Nick Tweed-Simmons “didn’t think anyone would give a fuck” about Gene Simmons Family Jewels

Steve Newton | Straight.com

When Nick Tweed-Simmons comes to Metro Vancouver—as he will this Friday (June 1) for a concert at the River Rock Show Theatre with his little sister Sophie—things are quite different than they are in his Hollywood hometown. For one thing, as he explained to me in a phone call last week, people get a lot more excited about seeing the costar of Gene Simmons Family Jewels here than they do in Tinseltown.

“We can walk around at night and sneak by,” says the 23-year-old son of rock god Simmons and actress-model Shannon Tweed, “but sometimes we do get swamped, and I’m not quite used to it, actually. ‘Cause I didn’t think that would be the case. I mean, I don’t watch reality TV myself. I do this for a living because it was offered to me at a young age and I enjoy being financially independent, so that was my reason for doing it. But I didn’t think anyone would actually give a fuck about the show, because I do not care about my musical heroes’ family members, you know what I mean?

“Like if I saw Jimmy Page’s nephew, I don’t think I would care,” he adds, “but if I sawhim I would freak out, of course, because he’s the one who made the music that I connect to.”

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KISS kids to pay a visit to Fraser Downs racetrack

Sheila Reynolds | Cloverdalereporter

The kids of KISS frontman Gene Simmons and former Playboy playmate Shannon Tweed are making a special appearance in Surrey next weekend.

Sophie and Nick Tweed-Simmons, who star alongside their parents in A&E’s television series Gene Simmons Family Jewels, will be at Fraser Downs Racetrack and Casino on June 3.

The pair plans to enjoy a day at the races and host a public meet-and-greet that’s scheduled to start at about 2:30 p.m.

Sophie and her parents were in town earlier this year for the opening of Sophie’s Place, the region’s first multidisciplinary child protection centre for kids who have been abused. The centre was named after Sophie when she got involved in the project after meeting with Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts.

Sophie and Nick will be performing at the River Rock Show Theatre in Richmond on June 1, singing standards such as Etta James’ “At Last” and Dean Martin’s “Sway” as well as some blues and jazz numbers.

 

 

Fraser Downs Racetrack and Casino is located at 17755 60 Ave. in Cloverdale.

KISS hires Army vet to be a roadie for 2012 tour

Military Times

There’s the U.S. Army and there’s the KISS Army.

One is a branch of the United States military while the other is the fan club of the legendary rock band that first rose to prominence in the 1970s.

A veteran of both armies, Paul Jordan can look forward to spending time with the band as a roadie on its 44-city tour with Mötley Crüe.

A lifelong fan, Jordan beat out more than 1,900 other hopefuls who applied for the job as part of the Hiring Our Heroes program. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and NBC News kicked off the initiative in March to help veterans and military spouses find employment.

KISS was one of the organizations that signed up for the program. Bassist and singer Gene Simmons broke the news to Jordan during an appearance on the Today Show on May 23. Jordan served more than 27 years in the Army, deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan three times.

Jordan, who will be a carpenter on the tour, shared his experience of looking for work during the Today Show appearance:

“Since I retired, I’ve had a really hard time trying to find a job,” Paul told the Today anchors. “It’s tough for veterans out there sometimes.” He called the KISS roadie job a “dream come true. I’ve always wanted to be involved with KISS somehow … This is incredible!”

The goal of Hiring Our Heroes is to have the business community commit to hiring 500,000 veterans by the end of 2014. To date, the campaign has received more than 181,000 commitments.

X-Rated photos turn up on Gene Simmons Family Jewels

Anna Chan | The Clicker

KISS rocker Gene Simmons and longtime love Shannon Tweed finally tied the knot in October after 28 years together, and as the new season of their reality show “Gene Simmons Family Jewels” kicks off, it appears the pair’s honeymoon period may already be over.

In an exclusive clip of the premiere episode A&E shared with TODAY.com, Shannon discovers a set of mysterious looking keys and confronts Gene. When her new hubby asks her to sit down, she knows it’s bad news. “It’s a ‘Please sit down’ key? Great,” she mutters.

It seems the rock star has quite a collection of “pretty graphic” photos in a safety deposit box, and is a bit hesitant to destroy them. Check it out:

Naughty photos aren’t all that the newlyweds will deal with in the new season. A trailer for the reality show reveals that Shannon wants to adopt a baby now that her kids with Gene are grown, and the rest of the family isn’t exactly supportive of the idea. Viewers will also see son Nick get cut off financially, and Gene go on tour as a married man.

