The KISSFAQ - April '07 News

This "News" page generally only relates to matters of interest to the KISSFAQ. There's no need to replicate news that can be seen on every other KISS website. Should you want official announcements please visit the band's official website at: KISSONLINE.COM. If you use information appearing on this or any other KISSFAQ page, in print (fanzines) or online (directly quoted or rewritten), please have the courtesy to say where it came from. If printing in fanzines, I'd love a copy sent to the KISSFAQ PO Box.

Quick Links:
Paul Stanley Tour Stats Page | Peter Criss

Monday, April 30, 2007 5:01:34 PM - Peter Criss To Release New Solo Album!

Peter Criss, founding member and drummer of iconic rock group KISS, will release his new solo CD entitled ONE FOR ALL July 24 on Silvercat Records, distributed by Sony/Red. The CD will be distributed day-and-date to fans across the globe.

An autobiographical collection of songs that Criss produced and recorded over the course of two years, ONE FOR ALL also includes several cover tunes that reflect his outlook on life at this point in his long-standing career.

The lead vocalist and co-writer of what to this day remains KISS' biggest Billboard hit, Beth, which also went on to win a People's Choice Award, Criss goes back to his songwriting roots with this new CD. Says Criss: "The most important thing is that my fans and other people will get a whole new outlook on me with this CD. I'm reinventing myself at my own pace, and for me, it's now, more than ever, about being true."

ONE FOR ALL is the first fully self-produced CD that Criss has recorded -- in addition to arranging and writing the lyrics and melodies for most of the material on the CD.

Joined by longtime friends and acclaimed musicians - Grammy award-winning bandleader Paul Shaffer and bassist Will Lee, as well as guitarist Mike McLaughlin -- ONE FOR ALL is a variously styled project, profoundly rich in ballads that touches on all aspects of Criss' life, and draws on his love of rock and R&B. The title track, recorded with the Church of Transfiguration Boys Choir, was written in the wake of 9/11 and sets the tone for the CD. Other songs include: Doesn't Get Better Than This, Last Night, Faces in the Crowd, Heart Behind the Hands, Send in The Clowns, and even a tribute song to his longtime bandmate and friend Ace Frehley titled Space Ace.

Monday, April 30, 2007 5:01:34 PM - 21st Annual NY Kiss Expo, SATURDAY May 5th

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!!!

Saturday, May 5th, Secaucus, NJ, 21st Annual NY Kiss Expo-Noon-Midnight, at the Crown Plaza, off Meadowlands Pkwy 201-348-6900. Over 100 dealer tables!

Guests include:
Eric Singer - Current drummer of Alice Cooper and KISS
Eric Brittingham from Cinderella with his new band, Naked Beggars
Danger Danger!!
Bob Kulick
Karl Cochran of Joe Lynn Turner Band and Ace Frehley Band
Bill Baker of Fractured Mirror
Eddie Trunk from VH1 Classic & Q-104
Cathy St. George - Playboy Centerfold and Kiss Model for Kiss Tour Books!
Jasmin St. Clair - Adult star and host of Metalsdarkside!
Ken Kelly - World-famous artist - Kiss album cover artist - Destroyer!

Bands include:
Kissteria
Naked Beggars
Jaded
Bombay Black
ZO2.

Tickets $18 advance. For dealer info or to charge tickets by phone, call 201-398-0150
Also available at select stores. Check website for availability.

Friday, April 27, 2007 4:31:17 AM - Happy Birthday Ace!

The KISSFAQ wishes Ace Frehley a very happy birthday!

Friday, April 20, 2007 9:02:48 AM - Artist WANTED...

I'm looking for someone to design the cover for "ROCK AND ROLL ALL NITE..." which is going to be a re-issue/titling of the terribly selling "KISS & Related Recordings Focus" in 8.5x11 format. In its current format that title is way to thick, heavy, and thus expensive. I'm pretty open to concepts. EMAIL Me...

Friday, April 20, 2007 9:02:48 AM - Gene on TV tonight?

Gene is scheduled to appear on and episode of NBC's hit TV game show "Identity" tonight at 8pm ET with Tony Hawk. Check the show website, HERE...

Tuesday, April 17, 2007 7:55:59 AM - Japanese DVD Reissues...

Several KISS videos are due for yet another round of reissues in Japan on June 13:

Konfidential/X-treme Close-Up (Universal UIBO-3006)
KISS My A** (Universal UIBO-3007)
KISS Exposed (Universal UIBM-3001)

Prices are higher than last year's budget releases, at around ¥3,400...

