From: GeneSimmons.com
"I've been up to my neck with activity in Australia — where, after the KISS dates, I flew into Sydney for three days of interviews for my solo album, 'Asshole'... sixty interviews in all!!! I DO love the sound of my own voice, but after the tenth interview, I could almost hear myself saying, 'Shut up.'
"During that time, Rina Ferris, my PR person there, introduced me to a new Aussie recording artist I immediately took to. I went down to the recording studio where she was working and we connected. She is charismatic, talented and quite stunning. Unfortunately, and for the moment, her name will be kept out of this site until the legal machinery can clear up some legalities... and then, and with great fanfare, we will introduce her to you.
"She has got 'it.'
"I also met with some people in Sydney about a prospective Aussie edition of Gene Simmons Tongue... which, as you know by know, is on hiatus. I am simply too busy with all the other activities to do the magazine right.
"Allen Tuller and I are proud of our first five issues, which can be viewed at the upper left hand corner of this page. Allen is off on vacation. The Sterling MacFadden publishing entity has been sold. However, I still own GS Tongue.
"BAG, our first signing to Simmons Records/Sanctuary Music Group is busy working on new material for his debut release. Very exciting stuff. Wait and see.
" 'Asshole' will be released on June the 8th in North America. It has already come out in selected markets. Norway debuted first, apparently. It entered at number 22. You will soon be seeing the debut video for the first single, 'Firestarter'. Lest anyone think this is a signal of anything new in my life, it is not. I'm simply having a bit of fun with my image — and with the beautiful girls in the video. What else?
"Our Chinese real estate developments are progressing very nicely. These are billion dollar deals we are talking about. And, I'm proud to say I'm a part of it.
"Our new television cable network will soon be launching. Cannot at this time mention the name of the entity, nor give much detail. But soon enough, you will be hearing about this big event. Everywhere.
"Our Korean DVD/CD manufacturing plant purchase is progressing as well. Papers to be signed shortly. Again, cannot be more specific about details just yet.
"Our motion picture company is very close to being fully funded. We have already met with other producers and directors, searching for our first product. More details later.
"Miss Shannon Tweed's book is finally done. You will be surprised by her no-holds-barred directness. I have to say, I am proud of her. She gives a good kick in the pants to a lot of girls out there, who live a fantasy life. She is more grounded than almost anyone I've ever met. She also happens to be gorgeous and that doesn't hurt much, either.
"Our new boxing venture (yes, you read it right) is about to be launched. It will include the most prominent and respected names in boxing. More news as it develops.
"And, I am proud to be a member of a group, that also happens to be my favorite group: KISS. We have a lineup that can play anything, at any time... at the drop of a hat. No moaning. No complaints. No self-abuse. No excuses. Everyone sings in pitch. Everyone plays in time. It rocks. And, Paul Stanley? The best I've ever seen him. We have a ball every night.
"Doubt me? Ask the fans who have seen and heard: 'God Gave Rock and Roll To You', 'Unholy', 'Parasite', 'C'mon and Love Me', 'Got To Choose', 'All The Way', 'Love Her All I Can', 'Goin' Blind' and lots more. We've done a sold out Australian and Japanese Tour (almost done — two more to go).... and America is next. We'd love to see you."
KISS Budokan Set List Night #3
From: Masami / Jim / Russ
Love gun
Deuce
Makin' love
Dr.Love
C'mon & love me
Cold gin
Got to choose
War machine
Lick it up
Parasite
She
I want you
I love it loud
100,000 year
Unholy
Shout it out loud
I was made for loving you
Detroit rock city
God gave rock n roll to you 2
Rock n roll all night.
Bassist Simmons Denies Anti-Muslim Remarks
From: AP News Wire
TOKYO (AP) - Kiss bassist Gene Simmons, who sparked outrage in Australia after making comments seen as anti-Muslim, said he was speaking only of ``extremists'' and that his remarks were taken out of context. "I was asked about extremists," he said Friday in an interview with The Associated Press. "And that's what I was talking about - only extremists."
Kiss began a five-concert tour of Japan this week. Simmons sparked outrage when Kiss toured Australia earlier this month with comments seen as attacking Islam. "This is a vile culture and if you think for a second that it's willing to just live in the sands of God's armpit you've got another thing coming," Simmons said during an interview on Melbourne's 3AW radio. "They want to come and live right where you live and they think that you're evil." Angry Muslims flooded the radio station with calls.
KISS Budokan Set Lists
From: Masami / Jim / Russ
Night #1
King of the night time world
Deuce Makin' love
I love it loud
Christen 16
Tears are falling
War machine
Lick it up
All the way
Dr. love
I want you
Goin' blind
100,000 years
Love gun
I was made for loving you
Detroit rock city
God gave rock n roll to you 2
Rock N Roll All Night
Night #2
Love Gun
Deuce
Makin' love
I love it loud
C'mon &Love Me
Cold Gin
Got To Choose
War Machine
Parasite
She
Love Her All I Can
Dr Love
I Want You
100,000 Years
Unholy
Shout It Out Loud
I Was Made For Loving You
Detroit Rock City
God Gave Rock N Roll To You 2
Rock n Roll All Nite
GENE SIMMONS: 'Firestarter' Video Posted Online
From: http://www.roadrun.com/blabbermouth.net/
KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons' video for his version of the PRODIGY track "Firestarter" has been posted online at this location. http://play.rbn.com/?url=realguide/music/s/video/genesimmons_
thefirestarter_sanctuary_rv10hi.rm&proto=rtsp
"Firestarter" is the first single off Simmons' highly anticipated sophomore solo album, "Asshole", due on June 8 through Simmons Records/Sanctuary Music Group. The video was filmed late last month in Los Angeles with directors Mark Klasfeld and Tony Perossian.
