The KISSFAQ - February '04 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, March 02, 2004 8:01:24 PM - Peter Speaks...
(From PeterCriss.net) "I have been receiving thousands of fan mail as to what is going on with KISS. Today, my contract ran out. No one, again no one has called me, or my attorney about an extension for future touring. As a founding member I find this to be disrespectful to me, and to the fans that have made us one of the biggest bands in the world. You will always get the truth from me, I have no reason to lie to the people that gave me such a wonderful life. And that’s the god’s honest truth.
God bless,
Peter Criss
P.S. This is the stuff that breaks my heart"... «Post A Comment»

Friday, February 27, 2004 11:43:05 AM - Nikki Sixx comments on KISS/Poison/BoD Tour Rumors...
(From BoD) "NO WAY IN FUCKING HELL WOULD WE ((BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION OR MOTLEY CRUE) EVER, EVER TOUR WITH A FUCKING BAND LIKE POISON...WE HAVE HAD TALKS WITH KISS AND I TOLD THEM VERY CLEARLY THAT WE WOULD NOT DO THE TOUR IF THEY USED POISON.THAT WOULD BE THE DEATH OF US...I WILL NOT BE ATTACHED TO THAT KIND OF FAKE BULLSHIT...
LOVE AND BLOODY KNUCKLES
NIKKI SIXX"... «Post A Comment»

Friday, February 27, 2004 4:58:54 AM - Australian Tour Dates?
(From Grinspoon) Australian band Grinspoon has posted on their website that they'll be opening for KISS for the following dates:
May 8 - Burswood Dome, Perth, Australia
May 11 - AEC, Adelaide, Australia
May 13 - Rod Laver
May 17 - Superdome
May 20 - BEC
Again, please don't construe this as being either confirmed KISS concert dates or line-up details... «Post A Comment»

Thursday, February 26, 2004 8:39:42 AM - Wow, been Blabbermouthed...

Been a fan of Blabbermouth for years, nice to see the new KISSFAQ Book news item mentioned there... «Post A Comment»

Wednesday, February 25, 2004 10:22:50 AM - Truth to Eric Singer's return?

(From Udo Artists, Inc:) Japanese promoter Udo Artists is listing several forthcoming KISS concert dates with a line-up, see image above, which specifically mentions Eric Singer. While this is hardly an official confirmation, for which an announcement should only be verified from KISS Online, it does seem to point in the direction of Peter not being involved in coming live dates. Then again, perhaps not. Dates listed include:
May 27 (7pm) - Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
May 28 (7pm) - Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
May 29 (5pm) - Nippon Budokan, Tokyo
May 31 (7pm) - Osaka Koseinenkin Kaikan, Osaka
June 2 (7pm) - Rainbow Hall, Nagoya
Again, please don't construe this as being either confirmed KISS concert dates or line-up details... «Post A Comment»

Monday, February 23, 2004 8:51:10 AM - Gene Simmons' Asshole
(From Blabbermouth) "KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons has set "***hole" as the title of his highly anticipated solo album, due on April 20 through Simmons Records/Sanctuary Music Group. The title track, ""***hole", will be the first single released to rock radio on April 15. This release will mark the second solo album from Simmons since his self-titled platinum solo album in 1978.

Produced by Simmons, this forward-thinking, genre splitting effort, is an ambitious musical tour-de force through Simmons' psyche, revealing yet another side to the multi-talented artist. "Doing a solo record is important because I write so many different kinds of songs," Gene said. "I literally have hundreds of songs that are demoed up that aren't right for KISS, and some songs that weren't used on KISS records I still like, like 'Carnival Of Souls' and 'Sweet & Dirty'. In assembling the album, I went and reviewed over a hundred songs that I had lying around, and then it was by process of elimination I determined what would go on the record. But at the end of the day, above and beyond style, I had to like the songs."