Tuesday, April 17, 2007 7:55:59 AM - Catch a glimpse of Paul live in Oz...

Several video samples of Paul Stanley performing during his current Australian "Live To Win" tour are currently available on video sharing site YouTube. The clips are only samples, but give you a taste...

"Lick It Up" (Newcastle, April 14)

"I Still Love You" Rap (Newcastle, April 14)

"Hide Your Heart" (Wollongong, April 13)

"Love Gun" (Twin Towers, April 11)

And you can also see his TV perfromance of "Detroit Rock City" in the usual staggering YouTube quality...

Tuesday, April 17, 2007 7:55:59 AM - KISSFAQ News Blog Closes...

The KISSFAQ news blog is gone. Performance of the webhost's SQL backend is too crap to make it worthwhile trying to deal with it, either posting or viewing.

The KISSFAQ news page is back where it previously was: A HREF="http://www.kissfaq.com/news/index.html">http://www.kissfaq.com/news/index.html (you're reading the page)...

Tuesday, April 17, 2007 7:55:59 AM - "Volume III" Corrigendum...

Definition(s): (From P.386 of Volume III)
1) Corrigendum (/korrijendm/): noun (pl. corrigenda /korrijend/) a thing to be corrected, especially an error in a book. – ORIGIN Latin (Oxford Concise OED).
= Corrigendum – a post-publication response to fuck-ups repeatedly missed during the proofing of a book and a chance to add stuff.

2) Ellipsis (/ilipsiss/): noun (pl. ellipses /ilipseez/) 1. the omission of words from speech or writing. 2 a set of dots indicating such an omission. – ORIGIN Greek (Oxford Concise OED).
= Ellipsis – also used to indicate an incomplete thought. The author has, and continues to have, many...

Had to happen, you have my apologies. Here's a few typos for Volume III:

P42. "downloadabl" should read "downloadable"
P55. "thos" should read "those"
P64. "desparate" should read "desperate"
P227. "reaks" should read "reeks"
P370. "Allegience" should read "Allegiance"
P370. "entirity" should read "entirety"
P371. "entirity" should read "entirety"
P371. "Tommorrow" should read "Tomorrow"
P403. "perfomed" should read "performed"
P419. "Millenium" should read "Millennium" (thrice!)
P419. "respectible" should read "respectable"
P435. "digipack" should read "digipak"
P437. "Destinys" should read "Destiny's"
P437. "unproofed" should read "un-proofed"
P438. "inadvertantly" should read "inadvertently"

No excuses (looks like I need a new keyboard). They shouldn't have been there...

2007-04-14 17:52:26 - Recent Japanese reissues...

The 1974-7 KISS studio catalog was due for a second 2006 reissue on December 20, but copies of these albums appear to have not hit retail channels until March 2007. Since the July 2006 reissues were limited edition "Mini-LP" format, the newer reissues are budget standard jewel case editions. Here's a couple of pix of the packages for "Destroyer" and "Love Gun."

These CDs are visually closer to the original 1980s releases than 1990s remasters, notably by the lack of "remaster" essays, the rear inlay panel, and while they have the "new" release codes on the screen prints the actual CD matrix numbers are the older "PHCR_3055 & 3057" respectively. In terms of sonic quality, these are the remaster versions. The print quality on the cover images is superior to that on my UK remasters...

2007-04-13 05:11:25 - Paul Stanley on Australian TV...

Paul and his band performed "Detroit Rock City" live on the NRL "Footy" show. He also appeared on the Today morning show on 4/13 and did an interview and a solo acoustic performance of "Shandi," which can be watched here.

The live perfromance follows the "Hollywood" report and numerous other "bits" including one on Elle McPhearson and a second Paul interview! But for those who want a quick audio listen, HERE...

2007-04-11 07:06:12 - Paul's tour begins in Australia...

Paul Stanley kicked off his Australian "Live To Win" tour at Twin Towns in New South Wales today. Playing songs including "Live to Win," Bulletproof," and "Everytime I See You Around" off his 2006 solo album ("Lift" was dropped) Paul treated Australian fans to "I Was Made For Lovin’ You" and an acoustic version of "Shandi," as has become the norm on his antipodean visits. Other than those the set (full listing to follow) was pretty similar to that on the US leg. The KISSFAQ wishes Paul and the band a successful Aussie tour and hopes the fans enjoy the show as much as fans did in the US!

