Do The Things We Say To Do
By: Matt Donaldson, Darren Dewis and Todd Dewis
In a time where a band's rise to fame is usually equaled by their return to obscurity, KISS is one band that has always been the exception.
In this KISS Army "Sound Off" we have come together to identify ways of keeping KISS the hottest band in the world. We've covered every aspect including: Set List, Costumes, New Studio Album, Opening Acts, Solo Albums, Outside Projects, Merchandise, Movies, 80's Material and The Box Set. We have included a detailed analysis of where we think KISS should be heading and feel that everything listed below deserves to be included.
KISS SET LIST
YOU WANTED THE BEST.. YOU GOT THE BEST.. THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD.... KISS! (Curtain drops ).
1. DEUCE - Gene
2. TAKE ME - Paul
3. PARASITE - Gene / Paul
4. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE - Paul
5. STRANGE WAYS - Peter
6. ROCKET RIDE - Ace (Ace's guitar solo. Normal type solo with smoking guitar. After he's finished with the smokin' guitar he places it in a rocket launcher type stand at far stage left, audience point of view. He then appears with new Les Paul to continue solo. When finished he then kneels on one knee at stage right and shoots rocket from his guitar which ignites rocket launcher with smokin' guitar on
it. It travels upward towards the light rig of stage right and explodes into a prop that looks like planet earth. This would then shower pyro down upon the stage).
7. I STOLE YOUR LOVE - Paul
8.HOTTER THAN HELL - Paul (It is in this song Gene breathes his fire)
9.SHOUT IT OUT LOUD - Paul / Gene
10.NOTHIN' TO LOSE - Gene
11. SOLO ALBUM MEDLEY - (Each song is played up to, until each song can mesh together)
KISS STAGE COSTUMES
PAUL - Based on his Love Gun costume.
JACKET - Black jacket with purple sequins on lapels and cuffs and specs of purple sequins over jacket. Large purple sequined star designed over right shoulder/sleeve. The jacket is not tailed and he wears no vest.
BELT - Black belt with purple sequined star designed in the middle (similar to his belt on the P.C tour).
PANTS - No suspenders. Black pants with one white skull with black star on eye designed on each side of thigh (similar to the design he wore in the God Gave video clip).
BOOTS - Exactly like the design on P.C comic book edition action figures (black with purple caps).
MISC - Black and purple choker.
PETER - Based on his Psycho costume.
TOP - Same as Psycho costume with green trim on silver front.
BELT - Black and silver belt with green makeup icon logo on front.
PANTS - Black pants with one tiger stripe design down the side of each leg from thigh to ankle.
BOOTS - Love Gun boots, but instead of the crosses and silver sequins they have green sequins and his green makeup logo icon on the sides.
MISC - Large cross pendant. Black drumming gloves and black forearm guards. Green sequined choker similar to his Psycho one.
ACE - Based on his Dynasty costume.
TOP/PANTS - V shaped body armor in silver. A reflecting blue makeup icon logo at the base of the V. Black body-suit with silver specs on arms and legs.
BELT - Silver utility belt (similar to Dynasty one).
BOOTS - Exactly like the design on the P.C comic book action figures (silver with blue platforms). Instead of rocket launchers on sides there would be one blue lightning bolt.
MISC - Silver cape (Dynasty design), with large blue makeup logo icon on back. Black and silver forearm protectors.
GENE - Based on his Alive costume.
TOP/PANTS - Exactly like his Alive design, but including his Love Gun chains on chest. The centre link chain would be filled in with black perspex and his makeup logo icon designed on the front in red. Black pants with 3 rings of a barbed wire design spiraled around his legs. Red make-up icon on inside
of wings.
BOOTS - Love Gun gargoyle boots. Totally black with red glowing eyes, silver snout and metal like teeth at front of platform. Black platforms.
MISC - Black belt and codpiece with chrome studs. Black choker with chrome studs.