Want to learn more about the new season? Tune in to TODAY with Kathie Lee and Hoda Wednesday as Gene and Shannon dish on the new season of “Family Jewels.”

The new season premieres Monday, May 28, with a special one-hour episode at 9 p.m. on A&E.

Tony Confessore, (C.C. Banana), 1969 – 2012

KISSasylum

Our good friend Tony Confessore, better know as C.C. Banana, passed away today at his home in New Jersey due to an apparent suicide. He was 43.

Tony incorporated his love of KISS into much of his professional comedic work, including the KISS tribute CD “KISS My Ankh“, a Tribute to Vinnie Vincent, which he produced and performed on with his own irreverent version of the KISS classic, “Unholy”. One of his more brilliant pieces was his 20 Questions with Eric Singer which was conducted live on-stage at a KISS Expo in 2007. He had many personas, the most well-know among KISS fans being the Ace Peeley banana character as well as a his more elaborate Maul Stanley – an incarnation of Paul Stanley and Darth Maul from the Star Wars Episode 1 movie. More recently, Tony appeared as AJ the Clown at the 2011 New Jersey KISS Expo where he entertained and lent himself to face painting for all the children attending the event.

Halloween 2006 in NYC

Tony posted his final goodbye from his Facebook last night:
Xanadu has been breached, my friends. Cry “Havoc!” and let slip the vultures and jackals. No more past. No more future. Both have been taken away…. If only those who knew less didn’t always think they knew better. It took just one year of Hell to undo a lifetime of hope. I am too lost to be found and too broken to be fixed. Let the Monday morning quarterbacking begin. – Anthony John Confessore 

Tony was the victim of long-time financial problems and the stress apparently had taken it’s toll on him. He was loved by many and will be missed as much.

ACE FREHLEY BLASTS ‘BLACK DIAMOND’ WITH PEARL JAM GUITARIST

Amy Sciarretto | Ultimate Classic Rock

Original Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley took the stage on Tuesday (May 15) to perform his former band’s classic song ‘Black Diamond’ with Flight to Mars, a UFO cover band lead by Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready.

It’s certainly a cool “WTF?” moment. The only thing more unusual than the idea of a UFO tribute band featuring a grunge rock millionaire covering a Kiss song would have been if Frehley appeared on stage in full Kiss regalia: makeup, boots and more!

That said, we’ve gotta throw props to McCready and to the more casually attired Frehley, who turn in a pretty kicking rendition of the song, performing on the tiny stage of the Casbah in San Diego, Calif. (Editor’s note: How is it that nobody ever thinks to cover ‘Back in the USSR‘ from the Beatles there? The place is right at the end of the airport runway, you get the necessary introductory plane sounds every 30 minutes.)

Flight to Mars are on tour through May 23, with proceeds benefit Camp Oasis for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America’s and Advocacy for Patients With Chronic Illness. McCready suffers from Cohn’s, so it’s a cause that means quite a bit to him.

Sealed With Another KISS: Interview With Lydia Criss, Part 2

Tim McPhate | kissfaq

KF: Lydia, I have to ask the obligatory “Beth” question. “Beth” is a song that generates much debate among KISS fans. Before its release, “Destroyer” was hovering around the million mark but seemed to have stalled. If “Beth” was never released as a single, what would have happened?

LC: They had already gone gold on “Alive!” I’m not really sure … but I know Gene and Paul [didn’t] want the song on the album. I think it was Bill Aucoin who really pushed for it.

When we were going to Japan, we were at the airport. We had a long wait at Kennedy [International Airport] before we got on the flight. And I looked over to Gene and I was thanking everyone in the band for making it possible for me to go to Japan. And I said to Gene, “I really want to thank you for making it possible for me to go to Japan.” And he said, “Don’t thank me. Thank ‘Beth’ — it made it possible for all of us to go to Japan.”

KF: I’m not sure if you’re aware but KISS have been playing “Beth” in concert with Eric Singer singing. What do you think of that?

LC: I’ve seen them do it on YouTube. I think it’s kind of strange because he’s standing instead of sitting and the guys are playing guitars in the background?

KF: Yes, acoustic guitars.

LC: I’m not that crazy about it. I guess I’m so used to the way Peter sang it.

