Nathan Rabin | A.V. Club

Gene Simmons is the preeminent villain of Kiss mythology. He isn’t just notoriously selfish and leering in a realm where those qualities are ubiquitous; the man pretty much embodies rock-’n’-roll greed and lust. The great Jon Wurster does a devastating impersonation of Simmons on The Best Show and Best Show Gems in part because he doesn’t have to exaggerate much to make Simmons seem hilariously self-serving and mercenary. In Peter Criss’ Makeup To Break-Up, which I just wrote about for this column, Simmons is certainly the bad guy, a cold-hearted, money-grubbing bastard who ran the band like a dictatorship during the boom years and treated drummer Criss and guitarist Ace Frehley like disposable employees during their lucrative comeback tours, all despite the original vision to have Kiss be like The Beatles—four individual superstars with strong personas in one band. (While plenty of bands emulate the Beatles, note that none of them ever envision themselves as being composed of “four Ringos”.)

Simmons has embraced the role of heavy in his public life—sneering defiantly at critics, extending a middle finger to punks/true believers who think music should be about art and integrity and not chicks and money, and lasciviously waggling his famously long tongue at the highbrow gatekeepers of culture who are aghast at the nakedness of his sexism and greed (most notably Terry Gross of Fresh Air). There’s an unmistakably preemptive quality to Simmons’ confrontational, unapologetic shtick: A man who loudly professes to have no integrity or values cannot be accused of betraying his integrity or values. And a man who makes it clear that he cares only for power, money, and women cannot be accused of losing his way.

But what does the villain have to say about himself and his path to infamy? That is the question behind Kiss And Make-Up, Simmons’ relentlessly self-aggrandizing, intensely unedifying 2001 memoir. In the book, Simmons pats himself on the back for having the courage to deliver the unvarnished truth about Kiss in spite of what fans might think, but that mostly means he’s comfortable repeatedly trashing Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. To
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Jeff Giles | Ultimate Classic Rock

Former Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick gave his girlfriend Lisa Lane a yuletide to remember in 2012, popping the question in London on Christmas Eve.

Kulick shared the news via Facebook, telling his social media family that “I am ringing in the Nee Year [sic] by letting you all know I’m engaged to my lovely girl, Lisa Lane. I proposed on a London holiday on Xmas eve. It’s been a great holiday season!”

Kulick joined Kiss in 1984, following previous guitarist Mark St. John’s diagnosis with Reiter’s Syndrome, and remained until 1996, when the original lineup regrouped for a reunion tour. In between, he appeared on a string of studio albums (including 1987′s platinum-certified ‘Crazy Nights’) as well as the live sets ‘Alive III’ and ‘Kiss Unplugged.’

Following his departure from Kiss, Kulick has kept busy with a variety of projects over the last 15 years, including the short-lived Union — featuring interim Motley Crue vocalist John Corabi — and most recently the reconstituted Grand Funk Railroad, which currently features Kulick playing alongside original members Don Brewer and Mel Schacher as well as keyboard player Tim Cashion and former 38 Special vocalist Max Carl. His most recent solo LP, 2010′s ‘BK3,’ featured contributions from a host of classic rock artists, including Gene Simmons, Toto‘s Steve Lukather, and Doug Fieger of the Knack.

Epiphone

There has never been an American rock and roll band like KISS, recognized around the world for their hard-rockin’ and spectacular stage show. Over the last decade, while many of their colleagues have struggled to keep an audience, KISS has enjoyed a renaissance with sold out tours around the world, great record reviews, and a renewed spirit.

Much of that can be attributed to lead guitarist Tommy Thayer. Thayer had been a behind-the-scenes member of the KISS family since 1985 working as a songwriter, guitarist, and even a video producer. But in 2002, Thayer joined KISS full time as the legendary “Spaceman,” giving the rock legends an explosive new sound and attitude. Now, Epiphone is proud to present the Ltd. Ed. Tommy Thayer “Spaceman” Les Paul Standard Outfit, a beautiful Les Paul Standard in a one-of-a-kind Silver Flake color finish that’s worthy of KISS’s 21st century “Spaceman.” Epiphone spoke with Thayer about his Les Paul, joining KISS, and his first trip to Hollywood in the early ’80s.

Tommy, thanks for speaking with us and congrats on your Ltd. Ed. Tommy Thayer “Spaceman” Les Paul Standard. Epiphone fans have been very excited about this guitar. What when through your mind when you realized that you could design your own guitar?

