Francois Marchand

Chris Epting | Decibel Geek

One of the most popular KISS-related shows we’ve done was our GPS: KISS Landmarks episode with special guest host Chris Epting. Chris is well-versed in KISS, pop culture, and travel as he’s written books on all three. He also now hosts a great new music talk show that you can accessHERE.We had such a great response to that episode that we knew we had to do a part 2 for this year’s KISSMAS in JULY. We’re fortunate that Chris was equally enthusiastic about coming back to discuss KISS Landmarks. So, let’s crank up the engine and hit the highway!

1 Washington Blvd  Detroit, MI 48226 – Cobo Hall

A  very pivotal location in KISS’ history. Most well-known for a sold-out 3 night stand in January of 1976, Cobo was one of the hosts of the Alive! album and was a meeting place for the blue-collar faithful that made up KISS’ early fan base.

It’s also worth noting that it was the host venue for 1984’s Animalize Live/Uncensored performance as well as the venue chosen for the kickoff of the Alive 35 tour in 2009.

238 Bagley Avenue, Detroit, MI – MichiganPalace

Another well-known marker of KISS’ early Detroit dominance, the Michigan Palace was built in 1926 as a movie theater and hosted KISS on their earliest American tours.It was also a beneficial presence for KISS’ promotional efforts as it was utilized for the videos for Rock N Roll All Nite and C’mon & Love Me as well as the cover photo for the Alive! album shot by Fin Costello. The majority of the structure was torn down but the ornate ceilings can still be seen above the parking garage that sits in its place today.

Corner of 23^rd & 8^th, NYC – Dressed to Kill Cover site.

The only non-structure on our list, this street corner will always big popular in the annals of KISStory. In 1975, a then-struggling KISS was working on a creative photo shoot with legendary New York photographer Bob Gruen.

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Click HERE to visit the other KISS GPS sites.

Tom Zillich | The Province

Jacob Zin

A Surrey-based charity has been KISS’d with $10,000.

Makeup-wearing members of the rock band were in Vancouver Thursday to hand a five-figure cheque to operators of Sophie’s Place, a facility for kids who have been physically, mentally or sexually abused.

The money will help fund an expansion of the centre, which opened in February 2012 at The Centre for Child Development on 140th Street in Surrey.

The facility is named after Sophie Tweed-Simmons, daughter of KISS bassist Gene Simmons and former Playboy model Shannon Tweed.

In addition to the $10,000, a percentage of profits made at a KISS Army-operated “pop-up” store on Granville Street last week are destined for Sophie’s Place.

“It’s really very generous of them and will make a huge difference in helping us serve kids who have been abused,” Dr. Brian Katz, director of Sophie’s Place, told the Now during a noon press event in Vancouver.

Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts was on hand to accept the donation, along with staff of the facility.

Simmons said the donation was “a beginning, a small token from us,” with more coming. “(The centre) helps thousands of abused kids every year, and it’s a great place.”

KISS singer/guitarist Paul Stanley said Sophie’s Place is “a charity we know well and believe in 100 per cent. And we hope everyone here, everyone getting this news-media coverage, does what they can. It’s never about giving until it hurts. You give until it feels good.”

Tweed-Simmons said plans are to open other Sophie’s Place facilities in Canada at a later date. “We’re working on getting this one absolutely perfect before we move on,” she said.

In Surrey, the expanded facility will be roughly four times its current size, Katz told the Now. Construction is already underway.

“It’s in the works, and we’re looking to raise $500,000 for the expansion, to have all of our team members under one roof,” he said. “Research has shown that it’s a better outcome for kids when all professionals are working together and kids don’t have to tell their story over and over again. Each time they do that, it can be traumatizing.”

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Cassius Morris | COTN

Greg Pratt | Nexus

When KISS played the Save-on-Foods Memorial Arena recently, what I really wanted was to get some time to sit down and talk face to face with singer/guitarist Paul Stanley. I even went so far as to jokingly put together a moderately successful online petition (hey, 57 people signed, not bad, if you’re asking me) to help make it happen. But it didn’t happen; management said no, and I was left watching the show, dreams thwarted, still having the time of my life.

