KISS ASYLUM: March 2002 News Archive

From: KISS ASYLUM
As we're sure you noticed over the past few days, KISS ASYLUM suffered some down time during which the web page and bulletin boards were not accessible. KISS ASYLUM's web host, NextLevel, experienced some difficulties and ended up having to relocate all the web pages they host (including pages like Kulick.net) to entirely new servers, which was the cause of the down time. However, things seem to be up and running again at the moment..... keep your fingers crossed! ;-) As always, we truly appreciate your interest and support for KISS ASYLUM. Thanks for hanging in there with us! PS, the email still isn't entirely sorted out yet, so please continue to bear with us in that regard. [Post Your Comments]

From: Ink19.com
As we speak, Tod Howarth (formerly of Frehley's Comet) is wrapping up work on his latest project -- a promised new musical direction for him. After more than 20 years in the music business, he has seen it all from top to bottom, and is still moving on as ever before, still aiming towards challenging both himself and his fans. [More...] [Post Your Comments]

From: TheOnionAVclub.com
Born Chaim Witz in Haifa, Israel, Gene Simmons grew up to be one of the most successful, notorious, and influential American rock stars of all time. As Simmons himself eagerly points out, the music, imagery, and showmanship of Kiss have seeped into nearly every corner of American culture, and not just because the sheer volume of its merchandise rivals any pop-culture phenomenon this side of Star Wars. Since forming in 1973, Kiss has been an ultra-profitable pop-culture institution, selling millions of albums, making untold millions through merchandising, and regularly ranking among the most popular live acts in the world. Though Simmons has remained in the group, he's also branched off into other arenas, including acting (Wanted: Dead Or Alive, Red Surf), producing, and even managing other artists' careers. Three decades into his career, he continues to make waves, obscene amounts of money, and headlines, most recently when he tangled with NPR host Terry Gross, who described the 53-year-old father and businessman as "obnoxious." The Kiss merchandising machine shows no sign of abating, with Simmons' autobiography (Kiss And Make-Up) currently on the bestseller list and numerous projects in various media on the way. The Onion A.V. Club recently spoke with Simmons about sex, money, his plans for further world domination, and why he's too rich to care. [More...] [Post Your Comments]

From: GeneSimmons.com
GeneSimmons.com has up a special sneak peak feature from the Playboy shoot for the upcoming issue of Gene Simmons Tongue Magazine. Click over to Gene's website to view all of the photos! [View The Photos...] [Post Your Comments]

From: Allen Tuller, Publisher
It's been a few weeks and I want to tell you about some of the exciting things that have been developing with GST Magazine. On Friday, March 8th we had the "difficult" task of shooting all day at the PLAYBOY mansion. We had eight gorgeous PLAYMATES in attendance and HUGH HEFNER himself, who graciously participated in the shoot as well as being our generous host...Gene, our distinguished editor Steve Appleford and the entire GSTongue staff were there and came up with an assortment of amazing photos! Gene and Steve sat down with Hef for a revealing one-on-one with the world's ultimate Playboy. Just wait till you see this story! You can see some of the behind the scenes photos www.genesimmonstongue.com. On the music front, we have an exclusive interview with LIMP BIZKIT'S FRED DURST, also conducted by The Demon himself. Fred even gave us some of his own personal photos to use in the story. We'll give you an earful of TOMMY LEE as he takes the KISS Cell Phone out for a test drive and we'll show you why you should "belly up to the bar" when you check out the beautiful waitresses from various rock clubs on the famous Sunset Strip. Girls? Did someone say Girls???? Well, we've got you barbarians covered....The stunning DONNA DERRICO (AKA Ms. Nikki Sixx) will have you signing up for guitar lessons immediately and the gorgeous Aussie witch, FIONA HORNE will have you grabbing for your own broomsticks. E!'s Talk Soup gal, AISHA TYLER will cause you to ask "Is it soup yet?" and Sports Illustrated swimsuit and Guess? model JOSIE MARAN will have you thinking about anything BUT the pussycats...Other hotties to keep your Tongues wagging include Roswell's MAJANDRA DELFINO and former Playmate CARRIE STEVENS, who shares some of her exploits in the Rock & Roll world. Plus, Gene's visit to the Adult Video Awards will give a whole new meaning to the words "magazine spread"! There are many more stories in our premiere issue and we are getting down to the wire with the May 28th on-sale date just two short months away. Subscribers will get their issue a week or two earlier as we go to press in late April, so if you haven't signed up yet at www.genesimmonstongue.com, you still have time! Other stories include: The comeback of champion surfer KELLEY SLATER, ROCK & ROLL SUICIDES, 20 LICKS WITH BILL MAHER, CHRISTOPHER RICE, WORLD CUP LOVE HOTELS, CELEBRITY MOTORCYCLE CRASHES, JAMMIN JOHNS, FORKED TONGUE and Elvis' Karate habit. Plus, we'll be calling Dr. Love and be keeping you up to date on everything from movies to fashion and the latest gadgets and boy toys. It's gonna be great! Thanks for listening. [Post Your Comments]

