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 other KISS websites. 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. Should you want official announcements please visit the band's official website at: KISSONLINE.COM.
Saturday, June 01, 2002 5:47:36 PM - Legendary Rockers Kiss Get Into Safe Sex Biz...
(From Yahoo.com) NEW YORK (Reuters) - Safe sex never looked this dangerous. Available online and coming soon to record stores and specialty gift shops near you are Kiss Kondoms, a line of contraceptives with members of the outrageous, face-painted rock band Kiss on the packaging.
Now in its fourth decade, the band that recorded such rockers as "Love Gun", "Calling Dr. Love" and "Let's Put the X in Sex" is getting into the safe sex business in partnership with specialty condom retailer Condomania. "Sex without condoms is just stupid," said Kiss bass player Gene Simmons, who claimed in his autobiography, "Kiss and Make-Up" to have slept with more than 4,600 women, including romances with Cher and former Supremes diva Diana Ross.
Billed as "Rock 'N' Rubbers," the first in the series are bright red latex condoms labeled "Tongue Lubricated." The box of three, which sells for $4.95, and the foil wrappers protecting the condoms are adorned with a head shot of Simmons in full makeup -- white face with black bat wings around the eyes -- with his famous tongue fully extended.
Despite the racy name, Simmons said he had not personally lubricated the condoms, "however some deserving young ladies will get a personal demonstration, lots of them come to think of it." Simmons wanted to provide an alternative to the clinical looking condoms sold in drug stores. "Sex is always embarrassing for people, so when a guy whips out a Kiss condom and there's Gene Simmons's tongue hanging out it lightens up the situation," he told Reuters.
"With the estimated millions of devoted Kiss followers this idea plays very well," said Condomania founder and President Adam Glickman. "The idea of merging Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley and the Kiss trademark and legend with a product that stands for fun and sex jibes." Glickman, who started out selling condoms door-to-door at Tufts University in Boston in 1987, said it was too soon to project revenue from the Kiss Kondoms, "but we expect to sell hundreds of thousands of boxes." Two more versions are already in the works -- a studded condom dubbed the "Studded Paul" and adorned with a photo of Kiss guitarist Paul Stanley, and "Love Gun Protection," an extra strength version with the entire band on the packaging.
If Kiss Kondoms do as well as Glickman expects, he said he would like to explore using other popular musicians on his products. He envisions a possible Ozzy condom, featuring bad boy rocker turned reality TV star Ozzy Osbourne, and a P. Diddy (the former Puff Daddy) version for the hip hop crowd...«Post A Comment»
Thursday, May 30, 2002 10:10:11 AM - KISS FAQ Auction, Part II...
A bunch of KISS Album Focus Book related auctions listed on Ebay:
KISS Album Focus Copy #5
KISS Album Focus Copy #6
KISS Album Focus Copy #7
All copies come with the COA and corrigendum...
KISS Album Focus Bound Draft Copy 3/01
This is the first of only two bound rough and incomplete draft copies of the KISS Album Focus book. Dated 3/7/01 this copy is 255 pages and features appendices cut from the final version of the book.
KISS Album Focus Bound Draft Copy 11/01
This is the second of only two bound rough and incomplete draft copies of the KISS Album Focus book. Dated 11/01 this copy is 435 pages and features appendices (including unreleased song lyrics, kiss song histories, and more) and pictures cut from the final version of the book.
KISS Album Focus Revision Chapter Lot
Some 18 chapters, all of the hard-copies printed out for revisions, some with revision notes, etc. That's the lot for hard copy material related to the book.
There'll be plenty more going up including singles, CDs, albums, etc...«Post A Comment»
Tuesday, May 21, 2002 3:55:26 PM - KISS FAQ Auction...
Liquidation time. More of the KISS FAQ collection is up for grabs on Ebay:
There'll be plenty more going up including singles, CDs, albums, etc...«Post A Comment»
Friday, May 17, 2002 3:41:02 PM - Ace Bash 2002 Reality Check...
There's been a lot of arguing about what exactly was said and the ramifications of Ace's comments (see below for the excellent Eddie Trunk Ace phone in from "later that night" on April 27th), many have been relying on hearsay and paraphrasing for the comments which Ace made at his Ace bash. We present you the audio of the Q&A in MP3 format.
