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August 31, 2009
VINTAGE
KISS PHOTOS BOOK 1974 -1981
”THIS BOOK IS IDEAL FOR KISS FANS –
BOTH NEW AND THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE SINCE THE BEGINNING. ONE OF THE BEST PHOTO
COMPILATIONS TO DATE. CLASSIC KISS IS BACK!” – Robert V. Conte
A Limited Edition! VINTAGE KISS PHOTOS: 1974-1981, compiled by veteran KISS photo
archivist Marc Scallatino, chronicles the early days of the Hottest Band in the Land.
Culled from hundreds of rare, previously unseen images of Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace
Frehley, Peter Criss, and Eric Carr, this book takes the reader on a thrilling ride
through a major chapter in KISS’ history.
Size: 9x12”
Format: 160 pages with 300 B&W and color photos
FREE BONUS!
The first 2000 copies sold will include a FREE 8x10” color photo (A $10 value!)
Click here to pre-order your copy now.
[Comments]
August 31, 2009
GENE RADIO
INTERVIEW
The Rock 106.9 WCCC did an interview with Gene Simmons on
August 28th, 2009. Click here to listen to the podcast.
[Comments]
August 31, 2009
KISS PREP
VEGAS RESIDENCY
(from undercover.com.au)
It appears Kiss will be the next major
act to lock into Las Vegas for a residency. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons are reported to
be in negotiations to create a Vegas show with a $50 million budget.
According to the Las Vegas Review Journal the show is expected to be called ‘Kiss: Carnival of Souls’.
Stanley and Simmons are said to be working on the project with comic book publisher Radical Publishing and Singapore company Storm Lion.
Radical’s Barry Levine told the Review Journal "It involves every aspect of music, movement, lighting, stage design and special effects. Since Kiss is the epitome of theatrical rock, we need to make sure it represents the Kiss brand. The Kiss brand has endured and sustained itself like no other group for the past 35 years."
The show is expected to open in 2011.
Meanwhile, ‘Sonic Boom’, the first Kiss album in 11 years will be released in September.
Kiss will also start a new North American tour on September
28 in Cleveland.
[Comments]
August 30, 2009
NEW KISS
ALBUM "SONIC BOOM" CD REVIEW
(from examiner.com)
It's been more than a decade since KISS'
last studio album. Eleven years is a decent chunk of time on most scales - but for
KISS fans this has seemed an eternity.
Recent solo albums by both Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley helped to ease the pain somewhat, but then also had some KISS fans wondering, 'Well, why not a new KISS album?'
When KISS announced they were to begin working on a new album excitement spread like wildfire through the KISS Army, but there were those who skeptically held the stance that they'd believe it when they saw it - or, in this case, heard it.
Well the wait, the wondering, and the disbelieving is about to come to an end on October 6. Produced by KISS' own Paul Stanley, Sonic Boom is on its way.
The most recent musical products we've had from these guys were Paul Stanley's solo release Live To Win and Gene Simmons' solo album A**h*le. Stanley's was emotion, Simmons' was fun - and now with Sonic Boom those influences bond and yet include so much more.
Sonic Boom is a sexy album packed with good quality songs that insight repeat listening. It's a great blend of old KISS, modern KISS, and even - - - dare it be said? - Some brand spanking new KISS sounds as well.
KISS, in their 35 years, has gone on an amazing journey and has a rich, full history. And some KISS fans are devoted, almost cult-like followers, but then there are some who will vehemently dislike any new release simply because it's not a repeat of Destroyer or KISS (the 1974 self-titled debut release). No one can make everyone happy, but Sonic Boom delivers the goods that most KISS fans will receive quite warmly.
"Modern Day Delilah" - the only song thus far available to the
public - it can be heard on KISS'
Official Website. Paul Stanley takes the vocal reigns on this one.
"Modern Day Delilah is bold and brassy, a great rock tune with a heady groove
and exciting guitar solo. This song is simply infectious, and was the perfect choice
as the album's first release.
"Russian Roulette" - features Gene Simmons on vocals and has got a bass line that is sexy and gritty. Simmons' vocals are clear and naughty and the chorus is catchy. With the driving rhythms in "Russian Roulette" it's a great song to strip to if you're so inclined.
"Never Enough" - hands the lead vocals duties back over to Stanley. This is the quintessential rock anthem song. Total KISS, total Paul Stanley, total feel-good, and nothing but good feelings with an aggressive guitar solo.
"Yes I know (Nobody's Perfect)" - a classic 70's KISS sound and classic Gene Simmons feel to it. Nice groove.
"Stand" - a little unexpected. "Stand" is catchy but showcases a different style from the other songs on the album.
"Hot And Cold" - is a whimsical and upbeat tune that is perfect for Gene Simmons.
"All For The Glory" - features vocals by drummer Eric Singer and is one of the highlights of this album. Singer's slightly raspy and rocking vocals accentuate this song really well.
"Danger Us" - a fun play on words for this Paul Stanley lead song. "Danger Us" has got a solid rhythm throughout and nice guitar work.
"I'm An Animal" - a larger than life, big rock and roll sound. Perfect for 'the Demon.' If this song was a person no one would mess with it.
"When Lightning Strikes" - is guitarist Tommy Thayer's vocal contribution and another highlight of the disc. "When Lightning Strikes" has got a sultry groove and Thayer is authoritative in his vocal style.
And "Say Yeah" - with a big rock sound and great harmonies. This is one of those songs that will pleasantly haunt you after just the first listen.
Sonic Boom will be available exclusively at Walmart (stores and online) and Sam's Club in the U.S. and Canada. The album package is a 3-disc set that will include - in addition to Sonic Boom's 11 new songs - Kiss Klassics - a 15-track, re-recorded greatest hits CD, a live concert DVD that was recorded in Buenos Aires, Argentina earlier this year, and a 20-page booklet.
The countdown continues but we're almost ready for take-off.
[Comments]
August 30, 2009
GINGER
FROM THE WILDHEARTS INTERVIEWS ACE FREHLEY
A video of Ginger from the Wildhearts interviewing
Ace Frehley can be seen here.
He says he would rather rejoin Kiss if Gene was not in the band anymore and that
the never listened to the other 1978 solo albums. He also shows the Anomaly pyramid foil
packaging.
[Comments]
August 29, 2009
KISS
TICKETS & TOUR PROMO VIDEO
Check out Ticketmaster for a promotional
video for the upcoming tour. Tickets are still available for both Cobo Hall Shows and
others as well.
[Comments]
August 28, 2009
PAUL
STANLEY ON CASABLANCA RECORDS' 35TH
(from classicrockmagazine.com)
Casablanca Records, the label whose roster included Kiss,
Angel, Parliament, Donna Summer and The Village People, is celebrating its 35th
anniversary this year. Come inside to hear what Paul Stanley has to say about the
legendary company…
Casablanca was formed in 1973 by Neil Bogart, but didn’t release its first full-length album until Kiss’s debut on February 18, 1974.
Speaking exclusively to Classic Rock, rhythm guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley reflected on the years Kiss spent as probably the most important band on Casablanca’s roster.
Classic Rock: It’s Casablanca’s 35th birthday this year. Do you mourn the demise of the iconic record company?
Paul Stanley: “I mourn the demise of iconic record companies because they nurtured bands and nurtured artists. When record companies were run by people who loved music they stood behind the acts. It wasn’t unusual for a record company to expect two or three albums to come out before artist would break. That was the dedication they had, because they loved the music. The days of that are over and long gone.
“Casablanca, I must say, was a double-edged sword. Neil Bogart’s philosophy was… well, let me put it this way, he didn’t care if it ruined your career as long as you got a hit single as soon as possible – and I wasn’t part of that school. Neil was P.T. Barnum, which worked to a certain extent, but it also tended to hurt whatever credibility you might have, because of the way your records were being sold.
“But again, the great record companies stood behind their acts and nowadays you’re just a number. If you don’t sell enough of your first album, you’re out of the door. That’s a shame, and that coupled with music piracy makes it pretty difficult for anybody who wants to make a career in music these days.”
Kiss’s new album, Sonic Boom, is coming out via Loud & Proud/Roadrunner in the UK and Europe. The release date is October 5.
Stanley said: “Success comes from a winning team, and
Roadrunner is the perfect partner for Kiss in terms of understanding what this album is
and also having a great track record of success.”
[Comments]
August 27, 2009
INTERVIEW
WITH MICHAEL DORET
Michael Doret, the artist behind the
album cover of "Rock and Roll over" and "Sonic Boom" was interviewed
on WXRX 104.9 FM radio station. You can hear the interview here on Blabbermouths website, where he talks about the album covers
he did for Kiss.
[Comments]
August 27, 2009
KISS
FRONTMAN GENE SIMMONS BLAMING MEDIA FOR SPOILING OSHAWA SURPRISE
(from Yahoo Canada News)
By Michael Oliveira, The Canadian Press
TORONTO - Kiss frontman Gene Simmons insists - strongly - that his fans in Oshawa, Ont., weren't being snubbed or overlooked when the band charted its upcoming North American tour.
