The KISSFAQ - August '06 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.

Tracking the forthcoming solo releases:
Paul Stanley | Peter Criss

Thursday, August 31, 2006 12:34:23 PM - KISS to tour with Queen in 2007?
Gene has apparently suggested on the Dudley & Bob morning show (KLBJ - Austin TX) that KISS and Queen w/ Paul Rodgers will be teaming up for a tour next year. Queen are apparently currently planning on doing some studio recordings with Paul (Gene, take a hint!). This is neither verified nor absolute - Gene’s reality may not come to become our reality.

Queen and KISS shared a dark month in November 1991 with the passing of both Freddie Mercury and Eric Carr... «Post A Comment»

Thursday, August 31, 2006 12:34:23 PM - New KISS-related podcast...
http://www.therighttorock.com/, a site run by Allan "Ragman" Athans and Matt "Genghis" Gonzales, has completed an interview with Bruce Kulick, featuring "all kinds of interesting anecdotes about his career," which is currently being mixed for podcast... «Post A Comment»

Thursday, August 31, 2006 12:34:23 PM - "Jumpin' Gene Simmons" dies...
There’s several artists who share similar names: Gene Simmons, Jean Simmons, and "Jumpin' Gene Simmons."

Long before there was a "Demon" there was the rockabilly Jumpin' version of "Gene Simmons" who recorded at Sam Phillips' legendary Sun label, home to the likes of Elvie, Jerry Lewis, Johnny Cash, and so many others. "Jumpin’ Gene Simmons" died on Wednesday. He had a #11 hit in 1964 with "Haunted House."

Other songs he recorded also caused confusion in KISS-fan circles for years. Many thought "Ring Dang Do" was a "Demon" demo. It wasn't, it was the other guy. RIP... «Post A Comment»

Tuesday, August 29, 2006 7:02:45 AM - Gene in Sonoma

(All photos by David Pena)

Gene was in Sonoma for the IRL race last weekend... «Post A Comment»

Friday, August 25, 2006 5:05:10 AM - Gene Simmons Birthday!
Happy birthday Gene!... «Post A Comment»

Friday, August 25, 2006 5:05:10 AM - The Return Of Vinnie
GOD, please let it be so. PLEASE! According to Ed Roman guitars, who have been designing a new signature VV guitar, "Vinnie Vincent will tentatively be Appearing Informally to Shred The Walls Down!!! He will be jamming & previewing some new tracks, & promoting the new Ed Roman, Vinnie Vincent Guitar. Dates are tentative. Please don't call till we set a date." So VV fans, DON'T CALL, PRAY for the PYROMESSIAH... «Post A Comment»

Friday, August 25, 2006 5:05:10 AM - PaulStanley.com
The official internet home of Paul Stanley is visible and "up" while the designers finish the content. Check out the site, HERE. You can also check out KISSFAQ's dedicated Live To Win Page! «Post A Comment»

Friday, August 25, 2006 5:05:10 AM - 2006 Cincinnati KISS EXPO
The 2006 Cincinnati KISS EXPO will be held Sunday October 1st from 12:00PM to 10:00PM (11:00AM for VIP holders) at the Holiday Inn Cincinnati Eastgate 4501 Eastgate. Blvd. Cincinnati, OH. 45245. Special guests include Bob Kulick, Rock band SSG, Author Colette Shaw, Drumming sensation Angelo Coppola and Tribute bands Black Diamond and MR.SPEED. Dealers will be selling official KISS merchandise, including the KISS Fragrances, throughout the day! Tickets go on sale Friday (8/25). To buy tickets or for more information on the event visit http://www.cincinnatikissexpo.com/. For rooms call 513-752-4400 or 1-800-HOLIDAY. Room rate for KISS EXPO is 89.00 a night plus tax... «Post A Comment»

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 12:34:44 PM - Kulick & Singer on Beatles Tribute...
Competing with Paul Stanley's "Live To Win" for release on October 24, Restless Records is issuing "Butchering The Beatles," a Beatles Tribute produced by Bob Kulick. There are several KISS connections on the tribute: Eric Singer drums on "Back In The USSR" which features Lemmy Kilmister and John5; John Corabi sings "I Saw Her Standing There"; "Drive My Car" includes Bruce Kulick, Kip Winger, Tony Franklin, and Aynsley Dunbar.... «Post A Comment»

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 12:34:44 PM - Two rare KISS-related singles up on Ebay...
Eric Carr pre-KISS 7" single 45 Creation (1973)
- This single features fully produced versions of "I'm So Lonely" and "Something Tellin' Me," the demos of which were featured in "Tale Of The Fox" DVD.

Peter Criss pre-KISS 7" single 45 Barracudas (1967/8)
- An incredibly rare 7" single from Peter Criss' pre-KISS band, The Barracudas, featuring "Chicken" and "No Use."

