The KISSFAQ - December '05 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.

Thursday, December 29, 2005 8:45:12 AM - "Rock The Nation Live" chart (in)action...
After debuting at #7 on the Billboard video charts, "Rock The Nation Live!" has dropped out of the top-10 after just one week. How's this compare with some other KISS videos?

Animalize Live Uncensored (1985) - 9 weeks top 10...
KISS Exposed (1987) - 13 weeks top 10...
X-treme Close-up (1992) - 15 weeks top 10...
KISS Konfidential (1993) - 15 weeks top 10...
KISS My Ass (1994) - 10 weeks top 10...
MTV Unplugged (1996) - 21 weeks top 10...
Psycho Circus (1998) - 10 weeks top 10...
The Second Coming (1999) - 15 weeks top 10... «Post A Comment»

Tuesday, December 27, 2005, 09:54:44 AM - New KISSFAQ books now available from Amazon.com...
The KISS Album Focus (3rd Edition) Volume II:
Hell or High Water, 1983-96 (Hardcover)
Hell or High Water, 1983-96 (Softcover)

The Kiss & Related Recordings Focus (2nd Edition)
The Kiss & Related Recordings Focus (Hardcover)
The Kiss & Related Recordings Focus (Softcover) «Post A Comment»

Tuesday, December 20, 2005 - Happy Birthday Peter Criss...

Number of real "cats*" in KISS: 1
* rather than "carbon-kitties..."
Number of sticks a drummer uses: 2
The Trinity, a lucky number: 3
The number of lives a cat has: 9
Peter Criss: PRICELESS!

The KISSFAQ wishes Peter Criss a very happy birthday and many more!... «Post A Comment»

Thursday, December 15, 2005 1:07:25 PM - Ace Frehley "Live"...

The cover for the "Greatest Hits Live" CD being released by Megaforce on Jan. 24, 2006. The Track listing:
1. Rip It Out (Live)
2. Breakout (Live)
3. Cold Gin (Live)
4. Shock Me (Live)
5. Rocket Ride (Live)
6. Deuce (Live)
7. Strangers In A Strange Land (Live)
8. Separate (Live)
9. New York Groove (Live)
10. Rock Soldiers (Live)
11. One Plus One
12. Give It To Me Anyway

It looks like this material is simply a repackaging/consolidation of material previously released on "12 Picks" (1997) and "Loaded Deck" (1998). As such, tracks 1-6, 8 & 9 were recorded live at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, England in March 1988 and feature Ace, John Regan, Tod Howarth, and Jamie Oldaker; Tracks 7-10 come from "Loaded Deck." Tracks 7 & 10 were recorded at the Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, September 4, 1987 and feature Ace, Tod, John, and Anton Fig; Tracks 11-12 are the studio outtakes from "Loaded Deck." "One Plus One" was one of the great unknowns of the Frehley's Comet recording history prior to its release in 1998. Written by Anton Fig and Phil Gladston, the song would be recorded during the first album sessions, but along with "Words Are Not Enough" would be discarded and sit in Megaforce's vaults for over a decade, apparently forgotten by all. "Give It To Me Anyway" was under consideration for use on the "Trouble Walkin'" album and was fully recorded by Ace, Anton, Richie, and John. However, it was not used at the time. Of course, the song had been performed live by Frehley's Comet since 1984 as it was one of the early songs the band wrote.

Click to order from Amazon... «Post A Comment»

Wednesday, December 14, 2005 4:59:47 AM - KISSOnline DVD Contest...
Image Entertainment and KISSONLINE.COM have teamed together to bring you...
KISS: ROCK THE NATION LIVE! DVD SWEEPSTAKES!
Test your KISS knowledge and enter to win one of three portable DVD players!
Click HERE to enter... «Post A Comment»

Monday, December 12, 2005 08:45:22 GMT - Happy Birthday Bruce Kulick...
The KISSFAQ wishes Bruce Kulick a very Happy Birthday... «Post A Comment»

Saturday, December 10, 2005 4:49:02 AM - Ace Returns to Eddie Trunk Show?
(From EddieTrunk.com) "EXCLUSIVE: Coming 12/23 it's the Original Merry KISSmass Special. It's easily one of the biggest shows I do all year and always makes news one way or the other. I'm proud to announce this year my good friend Ace Frehley will be breaking the silence and serve as my co-host live in the studio! More details soon. The show will be heard LIVE 12/23 from 11PM-2AM EST on Q104.3 FM/NYC as well as streamed live at www.q1043.com

It will be heard on all other outlets the following week on tape delay. Another reason why if you don't hear me on your local radio station, LET THEM KNOW YOU WANT TO!"... «Post A Comment»

Saturday, December 10, 2005 4:49:02 AM - KISS Book Proofs & More on Ebay...

Proof copies of both Volume I and II of the 3rd Edition of the "KISS Album Focus" are currently available on Ebay. Also listed are the error proofs for "KISS & Related Recordings Focus" (2nd Edition) with spine image-scaling problems, and the corrected version proof. 4 copies of the mass-marked softcover are also up. All have "Buy It Now" options for fast delivery (2-3 days USA; 4-6 days international). Check: KISSFAQ (Ebay)... «Post A Comment»

Thursday, December 08, 2005 6:25:21 PM - "Rock The Nation Live!" Online Promo...