Without a doubt, while the audio does present an interesting picture, it really doesn't matter in the end...«Post A Comment»
Wednesday, May 15, 2002 9:22:07 PM - Eric Singer celebrates birthday in Sweden...
( From: Stefan Cedervall / Kiss Army Sweden) Remember the Ace Bash i NJ? Well, Kiss Army Sweden and Eric Singer threw their own "Singer Bash" in Sweden on May 12th. About 300 people showed up at Club Rockers in Vasteras to participate in the annual Kiss Convention festivities. A tight six-hour schedule included several Kissdealers, contests, live perfomances by four Swedish bands including Kiss coverband Kiss Alive, later joined by Eric Singer on two encores, and last but not least, a long signing-session (no limits, kids) with Eric, and a great on-stage Q/A-session. Since Eric celebrated his birthday, Kiss Army Sweden presented him with a custom made birthday cake.
(Eric photo, courtesy of Stefan Cedervall; Cake photo, courtesy of Marko Rouvinen)
Cool stuff, thanks for the report Stefan...«Post A Comment»
Friday, May 10, 2002 5:54:02 PM - KISS No Longer On Universal...
(From: Genesimmons.com) According to a Gene response to a letter on his official website, KISS are no longer with Universal. Gene comments, "Unfortunately, we're no longer with Universal". Depending on what the case is this could have major ramifications, though no doubt, many fans would like to see the band take a road similar to that which the Grateful Dead did - release their own material. One major problem, or issue, I can think of is the status of the KISS Catalog. Did the band retain rights to it, or did Universal keep the cash cow (past releases are strong sellers)? Regardless, after nearly 29 years on the same label (Casablanca was bought by Phonogram and KISS transferred to Mercury which was part of Phonogram; PolyGram was then bought by Universal which was in turn bought by Vivendi. Thus, while the band have been on different labels, they've not left but been transferred as was the case with the band being dumped on Def Jam during the Universal deal which Gene didn't find amusing), it may well spell the end of yet another chapter of KISStory. Guess we'll find out more in due course...«Post A Comment»
Friday, May 10, 2002 5:54:02 PM - Gene at "New Guy" Premiere...
(From: yahoo.com) Gene and family at "The New Guy" premiere 5/7 in which Gene appears...«Post A Comment»
One KISS song, "Lick It Up", is on a Various Artist's compilation, "Pure 80's Rock", due for release on May 21st.
Sunday, May 05, 2002 10:46:59 AM - Palladium 1980 Fan Phots...
The FAQ always welcomes contributions from other fans. Here's some great photos!
Sunday, May 05, 2002 6:41:15 AM - American Bandstand Performance Video...
Thanks to Jim for sending this in. It's in Windows Media Format and is 8,066Kb - you can download Windows, Unix, and Mac players Here
Regardless of the politics, it's good to have seen the band on television...«Post A Comment»
Saturday, May 04, 2002 12:06:44 PM - KISS stuff in upcoming Leland's Auction...
There's plenty of interesting KISS memorobilia offered in Leland's "Americana" auction which closes May 16th. Included are RIAA awards for "Rock And Roll Over", "Beth", "Alive", "Double Platinum", and "Love Gun" and awards presented to Eric Carr for "Creatures Of The Night" and "Dynasty". There's plenty of clothing, paper goods including Gene lyric books and sketches. Also featured is an 10" acetate for "Shout It Out Loud" and a music presentation reel with 4 songs from Gene's solo album and three from Ace's. There's also Ken Kelly artwork and a Bullfrog Bheer gig poster. There's a ton of stuff, which can be looked at HERE. There is also a separate section for musical instruments, with some very cool prototypes and several Iceman's. Click HERE. If wanting to bid, take into account that the registration with Lelands might take some time...«Post A Comment»
Friday, May 03, 2002 3:24:54 PM - Dark Horse KISS Comics coming in July...