Montior available setlists from Paul’s tour: http://www.kissfaq.com/news/tour_stats2006.html...

2007-04-09 17:25:26 - Remembering Mark St. John...

Mark St. John's KISS career may have been over with the blink of an eye in 1984, but the KISSFAQ would like to throw some random stuff at you about his musical career...

To Hassle-the-Hoff's Q "Is Everybody Happy?" I'd suggest the A is "Only if the bills get paid!" Mark appeared in David Hasslehoff's "Is Everybody Happy" music video. David had a pretty successful musical career in Europe. One the album track there is some very Mark-esque guitar wails, but no credited appearance on the recording...

Mark also worked in a band featuring David Donato (Vocals), J.R. Saenz (Drums), Glenn Hughes (Vocals/Bass). Demos the band had recorded with producer Andy Johns and guitarist Neil Citron, prior to Mark joining, apparently led to Donato's equally short tenure with another legendary band: Black Sabbath. Neil Citron had been the guitarist in the Gene Simmons produced act Virgin (who didn't release an album).

Mark made one of his first post-KISS live appearances in March 1985, appearing at an all-star jam session at the FM Station Club. The lineup included Rudy Sarzo and Tommy Aldridge (KISS Revolution, April/May 1985).

Mark also performed at "a sold-out audience at a benefit Jazz concert for Greenpeace. Some of the legendary Jazz musicians playing alongside Mark included: The Steve Hooks Band, Stu Nevitt (Shadowfax), Slyde Hyde (Tom Scott/Supertramp), Al Aarons (Count Basie) plus other special all-star guests." (KISS Force)

Mark and David soon formed White Tiger, becoming the first ex-KISS guitarist to release an album (1986, pre-dating both Ace Frehley and Vinnie Vincent's efforts).

Mark also did some session work performing lead guitar on "Livin' For My Lord" on Ken Tamplin's 1990 album, "Axe To Grind." Ken is an insiprational Christian rocker more famed for his involvement in the band "Shout". Needless to say, Tamplin has also cowritten material with Gene Simmons.

St. John made a demo in 1990 with fellow former KISS member Peter Criss. This band, known as "The Keep," became what was essentially White Tiger, with Peter Criss replacing Brian Fox on drums, and David Donato using the alias Michael McDonald. This lineup performed live just once, on May 2, 1990 at a drum clinic at the Guitar Center music store in Lawndale, CA.

Mark released a "Mark St. John Project" EP in 1999 featuring two instrumentals and three songs with Criss' first vocalist Phil Naro. This was followed in 2003 by a full-length instrumental CD, "Magic Bullet Theory" with his brother on bass...

2007-04-09 17:11:01 - "Destroyer" to get 200g vinyl reissue?

"Destroyer" (Universal UIJY-9011) is currently secheduled to get a limited edition 200g vinyl reissue in Japan on August 8. No doubt this far out details may be subject to change!

2007-04-06 18:53:02 - "Roar Of Greasepaint, 1997-2006" Ebay Blow-out!

Hardcover and softcover copies of Volume III of the "KISS Album Focus" are currently on offer on Ebay at rock bottom prices:

Hardcover version (7 of 26 made still available):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190103060326

Paperback version (9 available):

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190103058472...

2007-04-05 14:04:51 - Mark St. John... RIP.

KNAC.COM is currently reporting that former KISS guitarist Mark St. John died this morning from a cerebral hemorrhage. This news has since been confirmed by KISS Online.

Mark St. John was born Mark Norton, in Hollywood, California, on February 7, 1956 and attained some noteriety as KISS' shortest serving guitarist. During a hectic and disruptive period of two years KISS changed from Ace Frehley to Vinnie Vincent to Mark St. John, and then finally to Bruce Kulick on lead guitar, a position that was considered the most temporary job in town at the time. St. John lasted less than eight months with the band only joining them on stage in public three times. Regardless, Mark played on KISS' most successful US studio album of the unmasked period and any line-up apart from the originals (ST&H doesn't count). Mark was a successful guitar teacher whose modesty didn't allow him to name who his students were.