Interesting online promo for the new "Rock The Nation Live!" DVD. KISSOnline has a promo page were you can check out a video for "Tears Are Falling" from the DVD. You can also hear clips of "Parasite," "Shout It Out Loud," and "Lick It Up."

Check out the page: RTN Promo Online... «Post A Comment»

Thursday, December 08, 2005 05:22:17 GMT - Paul Stanley finished with solo album...
According to BraveWords, Paul is done with his solo album and is now looking for a label to release it.

“I’m just looking and talking with various labels to see where it will wind up. I mean, it’s done, mixed and ready to go, and according to everybody who’s heard it, it’s damn good.”

“Modern is a scary word,” opines Stanley, when asked for a characterization of the record. “I would certainly say that it is very much in keeping with my personality and keeps a very consistent viewpoint, but it sounds really big and the songs are great. The singing is great and the songs are great and the playing is great. You know, so far so good.”

Quite diverse like Gene’s album, or is it a fairly unified sound? “Well, it certainly… you know, not to be smart, but it’s consistent in its diversity. There’s enough divergence in terms of the songs, and yet they all sound like they belong on the same album. There’s nothing that’s experimental and there’s nothing that is out of character, but after doing this as long as I have, I’ve covered enough bases that I think I’ve just brought them all home on this album.”

Stanley is also celebrating the release of Kiss’ new DVD – Rock The Nation Live!, a gorgeous concert package shot in the DC area last year, stuffed with rarities like ‘Love Her All I Can’, ‘Tears Are Falling’ and ‘Makin’ Love’. Paul offers comment on the advantages of the two disc package. “Well, you know, the fact that it is high def makes a huge difference. And that we have this Kiss Powervision, as we’re calling it, where you can choose who you want to watch. And of course if you have your sanity and your good taste, you’ll be watching me. It’s a great concert and a great time capsule of the last tour. Again, what it does is that it very much says that this band really is justified in terms of the longevity and how people view the band, good or bad. I could care less. We are exactly who we aspire to be, and who we work our asses off to be. This isn’t a shadow of a bygone era. When we hit the stage, as in the last tour, you see a stage set up and show that is signature Kiss. The band looks and sounds like it was… you pick a year.”... «Post A Comment»

Thursday, December 08, 2005 05:22:17 GMT - "Rock The Nation Live!" DVD Out Now...
Apparently, the "Rock The Nation Live!" DVD was released in some places on 12/6, earlier than the advertized 12/13 release date. Check your local stores for a copy of this double-DVD package. The KISSFAQ review coming soon... «Post A Comment»

Monday, December 05, 2005 5:47:35 PM - The KISS that gets you - a blast from the past...
Obscure discovery in the archives, a 1974 Warner radio ad for the first KISS album...

The short radio spot is done in the style of Humphrey Bogart (duh, of Casablanca movie fame), and can be heard HERE... «Post A Comment»

Friday, December 02, 2005 6:18:09 PM - "Behind The Mask" Japanese Book Info...

"Behind The Mask," the official authorized KISS biography by David Leaf and Ken Sharp, is due for publication in Japan on 12/5/05... «Post A Comment»

Friday, December 02, 2005 6:18:09 PM - "Rock The Nation Live!" Japan Release Date...
"Rock The Nation Live!" (IEJR0030) is currently scheduled for release in Japan on 2/24/2006... «Post A Comment»

Friday, December 02, 2005 6:18:09 PM - "Greatest KISS" to be reissued in Japan...
"Greatest KISS" (UICY-6011) is going to to be reissued in Japan on 1/25/06... «Post A Comment»

Wednesday, November 30, 2005 04:53:58 GMT - Live Frehley's Comet album coming?
According to Bravewords.com: "Legendary KISS guitarist Ace Frehley will release Greatest Hits Live on January 24, 2006. According to a press release, "it is a highly anticipated release since it showcases Ace in a “live” setting. Watch for Ace to show up for several surprise gigs in 2006! This collection of live songs represents some of the best work from legendary Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley during the period after his highly publicized departure from one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Included on this Greatest Hits Live CD are tracks from the Megaforce days and feature members of Ace Frehley's Comet: Anton Fig (drums), John Regan (bass), Tod Howarth (guitar/keyboards) and Richie Scarlett (guitar), and Jamie Oldaker on drums live in London, plus other special guests."

KISSFAQ Says: Sounds like a CD version of the Live+4 video, but there a few details mentioned so far. Both "recent" Ace Frehley releases, "12 Picks" & "Loaded Deck," had little to do with Ace himself as they were the result of John Regan. Still, it "could" be something fans have never heard before (or not)... «Post A Comment»

Monday, November 28, 2005 08:37:50 GMT - KISSWorld Auctioning off stock...
(From Charles Leski Auctions Online) "The Kissworld official retail store, was a unique joint venture project between "KISS" the band and the Australian owners of KISSworld. Misunderstandings between the parties led to the early demise of an enterprise which, even in its early days had already captured the imagination of Kiss fans from all around the world. Traffic to the website was enormous. The following lots present the remaining stock of Kissworld which now must be sold." Check out the auction listings (in Aus$) at: Charles Leski Auctions Online... «Post A Comment»