From: Kathy Labonte

The KISS Army OnLine (KAOL) is giving away 3 vintage hard to find collector's items to 3 different people who purchase one of the KISS Tribute CDs or shirts this month. Choose between the infamous "Creatures of the Net" , the latest double CD release "The Spirit of '78", or one of our awesome new KISS Army shirts and you will automatically have a chance to win one of the 3 items. The prizes are: 3rd - The Japanese LP "Vintage KISS" recorded live in Japan in 1980. This vinyl is very hard to find. 2nd - The Brazilian LP "Rock De KISS" which is an even harder piece of vinyl to obtain. 1st - A mint condition 1978 plastic solo album bag given out as record store promotions. All you have to do is purchase one of the KAOL CDs (or shirts) and 3 lucky people will win one of these items. Our tributes have received outstanding reviews, professionally recorded with bands all over the world. Our price is a simple " $15-$20 donation" - all profits from KAOL are given to the Alzheimer's Association. Come by the website to purchase and win a great KISS collectible. Full song listings and reviews are on the site. Offer ends April 5th. www.kissarmyonline.com [Post Your Comments]

From: Keith Leroux / KISSshop.com & NY KISS Expo
Ace Bash 2002

"It's my birthday...what better way to spend it than with some of my closest fans!" - Ace Frehley. Be one of only 500 guests to celebrate this special day with Ace. Schedule will include a meet and greet as well as a Q&A with Ace! Live performance by Eric Singer and friends. Plus an all Ace song set performed by Kentucky's SSG. Saturday April 27th, 2002 3-8PM at the Rothman Center - 100 University Plaza Drive in Hackensack, N.J. Admission is $125.00 which includes:
• Numbered laminate
• Commemorative hand signed color 8x10 from Ace
• Your photo with Ace (so bring your camera)
• Food, soda and of course birthday cake
• Party favors
• Automatic entry in drawing for autographed Ace guitar
Make a weekend out of it and stay for the NY KISS Expo (same venue) the following day. Tickets for the Expo will be available at the door. To purchase Ace Birthday Bash tickets visit http://www.kissshop.com/kissexpo/acebash.htm [Post Your Comments]

From: KNAC.com
KISS played a private party in Montego Bay, Jamaica last week along with The Scorpions and Nazareth. The interesting note is that Tommy Thayer played the part of "Ace Frehley." Frehley is busy completing his studio and did not make the trip. [Post Your Comments]

From: GeneSimmons.com
The GENE SIMMONS TONGUE cover shoot at the Playboy Mansion went without a hitch. Many thanks to Hugh Hefner and the Playmates. Allen Tuller, my partner will be posting a story and fotos shortly. Our editor, Steve Appleford was there taking candid fotos and making sure things went well. The girls, as you can imagine, were magnificent and we can't wait for you to see our Premier Issue cover, "The Cult Of Hef"...Look for it in May. March 10th - Spent the entire day doing phone interviews with Australia, where my book KISS AND MAKEUP just debuted. I'm told copies are flying out of bookstores. The book also debuted on the Canadian charts at #2. March 11th - Did a photo shoot for the cover of FOLIO magazine. Folio is the trade publication for the magazine business, And, later that day, the GENE SIMMONS TONGUE team got together to take a look at some layout pages. There are a number of other big projects I'm working but can't talk about just yet. More news soon. And on a personal note, thanks to all of you for e mailing your feelings about religion, the band and whether you like me or not. All of it is appreciated and what's most important to me is having an honest relationship with you. Good, bad or otherwise. [More...] [Post Your Comments]

