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December 30, 2006
INTERESTING AUCTIONS
4 Paul Stanley guitars, Kiss curtains 1978, Kiss "puffy" sticker 1978, German tourposter 1983, Hot in the Shade Promo-Pyramid  

[Comments]

December 29, 2006
PAUL STANLEY CD GIVEAWAY
Here you can enter a competition to win the new Paul Stanley CD.
[Comments]

December 29, 2006
NEW AT AMAZON
A new shirt is available through Amazon:

[Comments]

December 29, 2006
PAUL STANLEY TOURDATES
Here are the planned dates for the Paul Stanley Tourdates for Australia. Please note, that there is no official confirmation yet on those dates, but the first date at Twin Towns, Coolangatta is listed here on the clubs website under "coming attractions". The ticket is AU$ 95,- for this concert.

Wednesday 11 April
Twin Towns, Coolangatta


Friday 13 April
WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong

Saturday 14 April
Civic Theatre, Newcastle

Tuesday 17 April
Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Wednesday 18 April
Enmore Theatre, Sydney

Friday 20 April
Palais Theatre, Melbourne

Saturday 21 April
Palais Theatre, Melbourne

Tuesday 24 April
Burswood Theatre, Perth

Thursday 26 April
Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide

[Comments]

December 28, 2006
ROCK BAND KISS COMING AFTER AAA?
(from Gerweck.net)
Rock and Roll icon Gene Simmons of KISS fame was notified throught his web site that the Mexican promotion AAA had been doing an unlicensed KISS gimmick with Los Vatos Locos. Simmons apparently hinted to the promotion hearing from his lawyers.
(Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

[Comments]

December 25, 2006
KISS PHOTOS
Bravo-photographer Wolfgang Heilemann is offering some of his pictures for sale on his website www.rockfoto.de , which includes also 17 never before seen pictures from Kiss and also 17 from Gene from 1980.
Kiss1980.jpg (5879 Byte) Gene1980.jpg (4888 Byte)
[Comments]

MERRY KISSMAS
Merry X-mas to all KISS News readers!

KITS005shirtMerryKissmasfront.JPG (33897 Byte)


December 24, 2006
TALKING METAL
(from Jazan Wild)
Happy Holidays! Here's a cool interview done by the guys at Talking Metal. Thought maybe were site regulars may dig it. We cover my time with Gene Simmons, Bob Kulick and my time in the studio with Axl Rose. Also Gene and I are both at WOWIO.com Gene and Shannon have books free for download.
Keep Rocking, JAZAN

http://www.wowio.com/users/product.asp?BookId=405
http://www.wowio.com/users/product.asp?BookId=412
http://www.wowio.com/users/product.asp?BookId=411

http://www.striglsmusicnews.com/podcasts/talkingmetal/index.htm

[Comments]

December 24, 2006
INTERESTING AUCTIONS
Phantom of the park lot, Aussie "Puffy" stickers 1980, Cobo Hall pass 1976, set Kiss dolls 1978, table
d5c2_0[1].JPG (3491 Byte)
[Comments]

December 22, 2006
GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS CHARITY AUCTION
A&E TV are selling a Gene Simmons Family Jewels Deluxe DVD box to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation. The DVD box is signed by the whole Simmons family. Click here to see the auction.
[Comments]

December 21, 2006
"KISS ALBUM FOCUS, VOL.3" NOW AVAILABLE AT AMAZON
(from Amazon.com)
Seldom do bands come along that leave such an indelible mark on popular culture. During the 1970s KISS redefined what it meant to "entertain" people with their bombastic live performances and larger than life personalities. And the merchandising... During the 1980s the band fought for survival as internal strife and external competition forced an attempt to reinvent themselves. The early 1990s had seen KISS make one final gesture to be a relevant musical force, but this did not translate into the demanded success. Instead the band started looking to the past and played their final "Ace" card. Volume 3, "Roar of Greasepaint" picks up the history as they attempted to record a Reunion studio album, and the disjointed soap-opera that followed and continues. The "KISS Album Focus" is an objective look at the history of "the hottest band in the world" that destroys some KISS urban legends and confirms others.

