Joe Polo
Category Archives: KISS News
KISS’ Paul Stanley Interview Part III – “Clearly, There Was A Time Where Backstage Was Hedonism At Its Finest… When You Are Given The Keys To The Candy Store, You Tend To Eat A Lot Of Candy… I Certainly Had A Sugar High”
Mitch Lafon | Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles
Special Report By Mitch Lafon
In June, Paul Stanley held a special press only conference call to discuss KISS’ upcoming tour with Def Leppard and his New York Times’ best selling book, Face The Music: A Life Exposed. Journalists from across Canada and the US were able to ask one question plus a follow-up. What you will read below are Paul’s answers to the questions that were posed (in proper sequence) by the various media invited to the one-hour event. In part three, Paul talks about the Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Shame (Fame), his favorite apps and how backstage has changed over the last forty years.
Please note: none of the questions were asked by this reporter.
In your book, Face The Music: A Life Exposed, you mention the 1974 show at the Paramount Theater (now the Kirby Center) in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Why did you include that specific show in your book?
“I just remember this questionable choice of an opening act. This poor guy was up there was juggling and riding a unicycle when people were clearly there to see these four madmen blow the place up, celebrate rock n’ roll and the cause of celebrating life. It just resonated with me that this poor guy was out there having pennies pitched at him and doing his best to do what he was hired to do. I don’t know why that stood out for me.”
You’ve been performing a lot of these songs for years. Have they taken on a new meaning for you?
“All of these songs are songs of victory. They are all songs of celebrating our winning. That we are here forty years later and singing these songs is a source of incredible pride and accomplishment. Each one of those songs is a celebration of going against all odds and going against the critics, the people who didn’t like us and winning. So, these are the songs of a battle won.”
How does your approach to the show change when you’re performing outdoors compared to an arena?
“We try to be observant of low flying planes when we’re outdoors, but it doesn’t change anything because what we do comes from the heart. It comes from who we are. It’s a different environment though because in an arena there’s a sense of being enclosed, entombed or encapsulated (which has its pluses), but being outside during the summer is a terrific dichotomy / contrast between what we do and being outside in the midst of a great summer night with the stars shining and everything else. We’ve been doing this for forty years and the reason people still buy tickets to see the classic acts is because you know that we will deliver the goods.There are countless acts nowadays who sing on a song that was basically put together in somebody’s living room on a computer and auto-tuned. You know damn well that those people are not going to be able to put on a show. Many bands and many artists who sell nowadays or certainly have downloads in huge numbers are nobody who you want to go see live because they haven’t learned the craft. The ones who have enough money to put on a great show are invariably dependent upon
Fred Zermeno | EGP
With half the number of players and a field half the size of what you see in the NFL, the pace of an LA KISS arena football game is twice as fast, higher scoring, and non-stop action. (EGP Photo by Fred Zermeno)
The LA KISS suffered the biggest defeat of its short history last Saturday, losing 46-64 to the Spokane Shock at the Home Depot Center in Anaheim, delaying a chance to win a spot in the playoffs.
It was a hard fought, action-packed, fast pace game, but at the end of the day the LA KISS offense was no match for the Shock’s defense, which shut down a couple of crucial drives on their road to the win. Adding to the loss were two interceptions thrown by six-foot-one KISS Quarterback Aaron Garcia (Sacramento State) that killed a pair of promising drives.
Strange Ways podcast 25 – A discussion about the ALIVE albums. Part 1
Episode 25 finds your KISS ARMY bros,Jody Havenot and D-ROCK, joined by our Canadian Co-Anchor, ANDREW KISS!!! We got together for a little discussion about the Alive! legacy. We had a blast, and hope you do too! The conversation went a little long, so it is divided into 2 parts. Both are live and available for your auditory pleasure. And as always, thanks for listening, and keep on rockin’!
4th and Loud, Reality Show on Inaugural LA KISS Arena Football Season, Kicks Off Aug. 5
Matt Coker | OC Weekly
AMC announced Wednesday that 4th and Loud, a docu-series following the inaugural season of the LA KISS Arena Football League team that plays home games at the Honda Center, premieres at 10 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5.
