12/06/2009
ENCOUNTER WITH GENE SIMMONS
Kiss News
12/06/2009
FROM FAN TO FANTASY, THAYER IS ACE
By Jennifer Chancellor
KISS lead guitarist Tommy Thayer admits that he's no Ace Frehley.
But, he says, he doesn't doubt that he is the celestial, starry-eyed "Spaceman."
Thayer's journey to replace the KISS co-founder and greasepaint-wearing guitar virtuoso was a long one.
"Being compared to Ace is only natural," said Thayer, who's been the official KISS lead guitarist since 2002, after Frehley left the band for good. "I've lived up to those expectations pretty well. The band just continues to grow."
In fact, its popularity keeps expanding.
With nearly four decades of touring under its belt, KISS isn't just a band. It's a mega-brand that markets bombast and rock and attitude to more than three generations of fans, in things including video games, comic books, soda and its newest studio album release, "Sonic Boom."
"We've never had many fantastic live reviews - ever," said Thayer in a recent telephone interview with the Tulsa World. "We've always been the band that critics love to hate."KISS lead guitarist Tommy Thayer admits that he's no Ace Frehley.
But, he says, he doesn't doubt that he is the celestial, starry-eyed "Spaceman."
Thayer's journey to replace the KISS co-founder and greasepaint-wearing guitar virtuoso was a long one.
"Being compared to Ace is only natural," said Thayer, who's been the official KISS lead guitarist since 2002, after Frehley left the band for good. "I've lived up to those expectations pretty well. The band just continues to grow."
In fact, its popularity keeps expanding.
With nearly four decades of touring under its belt, KISS isn't just a band. It's a mega-brand that markets bombast and rock and attitude to more than three generations of fans, in things including video games, comic books, soda and its newest studio album release, "Sonic Boom."
"We've never had many fantastic live reviews - ever," said Thayer in a recent telephone interview with the Tulsa World. "We've always been the band that critics love to hate."
Until now. Thayer said the band's world tour is "the biggest set KISS has ever taken out. It's bigger; it's better; it's truly kicking butt.
"Without sounding like I'm tooting my own horn," Thayer stopped
and said, then laughed.
Too late. If Thayer sounds cocky, he has a right to be. In many ways, his story is the ultimate fan story. He, too, wore the KISS makeup for Halloween when he was a kid. He, too was in a tribute band named Cold Gin. Indeed, he even played as Ace Frehley.
In about 20 years, he's morphed from a songwriter in rock act Black and Blue - who opened for KISS decades ago on a regional tour - to a guitarist in a KISS tribute band, to a KISS lackey, to the band's official lead guitarist.
"All that time, I was really working for those guys (in KISS)," said Thayer. "It evolved. It just gets more and more exciting as we go along."
Years ago, he was the first to organize the cultish, Star Trek-like KISS conventions. He helped arrange the 1996 KISS reunion and world tour. "Gene hired me as help. I wanted to get into the music business. I wanted projects and responsibility. I wanted people to know that I can do a lot more than just play guitar."
And boy, has he. He's helped with videos. Sound checks. Rehearsing. Recording. Writing. Touring. Everything. Even by doing his own makeup before every single show.
"It's a whole two-hour transition process," he said with a chuckle. The entire band closes itself in one room to get into character: Tommy Thayer as the Spaceman, co-founder Gene Simmons as the Demon, Eric Singer as the Cat and co-founder Paul Stanley as the Starchild.
"It's our nightly ritual," he said of the band's inner sanctum routine. "No one else is allowed in before the show. Nobody."
KISS lead guitarist Tommy Thayer admits that he's no Ace Frehley.
But, he says, he doesn't doubt that he is the celestial, starry-eyed "Spaceman."
Thayer's journey to replace the KISS co-founder and greasepaint-wearing guitar virtuoso was a long one.
