Blabbermouth

KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer recently spoke with Australia’s Heavy magazine. The full conversation can be streamed below. A few excerpts follow (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On the band’s ongoing “End Of The Road” farewell tour:

Tommy: “We feel good. I’m still getting used to this being the last tour. In North America and Europe, we’ve done 95 shows this year already, with about 20 more to go. I’m still loving being out there. Most all shows are sold-out. We’ve been packing them in, and the response has been incredible… It’s something else. It’s over the top. It’s definitely the biggest show we’ve done, and I know that sounds very cliché — you’ve heard it before — but literally, it’s the biggest and best show we’ve ever done. There’s no doubt about it.”

Tommy: “It is emotional. Every night, we go out there and see the smiles, and actually the tears in a lot of people’s eyes. It kind of surprises me sometimes, because I’m not ready for that. You see people with tears, but also tears of joy, loving this band for as long as it’s been around. It means a lot to us, and to be on stage each night is just phenomenal. Seeing the response, we just couldn’t feel better about it.”

On the band’s wide demographic:

Tommy: “The multi-generational thing, it’s very bizarre, actually. Sometimes I ask kids, ‘How did you get into KISS nowadays, and what makes you want to come see this band?’ A lot of times, it’s because their parents were into it, and they kind of pass the torch. Maybe it’s just because the world’s a smaller place, interconnected with the Internet. People have been seeing the show on YouTube and online, and I think that’s really helped us, even though a lot of times in the YouTube era, bands don’t like that because they feel like it gives away the surprise or the secret about what we’re doing. It’s really spread the word. I think we do a lot of things outside the box. We did a KISS/‘Scooby-Doo!’ movie a couple years ago. I know a lot of kids got turned on to KISS seeing that movie. There’s a lot of things like that. It’s a strange phenomenon, but it blows me away.”
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The Onion

Jody Havenot

The Onion

DETROIT ROCK CITY—The Kiss Army, long respected for its traditions of disobedience, insubordination and guitar-fueled mayhem, is the subject of a federal investigation following recent allegations of widespread propriety among its ranks.

The investigation, which implicates a number of high-level Kiss Army members, cites numerous reports of “highly inappropriate behavior among Kiss Army members, including marriage, steady employment and child-rearing,” said Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-MN), chair of the Kiss Armed Services Committee.

The Senate called for hearings after securing testimony from an unnamed Kiss Army insider stating that Kiss Army Commander Doug Haines—best known as the screaming concertgoer in the 1978 made-for-TV movie Kiss Meets The Phantom who wears a mesh shirt and holds up a “God of Thunder” sign—is now a 41-year-old, San Diego-area certified public accountant and father of three.

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KISSmuseum.com

See the New KISS Collectible Additions at KISSmuseum.com

The Wrap

Who knew great white sharks were rock music fans?

Kiss are taking their live show to depths even they haven’t explored before with an announcement on Thursday that they’ll perform an underwater concert off the coast of Port Lincoln, South Australia, for eight “lucky” fans — and a group of great whites.

The bizarre stunt will take the rockers literally down under as part of a promotion for Airbnb’s new Animal Experiences travel option.

Kiss and their crew will travel on Nov. 18 in separate boats off the coast of southern Australia, and while the band stays above board on one vessel, the accompanying fans will be lowered beneath the surface of the water from a second boat into a viewing submarine in an area known for shark activity, according to the Associated Press.

Blasting from underwater speakers, Kiss hits like “Hotter Than Hell” will also be enjoyed by the largest predators in the ocean. Kiss will be in full makeup and costumes for the concert, which will be at least four songs.

“I was a little taken aback by it, but they explained that sharks are attracted to low frequencies and so they’re attracted to rock ‘n’ roll,” singer and guitarist Paul Stanley told the AP. “Since we’re going to be in Australia, it gives a whole new meaning to doing a concert down under

“I’m not sure how much of us the sharks can take,” Stanley added. “I’m hoping they know ‘Rock And Roll All Nite.’”

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The Onion

AKRON, OH—Citing growing tensions between bandmates, Harvey Shapiro—aka “VeeVee,” the guitarist for KISS cover band Destroyer—left the group Monday to create VeeVee’s Occupying Force, a Vinnie Vincent Invasion tribute band. “I felt I had hit a creative ceiling with the cover-band experience and was ready for the challenges of a tribute band,” Shapiro said. “VeeVee’s Occupying Force will debut Dec. 3 at Rubber City Lanes. We’re opening for Second Sighting, my brother’s Frehley’s Comet cover band.” As a part of his new band’s act, Shapiro said he is contemplating suing Destroyer for $6 million over damage to his reputation following some badmouthing at the Rock ‘N’ Bowl.

Ultimate Classic Rock

Gene Simmons is battling kidney stones, which may explain why Kiss were forced to end their most recent tour leg a little early last month.

According to TMZ, the bassist was admitted to Cedars-Sinai Hospital this morning and had a stent inserted during a noninvasive, hour-long procedure.

Kidney stones are small pebbles of salt and minerals that can build up when a person doesn’t have enough liquid in their system. They make urinating very painful. The stent is designed to help Simmons expel the stones more easily on his own. The report notes that the device will be removed, along with any remaining stones, in about a week.

On Sept. 13, Simmons tweeted that the band was postponing the last three dates of the most recent leg of its farewell End of the Road tour so that he could “do a medical procedure.” He assured fans the issue was “nothing serious,” but it needed to be attended to promptly.

