KISS ASYLUM: Sound Off KISS Army!

I Can't Wait Until KISS Breaks Up
By: Matt Walters

I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but I can't wait until KISS breaks up. I think everyone should stop paying so much attention to the what if's and what should be's and face the reality of the situation. Let's review the facts, shall we?

1) No one knows the full extent of each member's contribution on Psycho Circus. Sure, we know Peter didn't get his song (writing), and Ace was cheated out of the spotlight he deserves. The songs were not as good as past KISS work (a fact because no one will argue with it).

2) In light of (1), we should expect the following:

a) any new KISS album will not have Peter's songwriting or enough songwriting by Ace to satisfy all fans.

b) any new KISS album will sound like it's overproduced, and will undoubtedly arouse some suspicion that all members didn't play on all songs.

c) any new KISS album will be marginal as compared to their catalog, at best.

3) We obviously can't trust what anyone from KISS says about either P.C. or any upcoming KISS album.

4) No KISS tour is going to be as good as 1996-97. Would you rather hear another 1976 song or some new Gene subpar material 2000? I rest my case. So much for those overhyped awesome effects that were supposed to send the audience into the stratosphere last year. I just got dizzy.

5) There is a glut of material that is sitting on the shelf waiting for release. There is also no pressure to release it, because KISS has made tons of money recently. Let's face it, as long as they can stay together, the box set and any other curios get put off for another year.

6) People are getting sick of KISS, even there most diehard fans.

7) Ace Frehley's solo albums are probably going to sound at least as good as any KISS album released in the future. Maybe this is a bit opinionated, but I don't think either Gene or Paul has written material that's better than Ace's in twenty years.(NOTE: not worse than Ace's either) See "unmasked" or "dynasty" for reference.

8) KISS DOES NOT LISTEN TO ITS FANS RIGHT NOW (they have, just not now)!

The sooner KISS break up, the better off we'll all be in the long run. Here's the prognosis:

Let's take the most likely scenario, which is KISS doesn't do another album, but tours once more.

By 2001, Gene is attention-starved to say the least. A has-been in Hollywood, a rock star twice (it wont work a third time we all know that), a hall of fame castaway, he begins to crave the spotlight. So he starts thumbing through the back catalog for the box set. Maybe he finds even more stuff than most KISS fans have projected, and a six or seven CD special edition is put together, spanning a few years.

Now for all the Gene-bashing I've done here, I truly believe that by 2003 or 2004 he will realize that he better put a lot of effort and attention into this project to satisfy his "beloved" fans. KISS certainly will not be making MUCH money anymore (they'll still have plenty of money of course). I think he'll realize that many have moved on somewhat (never completely of course), and it's going to take something special to win them back. I hope for KISS' sake he doesn't screw it up, and I don't think he will. He's a smart guy, and a very calculating businessman, and also can deliver something special when he puts the effort into it.

It seemed like 1994-95 was when KISS last realized it needed to listen to the fans. It will take a couple more years for them to realize it again. I just hope they break up soon.

By the way, I also would like to say that I have been a KISS fan for nearly 20 years. I am only 25, but I can assure you that at ages 7-12 I bought every KISS album on vinyl and listened to no other bands. I have seen them live (reunion tour) twice. KISS fans are the most loyal, selfless fans in the world and they hardly get what they deserve. Thank you to everyone who has dedicated some portion of his/her life to KISS, I feel an unconscious bond with all of you.

KISS ASYLUM --

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