NEW STUDIO ALBUM
What we think will be KISS' make or break in the eyes of the TRUE fans is their last group full length studio album. So many people thought that Psycho Circus (while still a good album ), didn't reach the high expectations. We think the problem was that KISS didn't write a KISS album. It's very important that they incorporate their different personas in their writing. Each song has to be identifiable to each member, with song titles and what each song is about. It's obvious who writes the best songs on certain topics. (e.g.. if you're after sex songs, then Paul is obviously the better writer). Below is an idea (in our opinions), of what KISS fans would be hoping for, and what KISS should be trying to deliver. We have also listed "possible" song titles that would suit their writing techniques.
PAUL - 4 songs Paul is obviously the sexual figure of the band. He writes the best rockers and that's what he should be looking at to contribute to this album. He should be looking at taking his persona to the ultimate level, and really strive to be that sex god he says he is. He definitely needs songs like "Creatures Of The Night", "I Stole Your Love" and "Love Gun". We really think he should be looking at titles like: "Master Of The Erotic", "Ride The Bullet", "Shoot You Down" and "Touch Me 'Til I Burn". Then maybe an up-tempo type "Dreamin'", called something like "Where Heroes Go". Just to break that sex barrier. No ballads are needed by Paul for this release.
GENE - 3 songs For so long now Gene has been telling us that he is the ultimate God of Thunder. Well if this is true, then this is his last chance to prove it. We don't want to hear Gene sing a song like "We are one". That's not Gene. He's the Demon. Evil incarnate. Ravager of souls. C'mon Gene, forget about those merchandising contracts and start putting your signature on great KISS songs only the Demon can write. "Unholy" is the ultimate Gene song, and he should use that as a starting point. Imagine seeing a KISS album with the song titles of: "Hellraiser", "Demonic" or "Evil Hides". Then to break the ties, throw in a sex type "Christine Sixteen" song called something like "Woman Enough" to help that ego.
ACE - 2 songs Space -Ace really has to deliver the goods in respect to his fans here. "Into the void" was quite a weak song, especially in the chorus. Gene had the right idea to write about his persona, cause that's what he writes about best. If Ace could deliver a couple of tracks like "Rip It Out" or "Rocket Ride", then no-one could complain... not even Gene!! Let's see titles like "Music Of The Planets" or "House Of Cards". This is Ace's last chance to show he hasn't stopped growing as a musician, and these 2 songs could be the most important of his career in KISS.
PETER - 2 songs Surely the Catman can come up with something decent. He's got 2 songs to prove that "Beth" wasn't a fluke. If there is to be a ballad on this album, then Pete has to sing it. He has the emotional voice to make it sound real. But he's got to sing it like he means it. He needs titles like "It's a Jungle Out There" or "Nine Lives", and then maybe a ballad title like "Inside Us All". It's important that Pete writes 90% if not all of the lyrics to his songs. It's so obvious when he doesn't.
The most important question is.... who should produce the album? After long deliberation we have finally come up with Bob Rock. He is not as "tame" as Bruce Fairbairn, and he has worked with alot of different types of people (Motley Crue, Metallica and Bon Jovi). As a very good musician himself who had his own band at one stage, we think he could treat all members equally, without leaning to the intimidation of Gene and Paul. Plus, he could also add input musically and lyrically to the songs if required, without being attributed as a co-writer.
Alot of people could be calling for our heads on while we didn't pick Eddie Kramer. As far as we are concerned... he is not a PRODUCER. He is, however, a brilliant ENGINEER and we think he is at his best when he doesn't have the worry of anything else. With Rock's guidance and Kramer's sense of the KISS sound, they could make a great team, as long as Gene and Paul stay out of it and are only involved in the recording of the album and not the politics.
