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.

Jason Eccles | Examiner

“Hotter Than Hell” is the 2nd studio album by American hard rock band, Kiss. It was released in 1974 on Casablanca Records and produced by Kenny Kerner & Richie Wise. The line-up for the album was Paul Stanley (vocals/guitar), Ace Frehley (guitar), Gene Simmons (bass/vocals) and Peter Criss (drums)

Introduction

Producers Richie Wise and Kenny Kerner moved to Los Angeles sometime after the debut Kiss album. Since they were chosen to produce “Hotter Than Hell”, the band moved to LA to work with them. Musically darker than the debut due to the lyrics of some songs, and the way it was produced, this album has a different sound to it than the first. The album art is Japanese manga style artwork of the band, Japanese writing which means jigoku no sakebi, which translates to “The shout of Hell” in English. The front cover also features the Japanese symbol for chikara, which translates to the word “power” in English. The back features individual shots of the band and one picture of all four members in makeup. Is it any good? Let’s find out!

Got to Choose

This is filled with power chords and raw rock power. With great verses and backup vocals, it will keep you singing along while you play air guitar. This one is a rocker with a melody to it. All in all, it is a great opener for the album, and needed to be if it was to eclipse the band’s debut album. This is a song about how the narrator has been cheated

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Examiner

ABC News Radio

Billy Bennight

The rock world has been quick to react to news of the death of James Gandolfini , best known for his role as mobster Tony Soprano in the 1999-2007 HBO series The Sopranos.  Gandolfinidied Wednesday in Rome, Italy at the age of 51.

KISS singer Gene Simmons paid tribute to his friend, tweeting , “James Gandolfini passed away yesterday. Sad. I knew James and aside from his Sopranos work, was a warm and caring person. He will be missed.”

Former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach also offered his condolences, tweeting , “51 is way too young to go. This is even scarier than the Sopranos. RIP James Gandolfini you managed to make television incredible #ThankYou.”

Other stars’ comments:

Best Coast : “Seriously going to cry. RIP James Gandolfini. You will live on forever in my DVD player and heart.”

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KISSmuseum.com

We recently purchased another huge vintage 1970s KISS Collection and it is all up for sale today! This isn’t just your run-of-the-mill ’70s KISS toys – there are quite a few unique items that even we have never seen before! It’s already been selling so don’t miss out!

WE SHIP ALL ORDERS OUT WITHIN 1 BUSINESS DAY!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE COLLECTION

Huffington Post

Simmons certainly has an abnormally long tongue, a fact emphasized by his fire-breathing, blood-spitting antics onstage. Fans have long been prompted to question whether it was actually a cow’s tongue surgically added to his own, a rumor that’s been debunked due to its medical impossibility. A cow’s tongue is a typically a foot long, meaning there’s no way one to fit even part of one in a human’s mouth. Simmons says he simply has a “superlong tongue.”

Marko Syrjala | Metal Rules

Legendary U.S. band KISS started its long awaited European leg of the Monster tour in Friends Arena, Stockholm on 1’st of June. The band introduced in front of 30 000 fans, its new spectacular stage set called the “Spider”. Two days later, KISS landed in Finland and played a sold out show in the Hartwall Arena. I met the band’s drummer, Eric Singer, the day after the gig at the hotel in Helsinki. Eric was really excited about the new tour and because of his very good mood we then had a long conversation about the Monster tour, the Spider, KISS fan-dom, the future of KISS, and various other topics. Read on !

NEW STAGE SHOW

Marko: First of all Eric, I have to say that the new Spider stage is amazing!

Eric Singer: It’s going to get better. We are still working it out and it will take more, like maybe about eight or nine shows, until it’s ready.

Marko: So you are going to add more elements and parts on it?

Eric Singer: You’ll see, yeah we are. We didn’t get to rehearse, we tried to rehearse with it and the stuff wasn’t working. So, on the first day we only played music. First show was first time we were doing this thing. We came in that day to practice the beginning. So, it will get better. Paul and Doc saw the stage when they had built it, because they designed it, Paul designed it, but I did not see it until we came to Stockholm, I only saw… I didn’t physically see it with my own eyes until we came. I saw the videos when Paul first came, he sent me video clips showing me how it looks, how some things moves and things like this. I saw just a video clip where he went to the place where they built it and the way they designed it. So, he went there and my drum tech, the tech, that production man, they all went there. I didn’t go. I only saw it when we got here. And then my drum tech, he told me, “Here is how it’s going to look, your drum riser is going to be this big.” Because the crew put this together with Paul, Paul designed and the crew built it and then they tell them what we need. Like my drum tech for example would say, “Eric’s drum set is going to be this many pieces. If it’s this big, we need this size of drum riser. Because originally they want to make it smaller, I said, “No, I need it big because I have more than like 3-4 toms.” I have a lot of drums, I’ve got seven tom tom’s, so.

Marko: Would you tell us something about the drum kit you’re now using on this tour?

Eric Singer: I used that set last year just for a couple of shows, we played one festival in Norway and one show and in London. I used it for that and I used it on the KISS Kruise. So, it’s a brand new set but I only used for a couple of gigs last year. Just for basically like three shows. So, this kit is the one for Europe and then when we go out to Canada and the rest I’ll go back to the mirror-ball kit that I had last year. The mirror-ball kit is supposed to be on this tour, because it looks, that kit looks amazing with the lights and so on. But this

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Axs TV
Submitted by: Robert Rice

ROCK AND ROLL LIVE with KISS! This KISS MONSTER TOUR show promises to blow you away as we bring it to you LIVE from Zurich, Switzerland. The event guarantees the greatest KISS songs plus music from the new KISS MONSTER album. KISS is rocking the world and AXS TV has it. BONUS: AXS TV will WORLD PREMIERE the amazing brand new KISS staging, lighting & pyrotechnics from most explosive show of the decade. Never before seen on TV, EVER!

Are you the ultimate KISS fan? Do you wear make up to all of their shows? Well interactive with us LIVE starting at 3pm eastern using Facebook and Twitter for your chance at exclusive prizes, including a SIGNED guitar! Can’t sneak a TV into your office at work to jam out LIVE? We get it. We’ll have an encore presentation at 11pm eastern that same night. This way you get to Rock N Roll All Day and All Night”! 

Register for the signed guitar right now using Facebook, or be sure to

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