The KISSFAQ - June '03 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.

Friday, June 27, 2003 2:01:43 PM - Track listing for new KISS compilation...
"The Best Of KISS: The Millennium Collection" will apparently feature the following tracks:
1- Strutter
2 - Deuce
3 - Hotter Than Hell
4 - C'mon And Love Me
5 - Rock And Roll All Nite (live)
6 - Detroit Rock City
7 - Beth
8 - Hard Luck Woman
9 - Calling Dr. Love
10 - Love Gun
11 - Christine Sixteen
12 - I Was Made For Lovin' You
Don't shoot the messenger... «Post A Comment»

Friday, June 20, 2003 6:45:17 PM - Two KISS releases for Summer 2003...
KISS Asylum is reporting a news piece from ICE Magazine, via Bob Rodrick, that Universal, the entity formerly known as KISS' record label, is releasing yet another KISS Compilation on August 5th. Titled "20th Century Masters: The Millenium Collection", which is a compilation series issued by the label, the timing would indicate that the label wants to try and cash in on the KISS/Aerosmith Tour. Furthermore, it would seem to indicate that Universal retained the rights to the KISS back catalog when the band left the label. KISS currently has their own record label, KISS Records, via Sanctuary, and will release "KISS Alive IV - The Symphony" on July 22nd as a limited edition CD digi-pack (50,000 US copies), regular double-CD, and triple-LP (10,000 copies). The "Symphony" release will have 22 tracks while no track listing is currently known for the compilation... «Post A Comment»

Friday, June 20, 2003 12:14:11 PM - Paul Stanley working on solo album...
(From: Billboard.com -- Wes Orshoski, N.Y.) Kiss co-frontman Paul Stanley is working on his first solo album in 25 years, the artist reveals to Billboard.com. As previously reported, Kiss vocalist/bassist Gene Simmons is also working on a solo project. Stanley says he's working with a crop of songwriters that includes Andreas Carlsson, who has written songs with or for the likes of Celine Dion, Bon Jovi, Backstreet Boys, LeAnn Rimes, Britney Spears and 'N Sync. "He's a great writer, and, actually, a big Kiss fan," Stanley says, adding that he'll start really focusing on the project after Kiss' upcoming co-headlining tour with Aerosmith. "It's in the process of being shaped."

Fans shouldn't expect any unused Kiss relics to surface on the project, which should be issued next year. "I'm a big believer that, if a song doesn't make it on an album, there's a reason," Stanley says, "and to dig up something that's been sitting around for 10 or 15 years doesn't seem worth it, because at some point, sure, it can see the light of day, just by default. And that's not enough reason. "I believe if something gets rejected time and time again, it probably doesn't belong on an album," he continues. "I also like to think that a song is like a fresh issue of a magazine or a newspaper. Ya know, the ink is still wet because it's current. Recycling old stuff, to me, is not of any interest, because as life goes on, there are new experiences to draw from."

Stanley and Simmons haven't issued solo sets since each original member of Kiss simultaneously released such a project in 1978. Simmons recently told Billboard.com his album will feature songs co-written by Bob Dylan and Frank Zappa. He's also courting the likes of Axl Rose, Phish's Trey Anastasio, and John Mellencamp for guest turns.

Stanley also offered new details about the Kiss/Aerosmith tour, which is expanding. It will start in amphitheaters and then move into arenas and will likely visit some major markets more than once. "It looks like it's gonna keep extending, and rightfully so," Stanley says. "It's an exciting bill, and people, not only in America, but in Australia, Japan, and other countries, are very interested in it. It's a fun, exciting package that the people really didn't expect. It's going to be a great night of music, of arguably the two premier American rock bands of the last 25 years."

He says there's not much of a competition factor between the two acts. "We realize we could never be Aerosmith, and they realize they could never be Kiss," Stanley says. "The beauty is that both bands have thrived and survived for 30 years. So, with this revolving stage, and with both of us going out to give 110%, the fans win and we win. I can't think of a better way to spend an evening. Hopefully, [the tour] won't end until everybody says, 'Enough!'"

