The KISSFAQ - November '07 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 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.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007 7:46:59 AM - "The Other Side Of The Coin" @ KISS Museum

Our friends at the KISS Museum are now stocking the latest KISSFAQ publication, "The Other Side Of The Coin." Check it out, HERE, and while you're there check out the numerous other items this great online store offers!

Saturday, November 24, 2007 5:43:48 AM - Eric Carr Remembered

Paul Caravello (1950-1991)...

Saturday, November 24, 2007 5:43:48 AM - Eric Carr Remembered

Paul Caravello (1950-1991)...

Saturday, November 24, 2007 5:43:48 AM - 5th Japanese KISS Fan Expo

The 5th Japanese KISS Fan Expo will take place on February 9th (Sat) & 10th(Sun) at Takadanobaba in Tokyo. Special guest is ESP!

Further information is available HERE...

Saturday, November 17, 2007 1:49:15 PM - Ace lining up shows...

According to Ticketmaster Ace Frehley has lined up the following solo dates:

Thu, 12/27/07 - Jaxx Nightclub, Springfield, VA
Fri, 12/28/07 - Jaxx Nightclub, Springfield, VA
Sat, 12/29/07 - The Norva, Norfolk, VA
Mon, 12/31/07 - Crocodile Rock Cafe, Allentown, PA

With no official website, it's kinda hard to confirm these date, so keep checking Ticketmaster...

Wednesday, November 14, 2007 4:01:36 AM - FYE "KISSOLOGY" special offer...

Fye is offering a free 24x36" poster of Kiss with orders (poster to ship separately within 5-6 weeks. Limit 2 per household).

Wednesday, November 14, 2007 4:01:36 AM - Gene Q&A...

(From Billboard, Antony Bruno:) "Gene Simmons is a busy man. The legendary KISS founder fills his time with a variety of projects. There's filming for "Gene Simmons Family Jewels," the reality show entering its third season on A&E. And there's an animated show on Nickelodeon called "My Dad the Rock Star." Simmons is writing his third book -- "Ladies of the Night," a "personal and historical overview" on the profession of prostitution -- coming this spring via his own publishing company, Simmons Books. He also has Simmons Comics, with three comic book series based on characters he's created. The list goes on.

And if that weren't enough, Simmons manages a host of efforts with partner Richard Abramson as part of Simmons Abramson Marketing. Of those is NGTV.com, a popular video Web site featuring uncensored celebrity interviews and music videos in which Simmons is both the chairman and an investor. Simmons took a few moments to chat with Billboard about NGTV.com, and discuss his thoughts about the overall digital music market.

How did you get involved with NGTV?
I think they wanted to add my name to the roster, possibly to raise funds and attention. I brought over my partner Rich Abramson and told them we'd come on board subject to a few provisos. One was that it would no longer be called NetGroupie. I came up with No Good TV and trademarked it. I found the building where it's based. And it's been a nice steady climb.

What drew you to the company?
Part of it is the uncensored thing. But a ship is only as good as the people who work on it. They have a terrific team of young, talented people who didn't just look at the clock -- and everybody does what they needed to do. That's my style too.

For a young company, it's taken off quickly. To what do you attribute their success?
You can't put your finger on it, but you can recognize pieces of the puzzle. The VIPs of the world in pop culture decide among themselves where they want to go and who they want to be associated with. That's called buzz. It's difficult to create it.

It's like if you open a disco in the middle of Manhattan and it has 20,000 square feet with modern this and modern that, and you expect the stars to go ... good luck. But you can have a little roach-invested bar downtown in the Meatpacking district and the stars will come out knowing full well they'll be photographed.

NGTV is one of the few projects that you're associated with that you didn't create yourself. What makes this different? I trust my own gut. I like to create my own stuff, but every once and a while something comes across that just looks too good to be true. The day-to-day is still Kourosh (Taj, co-founder and head of programming). All I've done is co-raising the money with Rich, and branding it No Good.

You've got the third series of the Kissology DVD coming out next month. Is there much more we can expect coming?
There'll be 10. No one -- and that includes the Beatles and Elvis -- can touch our (KISS') merchandising and licensing. Nobody. Outside of the music world, it's only Disney and Lucas. But in the music world, they can't shine our shoes.

Any touring plans?
We'll tour a few dates next year. We don't have anything to prove to anybody or do press to convince anybody we're important. We're doing KISS festivals around the Indy car racing series. Simmons Abramson Marketing markets and brands Indy cars. I came up with the I Am Indy brand, by the way. They go on the night before. We'll do 15 dates or so. We'll also go to Australia and New Zealand and maybe to four to six shows -- but nothing comprehensive until we feel like it.

