Nine Inch Nails mastermind Trent Reznor knows how to pick his battles. In an interview with the Phillipines’ Daily Inquirer, Reznor states that the reason he’s announced the end of touring (at least for the time being), was to keep from becoming Gene Simmons.

“What I specifically said or meant to convey is that NIN as a touring live band or live band that’s on the road all the time is stopping. I’ve just reached the point … where it has invaded every other aspect of my life… I’d never want to be Gene Simmons, an old man who puts on makeup to entertain kids, like a clown going to work. In my paranoia, I fear that if I don’t stop this, it could become that.”

I think what we’re seeing here is the opening volley in a war of words between the old guard and the well, not-as-old guard. If there’s one thing apparent about Simmons, it’s that for someone with such leathery skin, it’s pretty thin. He’ll snipe back at anyone that says anything less than glowing about him, and he won’t appreciate being likened to a clown, here to amuse us. He’ll probably call Nine Inch Nails “disco,” say something about Trent’s mom, then roll around in a pile of money, Scrooge McDuck style. And while Simmons has gotten into arguments with NPR’s Terry Gross and industry curmedgeon Bob Lefsetz before, Reznor has been more successful and forward-thinking in his musical career than the KISS bassist in the past 15 years. Things might be about to get interesting.

[Via rollingstone.com]