The KISSFAQ - October '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.

Wednesday, October 29, 2003 4:37:49 AM - Catena get's KISSed

Italian rock artist Catena gets KISSed. Due to be released on IMR distributed by Frontiers Records on November 10, 2003 the "Freak Out" album features numerous stars including Andy Taylor, Stevie Sallas, Steve Ferrone, Tony Franklin, Tommy Aldridge, Dave Meniketti, and Jeff Scott Soto. "The Stronger You Are The Harder You Fall" features Bruce on guitar and Eric Singer on drums. Chuck Wright provides bass. Bruce also plays a solo on "Freak Out Tonight" a duet by Glenn Hughes and Chris Catena... «Post A Comment»

Thursday, October 23, 2003 11:19:09 AM - Q&A with Neal Teeman of Paul Stanley's pre-KISS band "Uncle Joe"
Here's Part 1:
[Neal Teeman] "First my name is spelled 'Neal Teeman' not 'Neil Teeman'. I grew up with (Paul) Stanley Eisen. Went through elementary School (PS 164), Parsons Junior High and played drums with him until some time in 1970. The dates listed in his Band Lineups are not correct. I played drums with Paul Stanley, Matt Rael/Stephen Coronel through 1970. On occasion we were joined by one Jack Miller on bass but Jack never really worked out. It was during 1970 I was employed by 'Jay and the Americans' and worked in their studio where 'Uncle Joe' used free studio time to record some demos. When Matt left the band, my buddy Marty Cohn recommended Stephen Coronel and he joined us at that time. Stephen tried to get Gene in the band at that time and we all met at Coronel's apartment in Washington Heights, NYC, and Stan and Gene didn't get along at first. I remember riding back to Queens with (P) Stanley, and he ranted 'who does he think he is' about Gene. I later left the group(a friendly parting) before Gene and (P) Stanley worked things out. This all happened in 1970. Later I worked with Eddie Kramer at Electric Lady Studios and worked on Kiss Alive (as well as many other records of that era - Song Remains the Same--LZ)."

[KISSFAQ] What made you chose to take up the drums and when did you do so?
[Neal Teeman] "When I saw the Beatles and Dave Clark 5 I decided to be a drummer."

[KISSFAQ] Who were your major musical influences as a drummer?
[Neal Teeman] "At first, Ringo and Dave Clark. Later I was very impressed with the drummer of 'The Move' Bev Bevan. (BTW, Paul Stanley was influenced by Roy Wood and The Move. I believe Firehouse was his sequel to the Move's Fire Brigade. At least for the storyline to the lyrics.) Later my drumming was influenced by BJ Wilson(Procol Harum) and John Bonham."

[KISSFAQ] Describe your first encounter with Stanley Eisen and how the two of you met?
[Neal Teeman] "We were classmates in 3rd grade. Mrs. Sondike's class. Stan (he was Stan then) was kind of a loner due to a very minor physical malformity (ear) and stayed out of the mainstream but we got on. By the time we reached 5th grade he was really into music and was turning me on to all kinda of stuff. By 6th grade he could play accoustic guitar play harmonica just like Dylan. He was really great. I wanted to play drums with him."

Read the whole insightful Q&A, HERE... «Post A Comment»

Friday, October 17, 2003 8:43:47 AM - Bruce Kulick's Statement
Bruce's official statement concerning the shooting incident is up at Kulick.net. Naturally all KISS fans will be relieved that Bruce has survived this incident and will hopefully join the FAQ in wishing him a speedy recovery, both mental and physical... «Post A Comment»

Friday, October 17, 2003 5:52:33 AM - Bruce Kulick Shot UPDATE
(From: Launch via Yahoo) "Bruce Kulick, the guitarist in the current version of Grand Funk Railroad, is recovering from a pair of gunshot wounds he received early Thursday morning (October 16) in West Hollywood, California. Kulick and a friend were walking away from the Key Club, where they'd been to see Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil, when gunfire erupted on Sunset Boulevard. According to Kulick, "I felt my leg hit and my temple grazed. I shouted 'Get down,' but never saw the shooter and did not realize the gunshots were from a half block up the street at the Rainbow... It was certainly a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, but I was very fortunate my wounds weren't more serious."

Kulick was examined at the scene and taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for treatment, along with a second shooting victim, and the guitarist is now home and resting. Kulick added, "I've received many messages and phone calls wishing me well and really appreciate all the concerns and messages from my fans around the world." The shooter was at the Rainbow Bar & Grill when he got into a fight, went out to his car to get his nine-millimeter handgun, and began firing wildly, getting off between four and seven shots. Neither Kulick nor the second victim were being targeted.

