Author Archives: Steve Stierwalt

Why Would I Listen to This? – Tommy Reviewing KISS Asylum Tour Off The Soundboard

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Episode 617. Michael and Mark share their thoughts and review of the new KISS Off The Soundboard from the 1985 Asylum tour. It is great to finally have a live show with Bruce Kulick and Eric Carr. It is great to have the Asylum tour represented. We are glad to have purchased this release, but…

We only need to listen to this once and we are done. No return listens are needed. Why? Paul Stanley’s stage raps are cringeworthy. Four solos during the show, please NO! And for goodness sake, stop playing so damn fast! Slow down!

Tommy shows up right at the end and without any leading expresses the same thoughts as Michael and Mark… he actually said, “Why would I listen to this?”

KISS Licensed Edition Rollerball Metal Icons Faces Pen Limited Supply at KISSArmyWarehouse.com!

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As America’s number one Gold Record Award winning rock group of all time, KISS can easily be named one of rock ’n roll’s most influential bands. The Hall of Famers released 44 albums, selling more than 100 million albums worldwide. Retro 51 captured the spirit of KISS with three rollerball designs that are sure to inspire your daily life. Whether you’re writing in a board meeting or penning lyrics, these capless rollerball pens will energize every task. Each design is packaged in a KISS graphic tube that also acts as a stand for when the pen is not in use.

Retro 51 Officially Licensed KISS Rollerball Pen Details

  • Write it out loud with this Retro 51 Twist-top rollerball pen
  • Refills using REF5P or REF71 capless rollerball and Easyflow 9000 cartridges
  • Under license to Epic Rights.

Order now at KISSArmyWarehouse.com!

Songwriter RUSS BALLARD Praises KISS Rendition Of “God Gave Rock ‘N’ Roll To You” – “Perfect”

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In a new video interview with music journalist Joel Gausten, legendary songwriter Russ Ballard (KISS, Argent, Rainbow, Ace Frehley, Santana) talks about his forthcoming album, Songs From The Warehouse / The Hits Rewired, and highlights from his decades-long career.

Ballard has had a long association with KISS, including writing two songs recorded by Ace Frehley and Peter Criss respectively. In 1991, KISS had a hit with its version of Ballard’s 1973 song “God Gave Rock ‘N’ Roll To You” (originally recorded by his former band Argent), as “God Gave Rock ‘N’ Roll to You II” with a faster tempo and slightly changed lyrics.

“I don’t honestly know Ace’s version (of ‘In The Night’),” Ballard reveals in the interview. “He called it ‘Into the Night’, didn’t he? I think I’ve heard it before. I don’t recall ever sitting down listening to it, but I like what I’ve heard of his stuff, what he does. (His version) worked for him, because I’ve seen it a lot around; I used to get Billboard, and it was all over the place. Same with Peter Criss; I’ve never heard very much. I know he did ‘Some Kinda Hurricane’, and he did ‘Let Me Rock You’.”

“I think what KISS did with ‘God Gave Rock ‘N’ Roll To You’ was perfect. I think the tempo is dead right, and (so was) changing the lyric. I made my first verse more spiritual, as it was ‘God Gave Rock ‘N’ Roll To You’. I used that ‘love your friend, love your neighbor’ idea at the front, and they used the thing about getting a guitar and (doing) the whole thing as a ‘rock’ thing, and it was perfect for them. It was right for them. The tempo was absolutely spot-on. For me, our one with Argent was too slow; it was draggy and laid back … but KISS got the groove into it, and I loved that.”

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‘I Remembered Watching Gene Be So Nervous About It’: Bruce Kulick Speaks Up on One of Kiss’ Most Polarizing Albums

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If you’re a veteran rock act who issued albums over a near 50 year period, there are bound to be a few releases that proved to be more polarizing than others amongst fans. And Kiss certainly had a few of them, tops being 1981’s conceptual rock opera, “(Music From) The Elder” and 1997’s decidedly grungy “Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions”.

But there is another album in their discography that is also met with a bit of resistance from their following: 1987’s “Crazy Nights”. And unlike the other aforementioned controversial albums, “Crazy Nights” was a hit: going platinum in both the US and Canada, and gold in the UK (where the album peaked at an impressive #4). Additionally, Kiss scored a smash hit single with the anthem “Crazy Crazy Nights” in the UK (which also peaked at #4).

But the sudden sweetening of Kiss’ sound with keyboards and some of the material sounding like it was written on the spot (particularly the lyrics to the Spinal Tap-esque “Bang Bang You“) has become quite apparent when listening back to the LP with “2025 ears”.

During an interview with Chaoszine, former Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick discussed the “Crazy Nights” album. And explained which member was all for it, and which member wasn’t entirely comfortable with its direction.

“In contrast to ‘Asylum’, which seemed to be more self-produced, it was interesting to get [producer] Ron Nevison involved, who was very successful then,” Kulick said (transcribed by Ultimate Guitar). “He had hits with some big bands, and I know that Paul [Stanley] was very excited to work with him. Gene [Simmons], maybe not as much, but again, I was able to contribute some songs.”

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