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Jody Havenot

Blabbermouth

Original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley is up for a reunion of the original band, but only if the price is right. Speaking exclusively to Rock Candy‘s Dave Reynolds for a 12-page cover story in the latest issue of the magazine, Space Ace discussed a wide range of issues, including his “bad boy” reputation and his current relationship with KISS leaders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. But the really exciting news for KISS fans is that Frehley is still ready and willing to perform with KISS as the band continues with its “End Of The Road” tour.

“It would be nice to go back out again with them,” Frehley said. “But it’s not my call. I think we have a really good relationship now. I text Paul back and forth and we’ve worked together, as I have with Gene. I would seriously consider it, but the money would have to be right. I’m not gonna take Tommy Thayer‘s salary.

“It would certainly sell more tickets with me involved,” Ace added. “I have a gut feeling it will happen.”

Ace acknowledges that he wasn’t always the easiest to work with in KISS, given his acknowledged problems with drink and drugs.

“I know that I put those guys through hell in the past,” he conceded. “Sometimes I was too drunk at soundchecks, but sobriety has made me more dependable and reliable.” Frehley says he’s been sober for 13 years now and would be fighting fit to rejoin the self-styled “Hottest Band In The World” for what would be an unforgettable experience, especially if original drummer Peter Criss were to come back into the fold.

“It would be really exciting,” he said. “Not just for me, but also for the fans. I’m ready. I feel reborn.”

Read the whole of this revealing article, and many more fascinating features, in issue 16 of Rock Candy, available in shops worldwide or direct online at this location.

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KISSmuseum.com

A great set of KISS 8-Track tapes from the ’70’s. We have some rare ones that are at auction on eBay, ending this Sunday – Check ’em out!

KISS 8-Track Tapes at KISSmuseum.com

Jody Havenot

Michael Brandvold

Ali Cooper | Metal Hammer

John 5 has worked with everyone from Marilyn Manson to Rob Zombie. We got him to show off his favourite and most unique guitars.

John 5 moved to LA at the tender age of 17, after a meeting with Whitesnake‘s Rudy Sarzo, the young virtuoso wound up playing with Lita Ford and opening for one of his biggest inspirations: Kiss (who wound up being some of his closest pals).

From there the colourful shredder’s career would only get brighter – he worked with Rob Halford and Trent Reznor and later, David Lee Roth. Then, after Zim Zum left Marilyn Manson, John 5 took his place.

Now, the guitar maestro plays for non other than horror rocker Rob Zombie, while simultaneously working on his own solo project (where he often collaborates with other incredible shredders, such as Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and Jim Root).

In his spare time (and there must not be much of it!) the guitarist is an avid Kiss collector (all showcased on his instagram) and of course, boasts a pretty incredible hoard of guitars. We caught up with him to find out all about his collection and discover his favourite and most unique guitars…

When did your obsession with guitars start?

“I got my first guitar for Christmas in 1977 and I started taking lessons right away because that was part of the deal with my family. I had a really good teacher and he taught me some of my favourite songs at the time. It was the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me, that’s what made me never want to put it down.

“I got into Kiss at the same time, when Love Gun came out, and I have a Kiss collection as well as my guitars – my collection is the rarest of the rare, I probably have a lot of stuff Gene Simmons doesn’t have!”

So how many guitars do you currently have?

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Michael Brandvold

Matt Porter

Joe

Alternative Nation

KISS icon Gene Simmons revealed that his lovely wife Shannon Tweed Simmons sang with big names including Slash on a video for his 70th birthday party. Gene Simmons’ daughter rejected a man hitting on her a few days ago online.

“Thank U Shannon, Soph, Nick, Paul, Tommy, Eric, Doc, Slash, Duff McKagen, Johnny Depp, Joe Perry, Alice Cooper, Roger Daltrey, Paul Rodgers, Tom Morello, Jon BonJovi & band singing The Beatles ‘Birthday’, & Ringo Starr!!! for wishing me good birthday wishes in our video 😎.”

Gene Simmons’ wife recently sent a touching message to Paul Stanley. dglaize posted a review of KISS’ show on Sunday in San Antonio on the KISSfaq.com forums, “So now with KISS. First observation I noticed was the stage. It’s one thing to see it on video. It’s another thing to see it in person. By far I enjoyed this stage more than any other. Excellent job with stage design and lighting. I will also say this is the most pyro I have ever seen them use. I have heard people knock them for not doing anything different with the stage show. Where there are certain things they do tour to tour they have tweaked it somewhat.

Much of the tweaking deals with the lighting system they are using I would say. I mean what are you wanting them to do? A KISS show is a KISS show… If it’s not broken don’t try to fix it. Yes I have been a dedicated fan since 75. Does not mean I am a kiss-ass because I am not overly critical? NO! I just look at this way… Would I have regretted not going to this show? The answer is yes I would. I know people are also critical of the set-list.

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Anti Music

KISS cofounder Gene Simmons revealed some of his thoughts and ideas that he shares on his speaking tours during a recent radio interview with 91.7 Giant FM in Niagara Falls.

“What I do is I grab the mic, I go into the audience and really talk to people about the choices they’ve done in life and how they can make more money,” he said. “How you can make more money predominantly comes down to one, being selfish. Me first. We’re not taught that. Two is having the right thing at the right place at the right time. If you can help yourself, you can help others.

“People who start businesses make sure that they pay taxes, and there’s people who work for the company, and you’ve got to rent and buy equipment and insurance, and everybody gets paid first, and then the guy that owns the company gets paid last if there’s any profit.

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