It Doesn't Matter What Our Opinion Is!
By: Steve Ponchaud

When I first read about the 'Sound Off' section of KISS ASYLUM I was excited to write about things I'd like changed in the world of KISS (and there ARE things that, if I had my way, would be changed). If I had my way, more obscure songs would be added, but only make-up songs. In a recent interview Paul said (I'm paraphrasing), "We HAVE to do these songs because the MASSES want to hear them." or words to that effect. Well, the MASSES aren't buying the trading cards, racing cars, 24" dolls, underwear, robes, slippers, shirts, guitar picks, posters, tour books, shot glasses, hats, magnets, action figures, etc. It's the die hards, the die hards who have been beaten over the head with "Cold Gin" a million times. It's one of the greatest songs ever, but I would sacrifice hearing it once for something like "King of the Nighttime World", or "Charisma". I can't tell you how I felt when, at the '95 KISS Convention in Chicago, they started playing "See You Tonite". I was so excited I couldn't think of the song title. It was SO unexpected and showed that Gene's solo album still meant something to the band.

I think denying that 'Unmasked' exists doesn't make it go away, it raises more questions. 'Unmasked' is the album I listen to most these days. So playing to and altering the set list for the ones who are lining your pockets might not be a bad idea. Merchandising I wouldn't change because, if you don't want something, don't buy it. I do buy a lot of stuff and if something is is silly (and a lot of it is), then I just laugh it off. Anyone reading this would do the same thing if an offer came in to make a race car (the world's longest palendrome by the way, but I digress) with your head on it and told you you'd get paid alot of money for it. You'd do it... yes, you would.

I then started thinking, who am I to demand or even request changing the course of KISS? If it were my band, I would run it MY way. If I wanted to act in a couple movies and maybe not pay so much attention to my current album, that's MY business. Donald Trump cares not about the opinions of some of his hotel customers. "I want 2 mints on the pillow at Trump Towers". That's what it amounts to. While all fans have their opinions, myself included, none of us are entitled to steer the band. I think we think so because, through the years, Paul & Gene repeatedly say that they do it "for the fans". At the Reunion press conference it was said that, "If they wanna hear R&R All Nite, that's what we'll do" etc. KISS fans take that to heart, and it goes to their heads.

When I go to a KISS concert or convention, I hate to say this because we're all there for a common love of the band, but I hate almost everyone there. You see people interviewed by news crews saying things like, "They give the fans everything they want and that's why I love them". That is such bull. KISS gives us what THEY want to give us and we just happen to like it. I doubt that if you ambled in to the recording studio while they were recording "Hide Your Heart" or "Read My Body" and said, "That sucks... that doesn't sound like a KISS song" you'd be well received. You would be escorted to the door. Our opinion doesn't matter, and it SHOULDN'T! Gene gets off on toys and action figures. Fine. So do I, so I buy them. I don't get delusions of grandeur and say, "Gosh, Gene knows we love having little toys of him so he made them for me". I simply think they're cool, so I buy mass quantities of them. End of story.

KISS will never and should never consider what we say. If you search your feelings, you hate most of the people at KISS concerts and conventions too and I don't think you'd want them steering the course of your career or your band. It's supply and demand. If people keep paying to see "Cold Gin" and "R&R All Nite", KISS will keep doing it. It's their job and their livelihood. This isn't to say that they don't care about their customers, I mean fans, they do. And a good product keeps them coming back. And if you really think about it, no matter what they do, we'll keep coming back until they decide it's run it's course.

P.S.
Please never play "Hide Your Heart" live.... I had to make one suggestion! :)

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