The band had no intentions of going back on its agreement to give Oshawa a special show, to reward the city's fans for winning a contest on the official Kiss website.
Kiss had a surprise in mind for Oshawa all along, but the media crashed the party and ruined the idea, Simmons said Wednesday during a testy interview with The Canadian Press.
"I'm really pissed off at the media for creating this nonsense," a sharp-tongued Simmons said.
"Now the story's going to come out as a kind of, 'Gene is complaining about the media' (story) - you're God damn right I am."
Earlier this year, Kiss asked fans to go to their website and vote for their hometown to be included in the band's next big tour, with the promise of a concert for the leading vote-getter.
Oshawa finished first among all cities, but when the dates for the "Kiss Alive 35" tour were announced this week, the city was left off the list, without explanation.
When asked to respond to the apparent snub, the band's management said the city was skipped for logistical reasons but promised Oshawa would get something special in the future.
Fans and politicians in Oshawa were outraged that they were skipped over, and the backlash eventually forced the band to announce it would play a show in the city after all on Oct. 7.
A concert, and a special event to launch the release of the band's new album, had been planned all along, but the media ruined the surprise for Oshawa by prematurely forcing the band to make the announcement, Simmons said.
The band clearly hinted that Oshawa would get its rightful due, he added, and suggested members of the media acted like petulant children by insisting to know all the details right away.
"We'll tell you when we're ready, not when you're ready, that's not how you do things," Simmons said.
"You have a birthday coming up and you want to know, 'What's my birthday present?' (No), settle down, take a pill, relax. We'll let you know what it is - not when you want. It's show business."
He said the media didn't seek out reaction from Kiss before running their stories about an apparent Oshawa snub, although messages left by The Canadian Press with the band's management on Tuesday were not returned.
Many Kiss fans in Oshawa were up in arms over the lack of an announced date in their hometown but Simmons said they too should have trusted the band wouldn't let them down.
"Respectfully, the fans aren't qualified to understand how things are done ... (they) don't know how things work," he said.
"Since we're playing Toronto right down the street from Oshawa (the two cities are about a 45-minute drive apart on Highway 401) we didn't want Toronto to compete with Oshawa."
Oshawa Mayor John Gray was diplomatic in suggesting that the media coverage of the band's apparent no-show in the city was fair, but he's also just satisfied with the happy ending.
"The Kiss organization is fulfilling their commitments, the media recognized that Oshawa was a victim - and they performed their role quite responsibly - and I think at the end of the day it's a win for everyone," he said.
"I think (Kiss) applied logic to it and said, 'Look, we better find a way to do this concert' and I think that's exactly what they're doing."
Simmons assured Oshawa's Kiss fans that far from being disrespected, they're in for something special.
"Because of who and what Oshawa is - which is near and dear to our hearts because (they) won the No. 1 spot above and beyond New York, L.A., Toronto, Vancouver - we wanted to do a huge campaign and literally premiere 'Sonic Boom,' our new album, Oct. 7 in Oshawa," he said.
"(Oshawa) will get the full high-octane, high-energy show ... this is going to be a two-and-a-half hour sweat-filled show, huge fireworks displays, the biggest screen you ever saw, brand new outfits, and almost every song that we can physically play during that time."
London, Ont., Montreal, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Calgary and Vancouver have also been scheduled for concert dates on this tour, and Simmons hinted, begrudgingly, that other Canadian cities may be included on a second leg.
"We're coming back and playing again and yes, there'll be another leg," he said.
"But not when you want us to talk about it, it's when we
want to talk about it."
[Comments]
August 27, 2009
TALKING
METAL PODCAST WITH ACE FREHLEY (PART 3)
Click here
to hear the new Talking Metal Podcast (Episode 279). It features part 3 of the interview
with Ace Frehley.
[Comments]
August 27, 2009
PHOTOS OF
"ANOMALY" PACKAGING
Blabbermouth has posted photos of the
limited pyramid digipak edition of Ace Frehley's "Anomaly".
[Comments]
August 26, 2009
GENE &
FAMILY AT "EXTRACT" PREMIERE
Click here to see Gene Simmons & his family arriving at the EXTRACT Los
Angeles Premiere at Arclight Cinemas on August 24, 2009.
[Comments]
August 26, 2009
EUROPEAN
TOUR IN THE WORKS
Negotiations about a European tour is already in the
works. It is however too early for details. There is no time frame set yet for a European
tour.
[Comments]
August 26, 2009
ACE FREHLEY:
"I'M REALLY HAPPY WITH HOW THE RECORD HAS TURNED OUT"
(from ultimateguitar.com)
After twenty years, legendary guitarist Ace Frehley finally emerges with a brand
new solo album titled Anomaly. As one of the most beloved personalities in rock
‘n’ roll, Frehley’s the man behind not only Kiss’ iconic
logo, but also the all-time stadium anthem "New York Groove" which came
off Frehley’s first self-titled solo album in 1978. Anomaly is a super
charged outing that sees Frehley pumping out the thunderous guitar riffs on the
album’s first single "Outer Space" to stamping his own mark upon a
cover of Sweet’s 1975 classic "Fox On The Run." All in all, Anomaly
includes several nods to his long distinguished career where the pickup acrobatics of
"Fractured Quantum" and the Wah-Wah scourge of "Genghis Khan"
(featuring backup vocals from Meat Loaf’s daughter Pearl Aday) are true signature Ace
Frehley through and through. On the eve of the album’s release, Joe Matera
spoke to Ace Frehley about his new album, sobriety and of course, Kiss.
UG: Anomaly sees you return in fine form, you must be very happy with the
result?
Ace Frehley: Absolutely, I’m really happy with how the record has turned out. It was a labor of love for me. I may have taken a long time to put it all together, but hopefully it will be worth the wait. I believe this record will be another landmark in my career. And I really think everybody is going to be very happy with it…well, I hope they are, because it is really the best I could do at this point in my life.
How did the songwriting process evolve considering it took so long to make this album?
Most of the songs were written between 2004 to the present.
There is one track called “Sister” which I wrote back in the mid-1990s and
"Foxy & Free" is another from that period, but everything else was pretty
much written after 2004.
Click here to read the rest.
| September 25, 2009 | Cobo Arena | DETROIT |
| September 26, 2009 | Cobo Arena | DETROIT |
| September 28, 2009 | Quicken Loans Arena | CLEVELAND |
| September 29, 2009 | John Labatt Centre | London |
| October 1, 2009 | Bell Centre | Montreal |
| October 2, 2009 | Air Canada Centre | Toronto |
| October 3, 2009 | Mohegan Sun Arena | UNCASVILLE |
| October 5, 2009 | TD Garden | Boston |
| October 9, 2009 | Nassau Coliseum | UNIONDALE |
| October 10, 2009 | Madison Square Garden | NEW YORK |
| October 12, 2009 | Wachovia Center | PHILADELPHIA |
| October 13, 2009 | Verizon Center | WASHINGTON |
| October 16, 2009 | Hampton Coliseum | HAMPTON |
| October 17, 2009 | Bi-Lo Center | GREENVILLE |
| October 19, 2009 | Pensacola Civic Center | PENSACOLA |
| October 21, 2009 | Saint Pete Times Forum | TAMPA |
| October 22, 2009 | Bank Atlantic Centre | SUNRISE |
| October 24, 2009 | Birmingham Jefferson Arena | BIRMINGHAM |
| October 26, 2009 | Philips Arena | ATLANTA |
| October 28, 2009 | Sommet Center | Nashville |
| October 29, 2009 | Verizon Arena | Little Rock |
| October 31, 2009 | Voodoo Experience - New Orleans City Park | New Orleans |
| November 6, 2009 | United Center | CHICAGO |
| November 7, 2009 | Target Center | MINNEAPOLIS |
| November 9, 2009 | MTS Centre | Winnipeg |
| November 10, 2009 | Credit Union Centre | Saskatoon |
| November 12, 2009 | Pengrowth Saddledome | Calgary |
| November 14, 2009 | General Motors Place | Vancouver |
| November 15, 2009 | Key Arena | SEATTLE |
| November 17, 2009 | Rose Garden | PORTLAND |
| November 20, 2009 | Arco Arena | SACRAMENTO |
| November 21, 2009 | Oakland Arena | OAKLAND |
| November 24, 2009 | Honda Center | ANAHEIM |
| November 25, 2009 | Staples Center | LOS ANGELES |
| November 27, 2009 | Sports Arena | San Diego |
| December 1, 2009 | Jobing.com Arena | GLENDALE |
| December 2, 2009 | Utep Special Events Center | El Paso |
| December 4, 2009 | Frank Erwin Center | AUSTIN |
| December 5, 2009 | Toyota Centre | HOUSTON |
| December 6, 2009 | American Airlines Centre | DALLAS |
For more infos go to http://www.kissonline.com/tour/
[
Ex-Kiss guitarist Frehley’s album, Anomaly, goes on sale on September 15, while Sonic Boom comes out on October 6.
Classic Rock asked Stanley this week whether he regarded the timing as unfortunate.
Stanley replied: “For who? Look, it’s a hard one for me to answer. This album took us months to do, that album from what I understand took Ace 15 or 20 years to do.