Like Gene's 1978 self-titled solo album, "Asshole" features a number of outside songwriting contributions and guest appearances. Bob Dylan and Gene co-wrote the album's "Waiting For The Morning Light". Frank Zappa and Gene share co-writing credit on "Black Tongue" and the Zappa Family, Dweezil, Ahmet, Moon, Gail and Frank Zappa himself sing and play guitar on the song. Other guests featured on the album include Dave Navarro, ex-KISS members Bruce Kulick and Eric Singer, new Simmons Records/Sanctuary Music Group signing BAG, as well as Gene's longtime live-in Shannon Tweed and their two children, Sophie and Nicholas.
Evansville KISS Expo
From: evansvillekiss.com
WHAT: 2004 EVANSVILLE KISS EXPO
WHEN: Saturday - July 24, 2004 from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM
WHERE: Evansville Airport Marriott
TICKETS: $17 in advance or $20 at the door/VIP Passes for $25
Featuring special guests BOB KULICK, BILL STARKEY & RON KEEL and musical guests ALMOST HUMAN & SHOCK ME
BOB KULICK auditioned for KISS on Jan. 3, 1973, though he (obviously) didn't get the job. He helped in the recording of the Alive II studio tracks. He played on Paul's solo album and performed on tour with Paul Stanley in 1989. He also suggested that Gene and Paul hire his brother Bruce.
BILL STARKEY founded the Kiss Army in Terre Haute, Indiana, when a radio station didn't want to play KISS. (A quote from Gene Simmons: "Bill Starkey kept calling to request our songs, and the deejay said, "We don't do that." Starkey said, "You'd better do it, because by five o'clock, when everybody gets out of school, we're going to surround your beacon with the Kiss Army." The deejay just ignored it--but at five o'clock, there were thousands of kids surrounding this thing. It made the front page of the Terre Haute newspaper; the headline read, KISS ARMY INVADES RADIO STATION, and the KISS Army was born.")
RON KEEL has worked on 22 albums, co-written hundreds of songs, played thousands of shows, and travelled millions of miles. Some if his projects include Ron Keel, IronHorse, KEEL, Ronnie Lee Keel, The Rat'lers, Steeler, Fair Game, & Saber Tiger.
Tickets are $17 in advance or $20 at the door.
Special laminated VIP passes are available (in advance only) for $25 each and get you into the Expo one hour early. (Only 150 VIP Passes are available so order yours soon.) Each paid adult admission gets one child 10 or under in free.
Visit http://www.evansvillekiss.com or write to PO Box 15992, Evansville, IN 47716-0992.
SEE YOU THERE!!!!!!!!!!!
Gene Simmons
From: celebritycafe.com
Gene Simmons, infamous for his work with KISS is now releasing a solo album with co-collaborators like Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa and Dave Navarro. Gene explains a little bit about how the album came to be, and his thought process behind it.
DM) On your recent album you've co-written songs with a number of notables, one of which was Bob Dylan.
GS) The story behind, “Waiting for the Morning Light”, really happened years ago. About eight or nine years ago, I picked up the phone and called Bob and said, “Hi It's Gene Simmons, would you like to write a song?” I knew fully well that he could say yes or no. Fortunately, he responded [spoken in full Bob Dylan accent] “Yeah, Mr. Kiss.”
He came over to my house. He had an acoustic and I had one. I thought he would come up with the melody and the lyrics or at the very least the lyrics, because he is Bob Dylan, but the truth is that he came up with the chords that I used and then I wrote the lyrics and the melody.
The album also features a co-write between myself and Frank Zappa. The history behind that is that Frank, later on when he was not feeling well and was actually quite ill, called me over to his house. I spent time with him and his family and we got to know each other pretty well. Then he took me downstairs and played me some material that had never been released. After the fact, after Frank passed away I thought, wouldn't it be great to play a 30 second snippet and some chords that Frank hadn't used before and that's exactly what I did. Gayle, his wife, sent over a 30 second chord pattern that Frank had and I wrote a song around it called “Black Tongue”. It's the first time that the entire Zappa family appears on a recorded work, Dweezl, Moon Unit, Ahmet and Gayle Zappa as well as Frank Zappa.
DM) With all of these guests, you must be pretty proud of this album.
GS) I'm very, very happy with the record. The first single, Firestarter, has Dave Navarro on it, of Jane's Addiction. It also, has the song “Carnival of Souls” which has my son Nick singing the choruses with me. Also, Shannon Tweed is singing the background on “Whatever Turns You On (Turns Me On)” with her mother Louise.
DM) When did you get the idea to release a solo record?
GS) Oh, about a year ago. Sanctuary Records approached me with revising the Simmons record label, and I said that I was interested because there was a Canadian act that I wanted to sign called Bag. They also said what about a Simmons solo record and actually the thought never occurred to me before they said that. I said, “Yeah sure, why not.”
DM) You never thought about it before that?
GS) Well, I've been busy. Acting in movies, producing other acts and managing other acts and producing movies, and also I'm in a band. And KISS is busier than most bands.
DM) I would have thought that at any of the given peaks that KISS hit, somebody would have approached you about the idea?
GS) Everybody talks out their ear, but you have to ignore that. They're not qualified to ask a question. Their opinions are based on nothing. Everybody thinks that everybody's opinion is worth the same. They're actually not. There's a crowd of people standing by a skyscraper, and everybody says, “That's a great skyscraper.” But one guy says, “No, that's not a sound skyscraper, it's not a good skyscraper.” And the guy's an architect. His opinion is actually valid and the rest means nothing.
DM) In your position, I assume that you've gotten lots of people's comments on KISS and your music.
GS) But without qualification. They've never done anything, it's just opinions, that's why, “Asshole” is a good title because everybody's got one.
DM) Just like everybody has opinions.
GS) That's precisely the point. Now you're getting it. And because of that, I'm going to be holding, on the off days of the KISS tour, I'll be holding Asshole parties. You'll be able to go only if you're an asshole and once you're inside you'll get a card which certifies that you're a real asshole. Just in case, you're friends ask if you're some kind of asshole, you can respond, “Why yes I am. Here's my certificate.”
DM) What do the other guys think of this solo project?
GS) Oh, everybody's thrilled, everybody's very supportive within the band. Paul's [Stanley] going to be doing his right after the tour. Once you reach the heights where you have more gold records than any group in recorded history in North America, what do you have to prove to anybody? Now you can just go and have fun.
