Category Archives: KISS News
Hannah Waddingham Breaks Into Impromptu Performance of I Was Made For Lovin’ You”!
Eric Carr KISS Underground Interview 1991
KISS *RARE* 1979 Interview With Billy Crystal *FUNNY*
What Is Heavy Metal? In 1981 Are Styx, Toto, Pat Benatar, REO Speedwagon Heavy Metal?
Gene Simmons Adds More Solo Band Tour Dates
Gene Simmons has added more dates to his solo band’s upcoming tour.
The Kiss icon has now confirmed a total of 19 dates during April and May. The full list, including the new shows in Anaheim, CA, Magna, UT, and Rockford, IL, can be seen below.
Tickets for all dates can be purchased via the Gene Simmons Band website.
The band lineup includes guitarist Brent Woods (Sebastian Bach, Vince Neil), guitarist Jason Walker and drummer Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Billy Idol).
In a 2024 interview with Guitar World, Simmons recalled why he’d decided to play bass. “When I was a kid I noticed that everybody wanted to be a guitar player, and I did initially learn to play a few chords,” he said. “But I picked up bass because there were fewer bass players, and it increased my chances of being in a band – which is what I really wanted.”
He added of his keep-it-simple approach to playing: “I was never really interested in being a bass virtuoso. I don’t like showoffs in music. I’m much more attracted to things that are memorable. The guy who came up with hamburgers is worshipped around the world. If you go to a French cooking school, they’d never cook a hamburger – but who the fuck puts frog legs in their mouth? I’m a Burger King Whopper; that’s all the credibility I would ever want.”
Gene Simmons Band Tour Dates 2025
4/03 – House Of Blues – Anaheim, CA
4/05 – The Event at Graton Resort & Casino – Rohnert Park, CA
4/10 – The Great Saltair – Magna, UT
4/25 – Ruth Eckerd Hall – Clearwater, FL
4/26 – Fillmore – Miami Beach, FL
4/28 – The Moon – Tallahassee, FL
4/29 – Florida Theater – Jacksonville, FL
4/30 – Hard Rock Live – Orlando, FL
5/03 – Beaver Dam Amphitheater – Beaver Dam, KY
5/05 – Basie – Red Bank, NJ
5/06 – Wellmont – Montclair, NJ
5/08 – Wind Creek Casino – Bethlehem, PA
5/09 – Paramount – Huntington, NY
5/15 – Fallsview Casino – Niagara Falls, ON
5/18 – Hard Rock – Rockford, IL
5/20 – Brown County Music Center – Nashville, IN
5/22 – House of Blues – Dallas, TX
5/23 – Tobin Center – San Antonio, TX
5/24 – House of Blues – Houston, TX
Pink Band Babydoll Tshirt Only $1.99 Each at KISSArmyWarehouse.com!
This KISS babydoll features the band photo artwork on front. Pink 100% cotton. Model is a size Medium in Juniors wearing a large.
ACE FREHLEY On KISS’ Upcoming Avatar Shows: “It Looks Like It Was Geared Toward Children”
Kiss recently played their final show as human beings, but vowed to continue on as digital avatars “performing shows” into eternity. Because really, who the hell thought that Kiss as a brand of live music in any form was actually going away?
The avatars have drawn mixed reactions from a lot of folks, with former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley falling firmly into the “not a fan” category. Frehley told Rock Antenne in an interview that he feels the avatars looks like they’re “geared towards children” and that they’re simply “not rock and roll.”
“I’m happy it’s over, because I’m not gonna be compared to them anymore… But I don’t get this avatar thing that they’re gonna do,” he said. “I mean, I saw some of it on a video on YouTube last night. It kind of looked like it was geared towards children. And it’s not rock and roll. I get up on stage without backing tracks, plug my amp into it, plug my guitar into a Marshall and go. That’s it. It’s always been that way and always will be.”
Frehley was then asked if he watched any of Kiss‘ final show online. Frehley said he only caught some of the band’s Indianapolis show on YouTube and wasn’t impressed.
“I watched [a video of] Indianapolis, and I’m not impressed. But that’s me. Tommy Thayer is not a bad guitarist. He just is more mechanical than me. Nobody can copy my solos the way I play them, because I’m sloppy and nobody can move like me. Nobody. And I’m surprised the fans bought Tommy pretty much, because I think for several years that Tommy was in the band, people didn’t even know it wasn’t me.
“I used to get phone calls from people and say, ‘Hey, Kiss is playing in town. Can you get me tickets?’ I go, ‘I’m not in the band anymore.’ They go, ‘You’re not?’ Because when I quit the band the second time, they did not make a big press release. They kind of buried it and just made the transition. But the last tour I did with Kiss, Tommy Thayer was bringing me sandwiches and he was a tour manager and a gofer. But he’s not a bad guitar player. I’m actually friends with Tommy — just all the guys in the band.