KISS know what they’re doing. They played the hits. They played a few new songs that people pretended to enjoy; they pulled out “War Machine,” a killer kinda-deep cut. They’ve been doing this for so long it’s impossible to think of anything negative to say about it that isn’t glowingly obvious. They know what they’re doing, and they did it perfectly this night, just like the night before, and the night after. KISS put on one of the best, most fun and enjoyable concerts in rock music; they did in Victoria and they will continue to.

But, to you, Paul Stanley, I say this: I really wanted to sit down and look you in the eye, and I wanted to have a conversation as two grown men. I wanted to ask what you think of the fact that other grown men consider you a god when you sing kinda buffoon-ish rock songs while wearing funny makeup for a living. I wanted to ask what it’s like living in the shadow of a man like Gene Simmons.

Gene Simmons finally brought all his horribleness to Victoria (photo by Jason Schreurs/Nexus)

Paul Stanley, I wanted to ask about your art, about your musicals; I find this fascinating, that a rock star has this side to him but it’s so rarely discussed.

Paul Stanley, I wanted to talk about the dark spots in KISS’ past, but I know you don’t like talking about that too much. I’m sorry, but I find it extremely interesting; I wanted to ask about how you’re so proud about the current incarnation of KISS but how I don’t really think many people really have too much interest in the current incarnation of KISS. I understand that line of questioning makes you a bit upset, but it’s what would have happened.

You see, Paul Stanley, when I was a kid I was one of those guys who thought you were a god. I don’t anymore. You seem nice, and you seem down to earth, and I kinda feel bad that you have to deal with being in a band with Gene Simmons. I wanted to talk about that.

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The Vancouver Sun

Click HERE for an amazing photo gallery of the recent show in Canada.

Ric Ernst

Chris Czynszak | Decibel Geek

Welcome to our annual KISSMAS in JULY celebration. We devote our show/site/facebook/twitter etc. to the Hottest Band in the Land for the entire month of July. There’s even more reason to celebrate in 2013 as July has 5 weeks this year!

This week we kick off KISSMAS with some of favorite tunes performed by past and present KISS members outside the confines of the band.

In this episode, you’ll hear a track of our choosing from the career of each member of KISS spanning their 40 year career.

Aaron and Chris made their member selections draft-style and we start things off with Chris’ choice of Gene Simmons. While Gene has only released one full-length album in the post-1970’s (2004’s Asshole album), Chris dug up an interesting demo that can only be found on the lunchbox version of 2003’s Sex Money KISS audiobook.

Aaron chimes in with his first song choice and it’s from the current catman in KISS; Eric Singer. From the 1999, self-titled ESPalbum, we check out a scorching cover of a SWEET classic.

Up next is Chris’ choice of Bruce Kulick. Bruce has released a number of solid solo albums but he really stepped up his game with BK3, his most recent release. It was a

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Artist: Chris Medek

Gibson Germany

David Von Bader | New Times

Kiss may very well be the most polarizing band in rock music. However, the hard rockin’ kings of glam showmanship have assembled a veritable army of makeup-caked fans, thanks to a 40-year career of loud rock ‘n’ roll delivered from stages littered with explosives, flames, comically large walls of amplifiers, innuendos shrouded by only the thinnest of veils, and a merchandizing machine rivaled only by the likes of Disney.

Though Kiss has weathered plenty of phases over the past four decades, including brushes with disco, the removal of the makeup, lineup changes, and reality television, the band has never been accused of doing anything subtle. This is inherently integral to the

Paul Kane

charm of Kiss. Some people simply want their rock ‘n’ roll in the form of a live-action cartoon.
Despite years of flirtation with despicable things, the band (now sporting only two original members in Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley) has reached what we consider a new low by having the audacity to tour with a pair of impostors donning the iconic makeup of original guitarist Ace Frehley and drummer Peter Criss. While very little can excuse such a blatant abuse of fan trust (and dollars), a compilation of 45 consecutive minutes of Paul Stanley’s stage banter might help a little. The audio recently went viral, and the inexplicable hilarity has certainly distracted us from the burn left by the additions of Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer.