“I can’t say anything about the timing or the release schedule or what have you – I truly, always go back to: I hope Ace is happy, and I think it’s terrific that he’s alive. Anything else past that is a bonus. I wish him well.”
Bob Suehs of Rock N Roll Experience recenbtly conducted an interview with Frehley where the guitarist comments on Kiss’s new material and his former band’s Walmart deal. An excerpt from the chat follows:
Have you heard Kiss’s new song, Modern Day Delilah?
Ace : Actually, I did. I thought it was a good song. Paul’s always been a really good writer and the only thing that I would say that the song didn’t live up to was the fact that I believe they said that all the new songs were going to sound like stuff from the 70s, and I didn’t get that. The new song sounded like it could be something off an album they did in the 80s. That’s what I got, but I thought it was a good song.
What do you think of Kiss selling their new CD exclusively through Wal-Mart?
Ace: It seems that more and more groups are going with major chains, and I mean,
I guess there’s a plus to the fact that they’ll give you a large advance, but
the minus is the album is only available in that chain of stores. I guess there’s
pluses and minuses to everything. I mean, I entertained that idea, but, for me, I thought
it was better that my album be available everywhere.
Ace Frehley is the legendary lead guitarist from KISS, he's the Space Ace, the man known for his space make-up, his Gibson Les Paul, his moon boots, his great laugh/cackle, & what can I say, when I was offered the opportunity, in a one day notice, Ace Frehley had an open slot in his interview schedule for Thursday, August 20, 2009 @ 4 PM, I jumped on the chance to interview Ace...he's a legend, he's a rock icon, it's f**kin' Ace Frehley for christ sake! There's no need to hype this, everyone knows who Ace Frehley is, so here's what he had to say!
Rock N Roll Experience: What does the title of your new solo record, "Anomaly" mean?
Ace Frehley: I think in a way I'm an Anomaly, I'm an
un-schooled musician, I don't know how to read music, but I'm one of the most famous
guitar players in the world, so go figure. (laughs)
Click here
to read the rest.
[Comments]
August 21, 2009
GENE &
PAUL ON DETROIT RADIO TODAY
(from Kissonline.com)
Gene will be on Detroit's WCSX Radio Station this morning at 9 AM (EDT). LISTEN to the interview live.
Paul will appear on Detroit's WRIF Radio Station some time today, we believe in the 5 PM
(EDT) hour. VISIT the station's site for
more info.
[Comments]
August 21, 2009
GENE IN
NEW MOVIE "EXTRACT"
(from genesimmons.com)
Here are some fotos of yours truly from EXTRACT, the new Mike (Beavis &
Butthead) Judge written/directed movie, in which Jason Bateman and Ben Affleck star. I
play an asshole LA lawyer (what else...). I'm the poster child of why the world hates
lawyers (at least in this movie)... I did the part a few months ago, after KISS got back
from the European Stadium shows, and before the Canadian Stadium shows. We are going to
the premiere, and we will also film it for GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS Season V, which is
currently shooting...
Click here to see the video trailer for the movie featuring Gene Simmons.
[Comments]
August 21, 2009
ACE
FREHLEY "ANOMALY" LISTENING PARTIES
Official Ace Frehley "Anomaly" Listening Party w/ ALIVE! (KISS Tribute –
New England)
Sept 11th - (Friday)
DON HILL's - NYC (7:00 PM) Tix: $10 flat
511 Greenwich St
New York City, NY
7:30 Anomaly CD listening in it's entirety!!
8:30 classic performance by ALIVE! (KISS Tribute - NE)!!!
(Note): Ace will be in Los Angeles on 9/11, while the East Coast celebrates Ace's
contributions to "Rock 'n' Roll" (present and past)!!!!!
Official Ace Frehley "Anomaly" Listening Party w/ ALIVE! (KISS Tribute
– New England)
Sept 12th - (Saturday)
Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel (6:30PM) Tix: $10 adv/ $12 day of
79 Washington St
Providence, RI
7:30 Anomaly CD listening in it's entirety!!
8:30 classic performance by ALIVE! (KISS Tribute - NE)!!!
(Note): Ace will be in Los Angeles on 9/12, while the East Coast celebrates Ace's
contributions to "Rock 'n' Roll" (present and past)!!!!!
[Comments]
August 20, 2009
UNMASKED
PIC
Here's a cool pic from the Photo Album. It shows Steve Harris from Iron Maiden pouring
confetti on Paul Stanley in concert. Probably from the last European "Unmasked"
concert in Norway 1980.
[Comments]
August 19, 2009
GENE
SIMMONS ON HIS LATEST PROJECT "KISS: CARNIVAL OF SOULS"
Channelnewsasia has a video online of Gene Simmons and Barry Levine talking about the Las
Vegas show "Kiss: carnival of souls".
Click here to read the story and to see the video.
[Comments]
August 19, 2009
NAHVILLE
TO GET SONIC BOOM
(from nashvillerock.net)
You heard it right folks, KISS is coming to Nashville on their upcoming Sonic Boom tour.
The new album comes out October 6th and KISS will be playing the Sommet Center on October
28th with Buckcherry opening. This hasn’t been officially announced yet but we got
this information from a VERY trusted source so book it! We will have lots of coverage of
this show and stuff about the upcoming album in anticipation of it. Link to the first
single after the jump!
[Comments]
August 19, 2009
"MODERN DAY
DELILAH" SINGLE
"Modern Day Delilah" is the first single from the new album "Sonic
Boom". The single hits radio stations everywhere today. You can hear the complete
song on Kissonline.
[Comments]
August 19, 2009
EUROPEAN
"SONIC BOOM" RELEASE
HMV has listed "Sonic Boom" under Roadrunner Records as a 2 Disc set
featuring a Bonus DVD on October 5th. No mention of a Bonus CD however...
[Comments]
August 19, 2009
KISS' NEW ALBUM
SONIC BOOM REVIEWED TRACK-BY-TRACK
(from thequietus.com)
The Quietus' Hibernian salmon wrangler Mark Eglinton gets stuck into Sonic Boom,
the first Kiss album in over a decade.
Modern Day Delilah
Given the eleven years since their last barely passable studio album – 1998's Psycho Circus it seemed unlikely that Kiss would ever release another album of new material. Seemingly invigorated by a huge recent upsurge in interest in their hefty back catalogue by the younger generation of rock listeners into the studio they went, and six weeks later emerged armed with Sonic Boom. However, we didn't expect them to knock one out of the park this early with this heaving, sweating lump of fabulous groove straight from 1975. "Yeah yeah" are the first words to exit Stanley's mouth and immediately our ears are pricked to what is not stylistically a typical Kiss track, a circular, bass heavy riff driving everything along. The net result is your immediate desire to renew that direct debit to the' Kiss army' while arranging to graft eight or more inches of surplus off your backside on to your tongue—it really is that good.
Russian Roulette
The first of Gene Simmons's vocal contributions and as they go, this isn't at all bad. In fact the years have been pretty kind to the 'god of thunder', and his voice has actually developed more than a semblance of melody. It's raw, punchy and lyrically the usual innuendo ridden stuff "this is Russian roulette—one pull of the trigger is all you're gonna get" etc, which we've heard often before but here's it's done with a freshness of attitude that's been absent for a long, long time.
Never Enough
Classic Kiss and this could easily fit into their live set without being noticed as a brand new track. Paul Stanley seems to have done some kind of 'Benjamin Button' reverse ageing thing with his vocals because he sounds every bit as energetic as he did back in their 70's heyday. Tommy Thayer too has slotted in nicely as an Ace Frehley replacement but without all the 'space' and its associated discordant rambling solos. This is obvious single material, if such things exist anymore, and is Kiss at their best. They've remarkably managed to summon the best attributes of their past without sounding dated, while at the same time making it all sound relevant to now—brilliant.
Yes I know (Nobody's Perfect)
Simmons's rumbling bass drives this fairly standard Kiss number along in a way that it hasn't for years (apparently he was really motivated in the studio) Not just that, he sings too, and tunefully does it. Chunky and not overly overdriven guitar combined with that satisfying emphasis on bass give this a solid feel with some more good-time, tail chasing lyrics, as you'd expect...
Stand
This one will completely divide opinions. Initially a straight-ahead rocker in the vein of the classic 'Strutter' which at no time threatens to dissolve into a 'Crazy Nights' or 'God gave Rock 'n' Roll To You' type anthem; until it does exactly that with a cheesy, cheesy chorus which no other band on the planet would get away with. Not content with that, it even dives into a multi-vocal layered mid section before returning to the huge stadium rock chorus which you could imagine appearing in some awful teen movie. Though it works, it's probably one of the lone stray chunks of rock 'n' roll fromage on here and probably the closest relative to some of their late 80s and early 90s howlers.
Hot And Cold
Cowbell-accented drums and more classroom innuendo punctuate this chunk of typical Kiss fodder (think 'Calling Dr Love'). It all sounds very live and not in any way over-produced (seemingly no Pro-Tools were used anywhere on the record). "Baby feel my tower of power" should give you some idea of what Gene's referring to and the song's easily good enough to forgive him such childishly dated folly.