“I’m good friends with Eric Singer. Me and Gene are very close. When Gene put out his ‘Vault Experience’, I went on the road with him. I went to Australia with him. Before we made it really big, me and Gene used to room together. So Gene has a soft spot in his heart for me.”
As for Frehley outside his opinions on Kiss, he just put out a new single called “10,000 Volts”. The single comes alongside a music video directed by Alex Kouvatsos, which you can check out below.
Kiss Settles With Fired Wig Roadie After Judge’s Warning Read More: Kiss Settles With Fired Wig Roadie After Judge’s Warning
A dispute between Kiss and a fired wig roadie was settled out of court, after the presiding judge had warned the band it would be a “serious risk” if it proceeded.
David Mathews, who’d worked with Kiss for 30 years, had claimed mistreatment on tour followed by wrongful dismissal with a trial set to begin this month.
But a clerk of court confirmed to Rolling Stone yesterday (Jan. 6) that the procedure had been called off, to be replaced by a hearing in March to confirm the unreleased details of the settlement.
Mathews had filed a six-point complaint, stating that he’d been forced to work in close proximity with Gene Simmons during COVID exposure rules.
He also claimed he’d been fired after manager Doc McGhee decided he’d leaked information to the press regarding the band’s health security measures. Those measures were the subject of speculation after another crewman, Fran Stueber, died of Covid mid-tour in 2021. Mathews had denied he was one of those who’d spoken to reporters.
Judge Told Kiss Fired Roadie Could Win ‘Big Pot of Money’
At the preliminary hearing, L.A. County Superior Court Judge Armen Tamzarian had said: “If this goes to trial, it would not surprise me if Mr. Mathews got nothing. It would not surprise me if he made a big pot of money.”
He continued: “This is the kind of case any rational person would settle. There’s a big risk this could swing dramatically one way or the other.”
The judge added that if Mathews managed to win, “there are deep, deep pockets there, and there could be a big result.” He told lawyers on both sides: “You’re both overconfident in your positions.”
Watch ACE FREHLEY Perform In Westland, Michigan
Fan-filmed video of Ace Frehley‘s December 27, 2024 concert at The Token Lounge in Westland, Michigan can be seen below.
The setlist for the show was as follows, according to Setlist.fm:
01. Shock Me (KISS song)
02. Deuce (KISS song)
03. Cherry Medicine
04. Rock Soldiers (FREHLEY’S COMET song)
05. Love Gun (KISS song)
06. Rocket Ride (KISS song)
07. Parasite (KISS song)
08. Detroit Rock City (KISS song)
09. Rip It Out
10. She (KISS song)
11. New York Groove (Russ Ballard cover)
12. Cold Gin (KISS song)
13. Ace Frehley Guitar Solo
14. Shout It Out Loud (KISS song)
15. Rock And Roll All Nite (KISS song)
Last month, Ace confirmed to Meltdown of Detroit’s WRIF radio station that he has commenced work on “Origins Vol. 3”, the sequel to Frehley‘s 2016 and 2020 collections of cover songs that inspired the former KISS guitarist. “I’m working on ‘Origins Vol. 3’, ’cause that’s the next record I’m putting out next year in 2025,” he said. “So, we’re starting to gear up for that and figuring out which songs [to include on the LP]. I have a long extensive list and we’re slowly whittling it down to which ones we’re gonna track.”
Frehley went on to say that he is once again working with TRIXTER‘s Steve Brown, who produced and co-wrote all the material on Ace‘s latest solo album, “10,000 Volts”, which was released in February via MNRK Music Group (formerly eOne Music).
Sealed Alive! Trading Card Box at KISSArmyWarehouse.com!
Still sealed, 36 packs, 7 cards per pack. Very hard to find these now. The gold lp chase cards from these packs have become very sought after and valuable.
KISS – Gene Simmons & Paul Stanley interview on PM Magazine – 1983
Meet Jeremy Asbrock: From Nashville Native to Guitarist for Gene Simmons and Ace Frehley
Paul Stanley of KISS, classic 1978 radio interview for his solo album
Peter Criss : An audience with Peter Criss 1/4/2003
Ace Frehley Shares Why His First Led Zeppelin Concert Was Embarrassing
In a new video he shared on his Instagram account, Ace Frehley revealed what made his first Led Zeppelin show embarrassing.
“I was at Led Zeppelin’s first New York appearance at the Filmore East,” the guitarist started his words. “They were opening up for Iron Butterfly. I think I was 17 years old, 16 or 17. After Led Zeppelin went off, half the people left the Filmore East.”
He continued, “I felt so sorry for the… embarrassed for the headliner because I mean who you know… People usually come to see the headliner not the opening act but I think there was a real buzz in New York City about this new band, Led Zeppelin and the word was out.”
“And the Filmore East isn’t that big of a venue. So a lot… I think I noticed when I looked around, there was a lot of older people there, well-dressed. It wasn’t a normal rock and roll crowd. So I think there was a lot of record executives and people in the music business that came to see them,” Frehley explained.