DM) Is your relationship with the band better now, than before?
GS) Now that Peter [Criss] and Ace [Frehley] are not in the band, Yes. To be quite honest, because there's no drama. There's no unhealthy behavior. I don't want to talk about that stuff ,because fans get really upset. Like when Mom tells the kids what dad's really like, they don't want to hear that.
DM) Was the recording process and making of this record that different from a KISS record?
GS) Completely different, because the basic notions of recording is to go into a recording studio with a band and stuff like that. The truth is that a lot of this was recorded in living rooms, and I took it into the studio and beefed it up. So Bag, my artist, has a small bedroom in his apartment and he has some computerized equipment right there and we did two tracks right there in that bedroom.
DM) It seems that this album is a bit more intimate having the friends and family.
GS) It has both. It's gotten friends and family and it's got some real ballsy stuff on it. The first few tracks will shed a few pounds. There's a song called “Sweet and Dirty Love” and a song called “Weapons” which is also a really hard song.
The Best Of Kiss, Volume 2
From: Universal Records
If the Seventies was a period of world domination for KISS, the Eighties was a period of rejuvenation. Overcoming lineup changes and a shifting musical climate, the band persevered, ultimately reclaiming their throne as a rock and roll powerhouse. Fueled by a new look and restored musical confidence, KISS rode a tsunami-like wave of their platinum albums (CREATURES OF THE NIGHT, LICK IT UP, ANIMALIZE, ASYLUM, CRAZY NIGHTS and HOT IN THE SHADE) and hit songs, including MTV megahits "Lick It Up," "All Hell's Breaking Loose," "Heaven's On Fire," "Thrills in The Night," "Crazy Crazy Nights," "Reason To Live," and the monster acoustic ballad "Forever."
The Best Of Kiss, Volume 2: 20TH Century Masters/The Millennium Collection collects together a dozen KISS classics from the bands platinum Eighties albums, with each track Digitally Remastered for superior sound. From 1982's "Creatures Of The Night" through 1989's "Forever" The Best Of Kiss, Volume 2 demonstrates why KISS remained one of the biggest rock bands on Earth.
Street Date: June 15, 2004
PETER CRISS Says KISS Members ERIC SINGER And TOMMY THAYER Are 'Impostors'
From: Friday Night Rocks (as transcribed by Blabbermouth.com)
Original KISS drummer Peter Criss made an appearance on the "Friday Night Rocks" show on New York's Q104.3 Friday night (May 21) to discuss his departure from the group that he co-founded more than 30 years ago. The following are some excerpts from that interview (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET):
On why he isn't playing with KISS anymore:
"[We] finished the tour [with AEROSMITH] last December. [We went] home. The holidays came. We actually finished the last show on my birthday, December 20th, which was really a gas - it was a great way to finish the tour. Especially with the great AEROSMITH - I was really honored to be on a stage with such Hall of Famers. Man, talk about greatness - it was really cool.
"The tour ended, to get back to it, and I got home. Time went on, time went on… My attorney tried to reach them, no one got back to him.
"The word I'm hearing on the street [is that] they were trying to get in touch with me. Well, they have my phone number. It seemed like the phone never rang. I was kind of hoping it would. It didn't ring. "Time went by again, all of a sudden the day finally came when the contract ran out. There was now no more contract, no extension… anything nothing. So I posted on my site what I posted on my site, which I can't right now, I guess I can't remember word for word, verbatim, but it was kinda, 'No one called me, no one got in touch with me.'
"To get right to it, I got a call from Paul [Stanley] the following day after I posted what I had to post on my site, because I was flooded by [e-mails from] a ton of people. And it got to be that they wanted to start a 'new' KISS. And I'm like, 'What do you mean 'new' KISS?'
"It really got down to… He almost said I was too old to cut it, I couldn't play two hours anymore, they felt that their camp wanted some younger blood, that they wanted to do new stuff… between you an me, a bunch of bunk. I didn't buy it for one instant. I'm listening to this - that I'm too old, I can't play this anymore, I was complaining…
"If I complained about anything… I complained about a lot of things, and I have a reason to complain about anything I complained about - I don't just complain about everything. But the idea [and] the audacity that I, a founding member of the band that would not be here today…
"There is no more KISS. There is only one KISS, and that's Peter, Paul, Ace and Gene. There's nobody else that could ever replace any of us. I don't take nothing away from those two guys [Paul and Gene] - they are the men, they are the guys - but so are Ace and I, and we're just as important to the party. To be told I can't cut it is an insult to me and my fans - meaning my KISS fans, THE KISS fans - who have made my life the best life I've ever had on this planet.
"I always say to the guys, 'If not for you guys, I wouldn't have a wonderful life. I have a wonderful life.' But [Paul's] attitude [on the phone] was pompous. 'We're gonna do new stuff. We're gonna do two hours. You don't wanna play two hours. It didn't seem like you really wanted to stay on the tour anyway.' And I mentioned [to Paul], 'You know what? I really wasn't happy 100 percent of the tour 'cause Ace wasn't there.'
"To be really honest with you, to me, without Ace, it just wasn't KISS, as far as I'm concerned. It wasn't the KISS that I helped make KISS today."
"It was tough for me [during the last tour]. Again, I said to Paul, 'Look, I missed Ace, it wasn't the same.' And his reply was, 'Well, that's the old KISS.'
"You know something, man?! If there was no old KISS, there would be no 'new' KISS.
"What is the 'new' KISS? The KISS of the 20th century was Ace, Peter, Paul and Gene. So now the KISS of the 21st century is Paul, Gene, Eric and Tommy? Still wearing the makeup, still playing the same songs? Maybe they're not playing exactly the same songs that we played when we were together, so they're playing maybe some songs we didn't do… That makes it different? That's a 'new' KISS? I don't buy it. And I've heard, actually, and I'm here for the very reason, that the fans are just getting ripped off - it's breaking my heart.
