Psycho Circus Misc. News Archive

This page is just a recap of all the miscellaneous related stories and information on the 1998-1999 KISS Psycho Circus Era. As always, for a more detailed look at all the past KISS happenings, visit the KISS ASYLUM News Archive!

January 26


KISS Live EP Track List News
From: Florian / KISS Asylum News Germany
I just phoned with Mercury Germany, here the news I got:
The Live EP will be released in a special package together with the Psycho Circus album as an two CD Set in Germany on February 22nd. The tracklist is:
  • 1. Psycho Circus
  • 2. Let Me Go Rock And Roll
  • 3. Into The Void ( inclusive guitar solo)
  • 4. Within (inclusive drum solo)
  • 5. 100.000 Years
  • 6. Black Diamond
    Also, the new remasters (Lick It Up- Crazy Nights) will be released this year, but not within the next two month here in germany.

    November 4


    Psycho Circus Billboard Charts
    From: KISS Asylum
    Psycho Circus fell 3 places this week from 75 to 78 selling 19,378 units.

    The New KISS Visa Card Program
    From: KISSOnline.net (The Official KISS Website)
    KISS and First USA, one of the nation's leading credit card issuers announce the KISS Platinum Visa card. In addition to having a low APR, KISS Platinum Visa Cardmembers get exclusive monthly KISS news and updates, along with special offers for special KISS merchandise. The no-annual-fee card offers applicants three awesome card desings, including the KISS Mezzo card, the KISS Fire card and the KISS Faces card, each featuring images of Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. Cardmembers can also choose a fourth card design, the exciting KISS Stars card. Applications for the KISS Platinum Visa card will be accepted at many KISS concerts throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Applications will soon be available through direct mail and a toll-free number, as well as via various KISS websites. Details on the activation premium will be available shortly. Please note: This a new bank and a new program, different from the first KISS Visa card.

    KISS in Goldmine!
    From: Ken Sharp
    Just wanted to drop a line to let everyone know that my recent interviews with Paul, Gene, Ace & Peter are out now in a special Goldmine issue dedicated to KISS. As always, it's a great thrill to chat with the guys. BTW this interview is the longest I've done with the band, about 10,000 words longer than the 1996 cover story. Unlike the last interview which was all-encompassing, this one focuses much more on the present day. There's lots of questions about the new CD, tour, 3-D, merchandise plus some more obscure stuff about the members' early bands and rare songs. Bands like Incubus, The Barracudas, Millemo, Gene as a folk act, etc. You''ll also learn about Gene's meeting with Karen Carpenter of The Carpenters plus there's my review of "The Second Coming" video. I saw a rough cut of the video and was absolutely blown away. Tommy Thayer has done a wonderful job and all Kiss fans owe him a debt of gratitude for this labor of love. It is AMAZING! Anyhow, I better go, my fingers are still aching from transcribing this behemoth of an interview. I hope all the fans dig it!

    DiCaprio caught faking a Kiss
    From: People Magazine via Robert Scott
    Leonardo DiCaprio and pal Lukas Haas turned up Halloween night at the opening exhibit of New York's Tony Shafrazi Gallery. But Leo didn't see much of the bizarre Francis Bacon works. He wore a Kiss mask to disguise his identity but photographers spotted him anyway and gave chase. Meanwhile, the real Kiss was bogged down in L.A. traffic after its Halloween concert at Dodger Stadium. The rockers walked the last six blocks to their hotel in full stage makeup, unnoticed amid costumed revelers on Sunset Boulevard.

    Second Coming Home Video
    From: KISSOnline.net (The Official KISS Website)
    The Second Coming Home Video will be released on November 24th. Here is the cover art.

    Detroit Rock City Toronto Filming Confirmed
    From: KISSOnline.net (The Official KISS Website)
    It was confirmed today that the cancelled Los Angeles filming has been rescheduled for December 3rd in Toronto. If you are interested in being part of this filming call 416-463-1972.

    "You Wanted The Best," Radio Demanded It
    From: KISSOnline.net (The Official KISS Website)
    Because radio demanded it, the second single will now be "You Wanted The Best."

    November 3


    KISS Pulls Out Usual Tricks
    From: Reuters/Variety via David Stephenson
    HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Size does matter. At least that's what the members of Kiss would like you to believe. The veteran quartet hammered out a two-hour show at Dodger Stadium which was epic in terms of special effects and gimmickry, though not terribly rewarding in terms of musical impact and scope. The splashy visuals offered during this very pricey production were none too subtle. Fireworks, lasers, smoke bombs, fog machines, klieg lights, elevating drum risers and band members sent flying through the air via cables, all contributed to this sensory-overload extravaganza. The current Kiss tour is also being marketed as a 3D affair. Special glasses dispersed at the door allowed fans to intermittently experience the band members on the giant video screens in the third dimension. These mostly pre-recorded video sequences which were interspersed with shots of the band performing live often found Kiss lamely thrusting guitars and drumsticks toward the audience to maximize the experience. No big deal to say the least, though the first glimpse of Gene Simmons' trademark distended tongue coming at you in 3D did offer a fleeting cheap thrill. Musically, Kiss proved as bombastic as ever as it heavily mined its '70s song catalog. Except for the Peter Criss ballad ``Beth,'' which the drummer sang at the lip of the stage to a pre-recorded piano and orchestral track, every tune featured the band's lumbering hard rock rhythms. The group did offer good escapist fun when it latched onto a tune with a choice melodic or instrumental hook, as it did with ``Black Diamond,'' ``Detroit Rock City'' and ``Psycho Circus,'' the title track of its new album. But most Kiss rockers tend to take on a numbing, monochromatic quality when they're played back-to-back over an extended stretch.
    Click Here To Read The Full Article!