After he began shooting, the gunman was wrestled to the ground by the crowd. An eyewitness told LAUNCH that the shooter was hit with several bottles and kicked in the head during a severe beating before police arrived. The gunman was treated at an area hospital for his injuries. He was also charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Kulick said, "I'm very grateful for the immediate response of both the crowd and the doctors, and--obviously--the EMS crews. I'm fine and very thankful to be alive."

Kulick has been a member of Grand Funk Railroad for three years. Before that, he was the lead guitarist in Kiss from 1984 until 1995. Kulick is looking forward to getting back on the road once his doctors give him the green light. Grand Funk's next show is a benefit for the Safe Harbor Animal Rescue And Hospital in Jupiter, Florida, on November 8"... «Post A Comment»

Thursday, October 16, 2003 8:34:24 AM - Bruce Kulick Shot
(From: Yahoo) "WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - Guitarist Bruce Kulick (news), a former member of the glam rock band KISS, was shot in the leg when a man opened fire outside a nightclub early Thursday, police said.

A 21-year-old man got into an argument inside the Rainbow Bar & Grill at about 1:20 a.m., grabbed a gun from his car and shot from Sunset Boulevard into a crowd at the club's patio area, injuring Kulick and one other man, said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Sgt. Don Mueller.

Several people nearby tackled the suspect in the middle of the street and held him down until deputies arrived, Mueller said, describing their actions as "extremely brave." A 9 millimeter handgun was recovered at the scene.

The unidentified suspect, apparently drunk, fired 4 to 7 shots and was not aiming at Kulick or the other man, authorities said. The suspect was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, and was treated at a hospital for injuries sustained when he was tackled.

Kulick was outside a nearby club when he was shot in the right leg by a stray bullet, Mueller said. Another bullet grazed his head. The other man was at the Rainbow Bar & Grill and was shot in his right foot. Both were treated at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and Kulick was released, hospital officials and police said.

Kulick joined KISS in 1984 and left in the mid-1990s. Since then, the Los Angeles native has worked with a band named Union and with Grand Funk Railroad, and released two solo albums"... «Post A Comment»

Wednesday, October 15, 2003 1:01:02 AM - Review: Sleep Train Ampitheatre, Marysville, CA
Wow! Fantastic show. Stage left floor, though close to center 11th row. Much better crowd around me, who seemed very much into the show. Couple of flubs. Big deal. Peter impressed me, never tire of his "Black Diamond". "Deuce" rocked as did "Detroit Rock City". Paul can still work a crowd and is energetic and amusing. Gene growls and lurks and one feels he's looking directly at you. Tommy works the stage and puts 100% into his performance. Totally enjoyable, but perhaps I was in a better mood for the show than on Friday. Brutal drive there and back from San Francisco, but absolutely worth it... «Post A Comment»

Sunday, October 05, 2003 9:28:52 PM - New Demo Stories Additions
There's three new additions to the "Demo Stories" feature, should there be anyone still reading that. Work on the book version: "KISSFAQ'S KISS & RELATED RECORDINGS FOCUS - MUSIC! THE SONGS, THE DEMOS, ~~THE LYRICS~~, AND STORIES!" continues and I expect to be ready to publish anytime. Work on the third edition of the KISS Album Focus continues, but don't hold your breathe - I'm working on some interviews which are taking rather longer than expected and a few other things which I want to accomplish with any future printing should one occur (still, the manuscript has pushed past 400,000 words, even with a ton of deletions). We'll see, got a couple of KISS shows coming up to distract me further... «Post A Comment»

Tuesday, October 14, 2003 10:50:28 AM - Symphony CD Chart Action (Still)
KISS "Symphony" re-charted in Germany at position #38 and has dropped to #59. This one of only two countries where the ablum re-entered the charts. The album also picked up an additional chart spot, for one week, in Norway placing #26 three weeks ago. The German re-charting means that "Symphony" has 7 weeks on the charts there, making it the longest charting for the album (over-taking Switzerland's 6 week). Updated chart available in the August 03 news archive... «Post A Comment»

Monday, October 13, 2003 7:30:28 AM - Review: "KISS - Behind The Mask" (Book)
Everyone in "KISS Land" should know who Ken Sharp is. And if you don't you'll be in for a Hell of an introduction when reading "KISS: Behind the Mask". Few people will know who David Leaf is, especially in the context of KISS. Ken is probably the most respected KISS journalist for much of the past decade, while David's interaction with the band took place in 1979. Ken's credits include several incredible Goldmine interviews with the band, always with deep probing questions diehards love (usually eliciting responses in some form or another), and most recently involvement in the VH1 special "Ultimate Albums: KISS Alive!". Read the full review, HERE... «Post A Comment»

Friday, October 10, 2003 10:24:51 PM - Review: Shoreline Ampitheatre, Mountain View, CA
What can I say? Another KISS concert. And I haven't been fortunate to see too many for one reason or another. Arrived early after a hairy commute down "Death Corridor" (101) from San Francisco. Blasted my Van Halen compilation on the way. Dunno why, it just kinda drives well… Switched to a KISS CD-R compilation to get in the mood as I drove around the area checking out anything noteworthy. Could have sworn I saw Tommy drive by in a little white car. Seriously.