With the album we think 12 songs are enough. With the list we have come up with above, it only comes to 11.We think a song that they ALL SING lead vocals on at the same time would be a cool idea. It could be similar to a slower paced acoustic stomp of "Anyway You Want It" to finish the album off. "You Wanted The Best" off Psycho Circus had the potential to be an absolute ballcrusher with all 4 trading vocals, but due to cheesy lyrics and a corny chorus it fell short. The new song could be about their times together and about the fans, and could be called something like "'Til The End". What a great way to finish their career off -- a uniting song with all 4 vocals at once. The 4 distinctive voices of the greatest band in the world. VERY COOL!!!
Now the basic outline of the album. There should definitely be no outside writers. They should look to each other if they need help. They have to prove to themselves that they can do this. No phantom players should be used. If Paul or Gene want to use Bruce, then let it be on their solo albums. Surely between Paul and Ace they can come up with good riffs and lead breaks. Also, they should only play THEIR instruments on the songs. Paul needs to concentrate on his lead vocals and rhythm guitar. He shouldn't have to worry about the bass parts of some songs chorus. Does Gene only play bass live nowadays? They should keep Bob Ezrin out of it. It doesn't need him involved. We don't want it turning into a concept album do we? Rock and Kramer can do everything needed. Finally they should not record anything that they can't play live. We used to hate getting the albums thru the 80's and then realizing that only 1 or 2 songs off each album would be played live over the entirity of the tour. Every song has to have that live feel. The album title should be simple and straight forward. "UNITED" would be a cool title. With the album cover it's about time they were on the front again. That's a big mistake they made with Psycho Circus. They need to be visible, BIG and BOLD.
OPENING ACT
It's obvious to us that UNION should open for KISS, especially in the U.S. It would probably cost too much to do that outside the states. GRUNGE TECHNO TYPE BANDS SHOULD NOT BE USED under any circumstances. Once UNION have their new album out they will have enough decent material to put on a great show, instead of worrying about too many cover songs. It would be a great chance for KISS fans to hear "I Walk Alone" and "Jungle" live!!
SOLO ALBUMS
We really pray that they release solo albums again. It wasn't so much of a mistake before, as it was more of an ego thing to try to out do each other. Now that they are older and wiser and have been thru that childish phase, it would be a good time to see how each one has grown. The covers could be like Peter's CAT #1 cover. Half make-up, half not. But have it a bit more comparable to the '78 covers. This would give them a 100% freedom to write and record with whoever they want. They could co-produce or produce it themselves. They could record cover songs, or re-work old songs, or write all new songs. The packaging would be very important. They could come individually in a slip case with the member on the front. Come with a fold out poster, guitar pick, and full colour booklet with heaps of recent photos and lyrics. Or you could buy them as a 4 CD set in a deluxe box with each CD in its own slip case.
OUTSIDE PROJECTS
They must stop ALL outside projects immediately. As long as KISS is still going then all their efforts should be on KISS. It's a little unfair how most fans are annoyed at Paul for doing the Phantom thing. He can't be blamed for doing something he has wanted to do for over 10 years, especially when he held KISS together in the 80's. However, is it necessary to do the Jeckyll and Hyde gig?? More theatre can come after KISS. Gene can do his movies AFTER KISS. Ace can do his solo album when the next studio record and tour is over, and they ALL do solo albums. Peter can sit back relax and rest his arms and get ready for the biggest 2 years of his career (the Farewell Tour).
MERCHANDISE
Even though we agree that the merchandise thing has exploded like it did late in the 70's, we also agree that since '77 KISS has been more of a business than a rock band. No-one is forced to buy the merchandise. Fair enough, some of it is pretty expensive, but that's because KISS know that if KISS fans want it, they will pay for it. That's not stupidity, that's smart business sense. They should really look at giving the fans something that they have NEVER given. What we would like to see for the next album and tour, is a video of the making of the new album. Let's see Paul screaming in the vocal booth. Let's see Ace and Paul jamming, working on the 2 prong guitar attack. Let's see Gene working on his bass parts by playing beside Peter. Let's see the good, the bad and the ugly. We wanna see every aspect of making a record. For the first time let's see them working on songs that didn't make the final release, and maybe we can see why they didn't. Also on the merchandising front......why are 99% of their tour t-shirts BLACK. We want some white t-shirts just as something different.