    Kiss Raises Curtain On 'Psycho Circus' Tour
    From: RockTropolis via Steve Araki
    Here is an article I found at the RockTropolis website. It reads:
    Trick or treat! The 50,000-plus people who spent Halloween night watching Kiss kick off the Psycho Circus tour with an appropriately intimate performance at a little-used venue -- Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles -- got a little of both, starting with the paper glasses you picked up at the gates in order to experience all the Kiss 3D effects that comprise the main selling point of this post-reunion tour. Aside from a few taped segments involving disassembling skeletons, disembodied heads, and exploding planets, mostly this meant that the four original band members got to poke their various instruments into what seemed like about an arm's length from your face at semi-regular intervals for two hours and 10 minutes. In the meantime, you got the lights, lasers, fireworks, smoke, explosions, sirens, confetti, three giant video screens, three different rising platform bits (everything happens three times), the drum solo, the guitar solo, and all the fire-eating, blood-spitting, unison guitar-wielding routines from when we first saw 'em back in 1975.
    Click Here To Read The Full Article!

    Halloween Extravaganza Launches KISS Tour
    From: Billboard Online
    KISS kicked off its Psycho-Circus tour Oct. 31 with a Halloween extravaganza in Los Angeles that dazzled thousands of fans, many of whom arrived in costume. Circus acts and -- appropriately enough -- the Smashing Pumpkins opened the show, which was touted as the world's first three-dimensional concert. The Pumpkins -- who ascended the stage dressed like the '64 Beatles, complete with bowl-cut wigs and matching suits -- began their set with a cover of "Money (That's What I Want)." After discarding their hair pieces, the band members performed an hourlong set, mixing new material with their hits "Bullet With Butterfly Wings" and "Today." KISS opened with the title track from current release "Psycho Circus" (Mercury); the album is currently No. 75 on The Billboard 200. The two-hour-long set leaned heavily toward early material and included the group's anthem, "Rock And Roll All Nite." The 3D portions of the concert mixed filmed segments with live action; the blend was broadcast via three video screens and viewed by audience members through 3D glasses given out prior to the performance. The show was broadcast on Album Network radio stations throughout the U.S.; portions of the concert were also aired at midnight Saturday on the FOX-TV network as part of the channel's "KISS Live: The Ultimate Halloween Party" special. -- Michael Villano

    KISS' Attitude, Antics Haven't Aged a Bit
    From: LA Times via Oliver Carmona
    By Natalie Nichols, Special to The Times
    I wanna come out there and see ya!" shrieked KISS rhythm guitarist Paul Stanley in his best hard-rock falsetto, whipping up the Halloween crowd that nearly filled Dodger Stadium on Saturday. "Can I come out there and see ya? I said, 'Can I come out there and seeeeee ya?' "As fans roared their approval, the 46-year-old "Starchild" (as his costumed KISS persona is known) slipped one silver platform boot into a harness, stood up and launched himself off the stage, gliding above a sea of costumed ghouls and goblins to an elevated landing at midfield. He grabbed a guitar and tore into "Love Gun," prancing in place with his knock-kneed heavy-metal strut, and when it was done, he sailed back through a haze of fake fog to rejoin bandmates Gene Simmons ("the Demon"), Ace Frehley ("Space-Ace") and Peter Criss ("the Catman"). It was one of the more impressive stunts on opening night of the band's "Psycho Circus" tour, a three-ring extravaganza featuring acrobats, motorcycle stunts and sideshow freaks, more than two hours of pyrotechnic rock theater from KISS and--back on stage and better than ever--the Beatles!
    Click Here To Read The Full Article!

    November 2


    Reunited Kiss Works That Old Black Magic
    From: USA Today via Steve Araki
    LOS ANGELES ‹ It always gets a little crazy in L.A. this time of year, but this Halloween night had something special in store for the Kiss fans piling into Dodger Stadium. The Psycho Circus tour was opening, and tricks and treats were available in equal abundance. The biggest treat, of course, was Kiss. The original lineup of Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss served up a thunderous helping of hits and fan favorites to the adoring throng. The best trick was the concert's much-publicized 3-D effects ‹ when viewed through the cardboard spectacles handed out at the door, the three large screens to the rear and sides of the stage seemed to burst forth with the band members' guitars, hands, tongues and codpieces. Though the concert also featured the Smashing Pumpkins, circus sideshow performers and enough explosives to arouse the suspicion of U.N. arms inspectors, the true star of the evening was Stanley. Belting out songs like I Was Made for Lovin' You and Detroit Rock City with passion and urgency, he gyrated from one end of the immense stage to the other for nearly two hours, swinging by a wire over the audience during Love Gun. Unfortunately, the excitement generated by Stanley's Tarzan act was quickly dispelled by Simmons' lumbering Within, one of the three songs included from Psycho Circus. But during Deuce, Firehouse, Cold Gin and Black Diamond, all from the band's 1974 debut, the instrumental chemistry was actually as impressive as the pyrotechnical displays they were punctuated with.
    Click Here To Read The Full Article!