It has been nine years since we've seen a new KISS album. Any plans to get back into the studio?
The record industry is in such a mess. I called for what it was when college kids first started download music for free -- that they were crooks. I told every record label I spoke with that they just lit the fuse to their own bomb that was going to explode from under them and put them on the street.

There is nothing in me that wants to go in there and do new music. How are you going to deliver it? How are you going to get paid for it if people can just get it for free? I will be putting out a Gene Simmons box set called "Monster" -- a collection of 150 unreleased songs. KISS will have another box set of unreleased music in the next year.

The record industry doesn't have a f*cking clue how to make money. It's only their fault for letting foxes get into the henhouse and then wondering why there's no eggs or chickens. Every little college kid, every freshly-scrubbed little kid's face should have been sued off the face of the earth. They should have taken their houses and cars and nipped it right there in the beginning. Those kids are putting 100,000 to a million people out of work. How can you pick on them? They've got freckles. That's a crook. He may as well be wearing a bandit's mask.

Doesn't affect me. But imagine being a new band with dreams of getting on stage and putting out your own record. Forget it.

But some artist like Radiohead and Trent Reznor are trying to find a new business model.
That doesn't count. You can't pick on one person as an exception. And that's not a business model that works. I open a store and say "Come on in and pay whatever you want." Are you on f*cking crack? Do you really believe that's a business model that works?

So what if music just becomes free and artists make their living off of touring and merchandise?
Well therein lies the most stupid mistake anybody can make. The most important part is the music. Without that, why would you care? Even the idea that you're considering giving the music away for free makes it easier to give it away for free. The only reason why gold is expensive is because we all agree that it is. There's no real use for it, except we all agree and abide by the idea that gold costs a certain amount per ounce. As soon as you give people the choice to deviate from it, you have chaos and anarchy. And that's what going on."

Monday, November 12, 2007 3:45:29 AM - Rare recording surfaces...

This Sunday a rare audience recording from an early date during KISS' "Winter Tour 1976/77" surfaced. Recorded on December 4, 1976 at New Orleans' Municipal Auditorium, the show features one of the final contemporary electric performances of "Hard Luck Woman," a song that was only included in the band's set for a short time during Nov/Dec 1976. Unfortunately, unlike the earlier Memphis show (which doesn't circulate), this recording is not the full concert and only features the following songs:

Detroit Rock City / Take Me / Let Me Go, Rock 'N' Roll / Firehouse / Do You Love Me? / Ladies Room / Hard Luck Woman / I Want You / Gene Solo / God Of Thunder / Pete Solo / Cold Gin

Still, for a more than 30-year-old audience recording, the quality is at least listenable enough for diehard fans to at least hear "Hard Luck Woman" once. This is the second December 1976 show to surface this year, the other being Memphis, TN from December 2. That show also includes "Beth" and one of the last performances of "Strutter," before it was dropped from the set (until 1980). The full set for that show included:

Detroit Rock City / Take Me / Let Me Go, Rock 'N Roll / Strutter / Ladies Room / Firehouse / I Want You / Hard Luck Woman / Do You Love Me? / Cold Gin (w/ Ace's solo) / Gene Solo / God Of Thunder / Peter Solo / Rock And Roll All Nite / Beth / Makin' Love / Black Diamond.

Both of these shows demonstrate the fine-tuning of the band's set as the tour got underway. Material is being moved around i n the set, and certain live arrangements are slightly different than would become common ("Do You Love Me?" and "Ladies Room" in particular). Thirty years on, one never knows what's going to pop up next! Hear a sample of "Hard Luck Woman," HERE (Memphis), which we originally posted in September.

Saturday, November 10, 2007 9:01:45 AM - "Live To Dream!" To Be Premiered At Chicago KISS Fan Fest...

"Live to Dream!" — which is described as an insider's glimpse into the creative process of KISS guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley and his upcoming concert film/DVD, titled "Live to Win Live" — will be premiered at the Chicago KISS Fan Fest on Saturday, November 24. "Live To Dream!" director D.P. Carlson and "Live To Win Live" director Louis Antonelli will attend the event for a question-and-answer session with the fans.

Director D.P Carlson describes Live to Dream!' as, "an insider's glimpse' into Paul Stanley's creativity, and personal journey from his first solo album in 1978, to his latest 'Live To Win' release and tour. The film also captures the emotional and creative process of how producer/director Louis Antonelli's concert film, 'Paul Stanley – Live to Win Live!' came to be." "Paul Stanley - Live to Dream!" features interviews with Paul Stanley, Louis Antonelli, manager Doc McGhee, band members Jimmy McGorman, Rafael Moreira, and Nate Morton, as well as personal insights from fans attending the Chicago concert and filming.

The Chicago KISS Fan Fest will also feature a performance of the classic KISS solos by former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick. Bruce will also be available for autographs and photos throughout the day. There will be KISS karaoke, trivia contests and a grand prize raffle.

