Fair enough, but Simmons is both amiable and media-savvy. KISS has waged a long-running battle with the rock press, but Simmons knows this: Negative press affects KISS the same way it did ''Independence Day,'' and much of the press has come around to appreciate KISS as the rock 'n' roll circus it is.

Look at that photo again. It could have been taken two decades ago, but it's current, and so is the band. Guitarists Paul Stanley and Ace Frehley, Simmons, and drummer Peter Criss are the Dorian Grays of rock - looking the same as ever, even as their aggregate age is pushing 200. (Frehley and Criss beat substance abuse problems and rejoined the band in 1996.) KISS is more popular than ever. The four played to 70,000 people at Dodger Stadium on Halloween, and they kick off their indoor arena tour at the FleetCenter Thursday and next Friday. (Scattered balcony seats remain for the first show; about 2,000 tickets are left for the second.)

KISS has sold over 70 million albums. In 1996 and 1997, KISS was the No. 1 band on tour. It will open the Super Bowl with its national anthem ''Rock and Roll All Nite.'' The four are currently filming a KISS movie called ''Detroit Rock City'' for New Line Cinema.

On its new album, ''Psycho Circus,'' KISS has a thumping rocker only this band could write, ''I Pledge Allegiance to the State of Rock 'n' Roll.'' But isn't rock 'n' roll sometimes a sorry state? Says Stanley: ''I can only define rock 'n' roll in my terms. What other watered-down, contrived agenda others may have, has no bearing on what I consider rock 'n' roll. I think I walk the walk besides talking the talk. After 25 years and 70 million albums, in the dictionary I would expect to see my picture next to `rock 'n' roll.'''

Here is KISS on ...

The Show. Is it now fun for the whole family? Simmons: ''Anybody can go. We don't dilute anything we do, but we don't kill anybody either. It's a combination of Americana from horror movies to a Fourth of July fireworks show - with a backbeat. If you can hum along to a couple of things, great. If you hate our music and just want to come for the spectacle, fine.''

This tour. The theme, as the new album's title says, is ''Psycho Circus.'' Simmons: ''We have a `Psycho Circus' troupe [opening up], circus performers who are out of their minds. They set themselves on fire and blow themselves up. Everything is going to be in your face no matter where you're sitting. It's the first 3-D tour in history. The 3-D literally pops off the screen.'' During KISS's set, the drum kit will rise and float out over the audience. Simmons will fly to the top of the lighting rig. He will soar over the audience and vomit fake blood on the specially designated ''blood seats.''

The ethos. Simmons: ''We're not great masters. We're the court jesters. We're here to put a smile on your face and make your eyes pop wide open. If the only thing that happens is that for those couple of hours you feel a little happier to be alive or we tickled you, that's a good thing. I wish I could bottle that. We stand guilty of making a complete spectacle out of ourselves. If you're looking for a message, send a telegram.''

Self-analysis: Simmons: ''I'm a whore. I'm easy but... I'm honest. Truth in advertising, that's what I believe in.''

Fashion. Simmons: ''Wearing platform heels, studs, leather, and long hair. Do I care nobody else is doing it? Do I care everybody has short hair and razor cuts and looks like they escaped from the Marines? If that's what everybody wants to do, well, great for you. I want to get up onstage, stick my tongue out, and drool blood. Life's too short to figure out what works by committee.''

The money making. Simmons: ''Everybody wants to get money. I don't know of any band that gets onstage and does it for free.''

The merchandise. Everything at every level is up for sale. Comics, dolls, T-shirts. Simmons says there are ''a little over a thousand'' licensed products. On the upper end of it, you can buy a life-size KISS portrait by Peter Max, starting at $550,000. KISS hopes to sell 100. Register for the drawing to win a $50,000 KISS car, a chrome-and-black, 450 horsepower two-seater, with a light that flashes ''KISS'' when you hit the brake. It will be given away at Pontiac Stadium live on the ''Dick Clark New Year's Eve Extravaganza.'' Just dial 900-CALL KISS. Cost? ''Oh, under $2,'' says Simmons. ''The absolute truth is, the more times you call, the better your chances of winning.'' You can also buy ''KISStory 2,'' their second coffee table book. Only $158.95. Dial 800-905-KISS.

The KISS myth. Simmons: ''Take Superman. If you believe in the magic, you say, `What a hero.' If you don't buy the premise, you say, `It's pretty ridiculous - the get-up, the red and blue tights. It's silly.' If you believe, it's glorious and wonderful and all encompassing. If people get what KISS is all about, then it's magic, and if you don't, you're still fascinated by it. I mean, I may not get opera but I still go, `Wow, look at that.'''

The fans. Stanley: ''The majority of our audience is a real mainstream rock 'n' roll audience, basicially in their 20s that has no connection to the '70s and that experience. They come purely to see if this holds up to what people consider contemporary or current. If this [tour] were purely about nostalgia, I'd still be home. Everybody knows I'm too rich to go out if I don't like doing this. Not only am I in the band, I'm one of the biggest fans. I believe in Superman. I look in the mirror and I see him.''

Simmons: ''I believe in the great American dream. This is a one-of-a-kind society - of the people, for the people, by the people. Not the intelligentsia, not the `taste' makers. It's really people who decide, and I believe in the great unwashed masses. The roar of the greasepaint and the smell of the crowd. That's where our constituency comes from. This is the country that rules the world culturally, even though it's ironic 'cause it's supposed to be the country with no culture.''

Ladies. Simmons: Boston ''has some of the most beautiful women I've ever seen.'' Reporter: ''Come on, you say that about every city.'' Simmons: ''That's true, but that's because I'm a guy and I speak the universal language. It's called ` Woof! Woof! Woof!'''

Drugs and booze. Simmons: ''I never got the public's fascination with cigarettes, booze, and drugs. The idea that you'd want to get drunk, have a headache, [and not be able to function sexually] - I don't get it and it costs money. Getting high numbs your feelings and, as far as I'm concerned, I'm so happy I have a taste of smell and touch.''

Stanley: ''The idea of somebody getting a vicarious thrill watching me walk on the edge of a building and secretly hoping I jump is of no appeal to me. Being a dead legend sucks. I'm real clear on who I am and I do the dancing. Nobody else pulls the strings. ... If drugs don't kill your body, they kill your spirit and your soul. Look around: The message is clear.''

Opening up at the Super Bowl: Stanley: ''I'm a big believer that any time you can get into millions of people's homes and not use the window, I'm there.'' Plans? ''Obviously, subtlety is not in our vocabulary, so anything short of bringing down aircraft will be on the menu. They play their national anthem and we get to play ours.''

Simmons: ''Forget that [the pigskin]. We're gonna blow the whole place up. They're gonna have to divert planes to other landing areas.''

This story ran on page D15 of the Boston Globe on 11/06/98.
© Copyright 1998 Globe Newspaper Company.

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