I’ve always been a traditionalist when it comes to amps, guitars and gear in general. When the opportunity came up for an Epiphone Tommy Thayer signature guitar, the first thing I thought of was offering a pro guitar for musicians that looks amazing and is also affordable. I wanted it to be the guitar I play onstage with KISS but also a classic looking instrument that would catch the eye of any player.

You grew up in Beaverton, Oregon which some might not consider the best place to see a lot of live rock n’ roll.

To the contrary, Beaverton is a suburb to Portland, Oregon where I saw tons of great rock shows at the Paramount Theatre and the Memorial Coliseum through the 1970s and early 80s. I went and saw literally every rock band that came to town. At the Coliseum you could walk around the top section of seats that went behind the stage. Before the show started, I was fascinated looking down at the amps, guitars and gear the bands were using. I dreamed of someday owning a stack of amps or a Les Paul guitar. I used to hang out at the local guitar shops in Beaverton or Portland and stare at the guitars on the wall, dreaming about owning one. I never would have imagined that one day I would have my own Epiphone Tommy Thayer Signature Les Paul!

Tell us about the signature model: what were you looking to do with this model that you’ve never seen before?

I’m proud of the Epiphone Tommy Thayer “Spaceman” Les Paul Standard. It’s modeled exactly like my silver sparkle top Gibson Custom Shop LP Standard I’ve played onstage for years with KISS. People don’t realize it, but I wanted my first signature guitar to be an Epiphone. It’s a quality-constructed instrument utilizing the same parts I use on all my Les Pauls, including Gibson 498 pick-ups and Grover™ Deluxe tuners. It’s a truly professional guitar for real musicians but available at a price that’s afford able for everyone. The guitar comes in a custom silver hard-shell case together with a very cool studded black and silver leather guitar strap just like the ones I use. I’m playing my Epiphone signature model onstage with KISS now and I couldn’t be happier with the sound, the look and the performance of the guitar, it’s outstanding!

Tell us about how you got started in the business. What inspired your move to Southern California? That’s a brave move for a kid from Oregon.

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Michael Brandvold

Thanks to Chris Medek for sending this in. Awesome work Chris!

Ashley Baylen | Shalom Life

Gene Simmons achieved international fame as the front man for KISS, but in recent years, he’s made most of his dough through business and marketing efforts.

Considered the world’s best self-promoter, perhaps next to Donald Trump, Simmons and KISS have earned millions from themed golf courses, stuffed dolls, bobble heads, a casino, and much more.

At Wednesday evening’s Opening Day at California’s famous Santa Anita Park, Simmons promised to help out good friend and racetrack owner, Frank Stronach, by assisting with marketing and making Santa Anita “the coolest place on Earth”

In a filmed announcement, Simmons says, “The past is magical and the present is all going to change. We’re going to get Brad and Angelina out here. They’re all going to come here because it is going to be the coolest place on Earth.”

Simmons and Stronach have been friends and business partners for years. Simmons’ marketing company, Simmons Abramson Marketing, marketed an energy drink called ‘Franks Energy Drink’, inspired by Stronach. Additionally, Frank’s daughter, Belinda, helped Simmons revive his record label in 2008.

Natalie Ragus | Arcadia Patch

Ray Paulick

Not even early morning showers could dampen the spirits of Opening Day attendees at Santa Anita Park. The track’s 17-week winter/spring racing season began Wednesday and runs through April 21.

KiSS frontman Gene Simmons—who recently signed on board to help Santa Anita develop new marketing strategies—arrived at the festivities just as the sun began to peak out from the clouds.

Simmons’ presence at the track caused a minor stir on Twitter.

“Shook Gene Simmons hand and came home $210 richer. Great day at Santa Anita Park. #TheGoodLife” Twitter user @waka_flaka_vaca wrote. Meanwhile, @WatchoutJulian posted a photo of himself posing with Simmons, the track in the background.

Opening Day attendance hit 27,273 this year, compared to 55,000-plus attendees last year, track officials said.

Here are some images of Opening Day moments.

Michael Brandvold

Visit http://www.ThreeSidesOfTheCoin.com and join the conversation. Three Sides of the Coin is a KISS podcast featuring Michael Brandvold, Mitch Lafon and Tommy Sommers.

In episode #3 we discuss the voices of KISS, the lead vocalists. Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss, Eric Singer, Tommy Thayer, Bruce Kulick and Eric Carr.

Michael Brandvold launched the 5th website on the internet devoted to KISS, KISS Otaku. He went on the build, launch and maintain Kissonline.com KISS’ official website. Mitch Lafon first interviewed Gene Simmons in 1980 and has since interviewed nearly all members of KISS, many more than once. He produced and released a Ace Frehley tribute CD. Tommy Sommers has been a fan since 1976 and has seen them in concert dozens of times. He spent many years on the record show circuit selling memorabilia and meeting many KISS fans.