"If you go, OK, be the 'new' KISS. I'll take that. Take the makeup off, put new songs out there, put a whole brand-new show up, put new lights, new sound, new bombs, whole new vibe, brand-new look. I'll buy that. I'll take Eric, Tommy, Gene and Paul for the brand-new KISS. But it ain't the 'new' KISS, man. And that's what galls me - it's still the same old KISS that I was told on the phone, 'We ain't the old KISS anymore.' Then what are you?
"You know, Paul was like, 'We showed Peter the door.' Gene is, 'Well, we kept trying to get in touch with Peter.' I wish the two of them would get together in a room and talk, since I know they don't talk to each other anymore and have not spoken to one another for quite awhile - they DON'T talk, they don't feel like they wanna talk to each other. This is a very true fact.
"For Gene to say about me that I had to ice my elbows, which is terrific, my hand's terrific... I had a pinched nerve to start that tour out with with a trainer they hired to get me in shape. The guy worked me hard… Nothing against the guy, I like to work hard, I like to train hard, I like to play hard. I pinched a nerve in the back of my neck - right off the tour. Pain in the damn ass. I didn't like it, they didn't like it, but I didn't like it… I mean, I really didn't like it because I was the guy in pain. Got a doctor, had an epidural in my spine so I could get up there every night and kick ass on that tour. Days off, Gene's complaining that I'm in my room icing myself down. What am I supposed to do? I have a pinched nerve. The doctor tells me, 'You got a day off, take it easy, put some ice on your…'
"You know what, guys in sports, guys who play football, guys who play, take a day off put their hands in ice, put their necks in ice, put their legs in ice. I play drums, it's a physical instrument. It takes a lot of endurance, I'm 58 - I'm not a kid anymore - so it takes a little more. It's called pacing. So I figured, you got a day off, get a little room service, get a movie to my room, put a little ice on my neck, go out tomorrow night, kick ass.
"What I did my days off… I didn't even care what Gene did on his days off. As a matter of fact, Gene didn't even fly with us. Gene didn't travel with us, Gene stayed in separate hotels. To say that I needed to do all this and that, so they let me go because I complained…
"I complained for a lot of facts that I had to, when we would drive together, I had to sit in a car alone with my wife because they wouldn't ride with me, or they'd let Gene sit with me 'cause Paul and Gene didn't talk to each other. So I'm in a car, and Tommy Thayer and [manager] Doc McGhee and Paul Stanley and all the other guys are together on their car, and I'm privy to nothing. I'm a founding member of this band - I founded KISS as much as Gene and Paul and Ace did, and I love 'em all. But I founded this band as much as they did. To be so disrespected... OK, so they put the other guy up there in my makeup, it's disrespectful. Take the damn makeup off and be who you are and quit using us. If you are the 'new' KISS, then be the 'new' KISS. Get off the old track and be the 'new' KISS. To tell the fans that is wrong. And I'm here to put that straight tonight.
"I'm tired of hearing about this. I'm not old. I'm in the best condition I've probably ever been in in my whole life. They didn't even sit and have the respect to have a meeting with me or my attorney, to sit and let's talk about it.
"You know, there was a time that we sat together back in the day when we were really a band, THE band, ate the same crap, shared rooms, Holiday Inns, dyed our hair blue, black in a bathtub, walked to Greenwich village, got hit with eggs, never got any airplay, never got anything great, we were like the worst band considered in the world, but we hung in tough, we went through it, we hung tight and we became whatever we became today. And I'm really proud of that. And I don't wanna see it tarnished. And it breaks my heart to see it where it's going."
On where things went wrong following the band's "Reunion" tour in 1996:
"It got back to the controlling issue. Controlling issue is a big thing for Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. Always has been. Love to control everything. Like I said, if I had a day off and I took that day off to rent a movie, have a little room service, take a little rest, make sure I'm ready to kick ass the next night, it's my business. If one guy wants to go to a strip joint, that's his business - I don't really care. One guy wants to go have dinner, fine. One guy wants to go shopping, terrific. We had no problems with that on the 'Reunion' tour - anybody could do whatever they wanted on days off, everybody was happy.
"I was so happy to be back. It was such a great thing to get a second chance, I felt, in life. Because that's what it was to me - a great second chance to maybe fix what was broken when we first just burst, when we first kind of went our own way, when I left, when Ace left. It was not the best way, I feel, a band of our caliber and our legacy should ever go. We should have never left on such…
"It happens… We know we're in a crazy business - bands break up, bands wanna go their own way. I was hoping in, you know… fantasy, hoping that it would all be so great… Maybe I'm delusional, but I was hoping that we'd really all get back, we'd be brothers again, we're all sharing again, we're all gonna be great.
"The minute the 'Reunion' was over and it got to 'Psycho Circus', it all changed again. It all got… Now here comes an album... I was really excited, I was like, 'Wow, we're finally gonna do a studio album together, as a band.' And I think the fans felt the same way, 'Wow, KISS is finally gonna do a studio album, a great studio album.'
"The album came, [producer] Bruce Fairbairn, rest his soul, great guy. All of sudden, they're like, 'It's all up to Bruce. Anything that comes in, any kind of material is up to Bruce.' Well, I wrote a lot of pretty good stuff. [But I was told that] it wasn't good enough. 'So you're gonna sing this ballad Paul wrote.' It got right back to that thing again, 'I control. You're gonna do this, you're gonna do that. We'll pay you for the record and we'll say you played on it, but we don't want you to tell the world you didn't play on it. We want you to tell the world you played on it.' I couldn't live with that. I've gotta look in the mirror every day. And I sure wasn't gonna let my fans think I'm playing on something I'm not on - I won't do that. So that started it. And as far as Ace goes, if Ace didn't get anything on the album, he was gonna… again, 'I'm outta here.' So he got one song, and he made sure I sang.
"[The only song on 'Psycho Circus' where all four of us appear together is 'Into the Void'], which was great. That was about the only moment for a minute there it felt, wow, like the old days again - we were back in the room. But my songs got rejected. It hurt, it really bothered me. I was like, 'Let's work on it maybe, like we did with [previous producer] Ezrin. Nothing got rejected with Bobby. Everything we did we did as a team, we did as a group. That's why I think 'Destroyer' was so huge. I think it was the best album we ever did, because we were a band when we did it. When this came along, these two guys again, as far as I was concerned, they took over, it was another controlling issue, 'We're gonna control the issue, you're gonna do what we tell you to do, you're gonna play what we want you to play, we're gonna put our songs on it.'