    KISS Second Coming Home Video News
    From: D. Wilson
    On Saturday, I received a promo copy of the "Second Coming" home video, which is due out later this month, and I must say this is KISS' best home video yet. It's two hours and is full of behind-the-scenes and rare footage (including plenty of footage of the band without makeup). The narration is done by all four members, as well as MTV's Matt Pinfield (at least someone at MTV gets it). The format is similar to that of Madonna's "Truth or Dare" video. I don't want to spoil it for everyone, but here are some of the highlights: the band puts on the makeup for the first time and gets fitted for costumes at Gene's house; backstage footage from The Grammys (security guards, photographers and even Tupac Shakur are taken aback by the sight of KISS in full makeup and costumes again); rehearsals at an airplane hangar in Van Nuys, Calif. without makeup in street clothes and platform boots (during a full-dress rehearsal at the Van Nuys airport, they set the roof of the hangar on fire during pyrotechnics testing -- shades of the KROQ Weenie Roast show); rehearsals at Cobo Hall days before the Tiger Stadium show; cool backstage footage including their meeting with former manager Bill Aucoin during their four-night stand at Madison Square Garden, pre-show pep talks with manager Doc McGhee; and Ace and Paul doing the "Macarena"; on-stage footage including birthday celebrations for Gene (Los Angeles, CA), Paul (Nagoya, Japan) and Ace (Bismark, ND); autographing a fan's prosthetic leg in Cincinnati, Ohio; and perhaps, my favorite part of video, the guys engaging a big group hug during an encore at their last show at London's Finsbury Park. Ace described the moment by saying, "I walked away feeling very fulfilled." The video ends with the band prepping for its first photo shoot for Psycho Circus and "I Pledge Allegiance to the State of Rock and Roll" plays over the closing credits. I've only scratched the surface as to what is on this video. My hat's off to Tommy Thayer who wrote, directed and produced such a fine piece of work. I'm very critical of KISS' home videos, but this one left me nothing but completely satisfied. All bases from the reunion tour are covered. You really see how much preparation the guys put into making the reunion tour such a huge success and how seriously they took it. I believe all KISS fans will be as pleased as I am.

    Classic Kiss Kicks Off Psycho Circus At Dodger Stadium
    From: MTV News via Mike Hogan
    Kiss kicked off its Psycho Circus tour in classic Kiss style at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Saturday night. While die-hard followers may have been disappointed that there was little in the way of new material and only a few new gimmicks, most were happy enough with the adage, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." The set list was little changed from the reunited band's reunion tour back in 1996, with just three songs from their new album, and only two or three old tunes not in the 1996 tour. Yet the added songs combined with giant production features made for, if not a new experience, a highly entertaining one. For fans, the show began the moment the stadium was entered, as huge spotlights criss-crossed the skies, and helicopters buzzed overhead, while giant inflatables of the Kiss bandmembers graced the entrance way. Following a strong set by opening act The Smashing Pumpkins, the crowd was entertained by a circus troupe that featured highwire acts and sideshow oddities. Those performances took place at the back half of the stadium floor. As the original lords of pyrotechnics and gore, Kiss didn't disappoint. As usual they opened their performance with a bang and kept it up with a steady stream of explosives, flames, fireworks, rising platforms, a flying Paul Stanley and a blood-spewing Gene Simmons.
    Click Here To Read The Full Story!

    KISS Weekend: Did You Miss It?
    From: KISS Asylum
    This was quite a weekend for KISS. KISS was on FOX's Millennium TV show Friday night, MAD TV Saturday night as well as the KISS LIVE: Ultimate Halloween party Saturday at midnight. Did you miss it? If so here are some GREAT screen captures from those programs. If you did get a chance to see hte programs then re-live it again with these great photos!

  • Millennium Screen Captures
  • MAD TV Screen Captures
  • KISS Live: Dodger Stadium Screen Captures

    KISS Psycho Circus Tour Magzine
    From: KISS Asylum
    The KISS Psycho Circus Tour Magazine from Metal Edge officially hits the newsstands on Monday (retailing at $5.99) and we wanted to let you know what you can expect from this very cool magazine. Here is what is inside:

  • Article on KISS Press Conference with great photos and cool info.
  • KISS Conversation: Interview with all 4 band members.
  • KISS Track by Track look at the Psycho Circus Album
  • Interview with the people bringing us the "Detroit Rock City" movie
  • KISS Reunion Tour Timeline with pictures and dates
  • 70's Pictorial Flashback
  • KISS Contest where you can win KISS Psycho Circus merchandise by sending in the coupon
  • Article on the "Second Coming" home video. It looks to be awesome! It is in stores November 24th and will be 2 hours long with 30-40 different songs, great behind the scenes footage and it will come with a 38 page booklet.
  • Article on the KISS Psycho Circus Video with pictures.
  • Article on KISStory II. In this article Gene claims that he wants to have TEN volumes, KISStory, KISStory II, KISStory III and so forth. The content of KISStory III was not disclosed.
  • Interview with Psycho Circus Producer, Bruce Fairbairn
  • Article on KISS' new website, KISSonline.net
  • KISS Art from Fans, fans in KISS Make up, KISS Tattoos, KISS Shrines,
  • "Elder" Comic from the people that brought us "Pre-History" from Revolutionary Comics All this along with some great photos makes this a can't miss KISS magazine special. Pick it up!

    Starlog's KISS Magazine
    From: KISS Asylum
    Starlog has put out an all KISS magazine special. It is out in stores now and retails for $9.99. This magazine consists of comprehensive interviews with each member of the band along with some great pictures. Check it out!

