Tunes: Gene Simmons Band

February 20, 2026

Many of you know that I love KISS. Heck, I dedicated an entire year of my blog to the band in celebration. With that said, I decided to skip the Gene Simmons Band performance at L’Auberge Casino Lake Charles because I didn’t know if I’d actually get off of work in time to see the band play. As the date grew closer, however, I longed to go to the show. Whether it was luck or divine intervention, I actually won a pair of tickets to the show from KKGB, Rock 101.3 and got to see the band perform.

I’m so glad that I did.

Gene opened the show with Deuce and followed that up quickly with Shout It Out Loud. He then took a breather and talked to the crowd, something that would happen a number of times throughout the show. Simmons would ask for the house lights to be turned up and then he’d interact with the crowd. He made dirty, funny comments, called a young woman in the Air Force when her parents approached the stage and asked him to do so, and called fans on stage to help out with songs. These breaks were actually very cool, and you could clearly tell that Gene and the rest of the band were having a blast. It was a very well put-together show that had a very loose feel to it. It was more like seeing your cool uncle play at the local bar……except that your cool uncle is Gene Simmons.

As the show rolled along, Simmons and company played a number of KISS Klassic tracks and a few deep cuts that were quite surprising. Simmons acknowledged the death of his good friend and former bandmate, Ace Frehley, by playing Frehley’s Parasite, Strange Ways (first time played live by the Gene Simmons Band), and Rocket Ride (never played live by KISS, first time played live by the Gene Simmons Band). He also played another Ace-penned track, the KISS live standard Cold Gin.

Deeper cuts from the KISS catalogue included Charisma from the Dynasty album, Domino from Revenge, and I from the nearly never acknowledged Music From The Elder. Other tracks included KISS standards like I Love It Loud, War Machine, Calling Dr. Love, and Rock And Roll All Nite. Overall, it was an amazing show and I highly recommend checking out the Gene Simmons Band if they come to your town.

The Gene Simmons Band played a great show. From blistering rock tracks to excellent crowd banter, I’m so glad that I won tickets to see one fourth of my favorite band on stage with three amazing artists. I love it loud, and GSB delivered.

Complete Setlist:

1. Deuce
2. Shout It Out Loud
3. War Machine
4. I
5. Domino
6. Parasite
7. Strange Ways
8. Charisma
9. Rocket Ride
10. Cold Gin
11. Guitar/Drum Solos
12. I Love It Loud
13. Calling Dr. Love
14. Let Me Go, Rock n’ Roll
15. Rock And Roll All Nite

Gene Simmons Band: Gene Simmons (vocals and bass), Jason Walker (vocals and guitars), Brent Woods (vocals and guitars), Brian Tichy (vocals and drums).