March 31, 2008
JAY MESSINA
(from Rockpages.gr)
JAY MESSINA: “Gene and Paul couldn’t stop laughing…”!

Dear Sir,

We continue our year-long KISS special article with the seventh interview with a KISS-related figure.

This week we publish an interview with Jay Messina, engineer of Destroyer, Dynasty and Unmasked. Mr. Messina remembers those recordings. Here’s an excerpt where he talks about Destroyer:

Rockpages.gr: You have  been linked with KISS during their heyday and you were the engineer on  (arguably) their best studio record ("Destroyer"). What do you remember from that recording experience and do you have any unpublished or funny story from that period?

Jay Messina: When I first met the band, to record Destroyer, they seemed like just a bunch of regular guys. They hadn’t enjoyed most of the success that was to follow. Of course they were big stars already, but it seemed to me, for them it didn’t really sink in yet. They were very accommodating in the studio and listened to Bob Ezrin’s suggestions with open ears. In the back of one of Record Plants’ studios was a hallway that was great for drum sounds. So we set up the drums back there, along with Gene, so they could have eye contact. However, we could not see them from the control room. This hallway was a common place for the rest of the building, so occasionally someone would exit the service elevator and walk past this area. During a take, that was sounding really good, suddenly Peter and Gene stopped playing and all we heard in the control room was several seconds of silence (from them), then they both started laughing uncontrollably. When they walked back into the studio, everybody was curious what they were laughing about.  What had happened was, as Gene and Peter were playing, some sanitation people came to pick up some garbage from the hallway. When they walked in, they heard the music and just stopped and starred at Gene and Peter. So, after what seemed like a long time, Gene couldn’t keep from laughing any longer, so he stopped playing and after 10 seconds of silence he and Peter both got hysterical, laughing. They came back in the studio and told us the story. The rest of the album was fun and I knew it was going to be a good one for them before we even finished mixing it. The “Beth” session was lots of fun. Bob thought it would be a good idea for everybody that was working on the session (himself, me, my assistant, all the people at A&R) to be wearing “tails” (tuxedos). Also, when the orchestra and boys choir showed up, they all put on tux T shirts.  The band showed up in full make up.  It was quite a sight and sounded great!      

You can find the whole interview on:

http://www.rockpages.gr/kissspecial2008/7-JayMessina-en.htm
[Comments]

March 31, 2008
ACE FREHLEY TO PLAY IN HOLLAND
According to a posting in the Kiss Forum, Ace Frehley will be playing in Tilburg at the 013 on June 11th, 2008.
[Comments]

March 31, 2008
DUTCH AD
(from Ad van Hoeffelen)
Here's the add for Arrow festival Nijmegen Netherlands, this add was used in some big newspapers in Holland.

[Comments]

March 29, 2008
GREEK CONCERT POSTER
(from Louis Kostopoulos)
This is the concert poster from Athens, Greece.

[Comments]

March 29, 2008
KISS ON ROADIE CREW COVER
(from Kissonline)
KISS is featured on the cover of the new Roadie Crew magazine. The issue hits stands in Brazil and Portugal on April 2nd. Eight pages are dedicated to KISS, including interviews with Gene, Eric and Tommy!

[Comments]

March 28, 2008
KISS & ALICE COOPER
Eric Singer has posted some new pics on his website, including one of Kiss with Alice Cooper

[Comments]

March 28, 2008
ACE FREHLEY ALBUM DELAYED
Surprise surprise! Ace's album is now delayed until the end of the year. This is what Eddie Trunk posted on his website blog. He also said, that Ace has called into his XM radio show. He talked about the recent controversy about Tommy singing "Shock me", playing on the bill at the Download festival and more. Click here to read what Ace supposedly said.
[Comments]

March 28, 2008
ACE FREHLEY
Ace has added "Fractured Mirror" to his set list on his Las Vegas show from March 26th.
In related Ace news, according to the Kiss Army Norway, he will be playing in Oslo on June 7th.
Meanwhile you can find a lot of clips from recent Ace shows on YouTube.
[Comments]

March 27, 2008
LATVIAN KISS POSTER & CLIP
(from Kissonline)
Here's the promo poster for KISS' Riga, Latvia show!
CLICK HERE to view a Latvian promo video for the KISS show.