KF: Of course, Eric Carr recorded it.

LC: Eric Carr did a good job.

KF: So you liked Eric Carr’s version?

LC: I was shocked when I first heard it. When I saw him at the Hot In The Shade party, I was talking to one of my girlfriends. He walked by, and I said, “Eric come here.” And I asked, “When you sang Beth, did you think of me?” And he said, “Of course, I did!” And I said, “That’s a great answer.” He was such a sweetheart. And I really did like the way he sang it.

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Gene Simmons to Headline Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp in Las Vegas

RockCamp.com

What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas or so they say! Celebrating our 15th anniversary, Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp is proud to announce the next installment of our highly successful music-magic experience taking place in sin city this coming Fall. Headlining the October camp at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas will be co-founder and bassist for KISS and the face of A&E’s “Gene Simmons Family Jewels”– iconic rock god and media mogul Gene Simmons.

“I can’t think of a better way to kick off our next installment of Rock & Roll Fantasy Camp in Las Vegas with none other than rock god Gene Simmons,” says Rock & Roll Fantasy Camp founder David Fishof.

“I can’t wait to reveal the secrets of becoming a rock star,” says Gene Simmons. “Rock & Roll Fantasy Camp is a grueling, military style musical training process. And I’m just the guy to be your Sergeant. Now, drop and give me twenty.”

Kicking off October 10th and culminating October 14th Gene Simmons will jam with campers of all talent levels providing them a taste of what it’s like to live the “rock and roll” lifestyle and a memory that will last a lifetime. The camp will host special rock stars including Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne guitarist, Black Label Society), Vince Neil (Motley Crue), and Sebastian Bach (Skid Row).

The rock camps allow music fans a chance to jam nightly with legendary rock stars, write and record an original song and perform live on stage in front of family and friends. Campers have the option of purchasing a three-day rock star package or five day headliner experience. Both packages will cover hotel accommodations, breakfast/lunch, daily classes and jam session, opening night dinner and cocktail party as well as a DVD copy of the final concert performance. To celebrate the camp’s culmination on October 14th, campers will jam at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas during a live concert.

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5 Content Marketing Lessons from Gene Simmons of KISS

Jason Miller | Busineess 2 Community

With over 100 million albums sold worldwide, KISS is arguably one of the biggest and most successful bands on the planet. Led by the marketing genius that is Gene Simmons, they continue to reach new audiences while engaging lifelong fans. Gene Simmons may be best known as the fire-breathing, bass playing demon in one of the most influential rock bands in history, but he can also teach us a thing or two about content marketing.

KISS is a rock n’ roll band, but it is also a business and Gene Simmons is the CEO. Gene has showcased his entrepreneurial expertise through interviews with such influential publications such as Forbes and Business Week just to name a few.

Below are five business quotes from Gene that translate into great advice for B2B marketing professionals looking to build or improve their current content marketing strategy.

1) “We need the people to like what we do. The more they like us, the more they will buy.” Producing quality content that adds value, solves problems, is consistent, and entertains can have a humanizing effect making your business more likeable. Likeable content translates to likeable business and of course more adoring fans that are much more likely to buy your product.

2) “The most important thing is to use the right language.” When creating content for your business, you have to understand your target audience. What topics are relevant to them and what their pain points are. Monitor the conversations that are taking place in the social world then write your content addressing hot topics and providing solutions to their problems.

3) “If you want to hit the bull’s eye you should do it with a bomb instead of a bullet.” Having a solid inbound marketing strategy behind your content is important to get the maximum reach. It allows you to canvas a much larger online presence and boosts the likelihood of your content being found.

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Guitarist Tommy Thayer reveals KISS will be in the UK in July

Jon Stickler | Stereo Board


It looks as though the rumors about KISS performing in the UK this summer are getting stronger and stronger after Tommy Thayer revealed the band will be in London in July promoting a new ‘Monster’ book.

Last month Stereoboard reported news that KISS were “in negotiations to play at the London HMV Forum on July 4th” after the Knebworth Sonisphere Festival, which they were due to headline, was cancelled.

Today KISS news site deucenews.com has revealed that while at the Indy KISS Expo, Kiss lead guitarist Tommy Thayer confirmed the band will be in London during the first week of July promoting the ‘Monster’ book. This of course means that the possibility of KISS performing at London’s HMV Forum on July 4th is getting more and more.