From: KULICK.net
Hello everyone, things have been finally slowing down a bit for me after a very successful and busy Feb 2002. February had dates in Australia (my first solo ones) which were very exciting, Portland Oregon area, (actually right by the ocean and the day we got there, the winds were howling) a show and clinic in Orlando Florida, (great to be outdoors at Sea World) and my performance at Mars Music had a great turnout. Then off to Indio,CA (near Palm Springs) for an outdoor festival gig which was amazing, and off to a Casino in the mystical New Mexico area, for a show with Steppenwolf! That was a great rock concert. Had one of our best shows that night. March has only gotten me to Florida, where we did a big show for the American Cancer Society, and we were able to jump on the BOB and TOM show for a quick "Star Spangled Banner" and "We're An American Band" performance to the delight of the crowd at the Mars Amphitheater in West Palm Beach. That was so cool to surprise this hugh crowd and blast them with our performance! Check out "The Bob & Tom Show" here. Grand Funk has a date in Iowa coming up and I know that the KISS army OMAHA will be showing up in full force. [More...] [Post Your Comments]

From: KULICK.net
I have committed to some clinics for ESP guitars in the Ohio area starting April 1st. Here are all the details. Make sure to call the store for additional information.
APRIL 1: Midnight Music - 8300 Perry Highway Pittsburgh PA 412.369.9455
APRIL 2: CA House Music - 52171 National Rd. St. Clairsville OH 740.695.5929. NOTE: The clinic is being held off site at ahotel. CALL for details.
APRIL 3: KRA Music, Southland Mall, 3700 S. High Street - Columbus OH 614.497.1881
APRIL 4: Metronome Music, 40 S. Trimble Mansfield OH 419.526.3838
[Post Your Comments]

From: Emil / KISS ASYLUM KISS Tabs
Well, it's been a while since the last tabs update but here are four tabs (guitar and bass tabs to "It's My Life" & "Doncha Hesitate") that have been requested a lot since the Box set came out. Enjoy! [View The Guitar Tabs...] [Post Your Comments]

From: Brandweek.com
NEW YORK -- KISS, the 30-odd year-old band known for wearing makeup, 12-inch boots, codpieces and earning more gold records than any other American band, is perhaps the best-marketed rock-and-roll ever brand except for maybe Elvis Presley or the Beatles. Gene Simmons, the band's bassist and de facto leader, known for breathing fire and pretending to vomit blood on stage, is also a savvy businessman. He has overseen more than 2,000 KISS-licensed products for everything from a coffin (that doubles as a cooler) to a KISS Visa card. He is also working to establish Gene Simmons as sort of a sub-brand. When he spoke with "Brandweek" news editor Todd Wasserman last week, Simmons plugged his upcoming magazine, "Gene Simmons Tongue" (a joint venture with publisher Sterling-McFaddon) and his line of clothing, Gene Simmons Dragonfly (a joint venture with clothier Dragonfly to bow at this week's MAGIC trade convention in Las Vegas). Simmons cited a 300,000 print order for the pub, set to launch in the spring with a cover story featuring "Playboy" founder/publisher Hugh Hefner. Simmons also plans to open a Gene Simmons Dragonfly store on Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles this spring and wants to go national in succeeding months. His biography, Kiss and Make-Up, is a current bestseller. [More...] [Post Your Comments]

From: MusiciansFriend.com via Alan Mayer
Part 1: Motivation: Women or Money? - For nearly three decades, Kiss has been the scourge of critics and the religious right, and though moralists may be the last to admit it, Kiss, in all its fiery, sanguine glory is rooted in some of the most sacred of American values: democracy and free enterprise. It's the band's unswerving commitment to those values that ultimately put the naysayers in their place. Despite a dearth of positive feedback from media pundits, the people who buy records and concert tickets have given Kiss all the praise it ever really needs. Kiss suffered some fallow years following the removal of its make-up in the early '80s but it eventually heeded the call of its die-hard fans - donning the grease paint once more and embracing the old stage schtick. The '90s have been good for Kiss, and Gene Simmons, the marketing mogul behind its long-lived success, is a repository of pragmatic music business advice.
Musician.com: What's the most rewarding aspect of having been a musician for so many years?
Gene Simmons: Don't let anybody tell you otherwise because any musician that tells you otherwise is lying to you. At the end of the day, the most rewarding thing -- and here's some cold water in your face -- is money. It's the obvious thing that everybody thinks about and dreams about because it buys you freedom. A record company, for example, forces you to do a certain kind of music, and you're thwarted. Once you get money, you can basically flip off everybody and say, "Now I wanna do what I wanna do." You gotta pay your dues, but money gives you the freedom not to pay your dues. [More...] [Post Your Comments]