    November 1


    Psycho Circus Tour Set List
    From: KISS Asylum
    Here, in order, is the set list for the KISS Psycho Circus Tour show at Dodger Stadium: Psycho Circus, Shout It Out Loud, Let Me Go Rock & Roll, Shock Me, Do You Love Me, Calling Dr. Love, Firehouse, Cold Gin, Nothin' To Lose, She (Drum Solo), I Was Made For Lovin' You, Into The Void (Guitar Solo), Love Gun, Within, 100,000 Years, King of the Nighttime World (Bass Solo), God of Thunder, Deuce, Detroit Rock City, ENCORE: Beth, Black Diamond, Rock & Roll All Nite.

    KISS On MAD TV
    From: Sean Cowie
    Since those of us in Canada get the advantage of seeing MAD TV a day before those of you in the US, I thought I would let people know what to expect. KISS appears during the show's intro with "The Vancome Lady" played by Nicole Sullivan. Of course, the band cajoles her into going backstage with them as Gene's tongue waggles at her. Not much there. One of the best moments is the sketch where KISS appears as life-size action figures. They stomp on a kid's soldiers and in their robotic state, are seen in bed with kid. Then the mother comes in and says she wants to "borrow" Paul for the evening while "daddy's away on business". This was probably my favorite skit the band appears in. Later on, they show up as a young girl's prom date (yes, all 4 of them are her date!). While the Dad shows his obvious concern, KISS puts him in his place and not only leaves with the daughter but takes the wife and the grandmother too! Funny stuff. In another ongoing skit, the band takes on Michael Jackson who has been offing members of the cast appearing as musicians so he will again be popular. In a scene reminiscent of the Phantom of the Park battle sequence, Michael tries to take out KISS by moonwalking and grabbing his crotch, then letting his army of little boys attack the band. While the 4 youngsters grapple with the band, Paul anounces a "transfer" and the kids turn around showing their faces painted like each member of KISS and they turn on Michael Jackson. Of course, KISS prevails as MJ's head is exploded by lasers emanating from the band's guitars. Campy fun, I guess. Another short skit sees the band standing on stage holding small pumpkin heads that kids put their Halloween booty into. Paul gets a Hershey bar, Gene gets a grape candy, Ace gets a popcorn ball and Peter pulls out a rock which he bites into. Lame skit but it's just KISS without any distractions so you can see a closeup of the band's faces and outfits. I should mention that Ace looks terribly bad close-up under the studio lights as his face has more creases than ever. His face looks like a rural road map! In the magazine shoots as of late, he's looked pretty good but I guess the airbrushing artists have been pulling some serious overtime! Otherwise, the band looks good in the first mass public appearance since the reunion tour ended. Overall, the band doesn't embarass themselves at all. They do a good job in the capacity they are given and produce a generally funny show. Check it out tonight on FOX.

    October 28


    MTV Fires Back
    From: KISS Asylum
    On October 22nd KISS Online.net (The Official KISS Website) put up a report concerning MTV's declining to show the new KISS video, Psycho Circus. KISS Online also provided some contact information for fans to reach both MTV and VH1. KISS Asylum wanted to do our part to aid in this effort, and with the help of online fans we were able to supplement the contact information previously presented by KISS Online by supplying some additional, direct (public) email addresses for fans to request the video. We added this information on our "MAKE 'EM GO PSYCHO" radio campaign page early yesterday (October 27th). The KISS Army Online must have struck fast and fierce because within a matter of hours after the information was presented on KISS Asylum we got an email from MTV's Marketing Consultant explicitly detailing why they were NOT going to play the video. What you see below is the email they sent to KISS Asylum.
    Dear members of the KISS Army:
    We have no plans to play KISS Psycho Circus because KISS fans are not MTV viewers. The market for KISS is so small that we feel that it is not benificial for MTV to play the video. KISS Psycho Circus sales is a great measurement of what MTV viewers think of KISS. The album appealed only to KISS fans and no one else. That is not the MTV audience and we do not plan on playing Psycho Circus until the album goes at least Gold. Thank you and please stop sending these e-mails. Once again, we will not play KISS.
    Sincerely
    David Garner, MTV Marketing Consultant
    Pictures From The Millenium Shoot
    From: Alan
    Here are some pictures taken during KISS' performance on Millennium. It was shot in a club up in Vancouver called Rage. There were a couple hundred extras all dressed in costume to watch the band. It went really well, and was shot over 2 days. Each band member also does a cameo role without makeup, so watch out! Lance Henriksen had a blast with the guys as you can see in one picture. Enjoy!
    Click Here To View The Pictures & Read News About KISS on Millennium!

    October 27


    KISS At The SuperBowl!
    From: KISSOnline.net (The Official KISS Website)
    Yes, it is true! KISS will be at Superbowl XXXIII in Miami, Florida on January 31, 1999! The day before they will be playing a full concert, and then the day of the Superbowl they will be performing at the Pregame show!

    October 25


    Kiss Crew Testing Staging At Hangar
    From: Space Ace
    I found this in the local paper the Press Enterprise this morning here in Southern California. Headline - Kiss Crew Testing Staging At Hangar
    Kiss' Halloween concert at Dodger Stadium is such a big production that a 100,000-square-foot hangar at San Bernardino International Airport is being used for rehearsals just for some of the staging and lights. Neither the band nor its special 3-D effects will be present at this week's technical run-throughs, according to a spokesman for the Inland Valley Development Agency and San Bernardino International Airport Authority. In the past, Michael Jackson and Pink Floyd held full rehearsals at the facility, formerly Norton Air Force Base. Other acts, including Nine Inch Nails, have used it to rehearse new staging. The Halloween show is scheduled for broadcast on the Fox television network and over the Internet at www.jamtv.com and www.rollingstone.com