[Comments]

December 20, 2006
EDDIE TRUNK KISSMAS RADIO SPECIAL
(from eddietrunk.com)
The Original Merry KISSmass Special! You wait for it all year and Kiss fans it's finally here! Nothing but the music of Kiss, Kiss giveaways, requests and maybe some surprise guests. Airing live 12/22 from 11PM-2AM EST on Q104.3 NYC and live online at www.q1043.com More news and updates in the Radio section of this site. Merry KISSmass and happy holidays to all!
[Comments]

December 19, 2006
KISSMAS SPECIAL ON THE HOG
(from Kissonline)
Milwaukee radio station 102.9 - the Hog - will celebrate Christmas Day with KISS. On-air personality Bob Onan will be playing wall to wall KISS tunes all day during the stations KISSmas special.

Visit the station's website at http://www.1029thehog.com . There is a link to listen to the station live - so check it out on December 25th!

[Comments]

December 19, 2006
PAUL STANLEY GUITAR
Several people are reporting, that the new Paul Stanley guitar at "Target" stores across the USA are now marked down to US $ 130,- now!
[Comments]

December 19, 2006
ESP TO PLAY IN EUROPE AGAIN NEXT YEAR
Eric Singer will be playing with his band ESP (Eric Singer Project) some shows in Europe again next year. Here are the dates so far:

Sa, 17 March 2007: Helmond (Plato), Holland
Su, 18 March 2007: Bochum (Zeche)

The show in Bochum will be the only one in Germany. Tickets for this concert can be ordered from Harald Streibl. If you order and pay your ticket by January 8th, 2007 from Harald by e-mail, you can get your ticket for just 18 Euros.
More infos soon.

[Comments]

December 17, 2006
ACE FREHLEY TO PARTICIPATE IN "SIX-STRING MASTERPIECES" DIMEBAG ART TRIBUTE
(from Blabbermouth)
Ozzy Osbourne (BLACK SABBATH) and Ace Frehley (KISS) are among the latest artists who have signed on to participate in the "Six-String Masterpieces: The Dimebag Darrell Art Tribute" — the art exhibit of guitars that have been hand-painted, illustrated and sculpted by top rockers and modern artists in tribute to one of the most influential metal guitarists of all-time, "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott of DAMAGEPLAN and PANTERA. Over the next two months, look for new Dean ML guitars painted by:

Ozzy Osbourne
Ace Frehley (KISS)
Al Jourgensen (MINISTRY)
Dean Karr (award-winning video director, photographer)
Paul Raven (MINISTRY, KILLING JOKE, PRONG)
Jim Root (SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR)
Cristina Scabbia (LACUNA COIL)
Alex Grey (legendary psychedelic artist)
Billy Gibbons (ZZ TOP)
Leslie West (MOUNTAIN)
Jamie Jasta (HATEBREED)
Aaron Lewis (STAIND)

There will be a small collection of the art guitars going to winter NAMM and then to Guitar Center Hollywood in January. More details will be made available soon.

"Six-String Masterpieces: The Dimebag Darrell Art Tribute" was on display at most of the recent Ozzfest dates. This phenomenal exhibit features original artwork, painted on a guitar, by Rob Zombie, Marilyn Manson, METALLICA, MUDVAYNE, Zakk Wylde, Kerry King, Paul Booth, GODSMACK, DEFTONES, OTEP and many other leading musicians and artists. All guitars will be auctioned off to support a music and art education foundation in the name of Dimebag Darrell Abbott.

[Comments]


December 17, 2006
JORN COVERS "NAKED CITY"
Norwegian singer "Jorn" covers Kiss' "Naked city" on his upcoming album "Unlocking the past", which will be out on January 26th, 2007.
[Comments]

December 17, 2006
CDFamilyJewelsBonusCD.jpg (36922 Byte)
GENE SIMMONS "FAMILY JEWELS" DVD OFFERS AUDIO TREAT...
(from www.kissfaq.com)
People receiving the deluxe editon of season one of Gene Simmons “Family Jewels” are receiving an audio treat. The package includes a bonus CD with two songs expected to be featured on Gene’s “MONSTER: THE GENE SIMMONS BOX SET.” The version of “You’re My Reason For Living” varies slightly from that released in 2003 on Gene’s “Sex Money KISS” audio book lunch box and Japanese version of “Asshole.” While it has more prominent drums, it lacks some of the electric guitar over-dubs and is 17 seconds longer, though most of that is the result of a longer fade-out.”

