out a club; it'll be pandemonium!    Long story short, I just went on the Troc site today and tickets are still available.   

General hatred of Kiss notwithstanding, his voice is intact, he's never done a solo tour/show before this, it's a small place (1200 seats), and the setlist is high quality (if you're a Kiss fan).   18 songs, and NUGGETZ!

Why is this not sold out?  Am I missing something?

Ticket prices?

[TAC]

Ticket prices are usually how much it costs to attend the concert. 

[ytserush]

Ticket prices are usually how much it costs to attend the concert. 

I see what you did there -- again.

[DragonAttack]

A typo, as the Trocadero is in 'PA'. 

A really gorgeous facility.  Oddly, my wife and I were staying across the street when it hosted a national barbershop competition, so we checked it out.  But I digress.

Tickets are $38-299.  I can see this being somewhat the same as if Brian May and Roger Taylor didn't tour as 'Queen+...'

There are so many other issues with Gene, where I see why this isn't creating much interest.

[Stadler]

A typo, as the Trocadero is in 'PA'. 

A really gorgeous facility.  Oddly, my wife and I were staying across the street when it hosted a national barbershop competition, so we checked it out.  But I digress.

Tickets are $38-299.  I can see this being somewhat the same as if Brian May and Roger Taylor didn't tour as 'Queen+...'

There are so many other issues with Gene, where I see why this isn't creating much interest.

Typo?   "GA" meant "General Admission".    And for clarity, there are only two levels:  $38 for General Admission, and $299 for the meet and greet.   I lived in Philly for about five years (about four blocks from the Troc for about half of that time) but never saw a show there.  Several at the TLA (including Fish and Chickenfoot), but asshole or no, I'm still a little amazed by this.  Having said that, I forgot about the Paul and Bruce shows, so maybe that's part of it.   I'll reap the benefits, though.  I'll try to get there early and be up close as I can. 

Practice for the Maiden show, which I'm expecting to be a full-on sporting event.  I'm already doing pull-ups with a chain around my ankles (like Ben Affleck in "Superman vs. Batman").  Haha. 

[DragonAttack]

Sorry, I read it as 'Trocadero in a GA (Georgia) show'.