This is only our opinion… it is neither right or wrong.

COTN

Russell Hall | Gibson

Hard to believe four decades have passed since Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons first joined up with Peter Criss and Ace Frehley to form KISS. Through the years, with rare exceptions, the band has held firm to its explosive mix of riff-driven rock, arena ready anthems and the occasional soaring ballad. Along the way, several lead guitarists have stepped in to put their distinctive stamps on the KISS sound. Below, we offer profiles of each of those gifted players, and trace their tenures with the band.

Ace Frehley

For many fans, Ace Frehley will always be the definitive KISS guitarist. Starting with the group’s 1974 self-titled album debut and stretching to his initial departure, in 1982, Frehley inspired countless aspiring players to pick up the instrument. Moreover, his impact on his six-string peers during that decade was incalculable, as his thrilling riffs and incendiary solos – delivered on an ever-present Les Paul Custom – dovetailed perfectly with KISS’s pioneering theatrics. Fourteen years after leaving the band, Frehley, along with drummer Peter Criss, rejoined the group as part of a reunion of the original members. Their appearance at the 1996 Grammy Awards ceremony elicited a standing ovation. Two years later, the original KISS lineup released Psycho Circus, and Frehley remained a touring member for the next three and a half years. His last performance with KISS took place on February 24, 2002, during the closing ceremonies of that year’s Winter Olympics.

Vinnie Vincent

Vinnie Vincent’s apprenticeship, as a player, was far and away the most unusual of any KISS guitarist. Specifically, at the turn of the ‘80s, he served as a staff songwriter for the TV shows “Happy Days” and “Joanie Loves Chachi,” often writing tunes for both series on his acoustic guitar at the “Cunningham’s” kitchen table on the studio set. Joining KISS as the replacement for Frehley, in 1982, Vincent was integral to the success of that year’s Creatures of the Night album, and to 1983’s Lick It Up. Both albums marked a return to the hard rock sound that had fueled KISS’s best work in the ‘70s. Vincent’s tenure with KISS ended in March of 1984. Some say his departure was due to conflicts arising over his habit of overextending his solos during KISS’s live shows, but in a 1996 interview with Norway’s KISS Army Magazine, Vincent painted a positive picture of his time with the band. “We grew up with the same kind of bands, and we had the same influences,” he said. “So even though I was technical and Paul [Stanley] wasn’t, it wasn’t really about guitar playing. It was about the songs that we grew up with and that we all loved. And it was about sharing the same musical style. You know, we all loved The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. So the chemistry was there. I think we had respect for each other and I think we were really good friends.”

Mark St. John

Mark St. John’s tenure with KISS was the shortest of any of the band’s guitarists. Still, his contributions to 1984’sAnimalize, one of the best albums from KISS’s “unmasked” period, were dazzling. Formerly a respected guitar instructor based in Southern California, St. John brought a flashy style to KISS – replete with whammy bar pyrotechnics and tapping – that reflected the Van Halen-led battalion of wizard-like six-stringers emerging at that time. During the sessions for Animalize, St. John developed a rare form of arthritis that interfered
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Everything KISS

everythingkiss.com: The 100% Unofficial Biggest and Best Guide to Collecting KISS Merchandise in the World has had a facelift!

They’ve added 300+ new items and simplified the website so it’s more user friendly. It should be easier to find what you’re looking for in amongst the 3700+ licensed KISS items. Make sure you also check out the  revamped 88 KISS Kollectionsfrom around the world.

Kissmaster@everythingkiss.com

Michael Brandvold

In episode #2 we discuss Vinnie Vincent. Did Vinnie Vincent save KISS with his songwriting skills?

Michael Brandvold launched the 5th website on the internet devoted to KISS, KISS Otaku. He went on the build, launch and maintain Kissonline.com KISS’ official website. Mitch Lafon first interviewed Gene Simmons in 1980 and has since interviewed nearly all members of KISS, many more than once. He produced and released a Ace Frehley tribute CD. Tommy Sommers has been a fan since 1976 and has seen them in concert dozens of times. He spent many years on the record show circuit selling memorabilia and meeting many KISS fans.

This is only our opinion… it is neither right or wrong.

Cassius Morris

Cassius is joined by Mitch Lafon and Adam Smith to review what is arguably KISS’ most controversial album… Music From ‘The Elder’.