Thanks to Arturs from Latvia for sending us in the image and the link!
[Comments]

March 27, 2008
ROCK 2 WELLINGTON PROMOTER LOST MONEY
According to this article, the "Rock 2 Wellington" promoter has lost almost one million Dollars with the festival.
[Comments]

March 26, 2008
GENE NOT BALD
(from genesimmons.com)
Emails have been pouring in re the bald pic of me (scroll down below). That was a stunt we did for our show. You'll see it soon. No. I'm not bald. It's done by greasing down your hair and then a skull cap (like a swimming cap) is worn. Makeup over that. And, presto. Bald!!!

[Comments]

March 26, 2008
STARS INTERVIEW EACH OTHER
Click here to hear stars interview each other. Robert Plants asks Kiss. Kiss asks Alice Cooper etc.
[Comments]

March 24, 2008
GERMAN CONCERT POSTERS
Concert posters for the German shows have been put on the walls all over Germany these days in 2 different sizes (A1 & A0). There are already a couple of pictures in the Forum. Here is one of them.
[Comments]

March 24, 2008
KISS IN THE PRESS
The new issue of the German "Metal Hammer" (April 2008) includes a full page ad for the German concerts. See it.
In "Vanity Fair" (Germany, Nr. 13 from 20.3.2008) is a two page article on Kiss.
In "In" (Germany, Nr. 13 from 19.3.2008) is also a two page article on Kiss.
[Comments]

March 23, 2008
KISS TO ROCK LATVIA
(from Kissonline)
KISS just added a Riga, Latvia concert date to their massive KISS ALIVE / 35 World Tour. The band will perform in Latvia for the first time ever on May 22.
Tickets for KISS' show at Arena Riga, go on sale March 31.
[Comments]

March 22, 2008
ROCK 2 WELLINGTON
Kiss performed in Wellington in New Zealand tonight in front of 24.000 fans. The stadium (capacity about 30.000) was not sold out. Opening bands included Lordi and Alice Cooper.

Set-list:
Deuce
Shout It Out Loud
Lick It Up
I Love It Loud
Firehouse
Calling Dr. Love
Shock Me
Let Me Go, Rock 'N' Roll
100,000 Years
God Of Thunder (Gene got stuck again!)
Black Diamond
Love Gun
Detroit Rock City
Shandi
I Was Made For Lovin' You
Rock And Roll All Nite

Click here to see some photos from the show.

Kiss will continue the tour in Oberhausen on May 9th!
[Comments]

March 22, 2008
BRIAN SCHEUBLE
(from Rockpages.gr)
We continue our year-long KISS special article with the sixth interview with a KISS-related figure.

This week we publish an interview with Brian Scheuble, engineer of Alive III. Mr. Scheuble remembers those recordings. Here’s an excerpt:

Rockpages.gr: Alive III has a very polished sound. Was there a lot of re-work done in the studio?

Brian Scheuble: I'd say we did some, but not "out of the ordinary" amount.  

Rockpages.gr: Did you have the chance to meet the members of KISS? If yes, what was your impression of them?

Brian Scheuble: Yes, they were all very nice.  Gene was always very funny.  Most were busy with their lives, so they were not around much.  Gene & Paul came around often.  And both were great, I really enjoyed their company.

You can find the whole interview on:
http://www.rockpages.gr/kissspecial2008/6-BrianScheuble-en.htm
[Comments]

March 22, 2008
GENE SIMMONS ATTEMPTS TO BREAK PIZZA EATING RECORD
Click here to see Gene taking part in a competition to attempt breaking a Pizza eating record befor the "Rock 2 Wellington" concert.
[Comments]

March 22, 2008
ROCK 2 WELLINGTON TICKETS UP FOR GRABS BEFORE BIG EVENT
Click here to see a report from yesterday about the upcoming Rock 2 Wellington event. It says, that Kiss have put in a special request for their show on Saturday night. They're filming a DVD so they have requested to promoters that stadium is packed - you can't say no to KISS so we've got a few hundred tickets to give away.
[Comments]

March 21, 2008
KISS CELEBRATES THE 35-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF ITS DEBUT
(from goldminemag.com)
Ken Sharp
By December, 1972, with the addition of lead guitarist, Ace Frehley, KISS was born. KISS’ mission was simple: They wanted to conquer the world. But, the job wouldn’t be easy. Go back to the beginning with Peter Criss, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley and more! read more...
[Comments]

March 21, 2008
MORE PHOTOS FROM SYDNEY
Click here to see a Photo Gallery with more photos from Sydney.
[Comments]