Got in line early for parking. Seemed like more KISS fans, though someone was playing the "Psycho Circus" album. I preferred my "Deadly Weapons" and DCC Remasters. Worked on some corrections to the new book before flipping through Ken's book again. Picked up the obligatory tourbook for $30, after collecting my tickets. Nose-bleed section center-stage 16 rows back. Pretty close to the stage extension, a shame KISS doesn't use it.

Walked around for a while to get a vibe. Ran into the Porch Ghouls playing on the side stage. Pretty good band. Hungry and blusey like a young Aerosmith with a Ron Leejack type guitarist who played sitting down and told bad jokes. Did a decently sloppy, almost New York Dolls version of "Walkin' The Dog". After they finished went back to my seat to check out Saliva. I dunno if I liked them or not. They certainly tried to get the crowd going, but they were playing to a bare audience on a stage smaller than I've seen some bands play on in clubs. A for effort, but their sound was totally brutal.

KISS came on, after the 15 minute warning announcement, meaning "get to your seats". People apparently don't give a fuck, as there were assholes walking around down the isles throughout the set. 3 bimbos in front of me talking, ignoring the show, falling over, and buying more booze. Too much dope smoke. Not my thing, what's the point of going to a show to get fucked up?

KISS were good. It may not be quite the same without Ace, but I felt they were rejuvenated live. Paul kicked ass trying to work up the crowd. Gene was Gene. Peter was smiles, and seemed pretty on time. He still strikes me as being an "underwater" drummer - his arms appear to move so slowly, but that doesn't matter, the music sounded good. Tommy played well and did Ace's vocal part for "Shout It Out Loud". "Let Me Go, Rock 'N Roll" was good. Always loved the extended solos live. Tommy was spot on. Thought I heard a few glitches, but then again maybe not. "I Want You" was refreshing. Again, just what you really expect from KISS. Lots of pyro and flash pots. Usual setlist... «Post A Comment»

Sunday, October 05, 2003 9:28:52 PM - New Demo Stories Additions
There's three new additions to the "Demo Stories" feature, should there be anyone still reading that. Work on the book version: "KISSFAQ'S KISS & RELATED RECORDINGS FOCUS - MUSIC! THE SONGS, THE DEMOS, ~~THE LYRICS~~, AND STORIES!" continues and I expect to be ready to publish anytime. Work on the third edition of the KISS Album Focus continues, but don't hold your breathe - I'm working on some interviews which are taking rather longer than expected and a few other things which I want to accomplish with any future printing should one occur (still, the manuscript has pushed past 400,000 words, even with a ton of deletions). We'll see, got a couple of KISS shows coming up to distract me further... «Post A Comment»

Saturday, October 04, 2003 6:02:42 AM - KISS Symphony DVD Charts
Debuted at #1 in Australia and the United States, and #3 in Austria... «Post A Comment»

Saturday, October 04, 2003 6:02:42 AM - KISS drummer might be on 10th life
(From: mysanantonio.com) "If cats have nine lives, then feline-faced Kiss drummer Peter Criss is a whisker's width from borrowed time. At 57, the Brooklyn-born alley cat has survived some hair-raising near misses"... To read more, click HERE... «Post A Comment»

Saturday, September 27, 2003 5:58:21 AM - "Recent" KISS Tribute Reviews
Sure, the KISS tribute market seems to have cooled off somewhat, though Bob Kulick is currently rumored to be working on a project. However, there have been several releases this year which are of interest and note.

Click on covers to purchase items from Amazon.com

Hayseed Dixies' hillbilly tribute to KISS, "KISS My Grass", was released in February 2003. Featuring "Calling Dr. Love", "Detroit Rock City", "Christine Sixteen", "Cold Gin", "Let's Put The X In Sex", "Love Gun", "Lick It Up", "I Love It Loud", "Rock And Roll All Night", and "Heaven's On Fire", the album gives KISS material a blue-grass treatment. This makes the product one of the most unique yet released. With so many tributes out there one must wonder what the point is of a band covering a KISS song identically to the original KISS performance. Hayseed add spice to a good spectrum of KISS' history. Apart from the skilled musicianship the album is also very listenable. It's not the first tribute these guys have been responsible for having covered AC/DC in 2001. The most important thing about this album is that it is just pure fun!