    October 15


    Todd McFarlane Presents:
    KISS Psycho Circus Magazine!
    KISS Psycho Circus Magazine!
    From: KISS Asylum
    Below is the official Press Release from McFarlane Productions on the new KISS Psycho Circus Magazine. The Press Release reads as follows:
    "Todd McFarlane has teamed up once again with rock superstars KISS to publish Todd McFarlane Presents KISS Psycho Circus Magazine! Available at all major bookstores, mass merchants and comic book stores nationwide and internationally starting October 19, 1998. The magazineís release coincides with kick-off of KISSí first new album in 17 years, titled "Psycho Circus", which debuted #3 on Billboards Top 200 this week. The band begins their massive worldwide Psycho Circus Tour at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on October 31, 1998, with dates planned through the year 2000. FOX will cover this Halloween spectacular in a 1-hour television special!
    The premiere issue of this 104-page, full-size, glossy magazine is filled with exclusive materials including photographs from Gene Simmons' personal collection in the KISS album gallery, a candid interview with Gene Simmons conducted by Todd McFarlane, a display of McFarlane Toys KISS figures with a preview of the KISS Psycho Circus Tour Edition toys scheduled for release in early 1999, a KISS contest, and art work submitted by members of the KISS Army. Plus a special bonus section features the sold-out KISS Psycho Circus comic book issues 1, 2 and 3.
    Also in this issue, journey into the world of Brian Holguin, writer of the best-selling KISS Psycho Circus comic book. Be the first to hear about new KISS products and find out all the latest KISS happenings. Todd McFarlane Presents KISS Psycho Circus will tell you about the outrageous things KISS embarks on, such as christening a KISS constellation in our solar system and broadcasting their entire concert into outer space!
    Click Here To Read The Full Press Release!

    Ace Frehley in 3-D!
    Psycho Circus Video Clip
    From: KISS Asylum
    It appears that the "Psycho Circus" video is starting to show up on TV. Apparently a few cable access shows here in the U.S. have been showing it as of late as well as MUCH MUSIC. The question is, when is MTV going to show it?? The video, (which is said to consist of the 3-D and regular versions of the video along with the CD single of "Psycho Circus" and the bonus track of "In Your Face"), officially hits the stores for sale on Tuesday, October 27th but until then here is a 10 second Quicktime clip of the video thanks to Bob Anders.
    Click Here To Download The Quicktime Psycho Circus Clip

    October 7


    KISS News From Metal Edge
    From: Metal Edge Online via Steve Araki
    Hey, saw this post on Metal Edge Online. Here is what it says:
    "It turns out the 3-D "Psycho Circus" video KISS premiered at the press conference two weeks ago was a work in progress, which explains why it's not on MTV. It's going to be re-edited to show more of PETER CRISS and include some effects that were missing. KISS is going back to the Dallas, TX facility where they shot it to get more footage, but it's mainly for backup images in case of any malfunctions in the 3-D system at the concerts. Meanwhile, they're exploring the possibility of cutting together the performance footage they shot for the upcoming episode of Millennium, in which they perform "Psycho Circus," with other scenes from the episode that airs October 30 on Fox. The next day, of course, is the big Dodger Stadium Halloween concert in L.A., and the tour is slated to kick off a few weeks later in the northeast. In between, the concert scene for the Detroit Rock City movie will be shot at L.A.'s Sports Arena (standing in for Detroit's Cobo Hall), and New Line Cinema promises giveaway goodie bags to all audience members and cool raffles of KISS stuff. There are still about 1000 seats left so call (310) 967-6850 to reserve a spot.

    October 2


    KISS Psycho Circus Dodger Stadium Radio Broadcast
    From: Nick Summers Z104 in Wausau, WI
    We got this fax at the radio station yesterday that says:
    "The Album Network Presents: Psycho Circus The 3 Hour Live Broadcast on Halloween Night From KISS. It's the opening night of the Psycho Circus Tour and we will bring you all 3 hours Live! From Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. It's gonna be the ultimate 3-D Halloween Rock-n-Roll Party! Sign up now to secure your right to broadcast this monster event!"
    As I'm sure you know I faxed it right back with big bold letters....YES!!! The three hour show starts at 10pm central. And if any other radio programers are interested in picking this up for your market the number to call is: Album network broadcast dept. 1-818-955-4000. Good luck in getting it in your market. Also the next single going to be released (according to my mercury rep. and unless something changes...) will be "You Wanted The Best" That's all from Z104 in Wausau, WI. It will be hot on Oct. 31st here in the midwest!!

    September 30


    KISS Debuts Big As Lauryn Hill Reclaims Top Of Chart
    From: MTV News via Steve Araki
    Here is the report I saw on MTV
    "In what plays out like a war for the nation's souls, the vintage demon glam rockers in Kiss edge out the Christian outfit D.C. Talk for next week's top debut on the Billboard album chart. According to SoundScan sales figures released on Wednesday, Kiss will score next week's number three slot after selling more than 109,000 copies (109,572) of "Psycho Circus" in its first week in stores. The release edged out D.C. Talk's "Supernatural" which sold more than 106,000 copies to land at number four. Both debuts fall behind Lauryn Hill, whose "Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" returns to the number one spot next week after selling another 167,000 copies. 'N Sync jumps up to number two next week as its self-titled album sold another 112,000 copies."