Jade Watkins | Daily Mail

They are often seen attending Hollywood events as a family unit on the red-carpet.

And now Gene Simmons, his wife Shannon Tweed and daughter Sophie are coming together all in the name of protest.

The famous family, as well as Shannon’s younger sister Tracy, were seen adorned with ‘NOH8’ stamps on their bodies as they stepped out on Hollywood Boulevard on Wednesday night.

The clan had earlier attended the NOH8 Campaign 4th Anniversary Celebration at the Avalon Nightclub along with LeAnn Rimes and her husband Eddie Cibrian.

The NOH8 Campaign is a charitable organization whose mission is to promote marriage, gender and human equality.

In 2008, Proposition 8 passed in California, amending the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage.

The NOH8 campaign is also a photographic silent protest created in response to Proposition 8.

Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolising their voices being silenced by Prop 8.

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COTN

ATTENTION COTN FANS! This Sunday there will be a very special live Creatures Of The Net episode exclusively available right here!

This special episode is a track-by-track review of what is arguably KISS’ most controversial album… “Music From ‘The Elder’”!

Joining COTN host, Cassius Morris, are two other KISS podcast hosts. Today’s program features Mitch Lafon of “Dropping The Needle” podcast and a brand new KISS show called “Three Sides Of The Coin”. Also in this episode, Adam Smith from the podcast,“KISStory Science Theater”!

The broadcast starts at 11:00 am Eastern time, 9:00 AM Mountain Time, 8:00 AM Pacific time (there goes most of our listeners!) and 12 noon Atlantic Time. Please give it a listen when it starts and SPREAD THE WORD!

Live stream by Ustream

Michael Brandvold | Three Sides of the Coin

In this episode we discuss KISS books… Gene Simmons “KISS and Make Up”, Ace Frehley “No Regrets”, Peter Criss “Makeup to Breakup My Life In and Out of KISS”, Chris Lendt “KISS and Sell: The Making of a Supergroup”, Lydia Criss “Sealed with a KISS”, Larry Harris “And Party Every Day: The Inside Story Of Casablanca Records”, Curt Gooch and Jeff Suhs “Kiss Alive Forever: The Complete Touring History”. We discuss what we would like to see in Paul Stanley’s upcoming autobiography and if Bruce Kulick would ever write a book, what we would like to read in his book.

Michael Brandvold launched the 5th website on the internet devoted to KISS, KISS Otaku. He went on the build, launch and maintain Kissonline.com KISS’ official website. Mitch Lafon first interviewed Gene Simmons in 1979 and has since interviewed nearly all members of KISS, many more than once. He produced and released a Ace Frehley tribute CD. Tommy Sommers has been a fan since 1976 and has seen them in concert dozens of times. He spent many years on the record show circuit selling memorabilia and meeting many KISS fans.

This is only our opinion… it is neither right or wrong.

KISSonline.com

Something Else! Reviews

Your average rock fan might put on Kiss’ new album Monster, and specifically the track “Outta This World, and fail to hear how the Beatles and Journey impacted the band.

But drummer Eric Singer, in a new talk with Rock Music Star, says the tune was influenced first by George Harrison’s drone-rock tune “It’s All Too Much,” issued by the Beatles on 1969′s Yellow Submarine, and then by a subsequent cover version by Journey.

The second take, included on Journey’s 1976 sophomore release Look into the Future, pre-dates Steve Perry’s arrival. Gregg Rolie handles the vocals in a lineup that included current Journey stalwarts Neal Schon and Ross Valory, as well as Aynsley Dunbar on drums.

In both instances, though far more prominently on the Journey cover from the mid-1970s, “All Too Much” ends with a trippy echoing effect. Called “flanging,” it was first developed by Abbey Road engineer Ken Townsend in 1966, as part of the Beatles’ on-going experiments with sound.

[SOMETHING ELSE! REWIND: Potent and fun, ‘Monster’ strikes the perfect balance between the sounds of Kiss’ co-founding members, featuring just the right mix of Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley.]

When Kiss convened to work on Monster, its long-awaited studio follow-up to 2009′s Sonic Boom, Singer remembered how cool it sounded.

“That was a suggestion that I had made,” Singer tells Rock Music Star. “I basically got that idea from the Beatles song, “All Too Much,” where at the end of the song, it goes into a flanging thing. On one of the early Journey records — before they had Steve Perry — they did a version of “All Too Much,” and on the outro, they elaborated further on the whole flanging thing, and I thought it was a cool effect. When they (Journey) go into the outro of the song, they go into double time on the drums, and it goes into this flanging effect on the whole mix.”

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