All For The Glory
Drummer Eric Singer, who has assuredly hammered out rock-solid backing thus far, lends a hand on vocal duties with fabulous result. This is absolutely solid gold stuff reminiscent of Destroyer era Kiss, but with the nastier edge of later incarnations like Creatures of the Night. Tommy's solo is absolutely killer too - what talent he's brought to the band.
Danger Us
"Danger you, danger me, danger us!"— terrible, terrible lyrics but again the track bails itself out of the mire in grand style. Starting with a quietly picked guitar intro before fading satisfyingly (why do bands not fade-in much these days?) Aerosmith like riff and Stanley's most effective vocal outing on the record. You get the impression that they're all really enjoying this stuff and again Simmons's sonorous bass rumble is very much in evidence, aidded by Stanley's own intentionally Spartan studio production.
I'm An Animal
A huge, lumbering riff of Zeppelin-esque ('Dazed and Confused' springs to mind) proportions and another Simmons vocal characterise this beast of a track bristling with stalker menace. Similar in nature to let's say 'War Machine' off Creatures of the Night it stomps emphatically all over some of the tedious filler of recent albums. "I'm an animal, and I'm free" Gene divulges, and who the hell are we to argue. This is fast becoming Simmons's showpiece and surely his richest vein of contribution in their history.
When Lightning Strikes
'Musical singers' continues with guitarist Tommy Thayer wrestling control of the mic this time around. He in no way disappoints, dialling in a pretty effective vocal effort that many more established singers would die for. More cowbells and a riff that's been done before give way to a straight-forward bridge/chorus. The closest you'd get to 'stock' material but in the context of the quality of the album generally that's probably being overly critical.
Say Yeah
When we expect filler we get utter killer, and if you're not
singing this in the car or the bath you've no business whatsoever reading this review.
Again, Stanley's vocals are a revelation – wielding an insanely addictive hook
reminiscent of 'Tears are Falling' from the Asylum era but much, much better.
Thayer's solo is brilliant too and resembles a lot of the stuff Bruce Kulick (surely their
most underrated axe-man) came up with; fitting the song brilliantly and carrying no excess
fret flab whatsoever. The Kiss of 2009 have left the building, and what a way to sign
off...
[Comments]
August 19, 2009
ROCK STARS AND PINK ROCKS AT VIP
PARTY
(from watoday.com.au)
It was the ultimate pretty in pink night
at Linneys where 43 rare pink Argyle diamonds went on show for the first time in the
country.
VIP guests clamouring the see the collection of diamonds, including a 2.61 carat heart-shaped intense pink diamond, the most valuable every produced by the mine, were treated to pink Moet champagne, cute canapés and models decked out in pink dresses, diamonds and pearls.
So the prescence of rock legend Eric Singer, the drummer from legendary rock band KISS was a bit of a shock to guests.
The enigmatic drummer, who also plays in Alice Cooper's band, is a fan of WA jewellery brand Linneys, and was wearing a neck piece and two bracelets by the luxury brand. His girlfriend Clarissa Weerasena wore a beautiful strand of big pearls.
Singer confessed to loving man jewellery, showing off the watch he was also wearing.
"I do like it, I wear jewellery a lot, and check out my watch," he said pointing to a trendy looking time piece.
Singer, who has friends in Perth, comes to Western Australia for some down time when not rocking with some of the biggest bands in the world.
The Argyle Pink Diamond Tender Collection will be on display
at Linneys on Rokeby Road today and tomorrow, August 19 and 20.
Eric Singer from rock band KISS with Clarissa Weerasena. Photo: Daile Pepper
[Comments]
August 19, 2009
ACE AT "RIDE FOR DIME
09"
(from bigvintv/Youtube)
RIDE FOR DIME, DALLAS 08-16-09. Ace
Frehley plays some classic KISS tunes while Vinnie backs up the DDRUMS and Corey Taylor
(Slipknot) sings vocals. "Duece" and "Parasite".
Bobzilla and Nick Bowcott also help out the jam!!!
Click here to see the video.
The collection will go on sale Oct. 6 exclusively at Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in the U.S. and Canada, said Tom Welch, senior music buyer at Walmart, in an interview Aug. 13. The set includes “Sonic Boom,” an 11-track compact disc with new material; a greatest-hits album with titles such as “Rock and Roll All Nite” and “I Was Made for Loving You;” and a DVD of a live concert in Buenos Aires.
Exclusive deals with retailers typically give artists more
money than a traditional record contract, while helping chains such as Walmart and Target
Corp. get more customers to the stores. Kiss joins the Eagles, Guns N’ Roses, AC/DC
and Pearl Jam in striking deals with retailers to distribute music.
Click here to read the rest.
[Comments]
August 18, 2009
KISS NEWS
In this review from Classic Rock the European release gets mentioned: Sonic Boom will be released in Europe on a soon-to-be-announced
record label – Classic Rock knows the name of the label, but is sworn to secrecy.
Suffice to say, its identity might surprise you!
Meanwhile more tourdates are leaking, supposedly the new tour should be announced next
Monday with all details.
[Comments]
August 18, 2009
BAND TALKS NEW LP
(from rollingstone.com)
“Is there any way to play it back on a man’s level?” says Gene Simmons,
requesting more volume and rolling his eyes at Conway Studios in Los Angeles. Kiss are
finishing up Sonic Boom, the band’s first new studio album in 11 years, and
the God of Thunder wants to hear the songs played back at maximum loudness.
Click here to read the rest.
[Comments]
August 17, 2009
MICHAEL DORET ABOUT SONIC BOOM
ALBUM COVER
Sonic Boom album cover designer Michael Doret talks about the development of the cover here on his blog.
[Comments]
August 17, 2009
KISS CD EXCLUSIVELY AT WALMART
(from Kissonline)
KISS and Walmart announced today that SONIC BOOM-the band's highly anticipated CD,
and its first new material in 11 years-will be sold in the U.S. and Canada exclusively at
Walmart, Walmart.com and Sam's Club retail locations beginning October 6. SONIC BOOM,
produced by the band's Paul Stanley in Los Angeles, is the centerpiece of a three-disc set
that also features a completely re-recorded greatest hits CD as well as a live DVD shot in
Argentina during the band's recent, record-breaking KISS ALIVE 35 South American tour. The
CD set will retail for $12, with pre-orders starting in September on Walmart.com.
KISS' Gene Simmons says, "SONIC BOOM may be the best new record we've done since
Destroyer! It is Rock And Roll Over meets Love Gun. The world's biggest retailer had
better get ready for the hottest band in the world and hire more cashiers before October
6th!"
Stanley continues, "Through all of the albums that are considered our classics, we
tried to always find ways to give our fans extras that went beyond just the music. Besides
our making the best KISS album in decades, Walmart has made it possible for us to include
a bonus CD with 15 of our most famous songs and an additional live DVD, shot during our
recent concert in Buenos Aires. So in every sense, SONIC BOOM is the ultimate return to
classic KISS form. You wanted the best, you got the best!"
Walmart, one of America's largest music retailers, is finalizing its exciting plans now
for its in-store and online destinations for KISS fans surrounding the launch of the new
album and tour, and will host various KISS products in addition to their music in its
stores this fall. More details on Walmart KISS activity, announcements regarding album
pre-sales, sweepstakes and KISS appearances will be shared shortly.
[Comments]
August 17, 2009
KISS SONIC BOOM
(from Kissonline)
SONIC BOOM CD Track Listing:
1. MODERN DAY DELILAH
2. RUSSIAN ROULETTE
3. NEVER ENOUGH
4. YES I KNOW (NOBODY'S PERFECT)
5. STAND
6. HOT AND COLD
7. ALL FOR THE GLORY
8. DANGER US
9. I'M AN ANIMAL
10. WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES
11. SAY YEAH
Produced by PAUL STANLEY
Co-produced by Greg Collins
The US & Canadian release of SONIC BOOM is a three-disc set that also features KISS
KLASSICS, a 15-track completely re-recorded greatest hits CD, as well as a live DVD shot
in Buenos Aires, Argentina during the band's 2009 South American tour. The discs are
packaged in a DigiPak along with a 20-page booklet.
SONIC BOOM will be available exclusively at Walmart, Walmart.com and Sam's Club retail
locations beginning October 6.
KISS KLASSICS CD Track Listing:
1. DEUCE
2. DETROIT ROCK CITY
3. SHOUT IT OUT LOUD
4. HOTTER THAN HELL
5. CALLING DR. LOVE
6. LOVE GUN
7. I WAS MADE FOR LOVIN' YOU
8. HEAVEN'S ON FIRE
9. LICK IT UP
10. I LOVE IT LOUD
11. FOREVER
12. CHRISTINE SIXTEEN
13. DO YOU LOVE ME
14. BLACK DIAMOND
15. ROCK AND ROLL ALL NITE
KISS Bonus Live DVD Track Listing:
1. DEUCE
2. HOTTER THAN HELL
3. C'MON AND LOVE ME
4. WATCHIN' YOU
5. 100,000 YEARS
6. ROCK & ROLL ALL NITE
[Comments]
August 17, 2009
COBO HALL COMMERCIAL
Click here to see the commercial for the last Kiss concert at Cobo Hall.