Despite the headline to Daniel Cohn’s pre-season cover story above, LA KISS is not winning, having two victories at home and only one on the road for a disappointing 3-10 record in the National Conference’s West Division. The 14-0, division-leading Arizona Rattlers crushed LA KISS 83-47 on Saturday. The home team returns to Anaheim to play Spokane tomorrow night.
Even though LA KISS has not lived up to the hype, that does not mean 4th and Loud will be unworthy reality television. Remember how great Hard Knocks was when it followed the lackluster New York Jets?
Live review: Kiss and Def Leppard at Sleep Country Amphitheater
Robert Ham | Oregonian
The iconic hard rock band arguably invented the arena rock spectacle, replete with synchronized pyrotechnics, elaborate stage sets and, of course, their signature face paint and glam rock demon costumes.
However, at some point — and we can debate all day long about exactly when this occurred — the pageantry became more important than the music.
And for the many fans that packed the Sleep Country Amphitheater on Friday night to see Kiss is concert, that’s something they readily accept and anticipate. Sure, hearing “Rock and Roll All Nite” was great, but hearing it while being showered in an unrelenting spray of confetti is apparently even better.
In that regard, everyone got what they wanted out of this deal: Kiss got their captive audience; the attendees got their sensory overload.
KISS plays Hide Your Heart in Denver
DEAN: A Parody With A KISS
Rocco
A man goes on a spiritual journey after coping his whole life with a very notable birth mark.
Peter Criss of Kiss joins WindMill’s 10,000 Hot Dogs
The WindMill’s 10,000 Hot Dogs fundraiser just got a rock ‘n’ roll injection.
Peter Criss, the former drummer for Kiss, has signed on to be an honorary chairman of 10,000 Hot Dogs, a summer-long benefit for the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean counties.
“Summer time is fun on a bun,” said Criss, a resident of Wall, in a statement. “Help us feed our community and feed the hungry.”
The 10,000 Hot Dogs kickoff featured a concert by Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes atop of the iconic WindMill restaurant in Long Branch on May 23. Johnny and the Jukes performed for a half-hour and crammed in hits like “I Don’t Want to Go Home,” “The Fever,” “Havin’ a Party” and more.
Customers who make a $5 donation at the WindMill through Labor Day via the Website 10000hotdogs.com or by texting “hotdog” to 41444 will help the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties deliver 15 meals to those in need this summer. Also, hot dog maker Sabrett will donate up to 10,000 hot dogs, matching each $5 donation with a goal of raising $50,000. That would mean 160,000 meals for Monmouth and Ocean counties families.
Honorary Seabreeze toast to Bill Aucoin this Saturday
Roman Fernandez
This June 28th marks the 4th anniversary of the passing of Bill Aucoin. As we always do, we encourage a Seabreeze toast (or whatever you may have in hand at the time, wherever in the world you might be) in his honor. So Cheers! and as always, “Onward and Upward!”
*To enhance the sense of connection between the participants of this event all over the world, we suggest getting your hands on a fine cigar (or cheap, no one cares), but a nice Partagas or Romeo & Julieta would be right up Bill’s alley. And if you want to blast some music, well, of course KISS, Billy Idol and Billy Squier are obvious suggestions. But some of Bill’s favorites are: Neil Young, Cat Stevens, and The Mamas and the Papas (Monday, Monday was a particular favorite).
- Apologies to anyone “not invited” but Facebook is capping event invites at approximately 1000 and unfortunately I have no control over which 1000 of Bill’s friends are “invited” since the code seems to pick them randomly. But if you find your way to this event page, we encourage you to join in. Cheers!
Saturday at 8 pm.
Le Tub
1100 N Ocean Dr
Hollywood, FL 33019
Click to see original Facebook posting
Podcast Rock City, episode 28 – KISS played last night!!
Joe Polo
Lets talk about the set list and weather or not you would have been happy with those songs??? Also check out the new documentary some friends and I are working on!!
Review: KISS, Def Leppard rock ‘n’ roll Usana crowd
Brennan Smith | Salt Lake City Tribune
Rick Egan
West Valley City » A warm summer night saw music legends KISS and Def Leppard rock an estimated 20,000 people at Usana Amphitheatre in West Valley City.
