KISS ASYLUM: June 2003 News Archive

An advance EP of Karl Cochran's new CD Voodooland is now available! This limited pressing includes the tracks: (1) I'll Lay Down * (2) Take Me Back * (3) Phoenix Rising * (4) You and I (acoustic). Performers on the CD: Karl Cochran - All Guitars, All Bass Guitars, Harmony Vocals Track 4 *Jon Corabi - Lead and Harmony Vocals Track 1, Lead Vocals Track 4 * Brent Fitz - All Drums, Percussion Tracks 1,2 and 3 * Bruce Terkildsen - Lead and Harmony Vocals Track 2 * Al Fritsch - Keyboards and Synth Tracks 2 and 3 * Chris Mitchell - Percussion Track 4. The price is $10.00 U.S.(including S&H), and if you want the EP autographed just let Karl know when you order. This limited pressing is only available as long as supplies last, so click over (http://home.att.net/~takko/merchandise.html) to Karl's official website for more information and to order your copy now!

From: Billboard.com
Kiss co-frontman Paul Stanley is working on his first solo album in 25 years, the artist reveals to Billboard.com. As previously reported, Kiss vocalist/bassist Gene Simmons is also working on a solo project. Stanley says he's working with a crop of songwriters that includes Andreas Carlsson, who has written songs with or for the likes of Celine Dion, Bon Jovi, Backstreet Boys, LeAnn Rimes, Britney Spears and 'N Sync. "He's a great writer, and, actually, a big Kiss fan," Stanley says, adding that he'll start really focusing on the project after Kiss' upcoming co-headlining tour with Aerosmith. "It's in the process of being shaped." Fans shouldn't expect any unused Kiss relics to surface on the project, which should be issued next year. "I'm a big believer that, if a song doesn't make it on an album, there's a reason," Stanley says, "and to dig up something that's been sitting around for 10 or 15 years doesn't seem worth it, because at some point, sure, it can see the light of day, just by default. And that's not enough reason. "I believe if something gets rejected time and time again, it probably doesn't belong on an album," he continues. "I also like to think that a song is like a fresh issue of a magazine or a newspaper. Ya know, the ink is still wet because it's current. Recycling old stuff, to me, is not of any interest, because as life goes on, there are new experiences to draw from." Stanley and Simmons haven't issued solo sets since each original member of Kiss simultaneously released such a project in 1978. Simmons recently told Billboard.com his album will feature songs co-written by Bob Dylan and Frank Zappa. He's also courting the likes of Axl Rose, Phish's Trey Anastasio, and John Mellencamp for guest turns. [More...]

From: LAUNCH Radio Networks
Ace Frehley had to cancel his Thursday (June 19) appearance at Rock And Roll Fantasy Camp, the event which brings together non-professionals with well-known musicians for a few days of training. The once (and future?) lead guitarist for Kiss fell down the stairs at his home outside New York City on Wednesday (June 18) and suffered a concussion. Frehley and his wife recently moved into the house, and he was carrying some equipment from the music room down to the basement when he slipped. Frehley wound up at a hospital, where he was diagnosed with a concussion and told to take it easy. Frehley's history is well known, but a spokesperson says it was simply a household accident--neither drugs nor alcohol played a role. Frehley was disappointed, but he still hopes to attend one of the remaining sessions for Rock And Roll Fantasy Camp, which run through Sunday (June 22).

From: Tim Sullivan, associate producer of Detroit Rock City
(HOLLYWOOD, CA - June 19, 2003) - Scriptwriters Network and ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood jointly announced today an exclusive screening of Detroit Rock City (New Line, 1999) on Tuesday, July 8th @ 7:30 p.m. The event, part of the ongoing Scriptwriters Network film series, Story to Glory, will feature a cast and crew Q and A immediately following the screening. Scheduled to attend are director Adam Rifkin, writer Carl DuPre, associate producer Tim Sullivan, editor Pete Schink, and castmembers Giuseppe Andrews, James DeBello, Edward Furlong, Sam Huntington, Melanie Lynskey, Lin Shaye and Shannon Tweed. An autographed script, poster and DVD of the film will be raffled off to ticket purchasers, with a special grand prize announced that evening. Admission to the event costs $11.00. Advance tickets may be purchased online at the ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood website, www.arclightcinemas.com or in-person at the ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood box office, located at 6360 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA. In-person box office discounts are available to members of the Scriptwriters Network, ArcLight Cinemas, WGA, Writers Guild Foundation, Women in Film, The Industry Card, USC Students & Faculty, AMPAS and ATAS (with proof of membership). For more information go to: www.scriptwritersnetwork.com or www.arclightcinemas.com or call ArcLight Cinemas at 323/464-1478. For those of you who asked for the link to buy tickets.