[Comments]
August 17, 2009
KISS TO PLAY COBO HALL ONE MORE
TIME
(from Kissonline)
One last time, before the walls come down, Cobo Arena will hear a SONIC BOOM...
KISS returns with their brand new stage to where it all started, playing the album that
started it all...KISS Alive!
KISS will perform a special KISS ALIVE 35 show at Detroit Rock City's legendary concert
venue, Cobo Arena, on September 25! This historic structure, which is slated for closure,
has hosted KISS concerts on numerous occasions, not the least of which was the series of
shows that were recorded to become the KISS ALIVE! album. Tracks made famous on KISS
ALIVE! - including "Rock and Roll All Nite," "Deuce," "Black
Diamond," and "Hotter Than Hell" - are well represented on the greatest
hits disc included with SONIC BOOM.
The Detroit show, which will live another 35 years in KISStory, goes on sale to the public
at 5 pm EDT on August 21 at TICKETMASTER.
A KISS ARMY Members-Only ticket presale will take place Wednesday from 10AM - 10PM EST.
KISS ARMY Members will have access to MEMBERS-Only tickets..these are among the best
available seats in Cobo Arena.
Meet & Greet upgrade packages will also be available.
If your membership to the KISS ARMY has expired or you would like to become a premium
member of the KISS ARMY to participate in the presale: CLICK HERE NOW.
[Comments]
August 16, 2009
ACE INTERVIEWED BY CLASSIC ROCK
(from Blabbermouth)
Original KISS guitarist Ace
[Comments]
August 15, 2009
PODKISST #21
Podkisst # 21 is online featuring an interview with Ace Frehley.
Ace says there is talk about a possible Bonus Track for the Japanese version of his solo
album.
Click here to listen to the Podcast.
[Comments]
August 15, 2009
LOS ANGELES KISS EXPO 2009
The Los Angeles Kiss Expo will take place at the Los Angeles
Airport Marriott on October 18th, 2009.
Special Guests will be Bruce Kulick and Wendy Moore. More infos at www.lakissexpo2009.com.
[Comments]
August 15, 2009
KEN BARR
(from rockpages.gr)
We continue our KISS special feature with the 35th interview of a KISS-related
figure. This week, Ken Barr, author of “We Are The Road Crew” and roadie for
KISS in the 90s. Here’s an excerpt:
Rockpages.gr: From all that you’ve seen and all that you read (after the end
of your collaboration with KISS), which is the one thing that people don’t know about
this band and in your perspective should be noted down in this interview?
Ken Barr: I think that KISS is one of the hardest working bands in the world. I
don’t think that people realize how much hard work goes into their show. From the
before show preparations to the show itself, most people couldn’t do it. And they do
a lot of shows per week, more than most bands. They aren’t afraid to do five or six
shows a week. If that’s what the fans want, that’s what they’ll do.
Rockpages.gr: You have a book out called “We Are The Road Crew”. Tell
us a few details about it…
Ken Barr: I wrote my book to chronicle the career I had in music. I went from
bars on Long Island when I was a kid, to arenas around the world with bands like KISS. I
was fortunate to say the least. The book is my recollections from a great career. I went
places and met people I never could have dreamed of. Writing the book jarred a lot of old
memories, I’m glad I wrote them down. It also shows how one gig can lead to another
and how a club show you did five years ago can land you a tour today. It’s available
at: www.cafepress.com/roadcrewstore
Read the full interview on: http://www.rockpages.gr/standard.aspx?type=13&sub=K&lang=EN
[Comments]
August 14, 2009
VEGAS COULD SEE KISS STAGE SHOW
(from reviewjournal.com)
Cirque du Soleil-style production would be mix of new and old, insider says
By JASON BRACELIN and MIKE WEATHERFORD
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
A new kind of carnival may be coming to town, one that trades the dancing bears and
stiltwalkers for blood-spittin' dudes in grease paint and hot-under-the-collar hard rock.
Veteran rockers Kiss have announced plans to bring a big-budget, Cirque du Soleil-style
stage show to Las Vegas with at least a $40 million to $50 million budget, according to
those behind the planned production.
The show, which will purportedly be titled "Kiss: Carnival of Souls," is being
devised by Kiss' Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, with L.A. comic book publisher Radical
Publishing and its Singapore-based sister company Storm Lion also involved in putting it
together.
Details still are emerging about the show, but according to Barry Levine, co-founder of
Radical, it will be an all-encompassing affair.
"It involves every aspect of music, movement, lighting, stage design and special
effects," Levine says via e-mail from Singapore. "Since Kiss is the epitome of
theatrical rock, we need to make sure it represents the Kiss brand. The Kiss brand has
endured and sustained itself like no other group for the past 35 years."
No official opening date has been set or even a venue named. Levine says that it will
debut in "approximately two years and yes, we do have an idea of where we want it to
be, but that will only be revealed once certain requirements are met."
Promoters who book The Pearl at the Palms, The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel the Las Vegas
Hilton and the 7,000-seat theater at Planet Hollywood all said Wednesday they either were
not familiar with the proposed production or that they had not engaged in discussions with
the producers.
Levine says he first developed a working relationship with Simmons and Stanley as a
photographer for Kiss more than 30 years ago. He says that a production like this has been
in the works for some time.
"There have been talks about Kiss creating a Vegas show for the past 20 years,"
Levine says, "but the collaboration between Kiss, Radical and Storm Lion seemed to
help take it to another level."
Levine also says Stanley and Simmons will have a strong hand in the development of the
show. "Kiss will be hands-on as they have been from day one and they already have an
initial concept," he says.
Levine says he has enlisted the help of Michael Gill, who helms the Vegas-based Gill
Theatrical Management. Gill's firm oversees daily operations of local titles including
"Phantom -- The Las Vegas Spectacular" and he often has served as a go-between
for producers seeking to place titles on the Strip. He could not be reached for comment as
of press time.
If the show does come to fruition, Levine says it will be a mix of the new and the old
intended to reach an audience that reflects as much.
"I feel that Kiss will be reaching its current demographic from 10- to
60-year-olds," Levine says. "Will it be tailored to a specific hard-rock
audience? No, it will be tailored to a Kiss audience with new music along with classics
that we all love."
[Comments]
August 14, 2009
CLASSIC ROCK GETS EXCLUSIVE
PREVIEW OF NEW KISS ALBUM
(from Classic Rock)
Classic Rock can confirm that
the new Kiss album will be called Sonic Boom – and we’ve got the full
tracklisting. Not only that, but we’ve heard six of the album’s 11 songs!
Classic Rock’s Geoff Barton was invited to an exclusive preview of the
new Kiss album this afternoon, in the convivial company of Doc McGhee, the band’s
manager.
“Kiss promised to deliver a back-to-their-roots album and that’s exactly what we’ve got,” Barton reports. “Recorded in the old-fashioned, analog way, it sounds spectacularly good – no ProTools nonsense in evidence here.
“The interesting thing is, it’s not simply a homage the band’s first few albums. There are even nods to records such as [1982’s] Creatures Of The Night, which had Vinnie Vincent, Bob Kulick and others guesting on guitar. Kiss seem to have cleverly combined the best of all their eras into a single winning package.”
McGhee confirmed that Sonic Boom will be available exclusively through Wal-Mart stores in the US, as part of a package including a disc of re-recorded Kiss classics (already available in Japan) and a live DVD. The album is due for release on October 6.
“I actually wanted to make Sonic Boom available as a download for a dollar, but I was overruled,” McGhee chuckled.
“I still think it’s a great idea. Millions of people would’ve downloaded it, I guarantee. At just a dollar a throw, it would’ve been the bargain of the century.”
McGhee is delighted that Kiss decided to play to their strengths on Sonic Boom. “It’s exactly want people want: the classic Kiss sound played by the band looking like they’ve always done. Kiss are like James Bond or Mickey Mouse. They’re an amazing brand and they’ll likely go on forever.
“When I took over management of Kiss in the mid-1990s, that was my major plan: to get the band back to basics.
“I mean,” McGhee laughed, “when Kiss had a squirrel in their line-up – what was the hell was that all about?”
The full tracklisting of Sonic Boom is:
1. Modern Day Delilah
2. Russian Roulette
3. Never Enough
4. Yes I Know (Nobody’s Perfect)
5. Stand
6. Hot & Cold
7. All The Glory
8. Danger Us
9. I’m An Animal
10. When Lightning Strikes
11. Say Yah
Here’s our quickfire reaction to the six songs we heard:
Modern Day Delilah
Based around a lumbering, War Machine-style rhythm, Paul Stanley’s vocals
sound top-notch and timeless, almost like they’ve been sampled from Kiss Alive!
Meanwhile, Tommy Thayer’s guitar work is straight out of the Ace Frehley riff book.
At a concise 3:35 in length, this is a perfect slam-bang beginning to the new album.