Bid now or miss the chance! «Post A Comment»

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 12:34:44 PM - Paul Stanley "MySpace" Fakes - Beware Of Phoney Sites...
(From KISS Online) "Thanks to the many fans who have informed us of several phony Paul Stanley my space pages. Paul does not have a my space page and is in the process of legally having these pages in question removed. Please spread the word and let your friends know that these sites are not legit and the posts are not reaching Paul. Paul is very concerned that fans are being duped into thinking these my space pages are his site. Currently Paul will only post news on KOL.

There are many exciting things happening soon with both Paul and KISS. October will be a very busy month indeed! All the details will be announced in the near future on KISSONLINE, the only Official KISS site." KISSFAQ Adds: Remember, KISS Online is the only official KISS website. Unfortunately, one of the fake sites is still up and has streamed nearly 20,000 plays of songs off Paul's album... «Post A Comment»

Saturday, August 19, 2006 1:17:19 PM - Paul Stanley's "Live To Win" Reviewed...
It's hard to stay away from KISS comparrisons considering Paul's role within that band. But I'll try.

Live To Win - Lush textures with the down-tuned guitars dark riffs and keyboard overlays had me thinking recent Rush albums. Very atmospheric with an excellent chorus, though structurally this could be Paul's "Carnival Of Souls."

Lift - Almost Gun's 'N Roses-ish, but brooding with some very interesting chordal structures. Again the keyboards provide an interesting texture. This is very contemporary, more so than the first track. At nearly four minutes this is the album's epic track.

Wake Up Screaming - Great choruses and verses, the song attempts to build into something greater than the sub-three minutes allow. Just as you're getting into it and bopping your head, it's over. Love the drum and programming on this.

Everytime I See You Around - Hmmm, I can see Cher singing this circa 1988. For me it would have been better being given to her or Paul dueting with her. A decent song, but too twitchy.

Bulletproof - If any song on the album is contrived, this one is it. Bu-yeah! Son of "Silver Spoon." I think the chorus bites, though the verses are cool. The guitar solo is also storming.

All About You - Very Bon Jovi "Keep The Faith"-ish with some mid-80's new wave guitar sounds that made me think of Balls Of Fire or Southern Death Cult. Great anthemic verse, very Paul. Great lyrics. One of the album's out-standing tracks.

Second To None - The "Pussy" song. Blah. Too positive, too syrupy, blah, ick. It was so nice I had to go and piss on the neighbor's cat to get the "Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog" feeling out of me! Give me "Forever," "Every Time I Look At You," or "I Will Be There." This is more in the "I Finally Found My Way" class of ballads. BLAH!

It's Not Me - Hands down this is the best song on the album. In terms of craft, no superlatives will do it justice. It's just perfectly balanced, even if it feels like something that Holly and Paul have written a hundred times over. Perfect chorus, instrumentation, and a great showpiece of Paul's voice.

Lovin' You Without You - Another "Pussy" song. Paul's voice reminded me of him struggling to sound mature singing "Long Long Road" in 1971. It certainly didn't make me cringe as much as "Second To None," but compared to the other Stanley ballads it really doesn't compare.

Where Angels Dare - Great somewhat modern sounding piece. Again, very well crafted in terms of lyrics and music. Great delivery and interesting structure. But it really does remind me of something I've heard before. Still, another of the album's out-standing tracks.

Positives. Paul's voice sounds fantastic, though there is an overall feeling that Paul is holding back, in some cases too much. To use a dreaded KISS-like analogy: "Vocally, Paul is like a seasoned race car driver now - he knows how to use the accelerator of his vocals, and doesn't feel the need to spin the tires if he doesn't have to! And he's driving for fuel econonmy." The album is representative of a master proving he still has it - though few probably doubt it and at least he doesn't rap between songs (which has become painful at times during recent KISS shows)! Everything is well crafted, though in some cases too well crafted, perhaps over-thought.

Complaints. The album is too short. 33 minutes doesn't cut it in 2006. The songs are too short. They're not too concise, prunned of unneccessary fat, just too short. They may be great for radio, but they leave me longing for a few more songs (Hmmm, dig out "Impossible" and "Ready To Rock Your World"). It's over too quickly. How modern this album is will probably be debated endlessely. There's all the elements that one would expect from Paul, but it really doesn't break any new ground. It's safe, Paul doesn't take any risks whatsoever, and there are really no surprises. Gene's "A**hole" album may have been pretty dire, overall (I say that from the perspective of it being thrown together and sourced from too many submissions to his "record label" - IMO, not necessarily factual), but it did at least cause a few double-takes due to him going out on a limb. Does that detract from the overall value of Paul's album? Of course not. I didn't expect him to try and become any of the endless nameless generic modern acts. I didn't expect for him to find the 2006 equivilent of an ebow to incorporate. I just expected a bit more growth and dare I say, experimentation considering the near decade since "Psycho Circus" and 28 years since PS-1. However, I look forward to hearing Paul play some of this stuff live.

