Gus Griesinger | Backstage Axxess

After a successful run on his initial first signature series with Epiphone, KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer was at NAMM to promote his second series. The Les Paul Outfit “White Lightning” guitar is just as beautiful in person as it looks on video. Tommy is proud of the guitar and why shouldn’t he be? We talked about how the idea to do another guitar came about and what went into the specifications of it. It was the night before Tommy played a few songs with glam band Steel Panther and we talked about that as well. In addition, we discussed the upcoming KISS Kruise and how the band can fit more obscure songs into the setlist of either the electric or acoustic show. Check out his response is right here.

Tommy has been nothing but gracious to us and I personally have interviewed him four times now. He is always one of my favorites to talk with. A small distraction during our interview is the Robbie Krieger band. The band started to play during our interview so you will hear a little classic Krieger. It doesn’t get more candid than this. Enjoy KISS and The Doors coming together a little!

Blabbermouth

 
Music Junkie Press conducted an interview with KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer at the Hughes & Kettner booth at this year’s NAMM show, which was held January 22-25 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. You can now watch the chat below.

Speaking about how modern technology has affected the way musicians create music, Thayer said: “All the technology and even the social networking and everything that goes on, it gets a little overwhelming, and I think we sometimes do lose touch with getting back to the roots of music and the creative aspect of everything. I think we never wanna lose track of that or lose that connection, because with all the technology, even recording with Auto-Tune and all this stuff, you can make something sound perfect, but you lose the real personality and the soul of something when you do that too much. So it’s something… You have to not lose track of that. Music is feel, it’s soul… it’s the heart.”

Thayer joined KISS in February 2003, stepping into the boots Frehley had been occupying for the KISS reunion that lasted from 1996 to 2002.

Speaking about the first time he performed with KISS in full makeup, Thayer told Guitar World magazine in a 2013 interview: “The first time was at a private corporate concert in Jamaica in early 2002. It was exhilarating and over the top, but also very comfortable. It didn’t seem that out of the ordinary. I had been around the band a long time, so I wasn’t new to the family. I’d also played in a KISS tribute band in the early Nineties and we’d wear KISS makeup. Actually, I even used to put on KISS makeup as a kid. So it was more of a familiar feeling than not. It all came very naturally. But of course, you’re filling big shoes because there’s such a big legacy with KISS. There’s high expectations and pressure to step up and do a great job.”

He continued: “And yeah, some people say, ‘Why didn’t you come in and introduce a new character?’ It’s an interesting question, but when I got in the band I was just honored to be there. I also respected where they came from and what they’re all about. So who am I to ever suggest I need a new personality or a new character, or the band needs a new guitar sound or style? That’s ridiculous. Sometimes it just takes people a long time to understand that.”

Blabbermouth

In 1976, Ibanez approached KISS frontman Paul Stanley to collaborate on a signature guitar that would become the instrument with which he would be forever associated. Now, for the first time since 1996, Paul and Ibanez have reunited to reissue three exciting new versions of the original Paul Stanley Signature Model.

Guitar World stopped by the Ibanez stand at this past weekend’s NAMM show in Anaheim, California to get a first look at Stanley‘s new guitars. Check out the footage below.

“Renewing my collaboration with Ibanez feels like going home to where it all started,” commented Stanley. “The guitars we created remain iconic and we will celebrate them and more as we move forward into our future together.”

“We’re very excited to be partnering again with Paul Stanley,” said Ibanez artist relations manager Mike Taft. “It’s been an amazing year for both Paul and the band, including the release of his best-selling autobiography, the band’s long-overdue induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and the ongoing world tour to commemorate their 40th anniversary together. I couldn’t think of a better time for Paul to reunite with Ibanez. Along with their distinctive styling, these historic instruments have proven themselves on albums and in concert worldwide, where their sound has made them sought after by guitarists for decades.”

Blabbermouth

KISS has collaborated with the Japanese pop group MOMORIO CLOVER Z on a new single, to be released on January 28. The track “Yume No Ukiyo Ni Saitemina” was composed by KISS guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley and Greg Collins, with lyrics written by Yuho Iwasato. MOMOIRO CLOVER Z performs the song, with KISS providing background vocals and instruments. It will be released in two versions — “Momoclo Edition” and “KISS Edition” — via iTunes in 120 countries. A music video for the track, featuring both bands, has already been shot in Las Vegas.