The second song is previously unreleased. “Rain Keeps Fallin’” is previously known as a song Gene demoed with members of Silent Rage around 1991. Several different lyrical versions of the song exist. Most interesting, perhaps, the riff at the start of this song can also be heard in a studio jam session with Dutch rockers Sleeze Beeze from around 1990/1 where Gene was working with the band on using his “Daily Planet” riff. They’d come up with the song “Jealous Woman” from the efforts, though the band didn’t use it. This is a great example of Gene and his creativity. “Rain Keeps Fallin’” was being developed during the COS sessions, with one September 1993 re-write being known with interesting lyrics such as “Burning crosses in my own back yard” and “My name’s on a cool headstone with a pretty rose.”
[Comments]

December 17, 2006
GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS DVD
(from Kissonline)
The Gene Simmons - Family Jewels - Season One DVD will be released on December 19 and features all 13 original episodes from the debut season, exclusive interviews with the Simmons family, cast Biographies, photo gallery, interactive menu and scene selection.

Also available on the 19th is the Gene Simmons - Family Jewels - Season One Signature Series Collector's Set - exclusively at Amazon.com. This set features 2 DVDs with all 13 episodes of season one, 1 DVD with a feature length presentation of BIOGRAPHY: GENE SIMMONS, 20-page hardcover family photo album with photos personally selected by Gene as well as his commentary, a bonus CD with two unreleased songs from Gene, the never-broadcast pilot of Gene Simmons Family Jewels and more!

DVDFamilyJewelsDeluxe2006.jpg (26937 Byte)
[Comments]

December 15, 2006
BRUCE KULICK TO APPEAR AT SOUTH AMERICAN EXPOS
(from kulick.net)
Bruce will be the special guest at the KISS Expo in Lima, Peru on December 16, 2006. The event will be held at Barza Marina Park. The Expo opens at 1:00p.m. and the live performances will start at 8:00p.m. KISS tribute band "Tributo a KISS-Peru" will perform in full make-up and costume.

Bruce will be the special guest at the Fiesta KISS in Santiago, Chile on December 19, 2006. The event will be held at La Batuta (Plaza Ñuñoa). The performances will start at 10:00p.m. Performing will be Kisserblood and Revenge, and Bruce will appear on stage for a short set as well as meet fans.

[Comments]

December 15, 2006
KISS SAVE SANTA CLAUS
(from www.uncut.co.uk)
FamilyGuy.jpg (22382 Byte)
Everyday, we bring you the best thing we've seen on YouTube -- a great piece of archive footage, a music promo or a clip from one of our favourite movies of TV shows.
Today: Watch Gene Simmons and cohorts save Santa Claus, in this clip taken from Emmy- award winning US cartoon sitcom, Family Guy.
This clip is taken from a movie being watched by Peter within the Christmas special episode.
Simmons saves Santa from the pterodactyls by playing the “screech of his guitar.”
Best line –“Everyone to the Kiss-copter!”
The Family Guy Christmas Special is available on DVD now - along with a great New Years' Eve episode when the apocalyse comes to Quahog.

Check out an animated Kiss here
[Comments]


December 15, 2006
KISS FAN ROOM
Many Kiss fans store their Kiss stuff in a special Kiss room, but does anyone have a room that looks anything close to the one from Patrick Viguier? See pics from his room here.
[Comments]


December 15, 2006
ALIVE! BOX SET BONUS TRACKS
People who ordered the Alive Box set online at the "Best buy" website should have received a replacement CD of the Millennium concert that feature the 2 Bonus Tracks at the end of the disc. See here how it looks like. However, a lot of people who bought it in a Best buy store still could not get their replacement CD, because a lot of stores simply are not aware of it and just don't have a replacement disc...
[Comments]


December 13, 2006
GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS
The first season of "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" will be officially released on DVD on December 19th, 2006. Amazon has already begun to send out their orders for the DVD. They are now availabe for a special price..
[Comments]

December 13, 2006
JAPANESE KISS ALIVE! 1975 - 2000 BOX SET
The Japanese Alive Box set has been released. It looks slightly different, but has the same tracks on it. See some pictures here.
[Comments]


December 13, 2006
KISSOLOGY
The first printing (supposedly about 150.000 - 200.000 copies) of the Kissology DVD Box is almost sold out, some stores are already selling it WITHOUT the Bonus Disc. Also at Amazon you can get Kissology with the Bonus Disc only through third parties. If you are looking for one WITH Bonus Disc, watch out, there is also a version WITHOUT the Bonus Disc now available at Amazon (check out the "number of discs: 3"). The links to Amazon to Kissology on this site and at the shop link only to the version WITH the Bonus Disc. The DVD is not available in Europe.