KISS lived up to its billing as one of the best live acts in rock ‘n’ roll, lighting up the Utah night sky with pyrotechnics, confetti and anthemic songs.
Highlight » A dual encore of “Detroit Rock City” and “Rock and Roll All Night” saw the crowd explode with applause as white confetti rained down, three band members were elevated above the stage and Stanley smashed his guitar into three pieces.
Crowd favorite » For the seventh song of the set, Simmons “vomited” his signature fake blood and was raised to a microphone high above the stage. The blood dripped down his metallic chest plate as he sang “I Love It Loud.”
Paul Stanley’s 1988 Porsche from the Reason to Live video up for sale
These guys and girls are diehards. Nothing wrong with that, in my book.
And though some would argue that the members of the make up wearing, platform sporting instrumentalists have taken the franchising of their group to the extreme, others would say it’s simply good business. That’s what this is about at the end of the day, right?
Before I fall down a slippery slope though, let’s get on topic. Paul Stanley’s — better known as Star Child — Porsche has hit the free market. For those of you interested, it’s a 1988 928 that was gifted to him from Gene Simmons, KISS’ demonic lead singer.
In a video that’s way too long, the seller
is more than happy to play some tracks, do a full walkaround and even present documentation proving that it was Stanley’s ride. I have to say for a vehicle that’s more than 25 years old, it definitely looks clean and well taken care of. Then again, I am relying on the world of YouTube and a touch of pixelation.
35 Years Ago: ‘The Return of Kiss’ Tour Hits a Snag Read More: 35 Years Ago: ‘The Return of Kiss’ Tour Hits a Snag
Chris Epting | Ultimate Classic Rock
In February of 1978, Kiss ended a grueling five-year touring cycle that helped them become one of the biggest bands in the world. Yet, when the foursome returned to the road a year and a half later for a jaunt dubbed ‘The Return of Kiss,’ they found their position in the rock hierarchy was anything but secure.
The tour was to follow one of Kiss more audacious stunts, the release of four solo albums after the conclusion of their ’78 dates in support of ‘Alive II.’ They’d then issued a disco-fied hit ‘I Was Made for Lovin’ You’ in advance of the May street date for ‘Dynasty,’ with concert dates set for the entire second half of 1979.
These concerts would be the biggest and boldest yet from a production standpoint, even while reflecting those solo efforts through the individual band members’ costumes. Each contained colors from their respective solo albums — so Paul Stanley’s costume was purple, Gene Simmons’ was red, Ace Frehley’s was blue and Peter Criss’ was green.
The ‘Dynasty’ tour also saw the introduction of several new effects in the Kiss live concert arsenal. It was during this tour that fans first got to experience Simmons flying in midair. Frehley’s guitar, meanwhile, was tricked out with a new rocket-shooting stunt as well.
But something had changed since the last time Kiss toured the United States. Audiences had begun shifting away from the band’s classic and bombastic presentation. By this time, both punk and disco had gained solid footholds in the country. All of a sudden, the Kiss circus seemed somewhat out of step. Markets that had once been surefire sellouts were canceling gigs or downgrading to smaller venues.
Gene Simmons Sings “Star Spangled Banner” at Dodgers Game
It’s no secret that KISS supports the efforts of the U.S. armed forces so it was only fitting that when Gene Simmons was asked to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before a Los Angeles Dodgers game, he shared the spotlight with some USO members.
Before Monday night’s game against the Colorado Rockies, Simmons performed an a capella version of the national anthem with five USO singers, harmonizing and throwing heavy-metal devil horns at the end of the song.
KISS and Simmons have long been vocal in their support for the troops. KISS recently announced that their 2014 tour crew — like their 2012 tour crew — would include two specially-recruited veterans. The band has also played special free concerts for armed forces members and their families.
