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.
Sunday, June 30, 2002 3:07:03 PM - A New KISSFAQ Book coming...
During late-2002 or early-2003 KISSFAQ Publishing will issue a second KISS Book. It won't be a reprint or second edition of the "KISS Album Focus", but a completely different release. More in due course... «Post A Comment»
Tuesday, June 25, 2002 6:16:43 PM - More on KISS appearance on Ramones Tribute...
KISSONLINE has confirmed that the band will be recording "Rock And Roll Radio" for the tribute. What the lineup will be is anyone's guess, but hopefully it'll have more KISS members on it than "Nothing Can Keep Me From (Puking Up All Over) You"... «Post A Comment»
Saturday, June 22, 2002 7:53:09 AM - Mark St. John Album Due...
Mark will reportedly release his instrumental CD, "Magic Bullet Theory" on Loch Ness Monster Records on September 29th. The album will apprently demonstrate a diverse range of styles and Mark's technique. Should be intersting... «Post A Comment»
Saturday, June 22, 2002 7:53:09 AM - Vinnie Recording?
Vinnie recording? Strictly rumor though it's been reported that Andre LaBelle and Vinnie Vincent may be in the studio. One can only wonder at: 1) is this true?; and 2) what are they recording? Might simply be more attention to "Guitarmageddon" or another varient of "Guitars From Hell" some of which Andre originally drummed on... «Post A Comment»
Saturday, June 22, 2002 7:53:09 AM - Gene loses in fight for right
(From: Yahoo.com) Gene reportedly lost out to ABC over the rights to a biopic about the girl group The Go-Go's after what has been described as being quite a long battle for them. Sex, drugs, girls, well two out of three ain't bad... «Post A Comment»
Thursday, June 20, 2002 5:15:52 PM - KISS recording on Ramones Tribute?
It's been common knowledge that Rob Zombie (the new Bob "Tribute" Kulick?) has been putting a Ramones tribute album ("We're A Happy Family") together since the first official announcement in late 2001. At the time, he'd hoped to have the album out on DV8/Columbia Records in the sping of 2002, in time for the first anniversay of Joey Ramone's death on April 15th, though that was not possible. Now it seems that KISS may well be making their first ever non-KISS tribute album appearance according to Rob after approaching him to get involved following the death of Dee Dee Ramone. According to a report at MTV.com "Kiss will record an as-yet-undetermined track next week. Zombie said he thinks his theatrical-rock inspirations will cover either 'Rock & Roll High School' or 'Do You Remember Rock & Roll Radio?'. With either of those, Zombie said he'd have hit all the classics". Interestingly, another Eisen may have a song on the album in the form of Tripp Eisen and Static-X who recorded "Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment".
Other contributors may include Rob Zombie ("Blitzkreig Bop"), Eddie Vedder ("I Believe In Miracles"), the Red Hot Chili Peppers ("Havana Affair"), Marilyn Manson ("The KKK Took My Baby Away"), Offspring ("I Wanna Be Sedated"), Green Day ("Outsider"), Motorhead ("Rockaway Beach"), Rancid ("Sheena Is A Punk Rocker"), and Billy Corgan ("I Want You Around"). Other possible contributions to the album include following: Tom Waits ("Jacky and Judy"), The Pretenders ("Something To Believe In"), Garbage, ("I Just Want To Have Something To Do"), U2 ("Beat on the Brat"), and also a reportedly decided Metallica doing the title track, "We're a Happy Family" . As late as June 4th only the Metallica track remained to be decided with the band having apparently narrowed down their choices from 8 to 4 tracks. The title track mentioned is what Rob expected them to record, though on June 3rd the band performed "Commando", "Today Your Love Tomorrow The World", "53rd and 3rd", and "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue" at their secret show in San Francisco - so it could end up being one of those songs also! Guess we'll see which ones really turn up on the album though it's possible that Billy Corgan is already out of the project (as is the earlier announced Joe Strummer who had wanted to do the same song as Rob)... «Post A Comment»
Tuesday, June 18, 2002 7:51:49 PM - Paul Stanley on the Chris Issak Show (Rebroadcast)...