According to Tommy Thayer, Kissology reached already quadruple Platinum sales status and is by far the best selling Kiss video/DVD in history! Kissology Vol. 2 (1978 - 1992) will be out next year.

[Comments]


December 13, 2006
PAUL STANLEY RINGTONES
Some ringtones from Paul Stanleys Solo Album can be purchased now directly from Pauls website www.paulstanley.com .
[Comments]

December 13, 2006
KISS FOREVER BAND RELEASE NEW CD
Hungarian Kiss Tribute Band "Kiss Forever" have just released their third album called "Live§Loud". It is a 15-track live album recorded in Budapest in Hungary on their 10th Anniversary show. The fans can order the album through their website www.kissforeverband.hu or just drop an e-mail to kissmail@kissforeverband.hu.

You can catch them somewhere on tour next year:

26.01. (Fri) Celle (D) – CD Kaserne
27.01. (Sat) Frankfurt (D) – Musikkeller
08.02. (Thu) Wien (A) – Planet Music
09.02. (Fri) Reinheim (D) – Weinhof
10.02. (Sat) Pforzheim (D) – Rooney’s
16.02. (Fri) Lienz (A) – Creative Center
17.02. (Sat) TBA (A)
19.02. (Mon) TBA (A)
23.02. (Fri) Budakalász (H) – Motorock Pub
02.03. (Fri) Lorsch (D) – Musiktheater Rex
03.03. (Sat) Ortenberg (D) – Eulenspiegel Rock Cafe
09.03. (Fri) Heemskerk (NL) - Donkey
10.03. (Sat) Valkenburg (NL) – De Terp
12.03. (Mon) Newcastle (UK) – Trillians
13.03. (Tue) TBA (UK)
14.03. (Wed) Warsop (UK) – Black Market
15.03. (Thu) East Sussex (UK) – Assembly Hall
16.03. (Fri) Wolverhampton (UK) – Robin 2
17.03. (Sat) London (UK) – Underworld
23.03. (Fri) TBA (A)
24.03. (Sat) Biberist (CH) – Rockpalast
29.03. (Thu) Augsburg (D) – Spectrum Club / Masters Of Rock
30. (Fri) Reichenbach-Fils (D) – Die Halle
31.03. (Sat) Mörlenbach-Weiher (D) – Music Hall
20.04. (Fri) TBA (D)
21.04. (Sat) Bad Aibling (D) – Fliegerhalle / Oablinger Rocknacht
27.04. (Fri) TBA (D)
28.04. (Sat) Perkam (D) – MC Bavaria Party
30.04. (Mon) Landshut (D) – Alte Kaserne
18.05. (Fri) Bern (CH) – Bierhübeli
19.05. (Sat) Conthey (CH) – Alchemy Tattoo Expo
25.05. (Fri) TBA (NL)
26.05. (Sat) Bussloo (NL) - Super Rally 2007
08.06. (Fri) TBA (D)
09.06. (Sat) Kirchheim-Teck (D) – Musiknacht
15.06. (Fri) TBA (D)
16.06. (Sat) Lehrte (D) – Rocknacht
23.06. (Sat) Traun (A) – Stadtfest
07.07. (Sat) Polgárdi (H) – Biker Festival
05.10. (Fri) Filderstadt (D) – Alte Mühle
06.10. (Sat) Willmeringen (D) – MOSH Club / Rocktoberfestival

[Comments]


December 9, 2006
KISS AUCTIONS
Some of this weeks interesting auctions include the Kiss Coca Cola bottle, Brazilian 6 LP set, some very rare singles and LPs, a Kiss pin used to promote the first album and more. You can check out a big list of the 75 most interesting items this week on eBay with photos and direct links to the auctions right here.
[Comments]

December 9, 2006
PAUL ON EXTRA THIS WEEKEND
(from Kissonline)
Paul will appear on EXTRA TV this weekend - December 9 & 10. Please visit the link below for all local airing times of the national syndication televison show: http://extratv.warnerbros.com/v2/about/whenitson.html .
[Comments]


December 8, 2006
KISS COCA COLA BOTTLE
The French mega-rare and extremely sought after Coca Cola bottle is now up on eBay...
e303_0[1].JPG (2083 Byte)
[Comments]

December 8, 2006
KISS IN THE PRESS
The November-issue of the Mexican magazine "Leyendas" featured Kiss on the cover. It is on eBay right now...