Like his 1978 self-titled solo album, "**hole" is a model of versatility, drawing together an eclectic swath of styles including hard rock, blues, thrash, neo-psychedelia, BEATLES-esque pop, rap, prog-rock and even power ballads. "My taste is eclectic and all over the place," Simmons said. "I love all kinds of artists, from PATSY CLINE to THE BEATLES, Motown to HOOBASTANK. As for the record's stylistic diversity, I'm a child of THE BEATLES. They created this sort of hybrid white version of American music. They could do it all — LITTLE RICHARD, country, pop, soul, psychedelia. They had no rules. That had a major effect on me and that influence comes through on the record."

Transcending genres and confounding expectations, "***hole" resounds with a surprise at every turn. Like the artist's self-titled solo effort, a number of musical luminaries join in on the fun. Bob Dylan and Gene co-wrote the album's "Waiting For The Morning Light". Frank Zappa and Gene share co-writing credit on "Black Tongue" and the Zappa Family, Dweezil, Ahmet, Moon, Gail and Frank Zappa himself sing and play guitar on the song. Other guests featured on the album include Dave Navarro, ex-KISS members Bruce Kulick and Eric Singer, new Simmons Records/Sanctuary Music Group signing BAG, as well as Gene's longtime live-in Shannon Tweed and their two children, Sophie and Nicholas.

Track listing is as follows (order subject to change):
01. ***hole
02. Carnival Of Souls
03. If I Had A Gun
04. Weapons
05. Waiting For The Morning Light
06. Whatever Turns You On
07. Sweet & Dirty Love
08. Beautiful
09. Dog
10. Now That You're Gone
11. Black Tongue
12. I Dream A Thousand Dreams
13. Firestarter"

The FAQ Says: The FAQ can tell you something about the tracks mentioned: Some details about the material which he intends on including on the release are known:

Eric Singer and Bruce Kulick have already recorded two tracks with Gene for the album, though it's not clear which tracks.
"Waiting For The Morning Light was once been known as "Laughing When You Want To Cry," which Gene co-wrote with the legendary Bob Dylan;
"Black Tongue" is a track based on an unused Frank Zappa riff and vocal which Gene. Gene would be the first licensee for Frank material from Extraordinary Teamwork which manages the licensing of Frank's unreleased music. By the terms of the license Zappa will have to be given a co-writing credit on the song;
"Asshole" is a song, and the title track of their 2001 EP, by the Norwegian band Shirley's Temple which Gene will customize (personalize, probably the same way he treated "War Machine" and "Rock And Roll Hell") somewhat. Hear the original version, HERE...
"Carnival Of Souls" may have been an offshoot of the earlier demo "Island Of Lost Souls" and was written by Gene and Scott Van Zen. It is an angry atmospheric piece which was demoed during both the "COS" and "Psycho Circus" recording sessions. It very much follows a similar vein to the sort of material Gene was writing in 1993. The song, in the following form, would be written around November 1993. One version seems to go: "Television, inquisition, circumcision / Advocation, flagellation, excommunication / Too alone, misery constantly / Well at least the God damn air is free // Condemnation, masturbation, united nation / Round and round it goes / This carnival of souls // Evolution, revolution, mass illusion / Racism, exorcism, creationism / Well I don't know and I don't care / Amnesty, sterility, infinity // Round and round it goes / Carnival of souls." According to Gene, the song "talks about fascism, terrorism, and racism." Another lyric snip goes: "Get down on all fours / Join the carnival of souls / And the rain began to fall / On the carnival of souls / Walking on hot coals / in the island of lost souls / And so round and round it goes / On the carnival of souls." How it has changed for Gene's album isn't known yet.
"Sweet & Dirty Love" may well be the "Sweet & Dirty" which dated from "Psycho Circus" (and before): "Sweet & Dirty" was the result of Gene recycling an older demo, in this case, the core riff from the 1976 demo "Rotten To The Core," for use on a then current song. Lyrically, the song would borrow parts of the verse of the original "Jelly Roll" demo. Considering that 19 songs were recorded for the "Psycho Circus" album, with only "In Your Face" and "It's My Life" so far being released from that 9 track over-flow selection, the quality of the original demo would make this an interesting song though how the riff was interpreted is unclear as are any lyrics for the song. (K&RRF) Since Gene and Bruce worked on the song, when it was still "Rotten To The Core" in 1989, the song may be a development of that.
"Weapons" has a title which immediately makes me think of one og Gene's songs from "Psycho Circus" which wasn't used: "Psycho Circus (Weapons Of Mass Destruction)" - As had been the case where Gene Simmons had once suggested a song-title for "Black Diamond," which Paul then borrowed to write, and Paul had suggested "Christine Sixteen" which Gene proceeded to write, with the pre-conceived 'concept' for the KISS reunion album both Gene and Paul would write title tracks for the album. Only Paul's song would be used. "Psycho Circus (Weapons Of Mass Destruction)" was Gene's version of the title track which was a very much darker piece than Paul's song. It would see Gene dealing with lyrics concerning, as the title suggests, weapons of mass destruction. Bruce apparently played bass on the demo. We'll see if that song is the song on Gene's album