KISS Undressed is the brainchild of Alexx Michael from the band Shameless. "Undressed" takes the tribute concept in a new direction focusing entirely on the material from KISS' "Unmasked" album. While that album may not have been overly popular in the United States, it did well in other international markets. Additionally, one of the complaints about the album was in regards to the production which was considered too soft and polished for KISS. A tribute on an album level offers a chance for some "what if's" to be addressed. With 16 tracks several songs get multiple treatments. In terms of professional appearance of product "Undressed" rates right up there with "Return Of The Comet" for quality.

The album kicks off with Jendza's cover of "Is That You?". While KISS' version was a cover itself, Jendza inject some adrenaline into the song with a killer double-bass sounding drums. It remains smooth but the increased tempo adds more to the "what could have been"... Ryan McKay does essentially the only thing possible thing with "Shandi" and reduces it to a minimalistic piece of acoustic guitar and guitar case for precussion. The result shows just how touching the piece can be. Shameless, who were the driving force for the album, make their first contribution covering Ace's "Talk To Me". Having previously covered KISS material they give the song their own vibe while not straying too far from the original. Nash give "Naked City" more than a facial with an injection of tempo and attitude. Even with the stylistic changes to the original the band pull off a quality cover which breathes life into the song. Demon Drive take on "What Makes The World Go 'Round", but it remains faithfull to the original with beefier guitars. Apart from this being one of my favorite tracks on the original album, it also stands out on "Undressed".

Pretty Suicide's cover of "Tomorrow" turns the gender direction of the song around with the band being fronted by a woman. That's something that has not happened enough on KISS tributes, since there are plenty of female KISS fans out there. The cover works well with a very 80's rock feel. The Geminus Sect's industrial treatment of "Two Sides Of The Coin" is suprisingly listenable with some techno overtones. Like few other tribute efforts the band at least interprets the song with their own vision rather than imitates. Kinda reminds me of a cross-mix of Madonna's "Party" blended with the Sex Pistols "Submission" which circulates out there. Fun! Ken Gullic's Boot Camp have played with Bruce Kulick. Their treatment of "She's So European" takes it through several time and style changes. It's a bit convoluted, but makes for an interesting listen. Dressed To Thrill beef up the guitars and bass on "Easy As It Seems". Like some other Paul tracks on the original album this song benefits from the band's treatment which "kicks it up a notch". The hilarious Torpedo Girls cover the Ace song which inspired their name. While Ace's song was fun and tongue in cheek, this version stays pretty faithful to the original.

Shameless return with their cover of "You're All That I Want". And well, it sounds like Shameless. Another quality cover which injects some steroids into the material. "Naked City" gets an alternate treatement by Oliver Monroe. Starting off minimalistic with piano accompaniement some guitars and drums appear towards the end of the song keeping it a very evocative piece. Another standout track on the album. "Tomorrow" gets a revisit, this time with Shameless' interpretation which has a nice acoustic flavour with excellent ambience. "Two Sides Of The Coin" covered by Mind Over Matter is another stand out track with its techno-rock style. Excellent version! Tykoon take on "Easy As It Seems" with a guitar laden version. They find an excelent balance between their sound and production on the recording. The final song is KISS Forever's cover of "Talk To Me" which is different enough to close the album in an interesting manner.

Overall the quality of the music and production on the album is excellent. Packaging is also of high quality and features the "Unmasked" chapter of the third edition of the "KISS Album Focus".

KISS Unpainted is the most recent of the three tributes reviewed here, having been released this month. It doesn't feature a single classic era song and is dedicated to KISS 1983-95. It kicks off with an excellent version of "Master & Slave" by Dear Victims. Other tracks on the album include: Tears Are Falling (America to Mars), Dance All Over Your Face (Pale Blue Dot), Forever (Kiss Cover Show), Crazy, Crazy Nights (Oregon Dream Child), Who Want's to be Lonely (Star 2K), Thrills In The Night (Unmasked), Lick it Up (Kisskonfusion), Heaven's on Fire (Cyrcle IX), Thief in the Night (Kiss Forever Band), Unholy (Killaroo), and Let's Put the X in Sex (The Pornographs). Stands out on the album include "Tears Are Falling" which is a fun speedy reinterpretation of the song; The funked up "Dance All Over Your Face" again shows what tributes should be about, not copying, but making the song your band's own. Overall it's an interesting mix of reinterpretations and bands which stay close to the original style of the material. As for the Pornographs, still trying to figure that one out!

One final note, the cover: some might find this offensive to the late-Eric Carr, but don't judge an album by its cover... «Post A Comment»

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