March 21, 2008
PHOTOS FROM SYDNEY
Click here to see some photos from Sydney as well as an interview with Tommy Thayer.
[Comments]

March 21, 2008
MORE CLIPS FROM SYDNEY
You can find some more clips from Sydney on YouTube:
Gene spitting fire
Deuce
Shock me
I was made for lovin' you
[Comments]

March 21, 2008
FREE KISS COMICS
You can now download Kiss 4K comics No. 1 - 5 here for free.
[Comments]

March 20, 2008
DEUCE
Click here to see Deuce live from Sydney.
[Comments]

March 20, 2008
KISS IN SYDNEY
(from Alex Fedotov)
Just return from Acer arena! It was packed!
Very nice day in my life!!!
Today I meet with ALL KISS band!!!
In the other news: KISS play the same set-list like in Melbourne and Brisbane.
No surprised!
Just BEST OF THE BEST SHOW!! They played 108 minutes!
Prices for merchandise:
tourbook: A$ 25,- = € 15,-
shirts: A$ 50,- = € 30,-
girls shirts: A$ 55,- = € 32,-

[Comments]

March 20, 2008
FIRST EVER KANSAS CITY FAN EXPO
(from getalifeinc.com)
Get A Life Inc presents the first ever Kansas City KISS Expo. Get ready for another great KISS Expo!

The 2008 Kansas City KISS Expo will be held Sunday April 13th from 1:00PM to 8:00PM
(12:00PM for VIP holders)
Marriott Kansas City Overland Park
10800 Metcalf Avenue
Overland Park, KS 66210

For hotel rooms - call (913)451-8000 and ask for the special KISS Expo rate! Cutoff date for special room rate is 3/27/08 so order quickly. After that date they will have a very limited number of rooms at that rate if any.

Special guest is Bruce Kulick (KISS, Grand Funk Railroad and ESP). Bruce is best known as lead guitarist for KISS from 1984 to 1996. Bruce recently appeared on Paul Stanley's solo record Live To Win, playing bass. Bruce also takes part any many projects with the Eric Singer Project. He will do a Q/A and be available for photos and autographs throughout the day.

Dressed To Kill is a KISS tribute band from Tulsa, Oklahoma which tours the central US.  Performing in Alive! era costumes. Dressed To Kill prides itself on delivering believable characters, stage presence and all the signature special effects and authentic music of a mid-70's KISS concert. Dressed To Kill will be performing a set of the best KISS Klassics!

Children 12 and under get in free! KISS merchandise and collectibles will be on sale throughout the day. There will be giveaways and contests too.

VIP ticket holders will be able to get in one hour early (12pm) and get a FREE KISS collectible. VIP tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Regular admission is $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Help us make the first ever Kansas City KISS Expo a huge success!

For vendor information contact us at:
sstierwalt@getalifeinc.com

For more info keep checking in!
[Comments]

March 19, 2008
TOMMY DEBUTS SIGNATURE AMPLIFIER
(from Kissonline)
Hughes & Kettner proudly announces the launch of the "Tommy Thayer Signature Edition" DuoTone Head.

Hughes & Kettner has collaborated closely with Tommy Thayer (guitarist with the rock giants KISS), to bring out a signature version of its classic tube amp the DuoTone Head.

The release of the Tommy Thayer Signature Edition DuoTone coincides with the launch of the highly anticipated KISS Alive 35 world tour that kicks off in Melbourne, Australia on March 16th, and extends to sold-out concerts in Europe and the UK throughout May and June this year.

This signature version - the "Tommy Thayer Signature Edition DuoTone" - replaces the current amp and includes very specifically a customized illuminated front plate bearing both Tommy's signature and also his own mask emblem.

Also included with the amp is a certificate of authenticity personally signed and numbered by Tommy, and a Tommy Thayer Signature Duotone poster.

In addition, the amp covering is a very special Hughes & Kettner "signature edition tolex" giving it a very unique look, and with an optional 412 cabinet to match!

Last but not least, the amp is set up and biased exactly how Tommy likes it – and you will never find out what that is until you play one! Needless to say, the gut-wrenching tone you would expect is all there, and much, much more!

There is one more thing.

Tommy has very kindly decided to donate all his royalties earned from sales of the amp to The Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. This is a wonderful gesture from Tommy, which we are very proud and happy to carry out on his behalf.

(Children's Hospital Los Angeles was founded in 1901 and has been treating the most seriously ill and injured children in the Greater Los Angeles area for more than a century. It is acknowledged throughout the United States and around the world for its leadership in pediatric and adolescent health care).

