Reality TV Updates

Simmons unveiled his son’s new band on his Gene Simmons’ Family Jewels show, dubbing the 17-year-old rocker’s outfit Nick Simmons and the Electric Chairs, a name lifted from County’s backing band. With five albums under its belt — the first, The Electric Chairs, was issued in 1977 — and a gig billed as Jayne County and the Electric Chairs set for Oct. 28 in London, County’s ready to fight Simmons for control of the name. County hasn’t registered a copyright on the Electric Chairs name, but will claim she has a pre-existing claim on the name in the rock’n'roll world.

“This is a despicable act of greed and disgusting contempt!” County said in a statement. “To not only me as a person, but as a glam/punk pioneer and trans artist! And quite frankly, it is a tremendous insult to the entire punk world. I thought up the name myself back in 1977 and have been recording and touring with this name since way back then!”

County’s had bad luck with names for backing bands. Her original New York act was dubbed the Back Street Boys.

County isn’t the only punk act not taking too kindly to reality television swiping its name. California’s supernova are seeking an injunction against CBS for using its name in a reality series

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