"As far as I was concerned, that album ['Psycho Circus'] was trash. I don't it was the best thing we... they ever did, because I had nothing to do with it. Then we had to go out perform that album. I was against it because I wasn't on it and I had to learn these songs from whoever else played on it, and it was kind of like I was a sideman.
"I felt like in the beginning of 'Reunion', I was Peter Criss The Catman. By the time 'Psycho Circus' started again, I was Peter Criss The Sideman. Ace was Ace Frehley The Sideman. By the time we got even lucky enough to get to 'Farewell', it was a nightmare. It wasn't going well."
On his belief that money and greed is the sole reason Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons are continuing to tour as KISS:
"I really believe that. Flat-out. If it wasn't about the money, if it was for the fans, for KISS fans, then Ace and I would be up there - we'd be playing right now. Because that's what it was all about with the 'Reunion'. Let's get back together, let's show the world really who was who at one time, let's show the people who've never seen us but really should see what it's all about… By then, guys had kids, they had their own families, they wanted to bring them to the show - we were so excited about all this. It was like, 'Here comes KISS 1996.' We were all so high on that idea. And of course, yeah, the minute the Benjamins come into scene, the minute the jets and the money and the big mansions in Beverly Hills, yada yada yada… I really see, to me, the cancer, I call it.
"I don't pray to money, I pray to God. I love people. I don't get up and have to think about, 'How can I make another buck?'
"They've got a lot of money, these guys [Paul and Gene], but yet… it should've definitely ended on the 'Farewell' tour. I would have been happy to walk away with my head held high and said, 'Man, we did the best we did, we left with our heads held high. We did the [Madison Square] Garden sold out four nights. We did Tiger Stadium, we did all this greatness. And at least we left with class, and we left with pride.
"To me, [the current KISS] a cover band. It's not KISS. I think Eric's a great guy and he's a good drummer. But as far as Tommy goes, I see a guy who used to order my food after my concert, for what I wanna eat when I'm done playing, who, as far as I'm concerned, paid no dues, paid nothing compared to what we paid through our careers - as far as what Ace and I, and Gene and Paul, went through, with the ridicule and the no airplay, got thrown off shows, and eventually almost got thrown off the label. I mean, no one liked us back in the day. We really paid our dues to who we were today and who we are today. This guy is now my road manager ordering my plate of spaghetti after a concert, next minute I'm looking over and he's wearing, literally, an icon's boots, and it ain't Ace. And I'm lookin' over every night lookin' at this guy waving a guitar around playing Ace's leads, Ace's licks, acting like Ace, becoming Ace, being Ace. You know, be careful what you wish for, you might get it.
"Ace put more blood, sweat and tears into this band than anybody else will because he's an original member, a founding member of KISS, and so am I. If anybody has a right to knock him, we do, I do, but to go up there with a road manager, I think it's degrading. I think it's even wrong… The fans shouldn't even deserve that. To go backstage with an album that I recorded on that I made famous and get a Tommy Thayer autograph and an Eric Singer autograph over a Peter Criss, Ace Frehley, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley album, it's wrong - it's downright wrong. And to pay money to go back and take a picture with two impostors and two originals is wrong. And I don't care what I get for this or what comes back at me, I'm talking from my heart. It's just not right for my fans.
"Maybe I'm the only voice coming out for them [the fans], saying this. I know they feel the same way, because they're paying all their hard-earned bucks.
"I remember Doc McGhee telling me when I first met him, 'I will not handle this band unless it's Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss in makeup, in boots, in full makeup, full warpaint.' He's still handling the band - the band that ha two impostors, two originals and is still playing. Why? What would be the reason? It must be money. I can't think of any other reason."
Spotlight on Gene Simmons
From: immigration.about.com
It is safe to say that he probably has one of the longest tongues in the Rock Music Business - his trademark body part that can be seen on album covers as well as during live shows with the Hard Rock Band KISS, where he is playing bass and singing. But lyrics are not the only things that roll off his enormous "flesh carpet:" pyrotechniques (such as spitting fire) are a regular part of his performances, or, at elevations over 50 feet, he will often throw up blood all over the audience - acts that can compete with any circus.
Click here to read more.
KISS To Offer 'Instant' Concert Recordings On Upcoming Tour
From: instantliveconcerts.com
KISS have teamed up with Instant Live to offer high-quality CDs of every show on their "Rock The Nation" tour. KISS are heading out on the road with a new show, new stage, and set lists featuring rarely heard gems from the entire KISS catalog. Now you can have a chance to witness the spectacle that over 78 million fans have already experienced, but this time you get to take a piece of history home.
Instant Live, owned by radio and concert promotion behemoth Clear Channel Communications, can reportedly print off dozens of discs — selling for around $15 either at the venue or later — in response to orders from concertgoers. Launched in February of 2003 in Boston, Instant Live will be expanding to cities across the country by year’s end. An added feature will give fans the ability to pre-order Instant Live CDs when purchasing concert tickets.
Gene Simmons at Toombul Music
From: Toombul Music.com.au
Toombul Music PROUDLY PRESENTS the God Of Thunder himself, Gene Simmons
Saturday 22nd May 12.00pm (Midday) - 1.00pm
Signing copies of his new CD - ASSHOLE
(Gene will ONLY be signing copies of the Asshole CD)
Free Promo Poster with the first 150 sold!!!
PETER ON THE "EDDIE TRUNK SHOW"
From: PeterCriss.net
Peter's appearance on the "Eddie Trunk Show" has been rescheduled for Fri/May/21...So, Catfans here is your chance to ask Peter a question and find out what he's been up to and what his future plans are...You don't want to miss this...
To find out all the places and ways to hear the show...Please click on the link below... Click on here to find out when and where the show will air...