[Comments]


December 7, 2006
SOON ENDING INTERESTING AUCTIONS
1976 Tourbook, Dynasty Guitar Picks, dolls set, Gene picture with hair on fire, Japan Originals Promo Poster, Lunch Box, Set 1978 Solo Album Poster, Gene Halloween costume

[Comments]


December 7, 2006

ASK TOMMY
(from Kissonline)
QUESTION: Hi Tommy, How are you? Myself - I am having KISS withdrawals!! What have you been up to since KISS last played in the summer? Do you see your band mates when your off the road? Best --- James Nichols, Boise, Idaho

ANSWER (Tommy): I stay busy with KISS oriented projects; the main one in the past year has been KISSOLOGY. There's always enough going on in the world of KISS, and particularly new developing projects that I keep an eye on, to stay busy when KISS isn't touring. I see the guys regularly, although everybody's busy with a million different things.

QUESTION: Hey Tommy, I'd like to know if you had a chance to see Paul play on the LIVE TO WIN Tour. If so, what did you think of the show? I caught 3 shows myself and I have to tell you I was very impressed with Paul and the band. --- Rich Madden, Tempe, Arizona

ANSWER (Tommy): I saw Paul's show in Hollywood at HOB and it was fantastic. I actually went to several of his rehearsals pre-tour to check things out too.

QUESTION: Hi Tommy!!! KISSOLOGY rules!! Were you involved in the first part at all? Will you be involved in future volumes? What did you think of Volume 1? Thanks. --- Thomas Powell, Muncie, Indiana

ANSWER (Tommy): I've been involved with KISSOLOGY from the start. Vol. 1 has sold huge numbers already and was recently certified quadruple-platinum for sales. It's an essential to the collection of any KISS fan. Alex & Roger Coletti have done a great job producing and editing the footage and they've done their work in New York. I worked together with the Colettis on the creative and conceptual side and made sure they get everything they need from KISS to make a phenomenal product. Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 are forthcoming in 2007/08 and even more is in the planning stages after that.

Hi Tommy, I am somewhat of a new KISS fan, my first show was at Chumash Casino and what a show it was!! The next day I bought every KISS CD I could find. What was your first KISS memory that you recall? Thank You! ---Denise McFaren, Abington, MA

ANSWER (Tommy): The great thing about the in-your-face exclusivity of a show like Chumash, is not only is it a rare opportunity to see KISS in such an environment, but the band gets off on the energy just as much as the fans do. My first KISS-memory was leafing through the pages of Circus-Raves magazine at a local grocery store sometime in 1974 and discovering a live review of this incredible new shocking band.

QUESTION: Tommy, Your KISS show on TV here in Japan was great. You and the band looked like you had much fun at the FUJI Show. I think this was one of your best shows in Japan. Do you have good feelings about this show? Thank you --- Aito Yamamoto, Nagoya, Japan

ANSWER (Tommy): I saw a copy of the Fuji show broadcast from NHK TV in Japan and it was kickin.' When we were standing side-stage right before our intro, it was raining sideways and we looked at each other and thought, well this should be interesting. Japan tours and particularly the Japanese KISS fans are some of the best in the world, always GREAT.

[Comments]


December 7, 2006

TOMMY THAYER SELLS "BLACK'N BLUE" T-SHIRTS
Tommy Thayer stated on his official website www.tommythayer.com, that he has found some vintage original "Black'n' Blue" T-shirts from 1984/85. You can buy them on his website for US $ 50 - 75,- each plus postage.
[Comments]

December 7, 2006

PAUL STANLEY TOUR IN AUSTRALIA?
(von melodicrock.com)
Paul Stanley looks like booking a solo tour for Australia for early-mid 2007. Stay tuned.....
[Comments]

December 7, 2006

BRUCE KULICK
(from kulick.net)
Bruce has officially entered the studio to begin recording his next solo CD, which for now is "titled" BK3. He has decided to keep a Studio Blog to let fans follow the process of recording the new CD, and among other things he shares is that he's looking for title suggestions from the fans! Click here to check out Bruce's Studio Blog!
[Comments]

