timstar78 | KissFAQ.com

This past Tuesday, Van Halen released their first new studio album with original front-man David Lee Roth in nearly 30 years, “A Different Kind Of Truth.” It turns out this isn’t your typical comeback album. In addition to penning new songs, Van Halen dug deep into their vaults to unearth songs that were originally featured on the 1976 Van Halen demo tape produced and financed by Gene Simmons.

Specifically, there are four songs on the new Van Halen album with ties to the excellent Simmons-produced recording:

“She’s The Woman”
This is the only song of the four recordings to keep its 1976 demo title. The new version is very close to the original, but contains a new middle section as the demo’s middle section was recycled for “Mean Street,” the opening track on Van Halen’s 1981 album, “Fair Warning.”

“Outta Space”
Originally titled “Let’s Get Rockin,'” the new version retains many elements of the 1976 demo. However, the Facebook reference in the new lyrics is not one of them.

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For the unenlightened, the famous hand on the cover of the 1981 KISS album Music From the Elder does indeed belong to Paul Stanley. This interesting pre-makup removal era photo has recently surfaced and is quite an unusual image to behold.

As our friend Scott Davis pointed out, it is rumored that this photo was taken at the Park Avenue Methodist Church at 106 E 86th St, New York, NY. This is not true, as the door was a studio prop built specifically for the photo shoot. The front door of the Methodist Church does appear to be identical, and was most likely used as the model to construct the prop. You can see the Church on Google Street views below:

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Ned Raggett

Mike Japp, co-song writer on several famous KISS albums, passed away this week after a fight with cancer. Japp is best known for collaborating on many songs on Paul Stanley’s 1978 Solo Album with his credits extending to Saint and Sinner on the 1982 Creatures of the Night album as well as Down on Your Knees from KISS Killers, released the same year.

An extensive interview with Mike about his KISS contributions can be seen in the KISSasylum Archives HERE.

ABC Nightline

Paul Stanley’s Nightline interview that was to air weeks ago but was booted in favor of some political BS that seemed important at the time but that now we can’t even remember. Paul talks about his recent throat surgery, (starting at the 2:40 minute mark).

The Decibel Geek Podcast has released an Eric Carr (KISS) themed episode featuring an in-depth discussion of the late drummers life and career with sister, Loretta Caravello. Hosts Chris Czynszak & Aaron Camaro speak freely with Carr’s sibling about his time with KISS, his legacy, and her caretaking of the drummers estate in the years since his passing in 1991.

Caravello also shares her thoughts on some rumors that have been floating around the internet over the years; including one about former KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent acquiring ownership of Carr’s makeup design.

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Sebastian Haley | Games Beat

KISSopolis

KISS frontman Gene Simmons has revealed that he’s in talks with Rovio to develop a KISS/Angry Birds game.

In what specific capacity the two brands will mash up is unclear, as Simmons drops the bombshell almost flippantly during an interview with Industry Gamers.

“So Hello Kitty is one of the biggest brands on planet Earth,” said Simmons. “Now there’s KISS Hello Kitty, which we’ve already launched in 90 countries. We’re talking with Angry Birds, KISS and Angry Birds, which will become a deal. The KISS and the Archie world have now teamed up and the first issues of KISS Archie comic books hits the world this month. KISS golf courses are starting in Las Vegas right across from the Hard Rock.”

Last year at the MIPCOM convention in France, Simmons touted that there are now over three thousand KISS-branded products worldwide. “Everything from KISS condoms to KISS caskets. We’ll get you coming and we’ll get you going.”

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John Gaudiosi | Industry Gamers

Gene Simmons knows business as well as he knows rock n roll. In addition to selling over 100 million records and DVDs, he’s turned KISS into a licensing behemoth that includes over 3,000 items ranging from condoms to coffins. Now the star of the hit reality TV series, “Gene Simmons Family Jewels”, has entered the technology space with Ortsbo (Ortsbo.com). The rock legend has joined the digital language translation company, in part, because he speaks five languages (English, Hebrew, Hungarian, German, and some Japanese) and is learning Mandarin.

Simmons, who was at the Sundance Film Festival with comic book legend Stan Lee last week, talks about how Ortsbo, and technology, is changing music, and the world, and offers his thoughts on music video games in this exclusive IndustryGamers interview. Note near the end his comments on securing an Angry Birds game deal and that he’s in talks with Sony PlayStation as well.

IndustryGamers: What role can Ortsbo play in helping people learn new languages and connect with other cultures?

Gene Simmons: It is really a fascinating idea. If you have a moment today and you know anybody overseas or anywhere that speaks another language, all they need is a text device or an email device and you can use Orstbo for free. There’s nothing to join and it works with your online experience like Facebook, MSN, Twitter and it’s even in the Apple Store for iPad and iPhone. Once you’re in there you type in whoever it is that you want to communicate with and they will receive your texts or emails in real-time in their language. And you’ll receive responses in English. They don’t even have to be on Ortsbo to communicate with you. We already have 50 million unique visitors from over 170 countries.

IG: You mentioned Facebook, how can Ortsbo impact casual online gamers who play Zynga and other games online?

GS: Well, of course it’s the connection. Anywhere people try and communicate and have a language barrier we are now making those connections. Gaming, of course, but we’re also helping the military, and branching into education. Even in America you have something like 20 million “illegal” immigrants who have language difficulties, but everybody has a cell phone. If you’re in a third world country, even before food, you have a cell phone. That’s the amazing thing. Ortsbo is really going to help humanity, if I may be so bold.

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The Wall Street Journal

KISSonline has posted the entire 22 minute Paul Stanley Wall Street Journal interview taped just recently. Definitely worth the watch.

Fox 5 News