| Editor: | Joe Degraffenreid |
| Fanzine Title: | KISS Hell |
| Website: | http://kissasylum.com/KissHell/ |
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I'm 27, I've been a fan since late '77 at the age of 6 basically through friends in the 2nd grade who were already into KISS. By 3rd grade I was collecting hardcore like all my friends did.
KA: Why and when did you start doing your fanzine?
I started it out of a love for all of the KISS fanzines which I read at that time (KISS Machine, Firehouse, N.E.K.C.N., Strike, KISS Crazy, etc..) When I discovered the fanzine world it drew me closer to KISS somehow & I started KISS HELL just to see if I COULD do it. 6 years later & 29 issues & it's still just as fun. The first KISS HELL issue came out in July, 1992 shortly after REVENGE came out & at that time I interviewed anyone I could get, KISS was impossible, so I interviewed my favorite fanzine editors, COLD GIN(trib. band w. Tommy Thayer) & things like that. Within a year KISS HELL had evolved to getting Q&A's from the band, etc.. & later on I obtained phone interviews, etc..
KA: Please give us a description of your fanzine and how KISS fans can subscribe.
KISS HELL is a magazine format 'zine, with usually 48 pages, Including color covers(customed by our artist Larry Blake-who also does our exclusive 4 page color comic strips in every issue (ongoing since early '96)-some of these will be sent to the Asylum soon so fans can hopefully see it here. We feature many Q&A's with KISS & in depth phone interviews, reviews of shows, KISS Expo reports, tribute bands, interior artwork & comics, etc... To subscribe: send $20 (4 issues a year) & for any fans who see this here, if you subscribe & mention you heard it here I'll throw in 3 promo cards from Cornerstone & a KISS HELL sticker. Checks & money orders payable to Joe Degraffenreid at KISS HELL, 503 Willis, Noble, OK, 73068. Sample issues are available for $6, Also ask about back issues if you're interested. E mail me at KISSHELL2.AOL.
KA: What sets your fanzine apart from the others out there in KISS fandom?
I'd say the large size of KISS HELL is the most noticeable, the color, our comic strips & I think KISS HELL always has a fun vibe to it. I TRY not to print negative things if I can help it. It's very important to remember the FAN part of FANzine because nobody wants to hear somebody saying bad things about their favorite band. I never understood why some 'zines would turn things into a soap opera sometimes as if the 'zine were about THEM. The fans certainly deserve the best & we'll always try to achieve that. I'm just happy to hear that a fan liked a certain article or issue or whatever, that's enough & everyone knows (who's done this) that there's no money to be made by doing fanzines, it must be done for a true love for the band.
KA: What are some of the "headaches" and joys of running a fanzine?
It's mostly great. Fans can get carried away, myself included & I've always been understanding to the fact that I deal with all different types of KISS fans & I respect any lineup someone may love, cause I love ALL KISS-73-98. It's ALL great to me. What I don't understand is how some 'big' 'zines really complain about fans calling them alot, & wanting to talk about KISS, I LOVE that & feel it's part of any editor's job. I return all calls. If anyone thinks of their 'zine as a 'headache' I just don't get it.
KA: What was the best interview or feature you have done as a Fanzine Editor?
So many things stand out. For interviews probably the one I did with Gene Simmons in 1995 & the Peter Criss interview I did last year. Coordinating the official Dallas KISS Convention was incredible & a great memory since I got to hang around the band a while. This also may be a better question for the readers of KISS HELL to answer, that's a little hard for me to be objective about.
KA: Who would you like to interview (and why) but have never had the chance to?
Many people would probably say Ace or Paul but I'm gonna go on a limb here & say Vinnie Vincent. I feel Vinnie was somewhat responsible for KISS' 80's ressurection. I feel Vinnie was a great guitarist & wrote great songs. However, KISS HELL doesn't print hardly anything on Vinnie regularly but an interview would be a great opportunity to do just that.
KA: Why did you decide to bring your fanzine online in the form of a webpage?
You held a gun to my head remember Chris?LOL. I just saw it as the best home for KISS HELL to be on in the form of a website.
KA: How has the online world affected your fanzine?
Not sure, it's really a different group of fans we're reaching now & a different format. It has done nothing but good to have KISS HELL as a website. Kudos to ASYLUM!
KA: What were your thoughts when you heard about the Reunion tour?
Complete shock & excitement. I thought 'could they really do it?' I think we all felt the same. Overall, it was an emotional time to be a KISS fan I think. Fans really did wish for this for years & this dream that came so true seemed so impossible for so long. What was somewhat strange for myself was the shift from the Bruce&Eric lineup to the Ace & Peter lineup & I'd have to say it's definitely harder since the reunion to get interviews, etc..
KA: What are your expectations for the upcoming Psycho Circus album and tour, as well as the future of KISS?
Very high as always & it looks like KISS will meet those expectations easily. I'm very interested to just hear how having Ace&Peter back in the band affect the KISS sound & if the magic can really be re-kindled (in studio). I really wanna hear Ace's guitar solos with KISS again & I'm very interested how Ace's style may have changed or brought back elements of the classic KISS sound. Hearing Ace & Peter singing lead on new songs with KISS will also be amazing.
KA: This is your forum, say whatever's on your mind to all the fans online that are reading this Focus on KISS Dynasty.
Thanks for your time for reading this. Thanks to everyone who's ever read KISS HELL FANZINE or KISS HELL ONLINE. We have tons of surprises for the fans. If you haven't seen KISS HELL (fanzine)-I reccomend checking out an issue (as 1 fan to another). I feel it's a quality fanzine that all fans will appreciate & enjoy. all the fanzines online at Asylum deserve your support, I know them all & they're all great. Lastly, I have to thank KISS since I wouldn't be writing you this if it weren't for them letting me do a fanzine to them. Never-ever Stop Rockin' Joe D.
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