(From: Showtime) Paul Stanley's appearance on the Showtime show will be rebroadcast on Tuesday 6/25 at 10pm ET/PT. In Episode #30, "Just Us Kids", "Chris throws a party, Yola dates a highschool sweetheart and Anson is invited to teach in order to confront a childhood fear; guest Paul Stanley" (Yahoo TV Listings)... «Post A Comment»
Tuesday, June 18, 2002 7:51:49 PM - KISS Ranked #39 on Rolling Stone's top earning music stars of 2001...
So you think they're rich? KISS earned around $13 million net during 2001, placing them at #39 on Rolling Stone Magazine's list of the top earning music stars of 2001. Interestingly, touring topped the band's earning division pulling in around $7.7 million net while merchandising dropped to a rather paltry $2 million. According to the break-down, KISS earned nothing from music publishing (for obvious reasons) with the rest of the earnings coming from recording (mainly the Box Set). As a comparisson, Aerosmith (who continue down their path of selling out) earned over $24 million... «Post A Comment»
Tuesday, June 18, 2002 7:31:53 AM - KISS Negotating With Large Indies, To Issue New Full-Length In 2003?...
(From: Blabbermouth.net) Having recently parted ways with the Universal Records Group (i.e. Mercury/PolyGram), KISS' Gene Simmons has reportedly been talking to several large independent record labels - including Spitfire—about inking a new deal for the band. However, while recent speculation has centered around the release of the group's long-completed Alive IV project, it now appears that Simmons and partner Paul Stanley have in fact been working with producer Bob Ezrin on the act's next studio album, which is unlikely to surface before 2003 at the earliest.
Another subject of much speculation, KISS' current line-up appears to no longer include guitarist Ace Frehley, who has been replaced by Tommy Thayer during the band's most recent live performances. Drummer Peter Criss, meanwhile, is said to be welcome to return to the fold provided that he accepts the original contract offered to him for the band's most recent tour (which he had previously rejected). However, in the event that he decides to not be part of the group, Eric Singer is said to be the frontrunner to play the drums on the upcoming record and during the subsequent live activities... «Post A Comment»
Sunday, June 16, 2002 4:32:55 PM - Gene Simmons on MTV's "Cribs"...
The episode of MTV's "Cribs" which includes Gene Simmons' segement will air on June 19th... «Post A Comment»
Friday, June 14, 2002 6:20:41 PM - KISS Album Focus Book gets ISBN...
The KISS Album Focus Book now has an ISBN (0-9722253-0-7) for the first edition limited printing. Maybe that means it'll get somewhat wider distribution now. The Book is listed in an AMAZON.COM zShop... «Post A Comment»
Friday, June 14, 2002 5:31:57 AM - Gene at CMT's Flameworthy Video Music Awards...
Gene recorded a taped statement for Wednesday's CMT (Country Music Television) Flameworthy Video Music Award. Gene gone country? «Post A Comment»
Thursday, June 13, 2002 6:59:17 PM - "Greatest KISS" re-released in Japan...
"Greatest KISS" will be reissued in Japan on June 21st (Universal/Mercury UICY-2508). The album was recently reissued in Europe as part of a Universal "Best of the Best" series with a special rather boring slip-case... «Post A Comment»
Monday, June 10, 2002 2:21:16 PM - Box Set Rare Tracks On Bootleg Vinyl...
Well, it had to happen eventually so no one should be surprised that the rare tracks released on the KISS box set have started to appear on bootlegs. One of the first "professional" bootlegs to feature the tracks is the Brazilian LP set "The Evolution Of KISS" which is split into two separate albums.