There is a phenomena that occurs when one basks in the heat of pyrotechnics for too long, sweating beneath a stifling mask of heavy makeup. Cognitive function is stunted, the rock

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Nick DeRiso | 1037 The Loon

A classic poster from Kiss‘ appearance at St. Petersburg’s Bayfront Center on Oct. 20, 1975, recently fetched a whopping $3,125 after nearly 30 bids oneBay.

On tour behind its career-saving ‘Alive’ album, the bandopened the show with ‘Deuce’ and concluded with an encore that featured ‘Cold Gin’ and ‘Rock and Roll All Nite.’ According to the poster, tickets were $5.50 in advance and $6.50 at the door.

The winning eBay bidder also received original photos taken at this Florida concert and the ticket stub. Though the poster was never folded or rolled, it does contain various pinholes. As the seller says, “It hung on the closet doors of a young Kiss fan for many years. Back then, no thought was given to ‘mint condition’ or other such silliness.”

The 7,500-seat Bayfront Center was built in 1965 and demolished in 2004. Kiss, meanwhile, continue to tourwith only Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley remaining from the 1975 edition.

Aaron Fischer

On Milwaukee

Neil Zlozower

Ask prolific guitar player Bruce Kulick why being a judge for the School of Rock “Battle of the Bands” June 29 and 30 at Summerfest is important to him and the former member of KISS says that “seeing them be creative or just cover a classic rock tune is truly a joy to me.”

It’s that love of music that has fueled a career that has continued to climb since 1975. Kulick debuted as a touring member of Meat Loaf’s band playing dual guitars with his brother Bob. From there, Kulick rocked in Blackjack with Michael Bolton, opened for Ozzy Osborne with the band The Good Rats, played on Billy Squier’s “Tale of the Tape” and perhaps most famously, held down lead guitar for 12 years for the “hottest band in the world,” KISS.

Kulick is kind, warm and well spoken. A workaholic and animal lover, Kulick is refreshingly down to earth, but still possesses little eccentricities that communicate he is a highly creative individual. Dressed sharply in designer denim, a tailored jacket, fabulous shoes and tasteful “rocker” jewelry, he exudes a confidence and mastery for his craft that only comes with the experience he has garnered working with some of the music business’ biggest and “baddest.”

Could there be anyone left for Kulick to shred for? He says, “I always wanted to jam with Continue reading →

Tom Zillich | The Now

Surrey-based Sophie’s Place will benefit from profits made at a KISS Army Depot “pop-up” store when it opens in Vancouver this Friday, June 28.

The shop will be filled with KISS-related merchandise for little more than a week – until July 7 – as a satellite operation at Tom Lee Music, 929 Granville St.

Just 200 wristband-wearing fans will get to attend an in-store appearance by KISS band members next Thursday as they launch their “Monster” tour of Canada, which includes a Saturday, July 6 concert at Rogers Arena. The fan “check in” time at the store is 10 a.m. July 4.

I’m told Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts will be at the noon press conference due to the city’s connection with Sophie’s Place, a facility for kids who have been physically, mentally or sexually abused.

The centre, located at The Centre for Child Development in Surrey, is named after Sophie Tweed-Simmons, daughter of KISS bassist Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed.

KISS Army Depot pop-up stores are also due open next month in Calgary, Edmonton and Continue reading →

KISSarmyitalyHQ

Concert from June 20, 2013 in Zurich Switzerland. 

Mark | Talking Metal

On this episode of the podcast Mark and John are joined by Lydia Criss. They discuss Lydia’s Sealed with a Kiss book, Bob Gruen, her recent trip to Finland, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Tommy Thayer, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss, Sean Delaney, New York City and Mick Campise.

Click HERE to hear the hour long radio program.