Such news fuels speculation following Gene Simmons’ recent revelation that: “KISS and Motley Crue tour starts in July. And before then KISS will be in Europe for a festival or two.”

KISS ‘Monster’ book will be released with 15 different covers, each of them with 15 different country flags.

Tommy Thayer at Lopez golf tournament

Mother Nature Network

Links-loving stars turned out for the 5th Annual George Lopez Celebrity Golf Classic benefiting the George Lopez Foundation to raise funds and awareness for kidney disease and organ donation. Held at the Lakeside Country Club, the event raised $500,000 for the cause. “It goes to send kids to camp and help people who are sick and may need a kidney and also may need information. It’s nice to see it get bigger every year,” said Lopez, himself a kidney recipient, who regularly donates a portion of his concert proceeds to the cause. He’s currently doing warm-up dates in preparation for a new HBO special, “It’s Not Me, It’s You,” that he’ll perform July 14 from L.A.’s Nokia Theater.

KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer said his band hasn’t quite figured out how to reduce energy consumption on tours like the big one they’re launching this summer, but he does what he can to do so at home. “We try to cut back and conserve as much as we can on our utilities. You get perks from the electric company and the water company if you do that. We recycle regularly and are really diligent about that. I probably could do better, to be honest with you — I think we all could — but it’s something I think about.”

A self-described “middle of the road golfer” who plays every week or so and tries to squeeze in an occasional game on the road, Thayer came down to support Lopez, who did the same for him at a fundraiser a couple of years ago. “I’m on the board of trustees of Pacific University in Oregon, and I host a fundraiser for the school’s endowment every summer,” he explained. Band mates Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons don’t share his love of golf, but Simmons “did make a valiant attempt” for the Oregon benefit. “He came up with a crew from ‘Gene Simmons Family Jewels’ to film, and they did a whole episode around him trying to play golf.”

Read the entire article HERE.

 

KISS Tribute Harley

Gary Greenough

The KISS Tribute Harley, known as the KTH, was built during the ALIVE35 Tour, 2009. Although a stock platform rarely wins any prizes at bike shows, it is the most photographed bike at every show; KISS fans come out to see it.

When KISS took on the Wounded Warriors Project as a charity, the KTH became a magnet for donations to that event. At every bike show, a donation can, with an explanation for the donation, is put out with the bike. To date, nearly $3,000 has been collected and sent to WWP. People would be allowed to sit on the bike for a photo and a donation.

At the Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show of 2010, a member of HEROES, A KISS Experience, (now Las Vegas KISS), Luis Reyes, a Demon impersonator, stood behind the bike for four hours posing in full DEMON attire with people who sat on the bike. Over $1,000 was collected in those four hours. ALL proceeds of these events are sent to WWP.

Time, fuel, or hotel, are on the tab of the owner. As long as there are conflicts, as long as there are wounded warriors coming home, the KTH will be out there bringing in pennies, nickels, dimes and dollars, to be sent to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Shannon Tweed Cheating Fears: Groupies Are ‘Bitches From Hell We Deal With’

Chris Epting | Noisecreep

Shannon Tweed has jumped into the video game realm with Attack of the Groupies, a new mobile game which offers fans the opportunity to battle it out with hordes of groupies.

In the game, which is available for the iPad, iPhone and PC, Shannon enlists the help of a few trusty sidekicks, daughter Sophie Tweed-Simmons and her sister Tracy Tweed, who are in game as focal characters. Featuring stereotypical groupies inspired by Tweed’s stories of her years being with KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons, the game allows players to unlock exclusive, rarely seen content of the life of the starlet.

As design of the game neared completion, Gogii CEO and founder George Donovan visited the family and made a surprise appearance on Gene Simmons Family Jewels, the popular A&E reality show that features the Simmons clan, to demo the game. The episode featuring the game will air early in the upcoming season.

Noisecreep had the extreme pleasure of talking with Shannon herself about the game, the show’s new season and more.

Shannon, what’s it like to finally get some revenge against the groupies?