MOVIES
KISS on Broadway?? KISS related mini-series?? Where will it end?? We honestly think that anything remotely in this vein will critically hurt KISS. Don't worry about a movie called "The Elder". It won't work. It is too old to be viable now. If KISS are looking for the opportunity to do a REAL movie, then let it be real. They need to do an autobiographical movie in the same vein as The Doors' movie which starred Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison. Not sure whether KISS could play themselves, maybe they could get musicians from tribute bands to play their parts. We would really like to see the Psycho Circus comic put into a movie. Once again KISS wouldn't necessarily have to play themselves, as their comic personas would be similar to SPAWN. A lot of people that were never into the SPAWN comic series got into the movie. Any sci-fi type movie with brilliant special effects and cool characters with a DECENT storyline, can do well and really highlight KISS to non-fans of the band. Todd Mcfarlane and Gene could produce the movie. Along with the movie there also needs to be a KILLER soundtrack. Not like DETROIT ROCK CITY. Even though it's listenable, it could have been a lot better. We think KISS should do the soundtrack themselves and write music for the soundtrack, but not issue it as a KISS album. You could also incorporate KISS related artists on the soundtrack as well. Give UNION a few tracks, one with Corabi singing and one with Kulick. Maybe an old FREHLEY'S COMET track could be on there, as well as a new vocal or instrumental track from Mark St. John. Tod Howarth could also appear. This would also be a good opportunity to maybe release an Eric Carr song in full without any overdubs etc..etc..
80'S MATERIAL IN THE SET LIST
The last thing we want is to be put thru the hell of listening to songs like "I Love It Loud", "Lick It Up" and "Heaven's On Fire" live. While good studio songs (Heaven's in particular), they DO NOT come over well live. We cringe every time we hear how PATHETICALLY WEAK the chorus to "Heaven's On Fire" is. KISS have enough make-up songs to worry about adding 80's stuff. I'm sure people would rather hear songs like "Rocket Ride", "Parasite", "Is That You?", "Strange Ways" and "I Want You". WE WOULD!!! We honestly think that Ace and Peter would not want to play those 80's songs. It would become a farce. It's really Paul's songs from the 80's that they would concentrate on. I'm sure in years to come, Paul will do another solo tour like he did in '89. That is the time to hear these songs. The make-up band plays the make-up music!! Surely from "KISS" to "CREATURES" they can get a set list to break the balls of any man.
THE BOX SET
Well here it is, our ideas for the ULTIMATE of all box sets. We've broken down the Box Set into 'Mini Boxes' in order to segment the amount of material. Each Mini Box contains a CD, a live CD and a video representing that era of the band. The CD contains unreleased songs and demos from the corresponding albums. The Live CD contains live material from those albums and tours. The Video contains a mixture of live footage, interviews and TV appearances from that era. In addition, the videos will also contain recent interviews from ALL members (past and present) of KISS, album producers, session players, management, co-writers and anybody else who was instrumental in the KISS phenomenon. All Mini Boxes would be packaged in one large box to form the Box Set. As Paul Stanley would say, "The roller coaster is about to begin, so hold on tight cause this is the big time!"
Mini Box #1 1973 - 1975
CD - Unreleased songs and demos from KISS, Hotter Than Hell and Dressed to Kill.
Live CD - Live songs from that era, including songs that didn't make Alive! The show from the Diplomat which featured songs like Much Too Young, Acrobat and Life in The Woods.
Video - Includes rare TV appearances like Dick Clark in Concert, The Mike Douglas Show and live footage such as Gene setting his hair on fire and concert footage from the Hotter Than Hell album promo.