The Tommy Thayer Signature Edition Duotone is launched on the Hughes & Kettner booth in Halle 4.2 during the Frankfurt Messe, and will then be available from selected stores around the world from May 2008 onwards.

For further details of this and all our products, please visit our booth during the Frankfurt Messe, or go on line to www.hughes-and-kettner.com for further information.
[Comments]

March 19, 2008
GENE'S FLYING ACT GOES WRONG IN BRISBANE
(from Wim Rueter)
Click here to see how Gene's flying act goes wrong in Brisbane.
[Comments]

March 19, 2008
KISS IN BRISBANE
12.000 people attended the show in Brisbane. Click here to see an updated Photo Gallery from couriermail.com.au.
[Comments]

March 18, 2008
KISS IN BRISBANE
Kiss played in Brisbane today in a packed arena. Here are some clips on YouTube. They played the same set list as in Melbourne. Paul did not fly. This time they also had 2 girl shirts, a KISS "Alive/35" bandana, KISS logo key-ring, and an Eric autographed drum head for sale.
[Comments]

March 18, 2008
TOURSHIRTS
It seems that Kiss have 3 different Tourshirts. They have most, but not all tourdates on the back. Here they are. Obviously they believe Oslo is in Sweden:
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t313/dmonster_03/1front.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t313/dmonster_03/1back.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t313/dmonster_03/2front.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t313/dmonster_03/2back.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t313/dmonster_03/3front.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t313/dmonster_03/3back.jpg

Ace also has a Tourshirt, which can be seen here.
[Comments]

March 17, 2008
SHOCK ME
Click here to see "Shock me" live from Melbourne on YouTube.
Click here to see "Shock me" by Ace Frehley performed just a few days ago as well.
[Comments]

March 17, 2008
MELBOURNE HIGHLIGHTS ON VIDEO
Click here and here to see some hightlights from the Melbourne show on YouTube, such as Tommys guitar solo, Paul smashing guitar, Gene breathing fire...
[Comments]

March 17, 2008
MELBOURNE SET LIST
(from Kissonline)
SET LIST FROM KISS' GRAND PRIX CONCERT SUNDAY MARCH 16:

Deuce
Shout It Out Loud
C'mon And Love Me
Lick It Up
I Love It Loud
Calling Dr. Love
Shock Me (Tommy on vocals)
Let Me Go, Rock 'N' Roll
Firehouse
100,000 Years
God Of Thunder
Black Diamond (Eric on vocals)
Love Gun
Detroit Rock City
Shandi
I Was Made For Lovin' You
Rock And Roll All Nite
[Comments]

March 16, 2008
KISS PICTURE GALLERY
Couriermail.com.au has a Picture Gallery of 65 photos from Melbourne online. Click here to see them.
[Comments]

March 16, 2008
NEW KISS ALIVE 35 TOURBOOK
Kissonline has posted the cover of the new Kiss Alive 35 Tourbook. The book features new studio photos, recent live shots and various photos from important dates in Kisstory!

[Comments]

March 16, 2008
VIDEOCLIP OF TOMMY SINGING SHOCK ME
Click here to see a shot clip of Tommy singing Shock me. Click here or here to see a few more short clips on YouTube.
[Comments]

March 16, 2008
KISS IN DUTCH NEWSPAPER
(from Peter van Nes)

[Comments]

March 16, 2008
A KISS GOODBYE TO A GP WEEKEND
(from grandprix.com.au)
After a truly extraordinary 2008 Formula 1™ ING Australian Grand Prix, KISS topped off a brilliant Sunday with a set which rocked Albert Park to its foundations.
The veteran rockers, clearly inspired by Lewis Hamilton's sensational victory early in the day, hammered out a killer set which had 65,000 fans rocking.

The crowd, which had earlier swelled to 108,000, was treated to the full KISS performance, including fireworks, in a massive stage performance.

Bass legend Gene Simmons hooked himself up and went up high on the stage to bang out a few tunes, while spitting blood. Later on Paul Stanley ventured out into the crowd on a flying fox, taking his guitar with him to give the fans a real close up experience, while the fireworks lit up the night sky.

With 32 albums and more than 90 million record sales behind them, KISS have had every accolade imaginable bestowed upon them. But they were keen to emphasise the importance of Melbourne in their rock and roll life, choosing this gig to kick off their world tour.