Following his time with KISS, Mark reconnected with David Donato, a vocalist who had had an equally short tenure with another legendary band: Black Sabbath. The two, who had worked together prior to their supergroup tangents, formed White Tiger becoming the first ex-KISS guitarist to release an album. The band included Mark's brother Michael Norton, but split while working on demos for a second album in 1988. Mark was soon working with ex-KISS drummer Peter Criss, and while the band cut several demos (Hear a couple: "Been A Long Time" & "All Night Long"), he nor his brother survived as the band became "Criss." He then disappeared, before re-emerging in late-1998. He released an "EP" which featured some material that originated from the project with Peter Criss, and later a full-length instrumental CD. He also became a special guest on KISS Expo circuit.

The KISSFAQ sends their condolences to Mark's family and friends...

2007-04-02 17:12:35 - Joel Brodsky, photographer of KISS' first album cover dies.

Joel Brodsky, who photographed KISS for their first album cover in 1973, passed away on March 1...

2007-04-02 06:40:19 - (TalkingMetal) Topics include Ace Frehley's new recording...

TalkingMetal.com has posted episode 139 of their "Talking Metal" podcast. In this Heaven and Hell concert special, hosts Mark Strigl and John Ostronomy broadcast from pre and post show parties outside Heaven and Hell’s sold out show at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Topics include the upcoming Heaven and Hell DVD, 3 Legged Dogg, Violent Storm, The Haunted, and Guns N’ Roses. The podcast also features an interview with Mick Cervino of Violent Storm. Interview topics include K.K. Downing, Yngwie Malmsteen, Roy Z., and Ritchie Blackmore.

In addition, the episode concludes with an exclusive interview with former Lynch Mob and current Ace Frehley bassist, Anthony Esposito. Topics include Ace Frehley’s new recording and touring lineups, Frehley’s upcoming solo album and tour, Schoolhouse Studio NYC, and 6 Foot Nurse.
Photos as well as the 80-minute podcast can be downloaded at this location (http://www.talkingmetal.com ). iTunes users can also subscribe to "Talking Metal" for free at this location (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=78833595).

KISSFAQ Bulletpoints:
· Anthony Esposito, who runs Schoolhouse Studio in New York City, has been working with Ace on demos for a new album. This isn't new news, but the fleshing out of what's been going on is...
· Ace's solo album coming together
· 15 new songs together so far and talk of a cover song also.
· Reminiscent of his first solo record with old school riffs that Ace fans love.
· Anton Fig, Ace, Anthony Esposito writing. Anton for the studio, possible tour for the summer.
· Start recording this week with Jay Messina engineering/co-producing with Ace.
· Heavy duty guests possible, though none are confirmed, for appearances, though a special guest may also cowrite a track with him (smooch).
· Possible touring band has rehearsed: Scott Coogan (Drums), Jason Hook (Guitar), Anthony (Bass), and Ace: "Snowblind," "Deuce," "Cold Gin," "Strangeways," "Rocket Ride," "Shock Me," "Parasite," "Rock Soldiers," "Breakout" (sung by Scott) and "New York Groove"...

2007-03-29 17:20:44 - KISS Expo Round-up...

(From www.kissarmywarehouse.com) "Just a reminder about some upcoming KISS Expos.

Indianapolis KISS Expo this Saturday 3/31/07 sponsored by Get A Life Inc. There are some tickets that can be purchased at the door, very few. Special guests include Bruce Kulick former KISS guitarist, Angelo Coppola kid drumming sensation and the ultimate tribute band Mr. Speed! If you are worried about tickets order now to be sure to have one and we will hold them at the door. We expect the usual large crowd for Indy, don't wait to order tickets! For more info go to: www.getalifeinc.com

Detroit KISS Expo this Sunday 4/1/07 sponsored by Joe Marshall. Tickets are still available order online or get them at the door. Special guests include Bruce Kulick former KISS guitarist , Lydia Criss author and ex-wife of Peter Criss, Eddie Balandas former KISS bodyguard and tribute band War Machine. For more info go to: www.detroitkissexpo.com

New York KISS Expo May 5, 2007 sponsored by Richie Ranno. Special guests include Eric Singer, Eric Brittingham & Jeff LaBarof Cinderella, Lydia Criss author and ex-wife of Peter Criss, Karl Cochran, Metal Mike Chlasciak, Jasmin St. Claire, Eddie Trunk, Bill Baker, Robert Conte, tribute band KISSteria and more! For more info go to: http://www.starzcentral.com/kissexpo/

St. Louis KISS Exposponsored by Get A Life Inc. We are currently working out the details on this one. Sometime in June. Keep checking www.kissarmywarehouse.com for more info as it happens!"...