Russian Roulette
Gene Simmons takes the vocals on this one; it’s an archetypal lumbering, grumbling,
pummelling offering, made all the better by the addition of a signature ‘ah-ah-ah-ah’
chant-line. The lyrics are simplistic but effective: ‘This is Russian
Roulette… one pull of the trigger is all you’re gonna get… you feel the
hunger and it’s much too much… go on take a bite.’ To a fan of classic
Kiss, that’s sheer poetry.
Never Enough
You’re know you’re on to a winner immediately as this one begins with a
time-honoured Stanley shout of… wait for it… ‘Woah yeah!’
This is a much jauntier offering than the preceding two tracks, recalling the more
commercial, 1980s side of Kiss. The song has a real reach-for-the-sky spirit, full of
uplifting phrases such as ‘rules just for breaking’, ‘life for
the taking’ and (you guessed it) ‘love ’til I’m shaking’.
Yes I Know (Nobody’s Perfect)
Another three minutes of perfection. A light-hearted, hyper-commercial tune with Simmons
at the mic-stand again, offering a gruff ‘YEAH’ (capital letters,
natch) followed by the inevitable invitation: ‘C’mon baby, take off your
clothes.’ There’s no word on whether Simmons kept his T-shirt on, however.
Stand
Our favourite so far; a proper anthem recalling the crowd-rousing grandeur of God Gave
Rock’N’Roll To You. Stanley delivers the words ‘Stand by my side,
I’ll be next to you/Stand by my side, we’ll make it through/Stand by my side,
we’ll get by, you and I’ with consummate Starchild passion. This one just
grows and grows… and then offers a neat false ending with some soft, CSN&Y-style
harmonies (yes, really) before picking up the pace once more.
I’m An Animal
Full of giant, stalking menace, this is based around a dense, Zeppelinesque riff. Thayer
plays a marvellous slick-but-stumbling Frehley solo, and you can rest assured the lyrics
– ‘I’m an animal and I’m free… I’m an animal in the
street’ – don’t refer to an old lady with her poodle off the leash.
Late in the song, the band issue the urge: ‘Stand up, raise your fists.’
Little do they know, we’ve been doing that since track one…
[Comments]
August 14, 2009
INTERVIEW WITH EDDIE TRUNK
(from Fabio/Deuce News)
Ciao Eddie!!!
One year later I'm back to you and...what a year had been for KISS fans!
KISS new album is around the corner, Ace's Anomaly is like a rocket ready to ride, Bruce's
BK3 practically done and..I heard also about a possible new album from Peter!!!!
What are your thoughts and expections for KISS, Ace and Bruce highly anticipated new
albums?
I think clearly the Kiss album will have the bigggest marketing and name value and the
highest profile. All reports are it will be part of an exclusive deal with a major retail
outlet here in the USA, something acts like Journey and AC/DC have already done to great
success. I have not heard a note of the CD so really no idea what it will sound like.
Tommy and Eric are both great players so I have no doubt the musicianship will be solid.
Kiss's music over the years has had many turns and directions so it should be interesting
to see where they go. I'll have a hard time looking at a Kiss album with the image of Ace
and Peter on it though. I just don't get why they don't give Tommy and Eric their own
identity, but I will listen with an open mind.
Ace's album I heard and it's solid. Ace is not going to reinvent the wheel.
You know what you will get with him and it's pretty much what Kiss/Ace fans will want and
love. Straight up no nonsense hard rock. The biggest thing about Ace's album is his vocal.
He is singing better than he has in a long time because he's sober. I also advised him on
the lead track from the CD and think the first single "Outer Space" is a perfect
first single.
Listening to BK's album as I type this. Sounds real good and has Gene as a guest. Bruce is
a great player but outside of the hard core Kiss fans he is a somewhat under the radar
guy. His music doesn't rely so much on the Kiss formula. I think he did the smart thing
getting many guests on the album and showcasing his playing. He will have the toughest
road selling the CD just because of the lower level of awareness for him outside the Kiss
world and in the mainstream.
Have you heard too about a new
Rock&roll album from the old Pete?
Peter told me a while ago he had a rock record ready but no idea where thatstands. Kiss
fans are loyal to Peter but the music that is most in his heart is not what Kiss fans want
to hear, so It's harder for him.
You recently hosted Ace on your radio show, did he mentioned to you of a possible
Anomaly European tour?
He wants to tour everywhere he told me. I'm sure it will all come down to where the
most interest from promoters is. Like any tour.
Well and what's on your side? What about your projects and business?
I'm still doing two live national radio shows. One on satellite on Sirius/XM and one on
FM radio live from New York City and syndicated to others. The way the landscape for radio
is in NYC I'm pretty sure my show will be the only outlet for airplay for Kiss, Ace or BK
in their hometown, but I'm happy to fill that void for the Kiss fans. I am also now
gearing up to shoot the third season of my TV show for VH1 Classic called "That Metal
Show". We are booking guests now and have some great stuff lined up. The show has
been a big hit and we have all new shows coming in October. My website recently launched a
members side and for a small fee you can hear my radio shows and interviews both on audio
and video so come see me at www.EddieTrunk.com
Eddie, thanks again for your time and your love for the good music!!!
Keep in touch!
Fabio
[Comments]
August 14, 2009
ACE ON BLOGTALK RADIO
Ace was on the air on "Blogtalk Radio" yesterday.
Click here to listen to the show. Ace comes in after 36 minutes.
[Comments]
August 14, 2009
MEAT LOAF, ACE FREHLEY TO
LEAD ROCK FANTASY CAMP
(from Billboard.com)
Meat Loaf, Yes singer Jon Anderson and former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley will be
the headline "counselors" at this year's Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp, which will
take place Nov. 17-22 in Hollywood. A shorter and less expensive session will also be held
Nov. 12-15.
"Meat Loaf has been to baseball fantasy camps before," RRFC founder David Fishof
tells Billboard.com, "so I wrote a letter to his manager to invite him to ours. He's
a fun guy. You have to have a certain kind of personality, and Meat Loaf is that
personality. He's a character. He is what Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy camp is about; he's the
kind of guy you want to hang with and talk music with and talk career and jam with."
The November camp staff will include Rami Jaffee (the Wallflowers, Foo Fighters), Elliot
Easton (the Cars), Kenny Aronoff (John Fogerty, Melissa Etheridge, Joe Cocker), Danny
Seraphine (Chicago), Bruce Kulick (Kiss), Rudy Sarzo (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne), Share
Ross (Vixen), Teddy Andreadis (Guns 'n' Roses, Alice Cooper) and writer/producer Mark
Hudson (Aerosmith, Ringo Starr). Producer and engineer Ron Nevison (the Rolling Stones,
the Who, Lynyrd Skynyrd) will also be a guest, and Doors guitarist Robbie Krieger is
expected to jam with the campers on the final night at the Whiskey-A-Go-Go.
Another producer/engineer, Eddie Kramer, will oversee a special 40th anniversary tribute
to Led Zeppelin, with a winning song broadcast on the syndicated "Get the Led
Out" radio program.
The spring RRFC drew sold out all 85 spots, according to Fishof.
A variety of camp packages are available from $7,999 to $12,498, with a Rock 'n' Roll Golf
Best Ball Tournament on Nov. 17 for an extra fee. Information is available at (888)
762-2263 or rockcamp.com.
RRFC has also set its spring dates, Feb. 10-15 or 12-15 in Hollywood and March 25-31 at
Abbey Road Studios in London, England.
[Comments]
One individual who rightly deserves the title
"legend" is Ace
It was a real pleasure
to hear an advance of Anomaly and also an honor to speak with the
man himself who answered a few questions about it.
Click here
to read the interview.
[Comments]
August 13, 2009
PODKISST #20
(from podkisst.com)
On this edition of PodKISSt we celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the KISS
Coffeehouse with content you won’t hear elsewhere! Once again, Mike and Geoff made
the trek down to Myrtle Beach for the annual celebration that has become the Woodstock of
the KISS Army! They got the latest scoop on things to come from KISSonline webmaster Keith
Leroux, met the folks working behind-the-scenes at the Coffeehouse, and best of all…
they got an exclusive interview with KISS drummer ERIC SINGER! Many thanks to Eric, Keith,
and everyone at the Coffeehouse for making this another great celebration of all things
KISS, to Ken for the fantastic artwork, and to Geoff and Mike for making PodKISSt proud!
Click here to listen to the Podcast.
[Comments]
August 12, 2009
ACE FREHLEY INTERVIEW
(from modernguitars.com)
Ace Frehley is a patient man. After releasing his fourth solo studio album, Trouble
Walkin', Frehley became musically sidetracked with other projects including the KISS
"Unplugged" concert and several highly successful reunion tours with the hottest
band in the land. As the second of these reunion tours came to a close, Frehley decided to
shift his creative focus back to his solo career and began writing, producing and
recording his highly anticipated new album Anomaly.
Anomaly features Frehley originals and one cover of Sweet's classic song "Fox on the Run." With long-time bandmate Anton Fig on drums, the songs feature hard-driving grooves and catchy guitar riffs that have become a staple of Frehley's work, both as a solo artist and with KISS. Set for release on September 15, 2009, the new CD is Frehley's fifth solo release and first since 1989.