All in all, the crowd got 90 minutes of one of the world's most famous rock bands, belting out the tunes as only the rock legends can.

What a way to farewell a wonderful weekend!

Click here or in the Photo Album to see photos from the show.
[Comments]

March 16, 2008
KISS AT THE GRAND PRIX BALL
Here you can see some photos from Kiss at the Grand Prix Ball.
[Comments]

March 16, 2008
TOMMY SINGS SHOCK ME!
Tommy Thayer sang "Shock me" at the Melbourne show. They played a standard best of set-list. Photos are already in the Photo Album and here. Here you can see a short clip on YouTube. New merchandise included some new shirts, a new tourbook and black Eric Singer Zildjian drumsticks.

[Comments]

March 16, 2008
KISS SOUNDCHECK
(from Kissonline)
These photos are from KISS' Saturday night soundcheck for their Grand Prix Concert! The sound check was filmed for possible use in their upcoming KISSteria TV special.

All photos by Dean Snowden

[Comments]

March 16, 2008
KISS ROCKS ON AFTER 35 YEARS
Click here for another report and video on Lateline Business.
[Comments]

March 16, 2008
PAUL INTERVIEW
There is a two part video of Paul without make-up being interviewed on 3AW right here.
[Comments]

March 16, 2008
ACE INTERVIEW
Click here to read a new interview with Ace from "The Culture Shock".
[Comments]

March 15, 2008
JIMMY HASLIP
(from Rockpages.gr)
Rockpages.gr (Greek Web Magazine) put online an interview that we did with Jimmy Haslip (ex-Blackjack) before his concert here in Athens, Greece.

Here is an excerpt of that interview where he talks about KISS and his “secret” participation in “Creatures of the Night” and why Gene Simmons didn’t want to play bass on that recording day:

Rockpages.gr: You were one of the “ghost musicians” that played on KISS’ “Creatures of the Night”. Would you like to tell us a few things about it?

Jimmy Haslip: Sure…actually, the whole story is funny! I had just returned home after a long day in the studio rehearsing, recording etc….don’t ask me what I was recording because after all these years it’s all a blur to me (laughs). It was summer of 1982 and I was preparing something to eat in my kitchen. It was 11 o’ clock in the night when the phone rang and although I was surprised to receive a phone call at such a late time of the day, I picked it up and it was Michael James Jackson (ed. note: Producer of Creatures of the Night). He sounded really desperate and he said to me that he had a deadline to have the album ready in about three days and Gene Simmons refused to play his bass parts because he had just broke up with Diana Ross and he wasn’t in a mood for that stuff! He asked me if I would be interested in coming by the studio and lay down some bass tracks for the album. I said yes…and remember that I had just returned from another studio…picked up my bass and some other stuff and off I went to my car for a 15-minute drive to Record Plant Studios. When I entered the studio…at about 12 midnight…they were all there…Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Vinnie Vincent…in another room was Eric Carr with Steve Ferris and I think there was also Bob Kulick in there. I think that every single person who was in the studio that night was used by KISS for a recording session (laughs)!

The link for the full interview is: http://www.rockpages.gr/interviews3/haslip2008-en.htm
[Comments]

March 15, 2008
KISS WORLD TOUR STARTS TOMORROW
The new Kiss Alive 35 world tour starts tomorrow in Melbourne, when Kiss are playing after the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the worlds biggest motor sports event. It will be one of their biggest - if not the biggest concert ever!
[Comments]

March 15, 2008
INTERVIEW WITH TOMMY THAYER
Click here to read an interview with Tommy Thayer from behind the Amps (pic from behindtheamps.com)

[Comments]

March 14, 2008
KISS & LEWIS HAMILTON VIDEO FOOTAGE
Click here to see some video footage of Lewis Hamilton meeting Kiss.
[Comments]

March 14, 2008
KISS ADD SHOW IN NÜRNBERG!
Kiss will play an additional show in Germany on June 27th at the Arena Nürnberger Versicherung! Tickets will go an sale tomorrow!
[Comments]

March 14, 2008
KISS PHOTOS
(from Scott Yorston)
I was lucky enough to attend the KISS Press Conference in Melbourne last Wednesday as a photographer and thought I would share my photos with you all. Follow this link to the pics. http://www.flickr.com/photos/8015926@N02/sets/72157604098522296/
[Comments]

March 14, 2008
KISS ADD MILANO DATE
Kiss added a date in Italy: According to the Italian promoter, they will play at the Datch Forum in Milano on June 24,2008. Here is the link.
[Comments]