Mini Box #2 1976 - 1977
CD - Unreleased songs and demos from Destroyer, Rock 'n' Roll Over, Love Gun and Alive 2 (studio tracks). For example, the original God of Thunder with Paul on vocals and demos with the Van Halen brothers.
Live CD - Missing songs from Alive 2 and other obscure material performed live such as Flaming Youth.
Video - Could include TV appearances such as The Paul Lynde Halloween Special (including out-takes) and other live performances.
Mini Box #3 1978 - 1980
CD - Unreleased songs and demos from The Solo Albums, Dynasty and Unmasked.
Live CD - Live songs from this era including Solo Album material and European and Australian tours.
Video - Live footage from the above. In addition information on Peter's departure and Eric Carr's arrival. Rare footage such as Eric'c audition, Eric in the Hawk costume, Eric's first show, photo-shoot footage (in the Hawk make-up) and Australian Press Conference with Norman Gunston.
Mini Box #4 1981 - 1982
CD - Unreleased songs and demos from The Elder, Killers and Creatures of the Night. Unreleased songs from the scrapped 'Rockin' with the Boys' album that Ace "has".
Live CD - Live material from the above albums.
Video - Their appearance for The Elder on 'Fridays', appearances without Ace (when he had the "flu"), Ace's Departure and Vinnie's arrival, live footage of Vinnie, appearance on 'Yesterday and Today'.
Mini Box #5 1983 - 1986
CD - Unreleased songs and demos from Lick it Up, Animalize and Asylum.
Live CD - Live material from the above albums, such as Exciter, All Hell's Breakin' Loose, I've Had Enough, Under the Gun, Thrills in the Night, Burn Bitch Burn and UH! All Night.
Video - MTV Unmasking, live footage with Vinnie, Vinnie's departure, live footage with Mark St. John, Mark's departure and Bruce's arrival with live footage.
Mini Box #6 1987 -1990
CD - Unreleased songs and demos from Crazy Nights, Smashes, Thrashes and Hits and Hot in the Shade. Also songs from Paul's 'rumored' second solo album - Time Traveller, Best Man for You etc.
Live CD - Live songs from this era such as Crazy Crazy Nights, Reason to Live, Bang Bang You, No No No, Rise to it, Hide Your Heart, Little Caesar and Betrayed.
Video - Live footage from above, French TV special and footage of Paul performing with broken ribs.
Mini Box #7 1991 - 1995
CD - Unreleased songs and demos from Revenge and Carnival of Souls.
Live CD - Unreleased songs from Alive 3 and MTV Unplugged. Obscure unplugged material from Convention Tour.
Video - News on Eric's death, each member's reflection on Eric, live footage from Revenge club tour, MTV unplugged rehearsal and sound-check footage.
Mini Box #8 1996 - ????
CD - Unreleased songs and demos from Psycho Circus and any other studio album(s) to follow.
Live CD - Live material from above albums and Reunion Tour.
Video - News of Bruce and Eric Singer's departure and new projects. Footage from Reunion Tour Press Conference and Psycho Circus Press Conference, live footage from Dodger Stadium, Hollywood Walk of Fame induction, snippets of Millennium and Mad TV, KISS live at the Superbowl, footage from the Detroit Rock City opening party and any other major events that happen between now and the end.
Mini Box #9 Misc Events in KISStory
CD #1 - Pre-KISS CD. Includes the FULL Wicked Lester album, and other Pre-KISS recordings such as Milemo, Uncle Joe, Bullfrog Beer and Chelsea/Lips.
CD#2 - A Covers CD, to include live material of cover songs performed over various tours, such as White Christmas and Won't Get Fooled Again. This CD could also include side projects such as Shocker and Phantom of the Opera.
Video - Original members discussing origins of Pre-KISS bands, could include other side projects such as Phantom of the Opera, Frehley's Comet, Paul's Solo Tour, Gene's movies and record label and Peter's bands.
KISS has always said they give their fans exactly what they want......... So when is thanksgiving?