While fans may have been anxiously waiting for a new solo release, and wondering if Frehley had moved on from his solo work, the new record is definitely worth the long wait. Anomaly includes moments that bring to mind Frehley's early days with KISS and his solo work during the '70s and '80s, but also presents forays into new musical territory by the veteran guitarist.
Frehley has also been working closely with Gibson Guitars on the upcoming release of his new Gibson Les Paul Ace Frehley Signature Model guitar. The new Les Paul is a follow up to the highly successful and popular Frehley model that was released to wide acclaim in 1997. Currently in the finishing stages of development, Frehley is hoping that the new signature model guitar will be released around the same time as the new solo album.
With a new solo CD and signature model guitar being launched this year, Frehley has managed to find time to make appearances at charitable concerts and events. After appearing on an episode of VH1's Sober House, Frehley and the housemates headed over to the Rock School to meet the kids and perform a charitable concert that helped support the school's students and programs.
Anomaly signifies Frehley's return to his solo
career and gives his fans welcomed new material after waiting for almost 20 years. With
hard rockin' grooves, catchy lyrics and Frehley's signature tone, Anomaly is sure
to excite his fans and expose a whole new generation of listeners to one of the most
legendary figures in rock guitar history.
Click here
to read the interview.
[Comments]
August 12, 2009
KISS GO TO VEGAS
(from Straits Times)
AMERICAN rockers Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of the legendary Kiss rock band will
make appearances in a Las Vegas live theatre extravaganza co-produced by local
entertainment company Storm Lion.
This was announced on Tuesday by Storm Lion and its Los Angeles conference at The Arts House in Old Parliament Lane.
Called Kiss: Carnival Of Souls, the live show is a brainchild of Stanley and Simmons.
The latter was in town to meet potential business partners to stage the show in the region.
Set against a dark carnival, the show, named after the group's last album embarks on a journey seeking true love.
Kiss will also be recording an all-new repertoire for this production.
Dressed in jeans and black jacket, Simmons, who is Kiss'
singer and bassist, says the upcoming production will be a 'fantastic production of
sounds, lights and fantasy'.
[Comments]
August 11, 2009
NEW ALBUM "SONIC BOOM"
There have been rumours for quite a while now, that the new
album might be called "Sonic Boom". Not only have Kiss trademarked the name, the
title was also written on some monitors during an album listening party for the press. Now
Kiss have registered also the domains sonicboomkiss.com and sonicboomkiss.net.
[Comments]
August 10, 2009
COUNTDOWN TO ANOMALY PART 2
(from Talking Metal)
In this very special episode, host Mark Strigl and John Ostronomy continue Talking
Metal's Countdown to Anomaly featuring a new 10-minute excerpt of John Ostronomy's
interview with legendary guitarist Ace Frehley. Interview topics include the recording of
the album track by track, drummers Anton Fig and Scotty Coogan, and Gibson guitars.
Additional podcast topcs include Brendon Small and Slash.
Talking Metal has also posted their Countdown to Anomaly: Ace Frehley Photo Gallery
containing over 60 never before seen personal, live, and backstage photos of Ace!
Click here to check it out!
[Comments]
August 10, 2009
INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL DORET
ABOUT THE NEW ALBUM COVER
(from Deuce News/Fabio)
Here is an excerpt of all Kiss-related qusetions from Fabio/Deuce News with Michael
Doret:
I am perfectly aware that such definition is way beyond complete as You are among the best
designers around and that your art can be seen everywhere, but…you know, we are so
next to the D-Day to see the new KISS album title and cover revealed that….;-)
I would like more than anything right now to share with you what I did for the new cover.
I am very excited about it because I think it is among the very best of my work. But an
agreement is an agreement: I gave my word to Paul that I would not reveal anything before
the "official" release of information, and I am a man of my word.
Together with the KISS project I saw you are working on The Jewish Zodiac where you
created the images from photographs and then integrate them into twelve unique deli label
designs. Did you follow the same process with the KISS album cover?
Actually I did. (How did you know?) In both cases I was provided with existing photography
that I needed to incorporate into the finished design. In both cases I felt that the
photography was lacking a certain "graphic" quality that it needed to have for
me to include it in my finished art. For the "Jewish Zodiac" pieces I developed
a process where I reduced a photo to its various graphic components—breaking it
down—and then putting it back together, but with a "twist". So I was able
to take some fairly low contrast, fairly soft focus photos of Paul, Gene, Tommy and Eric,
and transform them through that process I had developed into much more dynamic
"colorized" images that I was then able to incorporate into my design
We all know that this will be a Paul Stanley’s creature as he is the only producer of
the album; Gene Simmons said the album title came out from a Paul’s idea/vision. Did
he came to you with a clear indication or title to develop the cover or did you showed him
some sketches to be worked out?
Paul came to me with the title of the album. We talked about the "look" he
wanted this cover to have. We talked about how the other cover I had done for them,
"Rock and Roll Over", really had become iconic and now represented KISS' music
from that early period. He talked about how he'd like the new cover to to be suggestive of
that look, because they wanted the music in the new album to be more reflective of that
time and, of their roots in hard rock. He also stipulated that I needed to use existing
photography of the four members instead of creating graphic caricatures (which is what I
did in RARO). So that was my challenge: create another iconic cover that would also be
reflective in some way of the previous cover.
When I did RARO I presented the group with one colored pencil drawing. With only a few
minor comments, they approved it. After thinking about what I needed to do for this new
cover, I spent a week or so creating sketches, then narrowed it down to one which I
presented (very nervously) to Paul. Like the first time around, he immediately loved it.
Then it was just a matter of refining the sketch, selecting the photos, working out a
color palette, and presenting it all to Paul again. You will soon be able to see the
result of this process .
I saw you are selling Limited edition signed silkscreens created to celebrate the release
of new fonts from Alphabet Soup Type Founders.
Are you planning to do something similar with the new KISS Cover art?
Yes. But with the cover art for the new album it will probably be a little different. I
first had the idea that I would create large scale limited edition signed prints and then
sell them myself. But then I talked with Paul, and he really liked the idea, so now I'll
probably be doing them in conjunction with KISS. The idea would be to produce limited
edition signed giclées that not only would be signed by me, but by members of KISS as
well. Also it looks like we'll also be doing a large scale print of "Rock and Roll
Over" to be sold in tandem with the print of the new cover. This also was my
idea—to tie the two together, as they are both related. There has been plenty of
merchandise with the RARO image, but nothing of any quality in a large size. As the
artwork for RARO has disappeared in the sands of time, I have to re-create the artwork
digitally, otherwise at the large size of the giclées (hopefully around 25" square)
it would look terrible. This is all very tentative as we haven't worked out all the
details yet. I will post an article on my blog when the details have been finalized. So
keep watching!
[Comments]
August 9, 2009
KISS TO PLAY IN MONTREAL ON
OCTOBER 1!
No dates for the upcoming Kiss tour has been confirmed yet, but according to this site tickets ($ 65,-
to $ 125,-) for the concert in Montreals Bell Center on October 1st, 2009 go on sale on
August 15, 2009.
[Comments]
August 8, 2009
KISS AND TELL WITH ACE FREHLEY
Click here for
part 2 of "Kiss & Tell" with Ace Frehley from Magnet Magazine.
[Comments]
August 8, 2009
"THE WORLD'S MOST FAMOUS
GROUPIE" INTERVIEWS ACE
Hi dolls, I had the pleasure of spending a little quality time with KISS guitarist
Spaceman, the unparalleled Ace Frehley. I interviewed him for RS Italy, but of course, got
waaaaay more great stuff that I could use, so will share it with my dolls!
Back in 1978 when all four members of KISS simultaneously released their solo albums, $2.5
million bucks (a whole lotta dough back then!) was spent on the publicity campaign with
much frantic hubbub and fanfare. Expectations that bassist Gene Simmons and rhythm front
man Paul Stanley would outsell drummer Peter Criss and guitarist Ace Frehley was were
shattered when the big winner among the four turned out to be none other than
“Spaceman” Ace. If you dolls haven’t seen the outrageous Halloween ’79
interview from the Tom Snyder talk show, please check it out and get some chuckles. Ace
(who was then an alcoholic and joyous drug user) gets manic giggle fits and overtly pisses
off the uptight, long-tongued, business-man monster Gene. Check out the wicked looks he
keeps shooting his stoned guitarist! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jzve-Tmd70
God bless YouTube for reviving these long-lost, special moments in rock history.
Here we are 30 years later, and the now sober Ace is releasing another raucous,
fret-shredding solo album, “Anomaly,” which gives me the opportunity to sit down
with him at the House of Blues and have a little chit-chat.
Ace is the very special guest at tonight’s Really Big Rock Show at Hollywood’s
House of Blues, along with Ozzy Osbourne, and my Sex Pistol pal, Steve Jones. Their high
profile back-up band is L.A.’s renowned Camp Freddie, featuring members of Guns n
Roses, the Cult and my old Jane’s Addiction flame, Dave Navarro. Before the
festivities begin, Ace and I sequester ourselves in a dim little, cosmic nook to catch up.