March 13, 2008
KISS ON TV
Kiss played "Shout it out loud" and "I was made for lovin' you" live on the "Footy" show in Australia today. You can see them here:
Shout it out loud
I was made for lovin' you
interview
[Comments]

March 13, 2008
KISS MELBOURNE PRESS CONFERENCE
The complete press conference from Melbourne is now on YouTube. You can watch it here:
part 1
part 2
part 3
part 4
[Comments]

March 13, 2008
KISS INTERVIEW
Click here to see another report with an interview with Gene & Paul on "Sunrise".
[Comments]

March 13, 2008
MORE KISS PICS
Click here to see more photos from Australia.
[Comments]

March 12, 2008
KISS MEETS HAMILTON & RÄIKKÖNEN
(from Kissonline)
Today KISS met Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari Team) and Lewis Hamilton, his heir apparent (McLaren Team) at the Albert Park Race track!

[Comments]

March 12, 2008
KISS ON YAHOO NEWS
Click here to see the Kiss report on Yahoo 7 News.
[Comments]

March 12, 2008
KISS IN AUSTRALIA
There are a lot of reports about Kiss' arrival in Australia. Kiss also already gave a press-conference there. Here are some links to some news reports and video clips:
press conference video clip on ABC News
press conference video clip on Herald Sun
photos on viewimages.com
report & pic from photo-session from couriermail.com.au
photo gallery from couriermail.com au incl. pic of Kiss with Lewis Hamilton!

[Comments]

March 11, 2008
GENE BALD?
Click here to see photos of Gene without hair taken from the third season of "Gene Simmons Family Jewels".
[Comments]

March 11, 2008
LATEST UPDATE ON PAUL'S MEDIA ACTIVITIES
(from paulstanley.com)
Attention UK Fans: Paul was interviewed by Channel 4 in the UK recently regarding his successful art career, upcoming tour with KISS and his recent duet with Sarah Brightman. Channel 4 reaches over 40 million viewers per week (71 percent of viewers in the U.K.) and is slated to air the segment any day now.

Paul will be featured in the Los Angeles Times' Calendar Section's 'My Favorite Weekend' which profiles celebrities and their ideal weekend activities.

Paul was interviewed and will be featured in an upcoming issue of Family Circle Magazine. Family Circle has a readership of nearly 4 million.

Paul will be the subject of h Magazine's upcoming ICON editorial profile in April. Past ICONS featured include some of the entertainment industry’s greatest performers.
[Comments]

March 11, 2008
GENE ON RACHEL RAY
Gene has been on the Rachel Ray Show.
Click here to see part 1.
Click here to see part 2.
[Comments]

March 11, 2008
JACK SCARANGELLA: "VINNIE VINCENT WAS A HUMBLE GUY"
(from www.Rockpages.gr)
This week we publish an interview with Jack Scarangella, drummer of Vinnie Vincent’s first professional band Treasure. Mr. Scarangella remembers the late 70s and shares some wonderful memories of Vinnie with us. Here’s an excerpt:

Rockpages.gr: What do you remember from Vinnie?

Jack Scarangella: We used to have lots of fun. We laughed all day and rocked all night. We had a great band and life was good. The few times Treasure played live, we would do “Good Lovin’” and “Midnight Hour” with Vinnie soaring on guitar. He was a humble guy, who had a big laugh and was a kind spirit. But when he played his guitar, he would have these blazing riffs which have now become his signature. Vinnie was dynamic in his style, he had it all and the record shows it!

You can find the whole interview on:

http://www.rockpages.gr/kissspecial2008/5-JackScarangella-en.htm

[Comments]

March 11, 2008
KISS ARRIVE IN MELBOURNE
(from Yahoo News)
Click here to see a newsclip of Kiss arriving at the Melbourne airport.
[Comments]

March 11, 2008
KISS IN SWITZERLAND
A new show has been confirmed. Kiss will be playing in Zürich in Switzerland at the Hallenstadion on June 23rd, 2008. Tickets go on sale on Thursday.
[Comments]

March 10, 2008
KISS IN AUSTRALIA
Kiss will be performing two songs live on the Footy show on TV on Thursday. Supposedly this will be the only TV appearance in Australia. Kiss will play at the Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday.
[Comments]

March 10, 2008
BRUCE REVIEWS ACE SHOW
Bruce Kulick went to see Ace in concert and put up a review of the show on his website. Click here to read it.
[Comments]

March 9, 2008
GET UP AND CLOSE WITH THE HOTTEST BAND IN THE WORLD!
The Band is offering their Fans the following once in a life time opportunities:

KISS Pre-show Soundcheck Package
Be one of the very few to ever witness the band's soundcheck! This is an amazing experience - a chance to get up close and watch KISS perform without makeup or costumes for under 75 people!