Both the “Momoclo Edition” and “KISS Edition” of “Yume No Ukiyo Ni Saitemina” will feature the title track and one same coupling song, but the “KISS Edition” will include the track titled “Samurai Son”, which was made using “Yume No Ukiyo Ni Saitemina” as its base. It is sung by KISS while MOMORIO CLOVER Z members participate on vocals. The “Momoclo Edition” will come with a Blu-ray disc which contains the music video for the title track instead.

“Samurai Son” will also be made available on KISS‘s upcoming Japanese special edition of songs culled from the 2014 “KISS 40” release, alongside 19 tracks spanning the band’s four-decade career and a DVD featuring three exclusive live performances, released to commemorate KISS‘s 2015 Japanese tour. The DVD includes three songs filmed at the Budokan in Tokyo on October 24, 2013. Audio from that version of “Hell Or Hallelujah” was previously released as a bonus track on the Japanese edition of “KISS 40”.

Mitch Lafon

On this episode of One On One With Mitch Lafon: interviews with Robert Säll and Herman Furin of Swedish band Work Of Art as well as the brother of KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer, John Thayer. John discusses his latest album (the Laurel Street EP), talks about his music, speaks with pride about his brother Tommy and addresses the issue of the ‘Spaceman’ makeup. The members of WORK OF ART discuss their career up to now, the brilliant new album FRAMEWORK, Robert talks about his side-project W.E.T. with Eclipse’s Erik Mårtensson and singer Jeff Scott Soto. Russ Dwarf of the Killer Dwarfs co-hosts.

Joe Polo

KISSmuseum.com

This past week we have listed over 120 KISS guitar picks for sale at KISSmuseum.com. We also have several super-rare picks up for auction on eBay, ending this Sunday evening. Picks are all photographed professionally and researched for accurate descriptions, (thanks “Picks n Sticks” on KISSfaq.com). Most are singles, so act fast before they are gone!

KISS Rare Guitar Pick Auction on eBay
KISS Guitar Pick Collection for sale at KISSmuseum.com

Nick DeRiso | Ultimate Classic Rock

The second track from Kiss‘ two-song collaboration with the Japanese pop group Momoiro Clover Z has apparently — but not officially — surfaced online. You can listen to it via the above stream.

‘Samurai Son,’ co-written by Paul Stanley, follows the recent release ‘Yumeno Ukiyoni Saitemina.’ If this is legit, ‘Samurai Son’ was seemingly built off the same track — except that Stanley provides a completely different vocal track this time.

‘Yume No Ukiyo Ni Saitemina’ was written by Stanley and Greg Collins, co-producer of Kiss’ 2012 release ‘Monster,’ with additional lyrics by Yuho Iwasato. ‘Samurai Son’ is included as a bonus track on the new Japanese compilation ‘Best of Kiss 40,’ along with 19 songs from throughout the group’s four-decade career and a DVD featuring a trio of exclusive live performances.

Momoiro Clover Z will also be opening for Kiss on March 3 at the Tokyo Dome, as part of the group’s on-going tour through Japan, South America and Europe. Kiss has shot a documentary about the collaboration, as well.

Larry Petro | News Monkey

Former KISS axeman Ace Frehley has announced a string of Australia and New Zealand solo shows. This will be his first ever solo appearances in New Zealand.

Says Ace, “I can’t wait to get down to New Zealand and Australia with this new lineup. I’ll be performing Ace classics as well as songs off my new CD Space Invader for the enjoyment of the fans. Let There Be Rock!”

Joining Ace on stage will be Richie Scarlet, who rode shotgun performing rhythm guitar and vocal duties on Ace’s Trouble Walking album and has toured with Sebastian Bach, bassist Chris Wyse (OZZY OSBOURNE, THE CULT) and Scot Coogan (LITA FORD, NIKKI SIXX).

The 2-hour set features everything an Ace or KISS fan could hope for. Included are all his solo anthems – “New York Groove” (a bona-fide Top 20 Hit in Australia and NZ), “Snowblind”, “Rock Soldiers” and highlights from his latest Top 10 Billboard album Space Invader. Expect KISS diamonds such as “Strutter”, “Cold Gin”, “Love Gun”, “Deuce”, “Shock Me” and “Detroit Rock City” as well. Plus as a special treat for KISS fans, some rare KISS gems that you simply won’t hear anywhere else – “Talk To Me”, “Rocket Ride”, “Strange Ways”, “Parasite” and “King Of The Night Time World”.

Tickets on sale at 9 AM on Wednesday, January 28th.