Click here
to read the interview.
[Comments]
August 8, 2009
LOOKING BACK ON KISS ALIVE/35
TOUR
(from Fred Vehert)
Check out a great photo gallery from the final date of the KISS Alive/35 Tour in Paso
Robles, CA, as well as full KISS Alive/35 Tour attendance figures on Diamant Noir's KISS
World News Weblog:
http://diamnoir.free.fr/dotclear/index.php/?category/General-english
There you can see also a photo gallery of Ace rehearsing at the Music Box Theater in LA.
[Comments]
August 8, 2009
ACE ON "ROCKIN' METAL
REVIVAL"
Ace Frehley was interviewed on the last episode of "Rockin'
Metal Revival". Click here to
download the broadcast of the show including the interview with Ace.
[Comments]
August 8, 2009
THE PLATINUM EXPERIENCE
Click here for a a review on the Platinum experience in Paso Robles, CA on
Fury Rocks.
[Comments]
August 7, 2009
CBR TV: NICK SIMMONS & GENE
SIMMONS
(from comicbookresources.com)
The creator of Radical
Comics’ new miniseries “Incarnate,” Nick Simmons talks to CBR TV along
with his father Gene Simmons of the legendary rock band KISS.
In this exclusive on-camera interview conducted at the CBR Yacht at Comic-Con International, Simmons
discusses his vampire-like creative process for creating “Incarnate,” whereby he
worked so late into the night that his father, thinking someone had broken into their
house, pulled a gun on him. Simmons also reveals that Radical loved his pitch for the
series – but still told him to start all over from scratch.
Click here to see the interview.
[Comments]
August 6, 2009
ACE FREHLEY INSTRUCTIONAL DVD
COMING SOON!
In a recent interview with "Chorus and Verse" Ace
said, that he recently filmed an instructional DVD where he teaches the KISS songs
"Cold Gin" and "Shock Me", which should be out at the same time as his
solo album.
Click here
to read the complete interview.
[Comments]
August 6, 2009
PODKISST #19: TOD HOWARTH IS
CALLING TO YOU!
(from podkisst.com)
In 1987, the Space Ace returned to airwaves and concert stages with his brand new band,
Frehley’s Comet. On this edition of PodKISSt, we’re joined by Tod Howarth,
keyboardist, guitarist, songwriter, and erstwhile Frehley’s Comet member. Tod shares
insights from an impressive career playing alongside artists like Ace, Cheap Trick, and
Ted Nugent. Plus, he treats us to an EXCLUSIVE acoustic rendition of the Comet classic
“Calling to You,” recorded just for you… the PodKISSt listeners! Tod, you
rock! (Check out www.todhowarth.com for more news and info.)
Click here to listen to the podcast.
[Comments]
August 6, 2009
COUNTDOWN TO ANOMALY PART 1 WITH
ACE FREHLEY
(from Talking Metal)
This very special episode begins Talking Metal's
Countdown to Anomaly featuring the first excerpt of
host John Ostronomy's interview with legendary
guitarist Ace Frehley. In the excerpt, Ace recounts the recording of the cut "Ghengis Khan"
when Rob Zombie guitarist, John
5, recruits Pearl Aday to sing background
vocals on the track. Stay tuned for more interview excerpts and exclusive photos leading
up the release of the album and the full-length audio and video interviews!
Click here to listen
to the podcast.
[Comments]
August 6, 2009
KISS AND TELL WITH ACE FREHLEY
Click here for a
little "Kiss & Tell" with Ace Frehley from Magnet Magazine.
[Comments]
August 5, 2009
CHRIS LENDT
(from rockstarweekly.com)
We continue our KISS special feature with the 34th interview of a KISS-related figure.
This week, Chris Lendt, author of “Kiss and Sell” and Vice President of
Marks-Glickman Management. Here’s an excerpt:
Rockpages.gr: You had worked with KISS from 1976 up to 1988. Your job was more or
less to keep things under control on a financial base. We all know when was the most
lucrative period for the band, but which one was the lowest point –financially- and
why?
Chris Lendt: My recollection is that the 1982-85 period was the roughest. The
Elder was a flop, Ace followed Peter and left the group and the big record deal that Kiss
had with Phonogram/PolyGram was terminated. Years of over-spending were beginning to catch
up with the band. There was a lot of uncertainty during that period and the band's
popularity was in a steep decline.
Rockpages.gr: Bill Aucoin was the manager of the band when KISS decided to hire
the services of Howard Marks and Carl Glickman. Was there a tension between the two sides
and have you ever found yourself in an awkward or embarrassing position? Any specific
incident…?
Chris Lendt: There was tension at times as Bill began to feel that his
prerogatives as manager were being limited by the role the business manager started to
play. I think I related one personal anecdote in the book about Bill being annoyed that he
had to get the business managers to OK some of his spending decisions. That kind of
tension is not necessarily a bad thing. It can protect the artist from a manager who might
be prone to excess. But Bill wasn't used to his authority being challenged and eventually
it became a thorn in his side.
Read the full interview on: http://www.rockpages.gr/standard.aspx?type=13&sub=K&lang=EN
[Comments]
August 5, 2009
ACE FREHLEY PUTS AN END TO
INTERNET RUMORS
(from rockstarweekly.com)
After more than 20 years, original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley is back – and he told
us so. Ace sat down with RockStar Weekly to talk about the new album and laying to rest
some internet rumors.
The spaceman returns to the music world with Anomaly, his first solo CD for his own record
label and has recently signed with Vancouver-based management company Chief Music
Management, the company that handles the affairs of Hinder and Faber Drive.
Ace has been sober for three years and feels great. “I’ve been struggling with
sobriety for a long time,” Ace says. “I’ve been lucky, but it’s a day
to day battle.”
There have also been many internet rumors that Ace hates. One report in 2007 said the
guitarist was dead. A couple new ones include a divorce with his wife of more than 30
years and having to stop using his famous smoking guitar (as reported by Rolling Stone).
Ace puts those rumors to rest in our interview – click below to listen.
He also revealed that he stopped recording his new album last year to tour and show the
world that he could still play – a rumor started by Gene Simmons, who has been taking
stabs at the spaceman lately.
Ace describes the new album as similar to the first couple Ace Frehley albums, although a
bit heavier. He also revealed that the iTunes only track The Return of The Space Bear is a
track that features commentary from his famous interview with Tom Snyder back in 1979.
Check out the complete interview here.
[Comments]
August 4, 2009
ACE FREHLEY ELECTRONIC PRESS KIT
Click here to see
the "Ace Frehley Electronic Press kit 2009". It shows Ace talking about his new
album, recent live-footage from Ace and fragments of "Fox on the run".
Bronx Born Records will be holding Anomaly listening parties where you can hear Anomaly
from start to finish in selected cities starting this week with the first being held this
Saturday Aug 8th in Fresno, CA.
[Comments]
August 4, 2009
Q & A WITH ACE FREHLEY
Magnet Magazine did a Q&A with Ace Frehley. Click here
to read the entire interview.
[Comments]
August 3, 2009
LOS ANGELES KISS EXPO
The 1st ANNUAL LOS ANGELES KISS EXPO will be held Sunday October 18, 2009, 12:00 pm to
10:00 pm at the LOS ANGELES AIRPORT MARRIOTT HOTEL 5855 W. Century Blvd, Los Angeles CA
90045.
Click here for more
infos.
[Comments]
August 3, 2009
KISS ALIVE 35 TOUR DVD COMING
OUT?
Trademark Pictures have posted the following on their website along with photos from the
filming:
"Successful rock band Kiss travel to Australia and New Zealand for their Alive 35
tour. Concerts in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Wellington - full HD coverage with up to
8 cameras at each concert.
The Kiss Alive 35 tour will be released on DVD"
Click here
for more infos.
[Comments]
August 3, 2009
RUMOURS ABOUT THE NEW ALBUM
Rumours are getting stronger, that the new album might be called "Sonic Boom".
The album will be coming out on October 6th, distributed through Wal-Mart in the
USA.
Meanwhile there are rumours, that the new album will also include a second CD and a DVD as
well. The Bonus DVD would be a re-recorded best of CD (which has recently been released in
Japan). However, none of this is confirmed.
[Comments]
August 2, 2009
KISS M&M'S AD CAMPAIGN
(from Kissonline)
Here's the artwork for the KISS / M&M's ad campaign that is currently running in major
magazines.
Limited edition KISS M&M's will be released in October!
[Comments]
August 1, 2009
INTERVIEW WITH TOMMY THAYER
Portlands Katu TV interviewed Tommy Thayer yesterday. He said, the new Kiss album will be
out in September (?), next month Kiss M&Ms will be coming out and that Kiss will have
their own Reality TV show called "Kissteria".
Click here
to see the interview.
[Comments]
August 1, 2009
ACE TO PLAY NEW SONGS AT SUNSET
STRIP MUSIC FESTIVAL
Ace just announed on his Twitter
page, that he will be playing new songs from his solo album at the Sunset Strip Music Festival at
"The Viper Room" on September 12, 2009!
[Comments]