Includes an exclusive pre-show sound check, a KISS Tour Program, a KISS Europe ‘08 shirt, an official KISS pre-show laminate, and a $25 coupon good for the official KISS on-line store. 

KISS Meet & Greet Package

The Ultimate KISS Collectible..Your picture with the Hottest Band in The World!!

Includes an exclusive Meet & Greet with KISS, a personal photograph with the band, an 8x10 band photograph, a KISS tour program, a KISS Europe ‘08 shirt, an official Meet & Greet laminate, and a $50 coupon good for the official KISS on-line store. 

KISS Meet & Greet and Pre-show Soundcheck Package
Includes an exclusive Meet & Greet with KISS, an exclusive pre-show soundcheck, a personal photograph with the band, an 8x10 band photograph, a KISS tour program, a KISS Europe ‘08 shirt, an official KISS VIP laminate, and a $50 coupon good for the official KISS on-line store. 

Meet & Greet packages do not include tickets.

For more information on tour dates, KISS VIP Packages and club membership, please visit www.KISSonTour.com.
[Comments]

March 9, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG POSTERS
(from Vladimir Ilyin)
Here is couple street ads for the show in St.Petersburg on 26 of May in LODOVYJ DVOREC. The show was rescheduled from 20.000 to 19.00.

[Comments]

March 9, 2008
TONY POWERS ODYSSEY
(from kissfaq.com)
Tony Powers help KISS lyrically during "The Elder." He also recorded his own version of the awesome "Odyssey," which he's recently put up on YouTube. Click here to check it out.
[Comments]

March 9, 2008
ACE FREHLEY IN MONTREAL
Click here to some great photos from Ace from Montreal from March 3rd.
There are also some video clips on YouTube from that concert:
Hard times
Rock soldiers
New York Groove
[Comments]

March 8, 2008
ANTHONY ESPOSITO
Click here to read an interview with Anthony Esposito from the Ace Frehley band. He says, that the album is done to 85% and that "Pain in the neck" is just a song title, not the album title...
[Comments]

March 7, 2008
KISS CONCERT POSTER FROM MOSCOW
(from Vladimir)
New street ads of KISS concert on 24 of May in Moscow appeared.

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March 7, 2008
KISS TO HEADLINE GRASPOP FESTIVAL!
Kiss will be headlining the Graspop festival in Belgium on Saturday, June 28th. This has been confirmed at the official Graspop website here (thanks to Patrik for the info). Expect more extra dates to be announced soon.
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March 6, 2008
GENE ON CNN
Click here to see an interview with Gene on CNN on "Showbiz Tonight" where he also talks about the sex tape.
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March 6, 2008
VERSAILLES RECORDS TO RELEASE A NEW KISS TRIBUTE CD ON APRIL 1st
(from Fred Vehert/Diamant Noir)
"Lick It Up: A Millennium Tribute to Kiss" is the first all-star Kiss tribute of the millennium, and featuring current/former members of Skid Row, Deep Purple, Alice Cooper Band, White Lion, Warrant, Pretty Boy Floyd, Keel, Britney Fox, Zebra, RATT, Riot, Rainbow, Slashs Snakepit, Dio, the Ace Frehley Band, Rat Race Choir, Dads Porno Mag, L.A. Guns, Lillian Axe, Doro, Dangerous Toys, Watchtower, and as well as millennium rockers including Richard Kendrick, A.J. Caruso and Ross Stephens of Straitjacket Smile, Lee Thompson, Marko Pukkila, Minds Eye featuring Daniel Flores, the Slashtones, Chris Heaven, Rose Reiter, Teenage Rampage ftring. Chris Catena, Snowblynd, Chuck Bonnett III, Dead End Kidz, Andrew Santagata, Supermodel Autopsy, and Katet. The release also includes a 2 CD Bonus Sampler entitled 'Strip Club Rock Vol. 1/2', which features a variety of unsigned millennium rock bands, including One Bad Son, Dour, Inflicted System, The Meddling Kids, Alligator Jackson, Strikeforce, Ground Level, The Clear, Veritas, 7 Deadly Sins, Viper, The Jack, S.E.X. Department, Elephant Hunter, Unequaled Clarity, Beest Spawn, Disarray, Trinity, Joetown, Radiovipers, Phearus, Hell Razor, 6 AM, Cellbound, Signal 99, Lovebone, 12 Years Coming, Freebleeder, 6 Days to Nowhere, Aedose, Shattersphere, Deadly Tide, Souls on Monday, Skitzo, Schmelvis Band, and the Karen Single Band.