Tour dates:

• 4.24 – Wellington, New Zealand – James Cabaret
• 4.25 – Auckland, New Zealand – The Studio
• 4.29 – Brisbane, Australia – Tivoli Theatre
• 4.30 – Sydney, Australia – Metro Theatre
• 5.1 – Hobart, Australia – Wrestpoint Showroom
• 5.2 – Melbourne, Australia – Forum Theatre
• 5.6 – Adelaide, Australia – The Gov
• 5.7 – Perth, Australia – Astor Theatre

– See more at: http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=14395#sthash.0kfxeB89.dpuf

KISSKast

One of the earliest KISS Creatures of the Night shows, this 8mm footage is poor but historical and well worth the watch. Never seen Vinnie using a Violin Bow during his guitar solo, but he does here – Lots of little things to catch here – check it out! 

Delve Texas

Maatthew Wilkening | Ultimate Classic Rock

Kiss frontman Paul Stanley has branded celebrity autobiographies “junk” and insisted most stars don’t tell the truth when writing about themselves.

Stanley released his own memoirs, Face The Music: A Life Exposed, in April (14), 14 years after his bandmate Gene Simmons detailed his own life story in his best-selling 2001 autobiography Kiss And Make-Up.

The singer admits he was slow to put pen to paper because he did not want to a write a book solely about Kiss, and he did not want to follow the celebrity memoirs trend.

He tells Train star Pat Monahan in his weekly Patcast podcast, “This isn’t the fourth Kiss book; this is the first Paul Stanley book. I wasn’t writing the last in a series. I don’t wanna be associated with those books, ’cause most of them are junk. Autobiographies, by their nature, are junk, because they tend to be love letters to yourself. You are writing what you think is you in your best light, telling stories that probably may have been enhanced, to say the least…”

Joe Polo

This week we ask the question..Would you give up 80s KISS for more years of the original line up???

Contact Music

Kiss frontman Paul Stanley has branded celebrity autobiographies “junk” and insisted most stars don’t tell the truth when writing about themselves.

Stanley released his own memoirs, Face The Music: A Life Exposed, in April (14), 14 years after his bandmate Gene Simmons detailed his own life story in his best-selling 2001 autobiography Kiss And Make-Up.

The singer admits he was slow to put pen to paper because he did not want to a write a book solely about Kiss, and he did not want to follow the celebrity memoirs trend.

He tells Train star Pat Monahan in his weekly Patcast podcast, “This isn’t the fourth Kiss book; this is the first Paul Stanley book. I wasn’t writing the last in a series. I don’t wanna be associated with those books, ’cause most of them are junk. Autobiographies, by their nature, are junk, because they tend to be love letters to yourself. You are writing what you think is you in your best light, telling stories that probably may have been enhanced, to say the least…”

Blabbermouth

KISS guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley recently spoke to Jefferson Graham of USA Today about the new Kiss Me photo app, moving the Kiss Army to social media, and why the iPhone 6 Plus is his go-to device. Check out the clips below.

Speaking about the importance of social media in today’s world, Stanley said: “I think social media is a great thing when used properly. And it does sometimes get abused. There are people out there who like to yell ‘fire’ when there is no fire, and level accusations at people, and hide in anonymity. But other than that, I think social media is a great way for people to communicate immediately, and it makes the world a smaller place. So in that way, it’s terrific.”

Stanley also talked about how KISS has used social media to promote the band and expand its fan base. He said: “Certainly social media is a great way for us to deliver what we are and the message, but if you have nothing deliver, social media is not gonna help you. So we were here before social media, and we will ride the wave.”

Asked how KISS would go about creating a buzz if they were starting out today instead of in the early 1970s, Stanley responded: “I think that all things that last the longest start with a groundswell. And it’s all well and good to have talent shows on television and YouTube and other outlets, but the fact of the matter is that if you really wanna create a groundswell, I think the best way to do it is in a club, or in a small area, and have it build from there. Because it has to start with people, and I believe that to sustain something, it needs more than just an overnight buzz.”

He continued: “It’s such a hypothetical question. And here we are forty years later and a hundred million albums and countless world tours, so how we would do it if we were starting now? You know, I may be a dinosaur, but I still believe that the way to people is by engaging them, and what I try to do on stage is engage people and make everybody feel that they’re important and that each one of them is essential to what we do. It’s great to have media outlets and the Internet and such, but I’m one who believes that the message first has to be delivered in church, in temple, in synagogue — you choose — but it’s gotta go directly to the people.”

Terry X

Jody Havenot and Andrew Kiss hang out via skype with fellow KISS freak, Rozetta Kandi..We cover a wide smattering of KISS topics, and hope you enjoy!

Joe Polo

This week we discuss Bruce Kulick’s opinion of KISS 2.0 and Paul Stanley plays with the Foo Fighters!! Plus ASK ANDREW starts this week..