KISS and Led Zeppelin were rivals at one point as they emerged in the music scene during similar periods. In a previous interview, Eddie Turnk asked Frehley, “I don’t know if you remember this, but back in the ’70s, when KISS was ranked the biggest band in the world. Back in those days, there would be magazine covers that would say stuff like ‘KISS versus Zeppelin – Who’s better?’ Do you remember that stuff back then, like that sort of rivalry that existed, at least in the press?”
Ace replied by saying, “I don’t remember that rivalry, but obviously, the Zeppelin kicked our a**, hands down. I mean, musically and all that. We were more of putting on a big show, but Zeppelin musically kicked not only our asses but everybody else’s in those days. Nobody could come close to Led Zeppelin.”
In a 2023 chat with Goldmine, Frehley named Led Zeppelin’s debut as one of the albums that impacted him. He praised Jimmy Page’s guitar work. Frehley noted that Zeppelin influenced KISS in songs like ‘Cold Gin’ and ‘Black Diamond.’
Dale Torborg Interview @ Kiss Cancer Goodbye 2024
Want to Steal From Gene Simmons? He Says Do This Instead Read More: Want to Steal From Gene Simmons? He Says Do This Instead
Gene Simmons has a rule to avoid becoming the victim of theft in the business world.
The Kiss star says he’s learned how to ensure he doesn’t find himself ripped off like many of the world’s biggest artists have been. He also suggested that anyone who planned to steal from him should consider taking a different course that could be profitable for both parties.
Believe but verify,” Simmons summarized in an interview with Michael Franzese (video below). “Business is shark-infested waters. Some of the most successful people are some of the most devious, and talented in ways you wouldn’t notice.”
Ex-KISS Guitarist BRUCE KULICK To Work On His Autobiography In 2025: ‘It’s Not Gonna Be A Salacious Slam Book’
In a new interview with Paul Salfen of AMFM Magazine, former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick revealed that he is planning on working on his autobiography in 2025. He explained (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “I amassed a lot of materials from [my] era [of KISS]. When I first started a book with a guy in the industry back in ’99, there were a lot of interviews done, and I was able to get all those tapes digitized because that’s important, to spark my memories and stuff. I have notes of subjects.
“It’s certainly gonna be a really in-depth discussion of my life as a musician with, of course, hefty amounts on my KISS years, ’cause I know that the fans are gonna wanna get my thoughts on how it felt and what I did,” he continued. “It’s certainly not gonna be some salacious slam book. It’s not me. But I do have a lot of stories that I never really discussed that I think are gonna be really fun for people to read about and fascinating for them to see.
“Everything was, in many ways, a very interesting journey, and there were many [instances] of where you fall in the ditch, but you’ve gotta pull yourself out — that kind of thing.”
In a separate interview with Loaded Radio, Kulick was asked why he wasn’t ever approached to rejoin KISS after Ace Frehley left for good back in 2001. He responded: “That’s a great question. And not everyone’s aware of some of the backstory. I would hear things about them having problems with Ace and Ace was getting erratic or difficult. And [later KISS guitarist] Tommy Thayer was actually tour managing with them; he was on the road with them. Because even during my era, he was involved with the band, helping with ‘Kisstory’ and doing things for the group. He wrote some songs with Gene [Simmons, KISS bassist/vocalist] and was always part of the inner circle, shall I say. So from what I understood, there was one or two things that KISS did — not a concert, even though once Ace was almost not gonna make it and they made Tommy get the outfit on. [He had a] similar build — tall and thin — and Ace made it to the show. But there were a couple of other things they needed to do. I believe ‘That ’70s Show’, when they were taping, Ace didn’t show up. ‘Tommy, get the outfit on.’ And then I think there was a private gig, too, that no one would really know about — one of those things where you go to an island and play for some rich people. And Ace wouldn’t go. And KISS wasn’t gonna say, ‘All right, we’re not gonna take the gig.’ So if they ever had a thought of me, I think they would have known that that probably would have been a lot harder. Tommy was younger, there already, if you know what I mean, working with them. And Tommy, not everybody knows that he was in a tribute band for fun at times called COLD GIN as Ace Frehley.”
Ace Frehley & Anton Fig Solo Album SIGNED Picture Disc LP Dark Blue at KISSArmyWarehouse.com!
Signed by Ace Frehley in July 2021 at a private signing in Jersey City, NJ. Includes our Certificate of Authenticity. Signed in dark blue paint pen. Signed by Anton Fig at a private signing at Kruise Fest in October 2022. Anton played drums on the entire album and helped write Wiped Out. Only 1 of these available! Very hard to get signature from Anton.
[Picture Disc] Considered the best of the four solo albums that Kiss released simultaneously in 1978, ”Ace Frehley” does not stray far from Kiss’s trademark heavy sound. With future David Letterman band members drummer Anton Fig and bassist Will Lee backing him up, Frehley shows that he is more than a songwriting match for bandmates Simmons and Stanley. In fact, the album yielded a Top 20 hit in ”New York Groove.” These are the picture discs from Lillith.