The 2007 Chicago KISS Fan Fest:
Saturday, November 24
1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (noon for VIP holders)
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites
150 S. Gary Ave
Carol Stream, IL 60188
For special rates on hotel rooms, call 630-665-3000 by November 15 and ask for the Expo rate.

Thursday, November 08, 2007 4:54:13 AM - First KISSOLOGY III Bonus Disc contents Confirmed...

KISSONLINE has confirmed the Sao Paulo (Aug. 27, 1994) bonus disc as containing the following:

01. Creatures Of The Night
02. Deuce
03. Parasite
04. Unholy
05. I Stole Your Love
06. Cold Gin
07. Watchin' You
08. Firehouse
09. Got To Choose
10. Calling Dr. Love
11. Makin' Love
12. War Machine
13. Domino
14. Love Gun
15. Lick It Up
16. God Of Thunder
17. I Love It Loud
18. Detroit Rock City
19. Black Diamond
20. Heaven's On Fire

This Best Buy Bonus disc features nearly the entire show, omitting only "Take It Off." "Rock And Roll All Nite" was not filmed at this show which was part of the 1994 "Monsters Of Rock" South American Tour...

Thursday, November 08, 2007 4:54:13 AM - Gene Joins Gangster Big Band ROYAL CROWN REVUE At Hard Rock Casino...

(From Blabbermouth) Rock legend Gene Simmons of band KISS will perform live with big band Royal Crown Revue this coming Friday, November 9, at The Joint located inside the Hard Rock Casino in Las Vegas. The performance featuring Gene Simmons with Royal Crown Revue will be filmed and featured in two upcoming episodes of Simmons' acclaimed "Gene Simmons Family Jewels" television show, now in its third season on A&E.

The Las Vegas show with Gene Simmons fronting Royal Crown Revue will take place at Beacher's Madhouse, the world's most talked about variety extravaganza, located in The Joint at the famous Hard Rock Casino in LasVegas. Doors open at 9 a.m., with a red carpet entrance, and the entertainment is set to begin at 10 p.m.

Gangster big band Royal Crown Revue was recently announced as the backing band for Gene Simmons, following an earlier press release announcing that Gene Simmons would be fronting a mystery band. Over the past week Gene Simmons and Royal Crown Revue have been rehearsing for the event at undisclosed location in Los Angeles.

Thursday, November 08, 2007 4:54:13 AM - Gene To Headline Small Business Hawaii's 32nd Annual Conference...

(From Blabbermouth) HawaiiReporter.com reports that KISS legend Gene Simmons, who stars in his own A&E television show "Gene Simmons Family Jewels", will be in Hawaii in January 2008 to speak at the 32nd annual Small Business Hawaii Business and Investment Conference.

The conference, "Small Business 2008: Hawaii's Economic Tipping Point", will be at the Ala Moana Hotel, from 8 am to 2pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2008. Advance registration is required. Simmons, who appears on many business programs regularly such as the recent Michael Eisner program on MSNBC, will share his entrepreneurial secrets and, "Ten Points to Make You Rich Like Me."

A full crew from A&E will travel with Simmons to film two Hawaii episodes featuring him at the SBH conference, at conference partner, JP Mariott Ihilani Resort in Ko'olina, and other island attractions. Small Business Hawaii is grateful to Jeff Stone of the Resort Company and his staff for arrangements for this very special event.

Thursday, November 01, 2007 3:16:26 AM - Ace At the Hard Rock...

Pix by LoveGuns

Ace Frehley played a sold out gig at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City last night, a part of Eddie Trunk's "Halloween Bash." Ace's set was the same as the rehearsal/warm-up gig earlier in the week: Rip It Out, Hard Times, Parasite, Snowblind/I Want You, Rock Soldiers, Breakout, Into The Void, Strange Ways, Shock Me, NY Groove (W/ Anton Fig), Shot Full Of Rock, Rocket Ride, Medley (My Generation, How Many More Times, Bring It On Home, Highway To Hell), Love Gun, Deuce, and Cold Gin. Old Ace buddy Anton Fig guested on drums on "New York Groove."

Tuesday, October 30, 2007 10:39:11 AM - Ace Rocks The Chance!

Ace Frehley rocked The Chance in Poughkeepsie last night playing a set that apparently included: Deuce, Strange Ways, Parisite, I Want You, Love Gun, Cold Gin, Hard Times, Rip It Out, Into The Void, Snowblind, Rock Soldiers, Breakout, New York Groove, Shot Full Of Rock, Shock Me, and medley of Who, Zep, and AC/DC tunes (Set notes From Dat577). This show was a rehearsal for Wednesday night's show at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City.