Check out Versailles Records website here!

Those of you who watch DN carefully already know that the coverart has been made by yours truly since a previous and slightly different version had been posted on the Artworks section of the site...
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March 6, 2008
THE BIGGEST MONEYMAKERS: KISS
(from Pavel Hromada)
Hell's Masks: Kiss - a lot of metalmaniacs can hate that band from New York because Kiss prefer money for music. Kiss was the first band that was able to make a lot of money in seventees in their style of music. Bassist and singer Gene Simmons and his band created demon's faces, wore extraterrestrial clothes, spat fire and had a lot of pig's blood flowed.

Editorial CD single tip: I Was Made For Loving You (warning: disco!)

See more (in Czech only) - 
http://show.idnes.cz/filter-brezen-2008-022-/filter.asp?c=A080303_145430_filter_kot

Note: Magazine is available in Czechia for 65CZK incl. audio CD (2.6 Euro, 
3.6 USD) or you can order it via e-mail: predplatne@filter.cz

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March 5, 2008
NO MORE "KISS 4K" COMIC MAGAZINES
According to Kissonline, there will be no more "Kiss 4K" comic magazines printed. The comics will be online on the internet in the future. Here is the link to the webcomic: http://www.drunkduck.com/KISS_4K_the_webcomic/
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March 4, 2008
RADIO AD
(from MMP-Ace/Kiss Forum)
Here you can hear the ad from NDR2 for the KISS concert in Hamburg on 04.06.2008!
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March 4, 2008
KISS IN THE PRESS
(from Santy)
Kiss are on the covers of the Spanish magazines "Heavy Rock" (March 2008) and "Popular 1" (February 2008):

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March 4, 2008
KISSOLOGY 3 8 X PLATINUM
(from Kissonline)
KISSOLOGY VOL. 3 1992-2000 has been certified 8X Platinum by the R.I.A.A.!!!!!! Volume 3 is the most success of the KISSOLOGY DVD Series yet.
Thanks to all of you for your continued support!
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March 3, 2008
HELSINKI
The second show in Helsinki has now been confirmed for May 27th. Tickets went already on sale today - and sold out after 10 minutes again!
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March 2, 2008
ACE INTERVIEW
Click here to hear Ace on "The Metal File". You can also listen to an older Peter Criss interview there from the same show.
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March 1, 2008
KISS IN THE PRESS
Kiss in Musix magazine in Germany: click here to see it.
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March 1, 2008
RICHIE FONTANA
(from www.rockpages.gr)
We continue our year-long KISS special article with the fourth interview with a KISS-related figure.

This week we publish an interview with Richie Fontana, who played drums on Paul Stanley’s solo album back in 1978. Richie talks about his collaboration with KISS and he sets the record straight for some rumors that were floating around in the late 70s. Here’s an excerpt of that interview:

Rockpages.gr: Let's set the record straight one for all: There are two constant rumors about your name regarding KISS. First, that you played drums on "I was made for lovin' you" and second that you were considered for a while to be the replacement of Peter Criss. Is there any truth on these?

Richie Fontana: FIRST: I will never know how that rumor got started, but the truth is 'I did NOT play on the Dynasty album'! It was Anton Fig. SECOND: When I was living in Los Angeles, working with The Skatt Bros., I was called down to the office by Bill Aucoin's west coast secretary. I was then informed that Bill had called, that he was with Gene and Paul, and that they were talking about me as a possible replacement for Peter Criss. I was quite stunned by this information, but after all, they knew me from when Piper had opened for KISS on the Love Gun tour, and of course from playing on Paul's solo album. Needless to say it never came to be. I was later told it was probably because my image had appeared on the Piper and Skatt Bros. albums. KISS had yet to be unmasked so they needed an unknown drummer so to preserve the mystic. So, there is some truth to that.

Read the whole interview at http://www.rockpages.gr/kissspecial2008/4-RichieFontana-en.htm
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