... «Post A Comment»

Wednesday, February 18, 2004 8:06:36 PM - KISS does listen?
KISS does listen? Soon after the Australian promoter having a graphic linking KISS with Limp Bizkit for a possible tour they were apparently innundated with "negative feedback" resulting in a defensive email about the tour package from the promoter. Now Gene has responded, on his website, about Bizkit being dropped, commenting, "We heard all of you loud and clear. Bizkit is off". From other reports, which remain rumors, talks for an opening act for varying legs of continued touring have included Brides Of Destruction and Poison - NOTHING IS CONFIRMED, CHECK kissonline for any official announcements... OK, if they're still listening, NEW STUDIO KISS ALBUM AND A NEW BOX SET PLEASE! «Post A Comment»

Friday, February 13, 2004 6:19:10 AM - Yet Another KISS Tribute Due...
A new Bob Kulick produced KISS tribute is due from Koch Entertainment on April 27th called "SPIN THE BOTTLE:KISS TRIBUTE" which will apparently feature:
Detroit Rock City (Dee Snider) / Love Gun (Tommy Shaw, Stevie Lukather on guitar) / Cold Gin (Mark Slaughter) / King Of The Night Time World (Chris Jericho / I Want You (Kip Winger) / God Of Thunder (Buzz Osborne) / Calling Dr. Love (Page Hamilton) / Shout It Out Loud (Lemmy Kilmeister) / Parasite (Doug Pinnick) / Strutter (Phil Lewis) / I Stole Your Love (Robin McAuley)
The album apparently features appearances by Bruce Kulick and Eric Singer. Initial pressings will include a bonus 40-minute DVD featuring behind-the-scenes footage, performances and interviews with many of the musicians... «Post A Comment»

Wednesday, February 11, 2004 12:32:56 PM - "KISS & Related Recordings Focus" News
As of yesterday evening... DONE! Out to printer shortly.

The cover... «Post A Comment»

Friday, February 06, 2004 3:59:41 PM - "KISS & Related Recordings Focus" News
Finally, some news on the new KISSFAQ book. I anticipate "KISS & Related Recordings Focus: Music! The Songs, The Demos, The Lyrics, And Stories" going to print in the next week. 287 pages, 67 Chapters, with over 1800 KISS & related songs/recordings detailed, though page-count will change with formatting for printing. Just the rear cover to design... «Post A Comment»

Thursday, February 05, 2004 9:00:04 AM - Vinnie Vincent Guitar Fun
Vinnie Guitar Solo 1
Vinnie Guitar Solo 2
Vinnie Guitar Solo 3
Vinnie Guitar Solo 4
Vinnie Guitar Solo 5
Vinnie Guitar Solo 6
Vinnie Guitar Solo 7
Vinnie Guitar Solo 8
Vinnie Guitar Solo 9

Just a little fun since there isn't much going on at the moment, match the above Vinnie Vincent guitar solo with its song - put your answers here... «Post A Comment»

Wednesday, January 28, 2004 7:00:29 AM - Bruce On Swedish "Sweet" Tribute