December 6, 2006
VINTAGE KISS PHOTOS
Ron Pownall has some nice old photos on his website to purchase.
[Comments]

December 6, 2006
DVD CLIP COLLECTION CANCELLED
The DVD Clip collection "The defintive collection - Lick it up" was supposed to come out in Japan on January 31st, 2007. But the release has now been cancelled by the record company (again). The DVD should have been released worldwide already this year, but had been delayed.
Someone, who ordered the DVD in Japan has received the following message:

"We just received a notice from the label (Universal Music) that they cancelled the release of the item below which was included with your order.

Lick It Up - The Definitive
KISS
(UIBO-1120)

Therefore, we needed to cancel it from your order.

At this time, there is no indication to show that it might be released later in the future."

[Comments]

December 6, 2006
KISS SHOP WINDOW
(from backyardbabies.com)
Dregen has designed a shop window at the Stockholm department store PUB. Click here to see the fantastic replica of the Kiss 'Alive' album cover - gingerbread style!
[Comments]

December 5, 2006
GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS DVD-REVIEW
(from DVD talk)

The Show
There isn't much new under the reality TV sun and anyone who thinks otherwise is only deluding themselves -- every new show to hit the air and follow around "fill in the blank" is a copy of a copy of a copy; so it goes with the A&E program Gene Simmons Family Jewels, which debuted in August 2006 -- it's hard not to consider this half-hour a near-blatant rip-off of "The Osbournes," but where Ozzy and company stumble around heaving frozen turkeys and swearing at bubble machines, Gene Simmons, his partner of two-plus decades Shannon Tweed and his kids, Nick and Sophie, are down-to-earth, startlingly normal folks. Well, as normal as the family of a fire-breathing, blood-spitting, face-painted Seventies rock god can be.

It's not groundbreaking, but it is entertaining -- and thankfully not in the creepy voyeuristic sense that pervaded "The Osbournes" as that show wound down. Gene and Shannon are two people whose parenting skills are admirable, rather than dumfounding, which drains a lot of potential drama from the series, making the Simmons clan more affable and friendly than probably 90 percent of those who ever make it onto a reality show. Interspersing interviews with the Simmons family (and Shannon's wacky sister Tracy) amid footage of the family going about their daily routines -- from attending the Adult Video News Awards to signing up for facelifts -- Gene Simmons Family Jewels embraces its stereotypical nuclear family tropes and exploits them to great effect. This quartet is affecting, goofy and compulsively watchable; it wasn't hard for me to breeze through all 13 half-hour (actually closer to 22 minutes) episodes in just a few sittings.

Over the course of this first season, a multitude of little plot lines develop and play out, most notably building to a finale that culminates in a genuine cliffhanger, which ties together many of the show's themes in a surprising fashion. Sure, a lot of what you see onscreen is manipulated and planned (as evidenced by the supplements) but the people involved in the situations are real, which helps Gene Simmons Family Jewels rise above what is quickly becoming a pop culture slur: reality TV. You don't have to be a foot soldier in the KISS Army to enjoy Gene Simmons Family Jewels -- but I'm betting it wouldn't hurt.

A&E has packaged the first season of Gene Simmons Family Jewels in a two-disc keepcase with no insert (although an episode guide is easily locatable on the network's Web site). Seven episodes are on the first disc, with the remaining six episodes plopped on disc two, along with the bulk of the special features.

The DVD

The Video:
Presented as originally broadcast in 1.33:1 fullscreen, Gene Simmons Family Jewels looks OK, but not as sharp as it probably could -- there's a lot of softness and occasional fuzzy edginess to the image, which detracts from an otherwise defect-free presentation. The interview segments are presented in non-anamorphic widescreen and also suffer from the fleeting image defects. It's surprisingly that a show so recently broadcast would look less than stellar.

The Audio:
Again, as originally broadcast, Gene Simmons Family Jewels arrives on DVD sporting a perfectly adequate Dolby 2.0 stereo soundtrack that conveys all the laughter, lamentations and looniness in crystal clear fashion. Occasionally, forced English subtitles will assist the sequences that feature dismal dialogue volume, but those are few and far between.