Gene Simmons To Appear Instore In Sydney
From: Undercover.com.au
'Asshole' is only his second solo album and first in 25 years. Of the new album he says "My taste is eclectic and all over the place. I love all kinds of artists, from Patsy Cline to the Beatles, Motown to Hoobastank. As for the record's stylistic diversity, I'm a child of The Beatles. They created this sort of hybrid white version of American music. They could do it all - Little Richard, country, pop, soul, psychedelia. They had no rules. That had a major effect on me and that influence comes through on the record."
Simmons will be at Utopia Records, Lower Level, 505-525 George Street from 3pm Sunday May 23.
ACE FREHLEY's UFO Encounter To Be Included In VH1's '100 Most Metal Moments'
From: Antimusic.com
According to Antimusic.com, two of the segments that are scheduled to be included in "100 Most Metal Moments" — the upcoming VH1 special focusing on the "entertaining (and sometimes shocking) moments" that defined heavy metal music's heyday — have to do with former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley. One deals with Ace's on-stage electrocution 1976 and the other is about his UFO encounter in 2002.
The UFO piece reports on Ace's UFO encounter with commentary from Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Sebastian Bach, Eddie Trunk and John Ostronomy. Ace originally told DJ Eddie Trunk about his encounter on Eddie's radio show, "Eddie Trunk Rocks", in July 2002.
"100 Most Metal Moments" premieres on Monday, May 31 at 10:00 p.m. Narrated by the always outrageous Dee Snider (TWISTED SISTER), this special continues the tradition of VH1's "100 Greatest" series of specials which debuted with "100 Greatest Artists of Rock and Roll" in March of 1998.
Voodooland: Give Me Air
From: KarlCochran.com
Karl Cochran.com is proud to announce the official release of Voodooland's second album entitled "Give Me Air" Featuring performances by:
Karl Cochran (Ace Frehley, ESP, Joe Lynn Turner) Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple)
John Corabi (Union, Motley Crue)
Brent Fitz (Union, Vince Neil)
Bob Daisley (Ozzy Osbourne, Uriah Heap)
Additional Performances by: Bruce Terkildsen, Paul Dileo, Al Fritsch!!!
Special Bonus Track featuring Ace Frehley and Eric Singer of KISS!!!
If you're a fan of the classic rock sound with a modern edge, then this is the album for you!!!!
Here's some quotes from fans who've already gotten the album:
"I ordered the Voodooland CD a week ago (after hearing the Eddie Trunk show), and received it on Thursday. To say I am utterly blown away would be the understatement of the year."
"I have listened to so many different types of music, and different artists and there are only a handful of them who's music I can listen to over and over without saying 'Okay, enough of this...' The VooDooLand CD is in that group. Every aspect of the CD is great, meaning the lyrics, music, melody. The guitar work on the whole CD is just stellar. "
For purchasing Information, go to www.karlcochran.com
KISS: Melbourne Club Show Setlist
From: KissNews.net
According to KissNews.net, KISS performed a club show at the The Palais in Melbourne, Australia on Saturday (May 15). The group's set was just under two hours long and not two and a half hours, as advertised by the promoter prior to the show.
KISS live at The Palais in Melbourne, Australia - May 15, 2004:
01. Deuce
02. Strutter
03. C'mon And Love Me
04. Parasite
05. Love Gun
06. Christine Sixteen
07. Makin Love
08. Got To Choose
09. I Love It Loud
10. Love Her All I Can
11. She
12. All The Way
13. I Want You
14. War Machine
15. 100,000 Years
16. Hotter Than Hell
17. Shout It Out Loud
18. I Was Made For Lovin You
19. Calling Dr Love
20. The Oath (a few seconds only)
21. I (a few seconds only)
22. Cold Gin
23. Detroit Rock City
24. King Of The Nightime World
25. Shandi (Paul Stanley)
26. God Gave Rock And Roll To You
27. Rock N Roll All Nite
Kiss on Rockline
From: www.rocklineradio.com
KISS will be the featured guests on the nationally syndicated radio show "Rockline" airing Wedneday, June 9. The live show begins at 8:30 p.m. PT / 11:30 p.m. ET, and fans are encouraged to call in with questions during the program at (800) 344-ROCK (7625). To find a station near you, check out www.rocklineradio.com.
Kiss Encore With The MSO
From: www.undercover.com.au
Kiss were back together with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra last night in Melbourne for an encore performance of their 2003 Kiss Symphony. The world renowned MSO performed with Kiss at Telstra Dome in 2003 and the show was released as the Kiss Symphony live CD and DVD.
Paul Stanley praised the talents of the MSO tells fans they should listen to "good music no matter who is playing it. That is what tonight is all about" he said.
Stanley thanked conductor Kevin Levinson telling the crowd that when they decided to do the first symphony show and searched for an orchestra most were too snobby to work with Kiss. He said there are snobby rock bands as well and that the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is the best in the world and Kiss were honoured to work with them.
Instead of the full 60 piece orchestra, a smaller chamber orchestra, all made up in Kiss makeup, were welcomed on stage to the finale of the main show. They performed 'Shout It Out Loud', 'Love Gun', 'I Was Made For Loving You' and 'Detroit Rock City' with Kiss and came back in the encore for 'Rock and Roll All Nite'.
Kiss opened the show with 'Creatures of the Night' and are performing some songs like 'Pledge Allegiance To Rock and Roll" for the very first time on this tour. Kiss Live at Rod Laver Arena, Monday, May 13, 2003 performed:
Creatures of the Night (from Creatures of the Night, 1982)
Deuce (from Kiss, 1974)
Pledge Allegiance to Rock 'n' Roll (from Psycho Circus, 1998)
I Love It Loud (from Creatures of the Night, 1982)
Christine Sixteen (from Love Gun, 1977)
Tears Are Falling (from Asylum, 1985)
War Machine (from Creatures of the Night, 1982)
Lick It Up (from Lick It Up, 1983)
Calling Dr. Love (from Rock and Roll Over, 1976)
I Want You (from Rock and Roll Over, 1976)
100,000 Years (from Kiss, 1974)
Gene bass solo
Unholy (from Revenge, 1992)
Shout It Out Loud with the MSO (from Destroyer, 1976)
Love Gun with the MSO (from Love Gun, 1977)
I Was Made For Lovin' You with the MSO (from Dynasty, 1979)
Detroit Rock City with the MSO (from Destroyer, 1976)
Encore
God Gave Rock and Roll To You II (from Revenge, 1992)
Rock and Roll All Night with the MSO (from Kiss Alive, 1975)
Kiss Alive In Australia
From: www.undercover.com.au
Kiss kicked off the first show on their Australian tour Saturday night in Perth with a setlist that mixes the old with the older.