KISS begins a co-headlining tour with Def Leppard next week in Salt Lake City, Utah. Here are the tour dates:
6/23 — West Valley City, UT, USANA Amphitheater
6/25 — Denver, CO, Pepsi Center
6/27 — Ridgefield, WA, Sleep Country Amphitheater
6/29 — Auburn, WA, White River Amphitheater
7/2 — Concord, CA, Concord Pavilion
7/3 — Wheatland, CA, Sacramento Valley Amphitheater
7/5 — Irvine, CA, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
7/6 — Chula Vista, CA, Sleep Train Amphitheatre
7/8 — Los Angeles, CA, The Forum
7/9 — Phoenix, AZ, Ak-Chin Pavilion
7/12 — Austin, TX, austin360 Amphitheater
7/13 — Dallas, TX, Gexa Energy Pavilion
7/15 — Cincinnati, OH, Riverbend Music Center
7/16 — Nashville, TN, Bridgestone Arena
7/18 — Atlanta, GA, Aaron’s Amphitheater at Lakewood
7/19 — Charlotte, NC, PNC Music Pavilion
7/20 — Raleigh, NC, Walnut Creek Amphitheater
7/22 — West Palm Beach, FL, Cruzan Amphitheater
7/23 — Tampa, FL, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheater
7/25 — Bristow, VA, Jiffy Lube Live
7/26 — Holmdel, NJ, PNC Bank Arts Center
8/1 — Mansfield, MA, Xfinity Center
8/2 — Atlantic City, NJ, Boardwalk Hall
8/3 — Camden, NJ, Susquehanna Bank Center
8/5 — Saratoga Springs, NY, Saratoga Performing Arts Center
8/6 — Wantagh, NY, Nikon at Jones Beach Theatre
8/8 — Virginia Beach, VA, Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach
8/9 — Scranton, PA, Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain
8/10 — Hartford, CT, The Xfinity Theatre
8/12 — Toronto, Canada, Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
8/13 — Darien Center, NY, Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
8/15 — East Troy, WI, Alpine Valley Music Theater
8/16 — Tinley Park, IL, First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre
8/17 — Minneapolis, MN, Target Center
8/20 — Des Moines, IA, Wells Fargo Arena
8/22 — Noblesville, IN, Klipsch Music Center
8/23 — Clarkston, MI, DTE Energy Music Theatre
8/24 — Burgettstown, PA, First Niagara Pavilion
8/26 — Cuyahoga Falls, OH, Blossom Music Center
8/28 — Maryland Heights, MO, Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
8/29 — Tulsa, OK, BOK Center
8/31 — The Woodlands, TX, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
What Rock Stars In High Heels Have To Do With The Future Of Your Brand – A Lesson From The KISS School Of Business
Brands come and brands go. We’ve seen the business cycle get shorter and shorter in past decades (Facebook’s 10-year reign seems like a lifetime) and it makes it harder and harder to carve out a lasting niche for yourself. What’s the use, entrepreneurs wonder, if their brand will be yesterday’s news almost as soon as they’ve started building it?
It’s rare to see anyone break the endless cycle of launches that end in immediate obscurity. That’s why the hard rock band Kiss’ 40th anniversary is so impressive.
Yes, there are important business lessons to be learned everywhere, even when they involve levitating drum sets and strapped leather outfits. Kiss . . . has something special.
Their success defies logic. Most rock bands from the 70s are long gone, but Kiss just keeps getting stronger. They’ve sold more than 100 million records and have the most gold albums of any American rock band—ever.
So what’s their secret? And more importantly, how can we apply that secret to keep our businesses and brands from getting run over by the next fresh crop of entrepreneurs?
The answer: it’s all about identity.
Svenska: Det här är en bild av Gene Simmons oc…
Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, KISS in Stockholm. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
KISS’ Paul Stanley Talks DEF LEPPARD Tour, Rumored Las Vegas Residency – “I Can Only Anticipate That If Those Posters Are Any Indication Of Things To Come – It Will Be Everything That People Would Expect And More”
Mitch Lafon | Brave Words
Special report by Mitch Lafon
On June 10th 2014, Paul Stanley held a special press only conference call to discuss KISS’ upcoming tour with DEF LEPPARD and his New York Times’ best selling book, Face The Music: A Life Exposed. Journalists from across Canada and the U.S. were able to ask one question plus a follow-up. What you will read below are Paul’s answers to the questions that were posed (in proper sequence) by the various media invited to the one-hour event. PLEASE NOTE: This is Part One of a three part special. Also note than none of the questions were asked by this reporter.