    September 26


    KISS Press Conference Transcript
    From: Tuck Watts
    I made arrangements to receive the satellite feed of the Press Conference and here is a transcript of the interview segment we received. It is not the full Press Conference Transcript though. The questions were edited from the feed, but the answers are transcribed below.
    The curtain rises. The Psycho Circus begins. Out of the shadows ominously step four-larger-than-life figures adorned in shining black leather, metallic studs and sequins, wearing colorful kabuki makeup. The legendary KISS is back and primed to collectively deliver a meteoric blast of supersonic, life affirming rock and roll.
    After the group's #1 grossing tour of 1996-97, KISS are making dreams come true once again for the KISS Army, with Psycho Circus, their first new studio album in almost two decades, featuring all four original members - Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. With a KISS New Line Cinema movie in the works and other sundry exciting projects on the horizon, it's a great time to be a KISS fan again. Thirty-one albums and counting, KISS are still the master of the stage and kings of the party!
    Rock and roll all nite and party every day. KISS is back! Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss are back in makeup and back in record stores today. Psycho Circus is the first new studio album in almost two decades featuring all four original members. KISS has sold over 75 million albums in it's 25 year career.
    Psycho Circus will feature a special 3-D cover and is an enhanced CD which will launch computer users onto KISSonline.net. The Psycho Circus tour will kickoff on Halloween at LA's Dodger Stadium. The show will feature cutting edge 3-D technology. Tickets go on sale Saturday, September 26 at 10am at all Ticketmaster locations. To kickoff the release of Psycho Circus, the band held a press conference on Monday, September 21 at Mann's Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. At the event fans were shown a new KISS video in 3-D, which will soon premiere on MTV. On October 20, KISS will release the Psycho Circus home video featuring two versions of the single (regular and 3-D).
    Click Here To Read the Interview/Transcript!

    KISS Online.net News / PC Multimedia News
    From: Kevin White
    I received an e-mail this morning from MasterWorks Marketing, the company that organized KissOnline.net and the enhanced CD explaining the incompatibility issue. They said that it was not Arachneweb.com's fault and asked that frustrated fans not blame them for the problems. They also said they have people working on getting Macs online as we speak, and they apologized big time for the delay - they want everyone to know they simply ran out of time when developing the interactive CD. Apparently, it will be resolved sooner than three months, and they promised to post more information ASAP on the KissOnline.net page.
    I was very pleased that my complaint was able to travel all the way to those that needed to hear it! Thanks a lot to everyone at KissAsylum for giving the fans an outlet to voice their opinions. I've attached a copy of the letter I got from MasterWorks for everyone to read.
    Click Here To Read The Letter!

    September 23


    KISS: "The Second Coming" Home Video
    From: KISS Asylum
    According to a Rocktropolis.com article, the KISS "Second Coming" home video will feature the 1996/97 Alive Worldwide tour and behind the scenes footage with 135 minutes on two tapes and a 38-page booklet. The video hits the stores Nov. 17.

    September 22


    KISSOnline.net Problem With MACs
    From: KISS Asylum
    KISS ASYLUM talked to one of the representatives of KISSonline.net today about registering at KISS Online. Apparently there is some sort of problem which ONLY affects MAC users ability to register and use KISSonline. We were told that it will be THREE MONTHS until this problem is resolved. PC users can connect to KISSonline.net right now. For MAC users like us at KISS ASYLUM this really stinks and wish that those in charge of KISS Online would have resolved this problem months ago! :-(

    KISS Car
    From: Alan Mooney
    Here is the infamous KISS Car, "the Prowler." Click the picture for a larger image.

    KISS Press Conference Report
    From: KISS Asylum
    The KISS Press Conference has come and gone. KISS Asylum got a bunch of reviews from fans that attended the event. Click Here to read all the reports we received and see what the fans thought of the event or check below for a quick mini recap of the things we learned at the Press Conference.

  • 2 people from MAD TV hosted the show.
  • They played the album and showed video clips of KISS on big screens.
  • Psycho Circus 3-D video was well received. There were a lot of band shots and not as many shots of the "KISSets" as Gene likes to call them. Check the fan reports for more detailed information on the video.
  • KISS came out and posed for a bit and then answered questions from media and fans.
  • The Press Conference lasted about half an hour.
  • KISS has linked itself to the "Feed the Children Organization." They said they would feed kids about 30,000 pounds of food to needy kids for the next ten months while on tour.
  • The had new inflatable KISS blowups but the star on Paul's face was on the wrong side.
  • KISS will host MAD TVon October 31st and they will cut into the show with live concert footage.
  • KISS will be playing in Detroit at the Silverdome on New Years Eve and will be on Dick Clark's Rockin New Years Eve show again where they will be shown live and give away the KISS "Prowler" car.
  • Everyone there got cast as "extras" for the Detroit Rock City movie. They will begin shooting on November 6th. Apparently KISS will be cutting a new version of Detroit Rock City, plus a couple new tracks for the movie.
  • Tickets go on sale this Saturday (9/26) for Dodger Stadium. Ticket prices being $75.

    September 17


    Official KISS Website: kissonline.net
    From: KISS Asylum
    It appears that the official online KISS website is located at www.kissonline.net As one can tell from visiting the website it is not operational at this time. Perhaps it will be operational on Septermber 22nd, the day of the album release.