Over the last two tours, songs were restricted mainly to the 70s, with the occasional song from the 80s and 90s added in but on this tour they are covering all bases from the first album in 1974 (Deuce, 100000 Years from Kiss) to the last studio album in 1998 (Pledge Allegiance to Rock 'n' Roll from Psycho Circus).
The trilogy are megahits has remained constant between this tour and the last with 'I Was Made For Lovin' You' ending the first set and 'God Gave Rock and Roll To You II' and 'Rock and Roll All Nite' finishing up the show as the encore.'Creatures of the Night' was the first song of the first show.
Breaking the setlist into decades 10 of the 19 songs are from the 70's, six out of 19 from the 80s and three from the 90s.
Here is the setlist for Kiss at Burswood Dome, Perth, Saturday, May 8, 2004
1. Creatures of the Night (from Creatures of the Night, 1982)
2. Calling Dr. Love (from Rock and Roll Over, 1976)
3. Pledge Allegiance to Rock 'n' Roll (from Psycho Circus, 1998)
4. I Love It Loud (from Creatures of the Night, 1982)
5. Christine Sixteen (from Love Gun, 1977)
6. Tears Are Falling (from Asylum, 1985)
7. War Machine (from Creatures of the Night, 1982)
8. Lick It Up (from Lick It Up, 1983)
9. I Want You (from Rock and Roll Over, 1976)
10. Deuce (from Kiss, 1974)
11. 100,000 Years (from Kiss, 1974)
12. Unholy (from Revenge, 1992)
13. Shandi (from Unmasked, 1982)
14. Detroit Rock City (from Destroyer, 1976)
15. Shout It Out Loud (from Destroyer, 1976)
16. Love Gun (from Love Gun, 1977)
17. I Was Made For Lovin' You (from Dynasty, 1979)
Encore:
18. God Gave Rock and Roll To You II (from Revenge, 1992)
19. Rock and Roll All Night (from Kiss Alive, 1975)
Former MARILYN MANSON Guitarist Pens Song For PAUL STANLEY's Solo Album
From: Blabbermouth.com
According to KissKollector.com, former MARILYN MANSON guitarist John Lowery (a.k.a. John 5) has written and recorded an as-yet-untitled song with Bob Kulick for possible inclusion on Paul Stanley's second solo album, tentatively due later this year. Stanley has been working on his new solo CD for some time now at the recording studio of Bob Kulick, brother of former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick. The latter has been helping Paul Stanley record some songs as well, and has stated that "Paul is writing some great material." Bruce Kulick also recorded two tracks for KISS bassist Gene Simmons' new solo album, titled "Asshole", due in Europe next week and out in the U.S. on June 8.
KISS: Official Quarterly Magazine To Debut In June
From: DNA Publications, Inc
DNA Publications, Inc. has reached an agreement with KISS to publish the official magazine of the band. The premiere issue will appear on newsstands in late June and will be published quarterly thereafter. Along with KissOnline.com, KISS: The Official Authorized Quarterly Magazine will be the official source for the latest KISS news, photos and tour information.
"I'm very happy and extremely excited to be adding this magazine to our stable," said Warren Lapine, publisher and longtime KISS fan. "KISS is the only band in the world with a broad enough fan base to have their own magazine and I'm very much looking forward to bringing KISS: The Official Authorized Quarterly Magazine to their fans."
DNA Publications, Inc., was founded in 1993 and is currently the second largest publisher of genre magazines in America. The magazine's cover price will be $5.95 and one year subscriptions will be $18.95.
"When Kiss Ruled The World"
From: KISSKollector.com
According to KissKollector.com, VH1 is working on a new KISS special, "When Kiss Ruled The World". The one-hour show will air in June, to coincide with the kick-off of KISS' U.S. summer tour with POISON. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, plus original KISS roadie Peter "Moose" Oreckinto ('73-76), as well as KISS Kollector correspondent Jacques van Gool, have already been interviewed, while people such as former KISS drummer Peter Criss (who had to cancel the first time due to a funeral), former KISS manager Bill Aucoin and producer Eddie Kramer will be interviewed later on. VH1 is also trying to set up an interview with former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley.
100 Most Metal Moments
From: VH1.com
The heyday of heavy metal music is full of entertaining (and sometimes shocking) moments. From wild hair to even wilder groupies, heavy metal's most notorious incidents defined the excess of an era.
"100 Most Metal Moments," premieres on Monday, May 31 at 10:00 pm* with the ultimate countdown of these outrageous hard rock moments in a five-night special. Narrated by the always outrageous Dee Snider, this special reveals who shredded a live chicken onstage, who won a gross out contest with Nikki Sixx and more in each one-hour episode.
The special features all new interviews with legendary metal icons like Motorhead, Blackie Lawless, Bret Michaels, Sebastian Bach, Anthrax, L.A. Guns, KISS, Vince Neil, Ronnie James Dio, Faster Pussycat, and many more.
"100 Most Metal Moments" continues the tradition of VH1's "100 Greatest" series of specials which debuted with "100 Greatest Artists of Rock and Roll" in March of 1998.
Viewers can log on to VH1.com for the complete list and more outrageous metal moments.
"100 Most Metal Moments" is Executive produced by Michelle Mahoney and Meredith Ross for VH1.