From: ICE Magazine via Bob Rodrick
If the "KISS Symphony" album wasn't enough, on August 5, Universal Music will be releasing a new Kiss compilation titled "20th Century Masters: The Millenium Collection." This is the latest in a long series of best of albums from Universal artists (there are literally over 100 of these titles in the series). Other artists who have similar collections include: Styx, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tesla, The Who, Humble Pie, Whitesnake, Scorpions, Deep Purple, just to name a handful. No set song listing, but there should be no more than 12 songs included, as that's the usual amount on these collections.

From: Marcos Sotelo, EMI Catalog Marketing
(June 18, 2003 - Hollywood, CA), Due to technical difficulties, the re-issue of Vinnie Vincent Invasion's self-titled debut will be pushed back two weeks. This is Capitol Recordsą word: "We want to make sure these records will have the appropriate quality they deserve. We can promise that the Vinnie Vincent Invasion records will sound and look better than ever." The current street date for Vinnie Vincent Invasion "Vinnie Vincent Invasion" is now July 08, 2003. The band's second record "All Systems Go" will maintain the original street date of June 24, 2003.

From: Joe Marshall
Sunday, August 10, 2003, 11:00 AM 7:00 PM, Double Tree Hotel I-94/Merriman Exit near the Detroit Metro Airport *** Be sure to ask for the special KISS Expo rate (734) 467-8000 *** Special Guests include: KISS Alive Forever authors Curt Gooch and Jeff Suhs will be hosting the Detroit premiere of the KISS Alive Forever promo film, featuring 30 minutes of exclusive, never-seen-before footage of KISS live from 19741996, including the earliest known KISS footage in existence, from January 1974 with Paul performing in the Bandit makeup and much, much more. Copies of KISS Alive Forever will be available for sale, and a Q & A session with the authors will also be included. Note: The KISS Alive Forever promo film will never be sold and the only way to see it is by attending the Detroit KISS Expo. Since this is the last expo appearance for Curt and Jeff while promoting KISS Alive Forever; this is the final time that their amazing promo film will ever be screened in public. Be sure not to miss it.Jay "Hot Sam" Barth and Chuck Elias, KISS road crew members from 1974-1979 will be making their very fist KISS Expo appearances and sharing some amazing behind the scenes stories of life on the road with KISS in the 1970s. They will each do exclusive Q & A's where you can find out the real stories behind recording the band for ALIVE! and talk about what happened with Peter on the Dynasty Tour. Jay Barth worked as KISS's soundman from 1974-1976 and Chuck Elias was Peter Criss' drum tech from the Summer '76 Tour through the Out Of Control album in 1980. Other features include: A 1975/76 Alive! Tour museum showcasing all four full original KISS costumes used on the Alive! Tour, original concert posters from the tour, drums from Peter Criss's 1975-era kit and more. Detroit's best KISS tribute band: War Machine will perform! Plus: A look-a-like contest, Door prizes, More events to be announced Tickets are only $12 in advance via Ticketmaster (248) 645-6666 or through www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, call the Detroit Expo Hotline at: (734) 658-KISS {5477} or visit the Expo web site at: www.geocities.com/kissdetroitexpo.