KISSFAQ Adds: so, Peter, Gene, and now Paul are working on solo album. And Ace? He's fallen and can't get up... «Post A Comment»

Friday, June 20, 2003 12:14:11 PM - Ace concussed, misses camp?
Ace, who was scheduled to appear at the 2003 Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp, apparently fell and hurt himself making his participation questionable. No official word on the validity of this report... «Post A Comment»

Wednesday, June 18, 2003 7:08:08 PM - Vinnie Vincent "Invasion" US CD Reissue...
"Due to technical difficulties, the re-issue of Vinnie Vincent Invasion's self-titled debut will be pushed back two weeks. This is Capitol Records' word: "We want to make sure these records will have the appropriate quality they deserve. We can promise that the Vinnie Vincent Invasion records will sound and look better than ever."
The current street date for Vinnie Vincent Invasion "Vinnie Vincent Invasion' is now July 08, 2003. The band's second record "All Systems Go" will maintain the original street date of June 24, 2003... «Post A Comment»

Wednesday, June 18, 2003 7:08:08 PM - Live @ The Sydney Showgrounds '80 DVD
Well the release date has come and gone, and no product. Because of the nature of the material it may well have been cancelled, but many sites show it as only being postponed - I still wouldn't hold your breath though... «Post A Comment»

Wednesday, June 18, 2003 7:08:08 PM - Detroit KISS Expo
(From Joe Marshall / www.geocities.com/kissdetroitexpo) From the city that launched KISS to superstardom, announcing the 10th Annual Detroit KISS Expo.
Sunday, August 10, 2003
11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Double Tree Hotel
I-94/Merriman Exit near the Detroit Metro Airport
*** Be sure to ask for the special KISS Expo rate (734) 467-8000 ***

Special Guests include:
- KISS Alive Forever authors Curt Gooch and Jeff Suhs will be hosting the Detroit premiere of the KISS Alive Forever promo film, featuring 30 minutes of exclusive, never-seen-before footage of KISS live from 1974–1996, including the earliest known KISS footage in existence, from January 1974 with Paul performing in the Bandit makeup and much, much more. Copies of KISS Alive Forever will be available for sale, and a Q & A session with the authors will also be included.
Note: The KISS Alive Forever promo film will never be sold and the only way to see it is by attending the Detroit KISS Expo. Since this is the last expo appearance for Curt and Jeff while promoting KISS Alive Forever; this is the final time that their amazing promo film will ever be screened in public. Be sure not to miss it.

- Jay "Hot Sam" Barth and Chuck Elias, KISS road crew members from 1974-1979 will be making their very fist KISS Expo appearances and sharing some amazing behind the scenes stories of life on the road with KISS in the 1970s. They will each do exclusive Q & A's where you can find out the real stories behind recording the band for ALIVE! and talk about what happened with Peter on the Dynasty Tour. Jay Barth worked as KISS's soundman from 1974-1976 and Chuck Elias was Peter Criss' drum tech from the Summer '76 Tour through the Out Of Control album in 1980.

Other features include:
- A 1975/76 Alive! Tour museum showcasing all four full original KISS costumes used on the Alive! Tour, original concert posters from the tour, drums from Peter Criss's 1975-era kit and more.
- Detroit's best KISS tribute band: War Machine will perform!
Plus:
- A look-a-like contest
- Door prizes
- More events to be announced

Tickets are only $12 in advance via Ticketmaster (248) 645-6666 or through www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information, call the Detroit Expo Hotline at: (734) 658-KISS {5477} or visit the Expo web site at: www.geocities.com/kissdetroitexpo... «Post A Comment»

Tuesday, June 10, 2003 3:03:04 PM - Gene Simmons' solo album details
Billboard.com has an article on Gene Simmons' forthcoming solo album and some of the tracks it may contain:
"Waiting for the Morning Light" - The track which may have once been known as "Laughing When You Want To Cry" which Gene co-wrote with the legendary Bob Dylan
"Black Tongue" - a track based on an unused Frank Zappa riff which Gene wants Dweezil and Ahmet to appear on
"Dog", "Looking Out the Window", and "Asshole" (which is a song by the Norwegian band Shirley's Temple which Gene will customize somewhat) are additional tracks mentioned. Read the article HERE as it details some of Gene's other projects... «Post A Comment»

Wednesday, June 04, 2003 5:44:46 PM - Sweet
An early Father's Day gift from the wife and son: Chocolate heads by Layla's Chocolates in Mill Valley, CA...

Sweet, eh. Now to decide who's head to crunch first... «Post A Comment»

Sunday, June 1, 2003 12:02:01 AM - Forthcoming Releases
There's really very little going on in KISS land at the moment. Here's a recap of things coming down the pike:
Bruce Kulick's latest solo CD "Transformer" is currently available...
Gene Simmons' book "Sex Money KISS" is currently available. The enticing copy of the audio CD version in lunch box includes a two track demo CD which includes "Everybody Knows" and "You're My Reason For Living".
An unofficial DVD "KISS: Live At The Sydney Showgrounds, 11/21/80" is slated for release June 15th - we'll see...