(Darkhorse.com - linked from their site)
KISS' Dark Horse comics are set for publication July 24th. The first issue by Joe Casey & Mel Rubi with cover by J. Scott Campbell is part of a series overseen by Gene Simmons. According to the website's blurb, "presents a bold new direction for Kiss -- years after the split-up of these four super-powered warriors, they've followed very separate paths. The Demon is a bounty hunter; The Starchild lives with a race of women warriors in South America; The Spaceman is cruising the solar system with no human contact; and The Catman's getting in touch with his bestial side. When Catman finally goes too far, the others know they have to band together to save the Catman's humanity." LOL. Read about KISS # 1 HERE. There's also more links on that page to other information on the comic including an interview with Gene. List price is $2.99 for the 32 page comic...«Post A Comment»
Friday, May 03, 2002 3:24:54 PM - KISS Implodes / Ace calls in...
(From: Eddietrunk.com) "KISS has once again imploded, and it is getting messy in the press. Check the News Section for the latest on Gene and Paul's future with KISS. But more importantly, click here to listen to a phone interview Ed did with Ace Frehley last weekend! Ace doesn't hold back on his feelings about the band! It's a must listen for any Kiss fan". It really is an interesting call, the audio stream, unfortunately, is in Real Media format, but runs around 13 minutes...«Post A Comment»
Friday, May 03, 2002 3:24:54 PM - More Paul Stanley comments on Bandstand...
(From: yahoo.com) "That was my first exposure to rock 'n' roll. I used to come home from school and while everybody else was outside playing cowboys and Indians, I was watching American Bandstand and seeing Eddie Cochran or Dion and The Belmonts," says Paul Stanley of Kiss, which got a boost toward stardom from another Clark music show, In Concert. Read more, HERE...«Post A Comment»
Friday, May 03, 2002 3:24:54 PM - Paul rocks Bandstand...
Cool picture of Paul from Bandstand filming (Yahoo. AP Photo/Krista Niles)...«Post A Comment»
Friday, May 03, 2002 12:50:12 PM - American Bandstand 50th TONIGHT 8/7C...
Tonight (USA) on ABC 8/7c, A milestone for an American institution will be marked with American Bandstand's 50th … A Celebration!, hosted by Dick Clark. For more information and pictures, Click Here...«Post A Comment»
Friday, May 03, 2002 11:48:25 AM - Gene's Father passes away...
(From: Genesimmons.com) Gene's Father has passed away in Israel...«Post A Comment»
Thursday, May 02, 2002 9:55:48 AM - Eric Singer on drums for Queen...
Eric Singer, who had toured with Brian May, performed with Brian and Roger Taylor, at a Queen concert at the Museumplein in Amsterdam, Holland, on April 30th, in celebration of that country's Queen Juliana birthday. With over 130,000 people attending, the band performed: Radio Ga Ga, Tie Your Mother Down, Another One Bites The Dust, Under Pressure, Hammer To Fall, The Show Must Go On, No One But You, We Will Rock You, and We Are The Champions. Apart from Eric, Roger and Brian, the band included Spike Edney on keyboards, Steve Barnacle on bass, and Patti Russo as guest vocalist...«Post A Comment»
Tuesday, April 30, 2002 12:41:10 PM - Paul Stanley comments on Bandstand...
(From: yahoo.com) "When I was 5 years old, my dream was to be a teen-ager in terms of what I saw on 'American Bandstand' and what I heard in the lyrics of the songs being played," says Kiss guitarist Paul Stanley. Read more, HERE...«Post A Comment»
Tuesday, April 30, 2002 8:25:38 AM - Bruce Kulick on Sweet Tribute album...
(From: rocknews@chello.se) " Former KISS Axeman Pays Tribute To 70s Glamsters SWEET. Former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick has contributed lead guitar to the track "Sweet FA" for upcoming SWEET tribute album, to be released later this year. Appearing under the banner JK'S ALL STAR EXPERIENCE, Kulick is backed on the track by an all-Swedish cast consisting of, among others, rhythm guitarist Lars Chriss (LION'S SHARE), bassist John Levén (ex-EUROPE), vocalist Jonas Nilsson (REDNEX), and keyboardist Tommy Denander (RADIOACTIVE)"...«Post A Comment»