From: Billboard.com
Gene Simmons' first solo record in 25 years will feature songs co-written by Bob Dylan and the late Frank Zappa, Billboard.com has learned. The as-yet-untitled disc will be among the first albums released through his recently revived Simmons Records' new deal with Sanctuary Records. The Dylan co-write, "Waiting for the Morning Light," was born out of a one-day writing session at Simmons' home in Los Angeles six or seven years ago, the Kiss bassist/vocalist reveals. "Bob came up with the chords, most of them, and then I took it and wrote lyrics, melody, the rest of it," says Simmons, adding that he kept urging Dylan through the years to put lyrics to the song. "I'd see him on tour, and I'd say, 'Bob, you wanna write the song? And he would say, 'No, man, you write it, Mr. Kiss.'" Of the one-day session, Simmons says, "We understood each other right away. He picked up an acoustic guitar, and we just tossed it back and forth, 'How 'bout this, how 'bout that?' And he started to strum, because he -- at least with me -- tended to talk and strum guitar at the same time. And as soon as I heard the first three or four chords, I went, 'Wait, wait, what's that? Do that again.' So I went and started to write a lyric around that." Simmons says he also plans to build a song around an unused Zappa riff titled, appropriately, "Black Tongue." "The plan is for [Zappa's children] Dweezil, Ahmet, and everybody to play on it, and to take Frank's voice and create a brand new song. It's very dark, very sort of King Crimson, 'In the Court of the Crimson King'-kind of sound, with 7/8 time." The bassist, whose previous solo album was a 1978 self-titled set released the same day as solo sets from his three Kiss bandmates -- singer/guitarist Paul Stanley, singer Ace Frehley, and drummer Peter Criss -- is also courting the likes of John Mellencamp, Axl Rose, and Trey Anastasio for guest vocals. The album, previewed to Billboard.com, will surely surprise many. The funky, acoustic guitar-laced "Dog" recalls Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London" and the soulful, midtempo "Waiting for the Morning Light," a relationship song, is reminiscent of Daryl Hall. "Looking Out the Window" is a sentimental, Beatles-inspired number that features lap steel. Another cut, "A**hole," is more of a straightforward, rock guitar-driven track. The solo set, for which no release date has yet been set, is just one of many projects Simmons is working on. Kiss is nearing the July 22 release of The Kiss Symphony: Alive IV," which captures the band's Feb. 28 performance with the Melbourne Orchestra, the first release from Kiss Records via Sanctuary. [More...]

From: KREATURESS@aol.com
Sunday, August 17, 2003. Location: Charlotte University Place Hilton (I-85, Exit 45A). Hours: 11AM-9PM (VIP's enter @ 10:15) Special Guests: Bruce Kulick, Lydia "Beth" Criss, KISSOnline Webmaster Mike Brandvold , NYC's own KISS Tribute Band "KISSNation", Tribute Band "KLOWN", Tribute Band "Loaded Deck", Makeup/Costume Contest...more details to be announced soon - check back for updated info! www.kreaturesofthesouth.com presents another Mother of all KISS Expos! The KISS Army will unite again at The 2nd Annual Charlotte KISS Expo extravaganza weekend! Sunday, August 17, 2003 11am-9pm inside The Charlotte Hilton at University Place (I-85, Exit 45A) in Charlotte, North Carolina. ***The 1st 150 fans through the doors will receive a "KISS Palms Casino Room Card," and all the fans in attendance will receive a "KISS Symphony/Alive IV Laminated Promotional Pass" complements of "KISS," and "KISSOnline." First, everyone's invited to the Pre-Expo "KISS LUAU" Party (at the Hilton) on Saturday night. This way you can tell your friends that you got "LAID" in Charlotte:>) Festivities start around 8pm (including live performances, a private bar w/drink specials, raffles, & giveaways) and, admission is FREE! More details on the Pre-Expo Party to come. Now, onto THE EXPO! This is going to be such a HUGE KISS Expo (in 2 Large Ballrooms) that we know will amaze everyone in attendance! The guest list is unstoppable! For more info check the "Expo Section" for more details!

From: KULICK.net
Former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick has been coming out of his closet. What does this mean to you? He has found some really cool KISS related and some non-KISS related items he wants you to have. You get the opportunity to purchase some of Bruce's most prized possessions before they are put up for auction never to be offered again. Did you ever want that jacket that Bruce wore on the Revenge album? How about one of his vests used on tour with KISS? How about the pants he worn during KISS Unplugged? Now you can possibly own it! Over the summer Bruce is giving fans the opportunity to make offers on these items before they go to auction. His loss is your gain as some very cool and rare items are sold. [Find out more and make an offer!]