The first question asked of Paul was the obligatory, ‘what will we see on the tour?’
“This is the greatest and best stage that we’ve ever had,” started Stanley. “We took it through Europe and it was a huge success. We call it the Spider stage because the lights are actually in the shape of a spider and the legs are actually dangling down onto the stage and move. I designed this. I wanted a stage where the lights and stage were one instead of having lights hanging from the ceiling. So, the lighting and the stage is by far the best thing we’ve done,” and added proudly, “Look the band is firing on all cylinders so, between that and the fact that we are psyched up for this and we’re celebrating our 40th year; we are out there to do a victory lap although the race isn’t over yet. There’ll be more races, but this is a celebration of everything we’ve done up to today.”
The next question in the cue dealt with the much talked about Vegas Residency as the reporter inquired about the ‘coming this fall’ posters seen around Las Vegas and posed the very direct question – ‘Are there plans for KISS to do a residency in Las Vegas this fall?’
“I’ve seen the same posters you have,” stated Stanley calmly and added, “I guess we’ll both find out what this is about as time goes on. Time tells all I guess.” Pressed on the issue and wanting to find out if he had anything to divulge on the topic right now. The always diplomatic Stanley asserted, “No, but I can only anticipate that if those posters are any indication of things to come – it will be everything that people would expect and more.”
Podcast Rock City – My Unmasked story and why I love this record
Joe Polo
KISS’ Paul Stanley Interview Part II – “We’re So Much Bigger Now Because We’re Superman, But Don’t Have To Hide Behind Clark Kent”
Mitch Lafon | Brave Words
On June 10th, Paul Stanley held a special press only conference call to discuss KISS’ upcoming tour with Def Leppard and his New York Times’ best selling book, Face The Music: A Life Exposed. Journalists from across Canada and the US were able to ask one question plus a follow-up. What you will read below are Paul’s answers to the questions that were posed (in proper sequence) by the various media invited to the one-hour event. In part two, Paul addresses more local issues as well as the importance of supporting the troops.
When asked about performing for Nashville audiences, Stanley had this to say, “We’ve been coming to Nashville since playing Mother’s (April 1974)which for me was a legendary show. I still remember the yellow t-shirts. We were coming to Nashville when perhaps there was a large segment of Nashville that didn’t quite embrace us. Things have changed over the years. Nashville has always been a music community; although the scope of what was called country was much narrower when we first came in. Country music now is not only built on Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn or George Jones. It’s reached a point now where it’s also built on The Eagles, Queen, and KISS. Many of the later generations of country artists grew up embracing rock n’ roll. It’s an incredibly vibrant and healthy community. It’s fertile to say the least and I love what Nashville has evolved into. There’s a lot of great music coming out of Nashville. We know we’re playing for musicians that we respect and we go in there to do our best.”
In years past, many bands including KISS controlled the amount of information that was available to the public. Now with social media, everything becomes immediate fodder for public consumption. Asked if there is simply too much information available these days and if it hurts the mystique, Paul replied, “Certainly, in all walks of life (in terms of public figures) there is a certain mystique that is gone because everything is known. I think mystique is healthy. I think to glamorize and fantasize is a good thing. I’m not sure KISS could have accomplished what we did initially in this time because we could make sure photos weren’t available. The paparazzi didn’t have photos of us out of makeup. We could create this mystique. It wasn’t unlike the mystique of Hollywood in the ‘30s and ‘40s which was a romanticized version of reality. I’m a fan of it. We’ve progressed and evolved over time into something much bigger in scope, but our roots are quite clearly in the mythical.”
Strange Ways podcast 24 – Talkin’ KISS with J.R. Smallin
Terry X
JR SMALLING dropped by to talk KISS with us! We discuss the brand new ebook, “OUT ON THE STREETS”, and in typical STRANGE WAYS fashion, we also touch on a wide variety of KISS topics, sure to put a smile on your face! We hope you enjoy, KISS Army!!! And as always..Thanks for listening, and keep on rockin’!!!