Rating: 8/10... «Post A Comment»

Saturday, August 19, 2006 9:22:14 AM - Another Taste Of Rare Live...
Kissin' Time

Check out a 30-second audience clip of KISS performing "Kissin' Time" during last month's brief series of concerts. It hadn't been performed live in concert (electrically) since May/June 1974, according to KISS Alive Forever (Curt Gooch & Jeff Suhs)... «Post A Comment»

Wednesday, August 16, 2006 5:31:08 AM - 10 Years Gone...
10 years ago today Eric Singer and Bruce Kulick announced their departure from KISS. The departure of them also marked a change to the original KISS F.A.Q. with Alex Carranza opting to no longer maintain it... «Post A Comment»

Wednesday, August 16, 2006 5:31:08 AM - Paul Stanley Lives To Win!
KISS Online has issued all the details concerning Paul's "Live To Win" album. Check it out! «Post A Comment»

Tuesday, August 15, 2006 08:55:23 PM - Paul on New Door Records/Uni?
Paul Stanley's "Live To Win" album is showing up in at least one online vendor's catalogs for release on New Door Records/UMG on October 24. "New Door Records was created as a vehicle to cross-promote new material by artists with existing Universal catalog" (Billboard). This certainly should NOT be considered CONFIRMED news.

01. Live To Win [3:10]
02. Wake Up Screaming [3:04]
03. Lift [4:03]
04. Every Time I See You Around [3:30]
05. Bulletproof [3:03]
06. All About You [3:18]
07. Second To None [3:39]
08. It's Not Me [3:22]
09. Loving You Without You [3:19]
10. Where Angels Dare [3:23]... «Post A Comment»

Friday, August 11, 2006 11:00:14 PM - Paul returns to Washburn...

Paul Stanley has a new line of guitars with Washburn. Check them out HERE... «Post A Comment»

Friday, August 11, 2006 11:00:14 PM - "Lick It Up" DVD Delayed?
Word has it that Universal has delayed the "Lick It Up - The Definitive DVD" until 2007. The package has dropped off many online retailers catalogs. This is not particularly surprising since Paul has signed with the label... «Post A Comment»

Friday, August 11, 2006 12:46:20 PM - Mike Douglas RIP

Mike Douglas, on whose show KISS performed "Firehouse" on May 21, 1974, died today, aged 81. Gene, Mr. "evil incarnate," who was interviewed on the show, along with the winners of the infamous Kissin'f contest, had a famous encounter with Totie Fields... Read all about the encounter, HERE... «Post A Comment»

Tuesday, August 08, 2006 5:38:09 AM - Taste Of Rare Live...
Love 'Em And Leave 'Em

Check out a 30-second audience clip of KISS performing "Love 'Em And Leave 'Em" during last month's brief series of concerts. It hadn't been performed live in concert (electrically) since November 1976, according to KISS Alive Forever (Curt Gooch & Jeff Suhs)... «Post A Comment»

Monday, August 07, 2006 11:21:32 AM - Russian Solo Album Reissues (A Look)...
I'd initially thought that these were not legitimate, due to their being released via the obscure Russian Lilith label, but KISSONLINE has since confirmed that they are legitimately licensed items. Here's what they look like:

180gram vinyl reissues in die-cut sleeves...

CD picture discs. "Each disc has the original artwork reproduced on it & is housed in a die-cut sleeve to replicate the original release, all 4 sleeves fit into a fold-out PVC wallet that in turn slots into a printed clear plastic box with Russian text on the reverse & a booklet containing the track listing information" (EIL). Images from EIL «Post A Comment»

Monday, August 07, 2006 11:21:32 AM - Shannon Tweed's "KISS & Tell" Published...

Gene Simmons' partner of 22 years, Shannon Tweed, has finally published her tell-all autobiography "KISS And Tell" through Phoenix Books (192 pages). Buy from Amazon, HERE «Post A Comment»

Sunday, August 06, 2006 7:45:50 AM - KISS fans protest Rock Hall of Fame snub...
(From Yahoo News) "CLEVELAND - About 200 Kiss fans protested Saturday in front of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum to demand that the band be inducted into the hall. Fans, some from as far away as California, carried signs and had painted their faces in black-and-white to resemble Kiss band members.

Those participating in the half-hour demonstration were upset that the band, formed more than 30 years ago, has not been admitted, even though it has been eligible since the late 1990s. Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record, according to the museum's Web site. "Criteria include the influence and significance of the artist's contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock and roll," the site says.

A museum spokesman said it was the first demonstration by fans seeking to have a group inducted.The foundation that selects inductees is based in New York City, not at the museum." «Post A Comment»

Sunday, August 06, 2006 - Vinnie Vincent Birthday!
The KISSFAQ wishes Vinnie Vincent a very happy birthday today! «Post A Comment»

Monday, July 31, 2006 5:08:28 AM - KISS Concertology 2003-6...
The KISS Concertology 2003-6 Stats & More has been added to the site. This section is presented using Adobe Acrobat PDF. It is essentially the same information that is included in the original "Tour Stat" sections, though some validation, especially to the 2003 tour, has been done. This document will replace the original three tour stat sections. Check it out, HERE. As is apparent, this is one of the appendices from Volume III of the "KISS Album Focus." Get Adobe Acrobat Reader FREE. «Post A Comment»