Gene Simmons "Asshole" Cover Art
From: Amazon.com
Set List from Australia
From: KISS Asylum
KISS kicked off the Australian leg of their "Rock the Nation" 2004 world tour Saturday night (May 8) at Burswood Dome in Perth. The group's complete setlist for the concert was as follows:
01. Creatures of the Night
02. Dr. Love
03. Pledge Allegiance to Rock 'n' Roll
04. I Love It Loud
05. Christine Sixteen
06. Tears Are Falling
07. War Machine (Gene breathes fire)
08. Lick It Up
09. I Want You
10. Deuce
11. 100,000 Years
12. Unholy (blood, bass solo)
13. Shandi (just Paul)
14. Detroit Rock City
15. Shout It Out Loud
16. Love Gun
17. I Was Made For Lovin' You (Paul flies)
Encore: 18. God Gave Rock and Roll To You II
19. Rock and Roll All Night
18th Annual NY KISS Expo
From: Keith Leroux
The 18th Annual NY KISS Expo & Hard Rock Convention will be TODAY for ONE DAY ONLY -- Noon to Midnight at the Sheraton Meadowlands Hotel, 2 Meadowlands Plaza, East Rutherford, NJ 07073
Guest include: Richie Scarlet, Jasmin St. Clair, Karl Cochran, Metal Mike of Halford, Eddie Trunk, Bada Bing girls Bobcat and Elektra. Live performances from KISSNATION, Pretty Suicide, Unchained, Slippery when wet and Richie Ranno's All Stars. Don't forget to come by and say hello to all of us at KISSshop.com/KISS ASYLUM.com. To celebrate the re-launch of KISS ASYLUM.com (May 15th) we are bringing in Bob Kulick and Dale Torborg as guests at our NY KISS Expo booth. Both will be signing autographs and talking to the fans all day. We will have 8 tables with great specials like $10 official KISS t-shirts and many $1 items.
Very Special Guest: Bob Kulick, guitarist on Paul Stanley's solo tour! He's also guitarist on studio songs from KISS Alive II! The brother of Bruce Kulick, Bob Kulick will be appearing at the NY KISS Expo. He is a very interesting person with long-time, close ties to KISS! Don't miss him!
ERIC SINGER On Rejoining KISS: 'We All Change Our Minds'
From: KISS Underground Archives
KISS drummer Eric Singer was recently asked by the Kiss Underground Archives web site to explain why he decided to return to the band in light of his previous statement that he couldn't imagine working with KISS again unless Ace Frehley was involved. "We all feel different about a situation at any given time, but situations change, and sometimes we feel differently," Singer replied. "That's our own prerogative for everybody. We all change our minds about things all of the time."
"I have no problem playing in the band in the lineup it is now. I've known Tommy Thayer for a long time. With no disrespect to anyone else who's ever been in the band, Tommy's great. I've always known Tommy's ability as a guitar player, because I've known him outside of KISS. Tommy's a better player than a lot of people even really know. He's got a great sound, a great tone, and a great feel. I really respect that he really goes for playing the KISS songs as authentically as possible."
"People want to hear those songs pretty much the way they were. For example, when I play those songs, I try to play those songs in a KISS tradition. I'm not trying to imitate either Peter Criss or Eric Carr. We're going to play 'Creatures of the Night', for example. I'm not going, 'I'm gonna try to sound like and be Eric Carr.' I'm never going to be Eric Carr. I'm never going to be Peter Criss. What I can do is to try to pay homage to the music and try to make it sound the best that I can. The thing that's great about the setlist that we're doing now is that we're doing songs that I originally played on. We're basically doing songs from all eras of the band. So that gives me the opportunity to play the songs the way I played them, because that's me on them. For example, when we play 'Unholy' or 'God Gave Rock and Roll To You', those are my drum parts. That's me doing what I do."
Regarding the possibility of the band playing more obscure tracks during their upcoming tour, Singer said, "I already saw the list [KISS] did on the last tour with AEROSMITH. From what I've seen, half the set has changed. That's 50%. That's a lot. But there are also songs added to the set-list (to make it longer). If we changed 100% of the set, you wouldn't hear 'Detroit Rock City', you wouldn't hear 'Deuce', or any of those songs. I even said to Gene the other day, when I told him about working on some older songs that, 'Tommy Thayer and I have the unique perspective, that no one in KISS will ever know or understand.' We were fans that ended up playing the band. We were fans when we were kids. I know what it's like to be on both sides of the fence to a certain degree. Not the same as a diehard fan, because I'm not that kind of mentality. I know what more obscure songs I liked as a kid, mind you that was 30 years ago. But I can relate to what the diehards want in regards to that. So I'm trying to encourage us to play a lot of cool old songs, and so is Tommy. This band has the ability to play ANYTHING from the KISS library. I mean ANYTHING. There's nothing musically the band can't play. Any song, from any era, off of any record, we can play. We really have to wait and find our feet and see how things go. We have plenty of material to inject in there, and I think this tour will be really good."
SEBASTIAN BACH, ACE FREHLEY Collaboration Available For Download
From: KISS Asylum
Former SKID ROW frontman Sebastian Bach has posted the following message on his official web site:
"How cool is this! The song I recorded with Anton Fig & Ace Frehley, 'Know Where You Go', is available for download NOW at the iTunes website! To record together with Ace & Anton is a dream come true & an honour, to say the least, & now you can crank up our collaboration for yourself!"
"Know Where You Go" comes off Fig's new solo album, "Figments", which includes additional guest appearances by such artists as Brian Wilson, Chris Botti, Richie Havens, Paul Shaffer, Ivan Neville, Al Kooper and Will Lee. For more information, visit www.AntonFig.com.
Possible KISS Setlist changes
From: The Classic Metal Show
According to a "KISS insider", the band only plan to play 'Detroit Rock City' and 'Rock N' Roll All Night' from the "classic" KISS setlist on their upcoming trek with POISON.
Word has it that all other songs that KISS perform on the tour will be new to the setlist. Other songs being rehearsed include the Destroyer album classics 'Sweet Pain' and 'Flaming Youth'.
As previously reported, drummer Eric Singer recently revealed that KISS have also been rehearsing 'All The Way' from Hotter Than Hell and 'Love Her All I Can' from Dressed To Kill.
More News: [News Archive]