All around, the packaging is very nice with quality pictures used in conjunction with high print quality. "The Evolution Of KISS" features Keep Me Waiting (Wicked Lester), She (Wicked Lester), Love Her All I Can (Wicked Lester), Let Me Know (Demo), 100.000 Years (Demo), Stop Look To Listen (Demo) // Leeta (Demo), Let Me Go Rock 'N Roll (Demo), Acrobat (Live), Firehouse (Demo), Doncha Hesitate, Mad Mad Dog. The second LP, "The Evolution Of KISS: The Saga Continues" features: God Of Thunder (Demo), Bad Bad Loving (Demo), Mr. Speed (Demo), Love Gun (Demo), Love Is Blind (Demo) // Radioactive (Demo), You're All That I Want You're All That I Need (Demo), Time Traveller (Demo), Ain't That Peculiar. The bootleggers obiously have a sense of humor with their excellent repoduction of the classic Casablanca center ring on their packaging.
Even with the excellent packaging, the LP's have the usual sorts of errors with tracks not properly spelt, and in the case of "Stop Look To Listen" and "Mad Dog", only being listed on the center-rings, not on the cover. High quality vinyl is used and the sound reproduction is excellent (but a shame they didn't edit the 'beep' out of "100,000 Years"). BUT THE PRODUCT IS STILL A BOOTLEG!...«Post A Comment»
Monday, June 10, 2002 10:47:27 AM - Kiss's Gene Simmons Reveals His 'Tongue'...
(From Launch via Yahoo.com) (6/10/02, 7 a.m. ET by Darren Davis) -- The first issue of Gene Simmons Tongue Magazine is now on newsstands. The magazine features Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner, Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst, Donna D'Errico, and articles on Spider-Man and porn stars.
Kiss singer-bassist Gene Simmons told LAUNCH about the magazine and plans for subsequent issues at a party for the magazine held on Wednesday (June 5) in New York City: "It's going to be like this all the time," he said. "I called Hef and I called Fred Durst and anybody and the beautiful girls just seem to show up. Wherever there's action. Get some Rolls Royce, baby, get some good-looking guys. A lot of power, a lot of money, they are there. It's like ants on a picnic."
However, Simmons told LAUNCH Tongue does have some boundaries. "No nudity. I want to be sold everywhere. No risque stuff. Only stuff that makes you appreciate life. Every day above ground is a good day. It is a lifestyle magazine. It is about enjoying life. It is about beautiful women and making no apologies for it. Any wife that has a problem with it should go buy Bride magazine and leave us alone."... «Post A Comment»
Monday, June 10, 2002 10:47:27 AM - Gene Simmons And Peter Criss Kiss And Make Up? ...
(From Launch via Yahoo.com) (6/7/02, 10 a.m. ET by Darren Davis) -- Kiss bassist Gene Simmons had an official release party for Gene Simmons Tongue Magazine on Wednesday night (June 5) at Studio 54 in New York City. The party featured everything from midgets dressed up as Kiss playing "Rock & Roll All Night," to Playboy bunnies. There was even a visit by former Kiss drummer Peter Criss.
After the encounter and embrace, LAUNCH asked Simmons about his relationship with Criss. "We saw each other, and like family you hug and you say 'Hi.' You wish each other the best. Anybody who thinks there's something else going on is just dreaming. We saw each other, that's all that's important. And whatever a family has to say to each other is really nobody's business. And so the Internet and the fans usually like to butt their heads right in the middle of it, it's really nobody's business," he said.
When LAUNCH pointed out that it looked amicable, Simmons reiterated, "It's nobody's business. It's a family conversation."
There is no word on whether or not Criss is back in the band... «Post A Comment»
Friday, June 07, 2002 4:10:24 AM - Peter Criss calls Steve & DC...
Peter Criss "apparently" called in to Steve And DC, a St. Louis morning radio show. Listen to the Real Audio Stream here. Peter seems to have developed a southern accent. ROTFLMAO... «Post A Comment»
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. Check out the "See other seller's auctions!"... «Post A Comment»