Alexandra Cheney | Speakeasy

The music has always been central to the success of rock’n’roll band KISS, but now more than ever it’s about the business.

The band, made up of original members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley and newer additions Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer, have sold more than 90 millions albums worldwide. Now they’re looking to increase their merchandising sales, tapping their in-stadium audience as well as their global fanbase.

Launching Thursday for the final five shows of their KISS Motley Crüe The Tour 2012, audience members will be able to purchase KISS merchandise directly from their seats. No more hazardous and frustrating lines around the merchandise tents but instead, a pay-to-play move that will result in a personalized purchasing experience — not to mention a VIP-style pickup.

Deemed KISS X-Press program, the in-seat purchasing program is in conjunction withLive Nation LYV +3.52% Merchandise, whose CEO Dell Furano said that KISS has sold more than a half a billion dollars in merchandise in the last 15 years.

This new program emphasizes the “hassle-free” nature shoppers have come to expect in the digital landscape of tablets and smart phones, according to David Lucatch, the CEO of Continue reading →

Chris Czynszak | Decibel Geek

The Decibel Geek Podcast has released an in-depth discussion with former KISS and current Grand Funk Railroad guitarist Bruce Kulick for downloading and streaming.  In this long form discussion, the veteran musician reflects on nearly 40 years in the music industry.

Kulick’s history in pop culture stretches back to the mid 70’s with his work as touring guitar player for the Andrea True Connection. True, a famous porn star, had stretched into disco music and scored a #4 Billboard hit with 1976’s ‘More More More.’ Kulick shares his stories about touring with True as well as memories of touring the “chitlin circuit” with soul singer George McCrae and backing Meat Loaf during his Bat Out of Hell tour.

Bruce Kulick landed on the hard rock map in 1984 as he transitioned into the full-time lead guitarist for KISS. In this discussion he shares his memories of the awkward period of traveling with then-ill guitarist Mark St. John and reflects on gigs that they would play a game of proverbial musical chairs depending on St. John’s medical condition.

Also in this discussion are Kulick’s thoughts about KISS’ upcoming Monster book and album, memories of the circumstances that led to the 1996 original-lineup reunion, and his take on why the band seems to attempt to avoid any mention of the non-makeup period.

Bruce Kulick is now the lead guitarist in iconic 70’s rock band Grand Funk Railroad, of which he’s been a member almost as long as KISS. In this conversation, Kulick describes the stark contrasts between being a member of KISS and Grand Funk Railroad including the method of touring, what’s expected performance-wise, and the possibility, or lack thereof, of new Grand Funk music.

Continue reading →

Mars Attacks!

This episode kicks off a two part interview which Mitch Lafon, who earlier this year did a five part interview regarding the 20th anniversary of the Kiss album Revenge. If you have not read all five parts you can read interviews Mitch conducted with Eric Singer, Bruce Kulick, Dick Wagner,Kevin Valentine, and Tommy Thayer. Bruce Kulick also remembers the album on site as well, you can read those comments here.

In this episode Mitch discusses things that stood out to him regarding his five part interview. Part two will feature things that stood out to me after reading his interviews. The show also features select tracks from the album.

Would like to thank Decibel Geek podcast once again for posting my 9/11 story, if you haven’t read it, you can find it here.

The episode can be streamed or downloaded from HERE.