The Extras:
Supplementally speaking, there are those who might feel bummed that the Simmons family doesn't contribute any commentary tracks, but given that, uh, the entire show revolves around them talking, it's not terribly surprising that the foursome didn't sit for a chat. What is on hand, however, is worth sifting through. On the first disc, the lone extra is a 22 minute, 35 second "rough cut" of the pilot, titled "Happily Unmarried," which suffers even more so from iffy image quality. The second disc contains the meat of the bonus features with a handful of featurettes, playable separately or all together: the 11 minute, 19 second "The Unseen Couch Interviews"; the 14 minute, three second "Inside The Demons Lair with Gene"; the three minute, 52 second "Gene's History of Rock and Roll"; the four minute, 39 second "Bloopers"; the six minute, 51 second "Behind the Makeup" and the 10 minute, five second "Gene Simmons: 24/7." It's probably worth pointing out that for diehard soldiers in the KISS Army, a "Signature Series" edition of this set exists: in addition to what's on the DVDs, it comes with a 20-page hardcover family photo album, a bonus CD with two songs from a forthcoming Gene Simmons boxed set and a DVD containing the Gene Simmons "Biography" episode.

Final Thoughts:
It's hard not to consider Gene Simmons Family Jewels a near-blatant rip-off of "The Osbournes," but where Ozzy and company stumble around heaving frozen turkeys and swearing at bubble machines, Gene Simmons, his partner of two-plus decades Shannon Tweed and his kids, Nick and Sophie, are down-to-earth, startlingly normal folks. Well, as normal as the family of a fire-breathing, blood-spitting, face-painted Seventies rock god can be. Recommended.


[Comments]

December 5, 2006
VINNIE VINCENT CLIP
Some video-clips of Vinnie Vincent performing live with a Tribute band at the Stockholm Expo 1996 with make-up have been posted on Youtube. Click here to view the performance of "War machine".
VinnieVincent1996Stockholm.jpg (5625 Byte)
[Comments]

December 5, 2006
PAUL ART EHXIBITIONS
(from paulstanley.com)
Wentworth Gallery, one of the nation's leading fine art retailers, is proud to present two art exhibitions by artist and rock icon lead singer of KISS Paul Stanley. He will make two special appearances at the Wentworth Galleries on Friday February 9th in Hackensack and on Saturday February 10th in Short Hills. Both appearances are open to the public and free of charge.

Paul Stanley's New Jersey Wentworth Gallery Appearances:

Friday February 9, 2007 6 - 9 PM
Wentworth Gallery - Riverside Square Mall
171 Riverside Square
Hackensack, NJ
RSVP 201-488-7661

Saturday February 10, 2007 4 - 7 PM
Wentworth Gallery - Short Hills Mall
1200 Morris Turnpike
Short Hills, NJ
RSVP 973-564-9776

[Comments]

December 4, 2006

HIT PARADER'S ALL TIME TOP 100 HEAVY METAL VOCALISTS
Hit Parader announced this years results of the "Top 100 Heavy Metal vocalists of all time". Here are the results:
01. Robert Plant
02. Rob Halford
03. Steven Tyler
04. Chris Cornell
05. Bon Scott
06. Freddie Mercury
07. Bruce Dickinson
08. Ozzy Osbourne
09. Paul Rodgers
10. Ronnie James Dio
11. Axl Rose
12. Sammy Hagar
13. Geddy Lee
14. Geoff Tate
15. Mick Jagger
16. Jonathan Davis
17. Roger Daltrey
18. Paul Stanley

19. David Lee Roth
20. Kurt Cobain
21. Maynard James Keenan
22. Klaus Meine
23. Eddie Vedder
24. James Hetfield
25. Trent Reznor
26. Serj Tankian
27. Layne Staley
28. Steve Perry
29. Gene Simmons