Believe me, you can’t make this shit up. These girls are out of their minds. So this feels really good right now. The characters were my ideas, and Sophie’s, and they are true to form. As far as choice of weapons, we kept it PG this time so kids can play with it, but I’d like to do a more hardcore version of the whole thing down the line. Basically it’s a power game – these are bitches from hell we deal with, just like in real life.
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Sealed With Another KISS: Interview With Lydia Criss, Part 1

Tim McPhate | KISSfaq

When I think of the “must-have” books for the KISS library, the ones that come to mind are “KISS Alive Forever,” “KISS: Behind The Mask” … “KISStory.” Chris Lendt’s ability to recount four-course meals from the ’70s and what “rankled” the late Bill Aucoin make “KISS And Sell” a winner. Can’t go wrong with the excellent research and extensive detail found in Julian Gill’s KISS Album Focus books. Nestled at the top of the bookshelf is also Lydia Criss’ excellent “Sealed With A KISS.”

What makes “Sealed With A KISS” arguably a cut above the rest is the personal feel of the book. It’s like looking at an insider’s personal scrapbook from the ’70s. And the photos. Criss’ book contains more than 1,500 images, offering fans a unique time capsule of a most magical period in KISS’ history as well as some great never-before-seen images from the unmasked era. Coupled with the text, it’s as if you’re right alongside Criss on not only her personal journey, but KISS’ rocket ride to superstardom.

Originally released in 2006, not surprisingly “Sealed With A KISS” ultimately sold out of its first printing. While Criss released an ebook version last year, fans’ best opportunity to land a physical copy is by scouring eBay, where copies run anywhere from $100 to $300. But that’s about to change with the second printing of “Sealed With A KISS,” which is set to be available in June. KissFAQ caught up with Lydia Criss to put her book back on the table and discuss the second printing, as well as a potpourri of KISS topics.

KissFAQ: Lydia, thanks for taking time to speak with us. We’ve been in touch for the past few months and you mentioned to me that you were working on a second printing of “Sealed With A KISS.” Can you give KISS fans an update on what’s going on in your world?

Lydia Criss: Well, first I was working on my ebook since my first printing sold out. I didn’t really think it would take long to get the second printing done. Especially since most of the work was done already. But the ebook came out during last summer. The second printing of the book is being printed in Italy now, the same place [as the first printing].

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Bill Aucoin items at charity auction this Friday

Roman Fernandez

For the Very First Time: Bill Aucoin Auction to benefit Relay for Life / The American Cancer Society

On Friday, May 11 at 12:30 pm, Acreage / Loxahatchee Relay for Life team, “Alive n Kickin,” will be holding their annual auction to benefit The American Cancer Society. This year, they are auctioning off the first ever item from original KISS manager, Bill Aucoin’s, personal collection: a yellow “Dolce and Gabbana” leather jacket. Along with the jacket comes one of Bill’s personal KISS Alive 35 All Access Badges, a Certificate of Authenticity, (Bill’s signature is a digital copy), and an 8×10 of Bill and Gene that Bill used to sign at KISS conventions. This certificate will be personalized by Collection Administrator and longtime partner, Roman Fernandez. Also included is a personal bonus gift from the Aucoin family to be disclosed at time of auction.

Auction to be held via eBay beginning May 11 and closing on May 21. Full details to be released on Friday, May 11. For any preliminary questions, please email: AlivenKickin2012@gmail.com

KISS in Adopt the Arts campaign ad

Adopt the Arts

KISS appears in this awesome ad for Adopt the Arts. Apparently Eric has abandoned his drums and is now the third guitarist for the band, or maybe he left his laser-shooting drumsticks at home….

New KISS album out by July

Irene Test | KVideo

Although he has since transformed into a reality television personality, Gene Simmons still has time for KISS. The band that made the tongue-wagging bass player famous is gearing up for their next release, an album titled Monster slated for July 2012. A follow-up to 2009’s Sonic Boom, Monster is produced by frontman Paul Stanley and is considered, by the group, one of their best releases so far. Simmons said: “[It’s] either the best or one of the top three records we’ve ever done. It’s like ‘Revenge’ meets ‘Destroyer’ – just guitar and drums, nothing else. No keyboards, no little boys’ choir, no strings, no nothing. Band-written; literally we’d get in and strum guitars like the old days.

Their 20ths studio album is more than a back-to-basics approach. Instead, it’s an effort created by the high KISS found during sessions for Sonic Boom. In discussing their quick follow-up to the 2009 album, Stanley said: “I wasn’t interested in making an album unless I was in charge and no one agreed to it half-heartedly. The band’s all there, all the time, and we cut the tracks all facing each other in the same room. Chemistry and camaraderie, that’s essential. That’s what made ‘Sonic Boom’ so great, and this album is thunderously better.

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