    "Psycho Circus" Premiere Broadcast
    From: Sean Cowie
    I listened to the Psycho Circus broadcast this evening and thought that I would offer up the following synopsis of the events that occurred for those who missed it.
    They played 8 out of the 10 songs from the album (the only ones that were missing were "Dreaming" and "We Are One."). The band played coy about the impending tour often referring to the fact that "if we were to tour", it would be better than anything they have ever done. Paul did mention, though, that the carnival atmosphere is definitely NOT going to be done. It was an idea that the band's manager, Doc McGhee, has had for years and thought KISS would be the band to manifest that idea.
    Paul announced that the press conference is green-lighted at Mann's Theater in Los Angeles on September 21st. At that time, more details will be revealed and confirmed regarding tour dates/venues, the KISS movie, etc.
    The KISS car was outlined throughout with the telephone number featured prominently where fans can enter a draw to win a KISS car. By calling 1-900-255-5547 (CALKISS), fans can enter this contest between September 22nd and December 1st, 1998 at the price of $1.99/per call. The car is said to come with one of Gene's Punisher basses, a Paul Stanley Washburn guitar, one of Ace's guitars and a drum machine (sorry, Peter!) with a jack in the dash to plug the guitars into. The KISS logo on the dashboard will illuminate when drivers press the brake pedal!
    The KISS ISP was also briefly touched upon. Paul stated that while he admired any fan who puts up a KISS website, he claims that, like the KISS Conventions, the band can do it better. The CD was confirmed to contain a screensaver, the hotlink to the band's official website (kissonline.net), as well as some other goodies.
    Ace and Peter both seemed happy and lucid which could dispel the ugly rumors that they are both dabbling once again in illicit substances. Ace's familiar cackle was heard throughout the interview. Relations between the guys also seems excellent with Peter declaring his love for being back in KISS.
    As per usual, Gene dominated the interview with the "KISS as Divine Entity" shtick that he usually peppers interviews with. Overall, the interview was very interesting but unfortunately we weren't treated to anything that we didn't already know.

    September 13


    KISS Press Conference News
    From: MetalMike
    Attention loyal KISS fans-- now's your chance to rock 'n' roll all night (and party every day) with your heroes Gene, Paul, Ace and Peter! The first 800 fans in line at the Mann's Chinese Theater, 6925 Hollywood Blvd. on Monday, Sept. 21, at 6:00 pm will receive wristbands, enabling them to attend that evening's KISS VIP listening party for their new CD Psycho Circus, the world premiere of their new 3-D video and an exclusive press conference with the band members announcing a major event in Los Angeles with KISS and FOX.

    September 11


    Pepsi.com KISS Webcast
    From: KISS Asylum
    KISS' Pyscho Circus premier show in LA on October 31st will be WebCast via www.pepsi.com Halloween night. The commercial indicating this was shown between the Best Rock Video and the Best Overall Video during the MTV Music Video Awards. Also, you can win a trip to Dodger Stadium Halloween night to see KISS from the front row!! To enter this contest log on to the web site at http://www.pepsi.com for a chance to win.

    KISS In New Metal Edge Magazine
    From: KISS Asylum & Glenn Ratner
    KISS is heavily featured in the new Metal Edge Magazine (December issue) that is due out in stores next week. We encourage everyone to go out and buy this cool issue. The interview is about 5 pages and talks about a lot of cool stuff. We don't want to ruin the surprises but to tide you over, here are a couple of interesting newsbits mentioned in the interview.

  • "Second Coming" Home Video is due Christmas '98. It is supposed to have a lot of behind the scenes stuff like video of the first time Ace and Peter came over to Gene's house to try on makeup for the first time before the reunion!
  • Metal Edge KISS Special magazine will be out in stores on November 3rd.
  • Psycho Circus Album: 20 songs were recorded. KISS wanted to have 12 songs on the album but Bruce Fairbairn said he thought 10 was good. Some of the songs recorded but not used was a song called "I Want To Rule The World," a song Gene wrote for Ace to sing. Another song Gene wrote that he really wanted on the record but it did not make it is "I Am Yours." Another song Gene wrote was a song called "Sweet & Dirty." It did not make it because it did not fit with the theme of the album. Gerri Miller asked Gene if they might use those extra songs on the "Detroit Rock City" movie soundtrack and he said it was possible.
  • Other intersting things in the magazine include: A centerfold picture of KISS in this issue and a one page "track-by-tack" album review by Gerri Miller. There are also page advertisements for the Todd McFarlane KISS Magazine as well as the 12" Psycho Circus "Tour Edition" Action Figures (they look similar to the Psycho Circus action figures but have instruments).

    August 21


    Gene Simmons Radio Interview: Big KISS News!
    From: RCJLV@aol.com
    Just heard Gene Simmons on KOMP 92.3 here in Las Vegas and he is talkig about all the up coming events: the CD, the tour, the premiere of the CD in New York, the video. He said that the third week of September they are going to premiere the CD in New York City with huge inflatables of each member blocking traffic on 6th avenue. The same time the video is have it's premiere and 3-D is going to be everywhere from the CD to the video. He likened the 3-D on tour to going to one of the IMAX films but bigger. He did confirm Smashing Pumkins openning in LA but that will be the only date with an openning act the rest of the tour will just be KISS and their traveling Pyscho Circus acts, guy on 25 foot stilts with lasers coming out of their heads, helicopters at stadium shows being fired at with rockets, motorcycle ride of death four cycles in a metal cage and levitating and then disappearing into thin air, all kinds of things coming out of the audience and at the audience. He says the band spent more than 10 million dollars on the tour and from the way he describes it they and we will get our monies worth. He said they are planning a Seven Wonders of the World event for the New Years Eve, 1999, to bring the new millennium in in KISS fashion.

    August 20


    Potential Psycho Circus Stage Design
    Potential PC Stage Design
    From: KISS Asylum
    KISS Asylum recently received an artist's rendering of the Psycho Circus stage design. This design is different and more detailed than the version that previously surfaced on the internet. Of course we won't know what the actual/final stage is going to look until it is formally unveiled by the band, but from the looks of this sketch it is going to be awesome and completely blow away the Reunion Tour stage design!

