According to Jeremy Asbrock, Gene Simmons and Ace Frehley have nothing in common.
“The only similarity is that they were both in KISS,” the guitarist said on Nashville On The Rocks when asked about the differences between playing with Simmons and Frehley.
Asbrock continued, “Ace is a creature of comfort. He picks a setlist. We generally stay with that setlist. And with Gene, we did not have the same setlist ever, not one show. Every show was different. We did like 65 or so different songs over the course of a year and a half.
Then, one of the hosts asked, “Okay, so it’s more freedom.” Jeremy replied with, “Yeah” and added, “I mean I had to have these gigantic lyrics sheets.
The rocker noted, “Seriously I would take like six to eight pieces of paper together and make these lyric sheets that were this big [showing with his hands] for songs he didn’t really know the lyrics to but man, if that means we’re going to get to do ladies room, then you got it dude.”
Asbrock detailed working with Gene and Ace in a 2023 interview with All Music Magazine. The musician explained, “It’s funny, it’s actually the complete opposite of what you just said. Gene does like to have fun. We played a different setlist every show. There was not one show that was the same. We did 65 different songs over a year and a half. He liked [to] hang out before the show and after the show.”
“He likes to play practical jokes and cut up and buster balls, and he loves it when you give it back. The first time I had to give it back, I was scared sh*tless. [But] He laughed and I’m like ‘Oh, it’s okay,'” he also shared.
Jeremy went on to talk about Frehley, saying, “Ace is kind of a creature of habit. We kind of stick to the same set. He shows up, I know he’s there because I hear the intro music come on and [then] I see him, we’re going on stage. He gives me one of these [mimics a thumbs up], and we play and after the show, he goes to cool off. And then do his meet and greet, and we leave. So there’s not that social time with him.”
Asbrock played with Simmons’ solo band in 2018. Then, Simmons recommended him to Frehley. Asbrock later toured with Frehley for his solo albums, including ‘10,000 Volts’ in 2024, via Classic Rock History.