30. Joe Elliott
31. Jon Bon Jovi
32. Alice Cooper
33. Vince Neil
34. Steve Marriott
35. Lajon Witherspoon
36. Sebastian Bach
37. Philip Anselmo
38. Zack De La Rocha
39. Brian Johnson
40. Bret Michaels
41. Udo Dirkschneider
42. David Draiman
43. Ian Gillian
44. Marilyn Manson
45. Jeff Keith
46. Chester Bennington
47. Sully Erna
48. Lemmy Kilmister
49. Aaron Lewis
50. Brett Scallions
51. Chino Moreno
52. Rob Zombie
53. Anthony Kiedis
54. David Coverdale
55. Gary Cherone
56. Andrew Wood
57. Scott Weiland
58. Tom Araya
59. Phil Lynnot
60. Rod Stewart
61. Scooter Ward
62. Ray Davies
63. Sonny Sandoval
64. David Bowie
65. Joan Jett
66. Josey Scott
67. Perry Farrell
68. Scott Stapp
69. Amy Lee
70. Don Dokken
71. Fred Durst
72. Mike Shinoda
73. Pepper Keenan
74. Dez Fafara
75. Gavin Rossdale
76. Blackie Lawless
77. Dave Wyndorf
78. Ann Wilson
79. Jimi Hendrix
80. Ville Valo
81. Peter Steele
82. Dave Williams
83. Dee Snider
84. Joe Lynn Turner
85. King Diamond
86. Corey Taylor
87. Jamey Jasta
88. Justin Hawkins
89. Dave Mustaine
90. Ian Astbury
91. Stephen Pearcy
92. Phil Mogg
93. Biff Byford
94. Cristina Scabbia
95. Dani Filth
96. Wes Scantlin
97. Tim "Ripper" Owens
98. Joshua Todd
99. Kevin Dubrow
100. Ray Gillen

[Comments]

December 3, 2006

WIN A PAUL STANLEY GUITAR
Click here to enter a contest where you can win a Paul Stanley guitar.
[Comments]

December 2, 2006

KISS ATTORNEYS FORCE KITTIE TO CHANGE NAME OF RECORD LABEL
(from Blabbermouth)
Canadian all-girl metal band KITTIE has changed the name of its record label to X of Infamy from the previously announced Kiss of Infamy after reportedly receiving a cease-and-desist letter from attorneys representing Kiss Catalog Ltd. (the owner of the intellectual property rights pertaining to the musical group KISS) alleging that the Kiss of Infamy mark appeared to be "confusingly similar" to their client's mark.

[Comments]

December 2, 2006

BEST BUY FIASCO
All "Best Buy" stores in the US were supposed to have 2 Bonus Tracks (2.000 man & God of thunder) on the "Alive! 1975 - 2000" Box set. It even mentioned those on the sticker on the box set. But indeed none of those Box sets sold at "Best buy" had those tracks. Universal Music now printed extra discs with these 2 tracks and ships them to all "Best buy" stores. After next week people can get one of those for free with a receipt of purchase of the "Alive! Box set" at a "Best buy" store. It is yet unknown, how those Bonus Tracks will be brought to those people, who ordered it online at "Best buy"...
[Comments]

December 1, 2006

PAUL STANLEY INTERVIEW
Click here to read a new interview with Paul Stanley at livedaily.com.
[Comments]

December 1, 2006

BEFORE KISS DVD
(from Amazon.com)
Originally made back in 1999. This video finally sees the light of day on DVD. See what happens when 3 kiss fans go into New York with a video camera. They go crazy!!! See how the 3 KISS fans go into New York City and document everything they can on their hero's KISS. You will follow the 3 to Paul and and Gene's childhood home, they go inside the The Daisy, The Loft on 23rd Street and Electric Lady Studios. Over 15 locations in all. There are also interviews with fans that saw KISS in the 70's as well as original merchandise. We have 1 interview with a fan that knew Paul before they made it big. ***SPECIAL FEATURE*** This DVD includes the 1st ever KISS Tour guide of New York. Are you going to New York? Make it a KISS Tour. Listed in this DVD are the addresses of everywhere the 3 went and even a few that they didn't. Get your copy today!!! ***Special Note*** Approx 2 months after the shooting of this video in 1999, The Daisy burned down. This DVD has the only footage of that club. You can a promo of this dvd on youtube. Search before kiss promo. Sites Visited include: Paul Stanley's Childhood home, Gene Simmons Childhood Home, Site of Coventry, Site of Diplomat Hotel, Site of the Academy of Music, Paul's Junior High School, Gene's Junior and High School, Ace's High School, The Loft on 23rd Street (they go inside), Madison Square Garden, The Daisy (they go inside), The Pleasure Chest (where they used to get outfits), Electric Lady Studios (they go inside), Dressed to Kill Cover location, Pete's block and some of the coolest real KISS fan interviews you have ever seen.


[Comments]