    August 14


    McFarlane's KISS Magazine
    From: The Daily Buzz via Don Lindbergh
    Todd McFarlane Productions Executive Director Beau Smith has announced an upgrade of McFarlane's publishing line. McFarlane will publish the official KISS magazine, which will include reprints of stories from the KISS Psycho Circus comic, announcements of tour dates, and photos of the band, as well as features like Todd McFarlane interview with KISS frontman Gene Simmons, which will appear in the first issue. Smith says this is a truly "pants-down" interview.

    July 28


    Mercury Media Press Release
    From: Mercury Records
    KISS
    PSYCHO CIRCUS
    Ladies and Gentlemen it is with great pleasure that I bring you Psycho Circus, the new album from KISS. Psycho Circus is the first recording the four original members: Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley and Peter Criss have made together in over twenty years. The album features ten new songs and was produced by Bruce Fairbairn. The album will be unleashed on the world September 22, 1998. KISS has defined the face and character of rock culture. For over twenty-four years they have been shocking and exciting people while inventing new ways to keep their fans happy. Their influence on today's music and it's artists is unparalleled. With Psycho Circus, fans will get vintage KISS.
    The artwork for Psycho Circus continues the KISS tradition of being totally original. The CD will be packaged in a never-before-seen special 3-D image. Other exciting things KISS will be doing to coincide with the release of Psycho Circus include the creation of a KISS car and the unveiling of new costumes which are updated versions of the ones worn during the Destroyer tour.
    The KISS reunion tour '96-97' was the top grossing tour of the year. They broke attendance records in every city and sold over $150 million worth of concert tickets. KISS intend to break those records this time around. The will kick-off sometime in November and will of course feature the guys in full makeup and costume. They also plan to have the tour be in 3-D.

    July 24


    Ted Nugent To Open The Halloween Show?
    From: BillyNuge@aol.com
    Just wanted to pass on a bit of info I just got in regards to the KISS show at Dodger stadium on Halloween night. I spoke to a freind of mine who works for the company that manages Ted Nugent and he says that Ted Nugent is slated to be one of two opening acts for the KISS at Dodger stadium. He said that the other band will be a more "modern" band that will relate better to the younger fans, however he had no idea of who it may be. He also said that there are no plans for Ted to be part of the offical KISS tour and that the Dodger Stadium show will be the only one Ted plays with KISS.

    July 23


    Kiss Reunites For Another Tour And Album
    From: Entertainment Weekly Online via Keith Kodosky
    Kiss will once again strap on the platform boots and slap on the face paint for a U.S. tour this November -- the band's first since a 1996-97 reunion extravaganza that was the year's top concert draw. The reason: a new album, "Psycho Circus" (due out on Mercury, September 22), which marks the first time that the four original members have recorded together in more than twenty years. Kiss will up the theatrical ante this time around, unveiling new costumes and presenting genuine circus performers before each show. Plus, giant screens will project the stage show in 3-D (special glasses will be handed out at the door); concertgoers can get the pleasure (or pain) of "Gene Simmons' tongue like it's hitting you in the face," according to the band's press release.
    Kiss' last tour grossed $150 million, largely because of the nostalgia/novelty value (and tickets priced as high as $85). But on the second go-round, Simmons' blood-drooling may be less exciting. "People might say, 'I saw them two years ago and it was great, but I'm not sure I want to pay that much money to see them again,'" says EW music critic David Browne. "What Kiss has going for them is that we're still in a period where showmanship and elaborate stage shows are not the norm. We're still at that post-grunge point where bands mostly just stand around while they play." -- Josh Wolk

    July 22


    Paul's Costume In Washburn Promo Photos
    KISS Costumes Based On Destroyer Era
    Form: Gerri Miller of Metal Edge Magazine
    There has been wide speculation on the Internet that KISS might use the old "Destroyer" era costumes for the new tour. Gerri Miller commented to the KISS Asylum saying that, yes KISS is in fact planning to use those costumes, with some modifications, versus using the "Psycho Circus" costumes featured on the new action figures.

    KISS Video: "The Second Coming"
    Form: Gerri Miller of Metal Edge Magazine
    KISS Asylum talked to Gerri Miller about the new KISS Long Form Video coming out soon. She said that the title is in fact "The Second Coming" and that it is nearly 2 hours in length. When we asked her what was on the video she replied, "It's pretty comprehensive, with a KISS history and the complete reunion from Peter's appearance at the L.A. Convention and MTV Unplugged. It also follows through the tour, with a lot of live, backstage and never previously seen footage including footage of the Toyko gig where Paul sang Gene's songs & tons of rehearsal footage. It will be out in the fall, not as early as the record but around the time of the tour."

    July 20


    More KISS 13" Action Figures News
    From: Jeff Necker
    I would like to add that, I talked with Chet Jaques (Manager of the McFarlane Toy Collectors Club)at The Wizard World Con. He stated that they did indeed plan to make these figures based on the costumes for the upcoming tour. Todd himself is helping or has helped in the design of these new costumes. The figures, which I was told won't come out until next year will replicate what we see on stage this tour and will include plastic replicas of all instruments. Even a drum set. He also mentioned that the costumes WOULD RESEMBLE THE COMIC CHARACTERS. Chet didn't mention if a stage-play set was in the works, but anything is possible. The reason the figures won't be out until next year is KISS is a once a year thing for McFarlane. Chet also said that these figure would be series 3 KISS figures and COULD be the same size as the current figures.



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