"Being compared to Ace is only natural," said Thayer, who's been the official KISS lead guitarist since 2002, after Frehley left the band for good. "I've lived up to those expectations pretty well. The band just continues to grow."
In fact, its popularity keeps expanding.
With nearly four decades of touring under its belt, KISS isn't just a band. It's a mega-brand that markets bombast and rock and attitude to more than three generations of fans, in things including video games, comic books, soda and its newest studio album release, "Sonic Boom."
"We've never had many fantastic live reviews - ever," said Thayer in a recent telephone interview with the Tulsa World. "We've always been the band that critics love to hate."KISS lead guitarist Tommy Thayer admits that he's no Ace Frehley.
But, he says, he doesn't doubt that he is the celestial, starry-eyed "Spaceman."
Thayer's journey to replace the KISS co-founder and greasepaint-wearing guitar virtuoso was a long one.
"Being compared to Ace is only natural," said Thayer, who's been the official KISS lead guitarist since 2002, after Frehley left the band for good. "I've lived up to those expectations pretty well. The band just continues to grow."
In fact, its popularity keeps expanding.
With nearly four decades of touring under its belt, KISS isn't just a band. It's a mega-brand that markets bombast and rock and attitude to more than three generations of fans, in things including video games, comic books, soda and its newest studio album release, "Sonic Boom."
"We've never had many fantastic live reviews - ever," said Thayer in a recent telephone interview with the Tulsa World. "We've always been the band that critics love to hate."
Until now. Thayer said the band's world tour is "the biggest set KISS has ever taken out. It's bigger; it's better; it's truly kicking butt.
"Without sounding like I'm tooting my own horn," Thayer stopped
and said, then laughed.
Too late. If Thayer sounds cocky, he has a right to be. In many ways, his story is the ultimate fan story. He, too, wore the KISS makeup for Halloween when he was a kid. He, too was in a tribute band named Cold Gin. Indeed, he even played as Ace Frehley.
In about 20 years, he's morphed from a songwriter in rock act Black and Blue - who opened for KISS decades ago on a regional tour - to a guitarist in a KISS tribute band, to a KISS lackey, to the band's official lead guitarist.
"All that time, I was really working for those guys (in KISS)," said Thayer. "It evolved. It just gets more and more exciting as we go along."
Years ago, he was the first to organize the cultish, Star Trek-like KISS conventions. He helped arrange the 1996 KISS reunion and world tour. "Gene hired me as help. I wanted to get into the music business. I wanted projects and responsibility. I wanted people to know that I can do a lot more than just play guitar."
And boy, has he. He's helped with videos. Sound checks. Rehearsing. Recording. Writing. Touring. Everything. Even by doing his own makeup before every single show.
"It's a whole two-hour transition process," he said with a chuckle. The entire band closes itself in one room to get into character: Tommy Thayer as the Spaceman, co-founder Gene Simmons as the Demon, Eric Singer as the Cat and co-founder Paul Stanley as the Starchild.
"It's our nightly ritual," he said of the band's inner sanctum routine. "No one else is allowed in before the show. Nobody."
12/06/2009
KISS IS EVERYWHERE!
12/06/2009
YOUNG KISS FAN
12/06/2009
MY KISS BIRTHDAY CAKE
12/05/2009
SAY YEAH 2ND SINGLE OFF SONIC BOOM
12/05/2009
KISS IS EVERYWHERE!
12/05/2009
KISS EXPLODES INTO TULSA
By JENNIFER CHANCELLOR
KISS touts itself as the "greatest rock band in the world." Its army of fans agrees.
For more than 35 years, the New York-formed pyrotechnics kings have ruled the roost of combustible rock.
The Demon, Spaceman, Catman and Starchild stomped out their niche in music history with their larger-than-life live act, which included mile-high platform shoes, greasepaint, elaborate costumes, explosions - and loud, loud, loud rock 'n' roll.
The current KISS tour lineup includes Tommy Thayer, Gene Simmons, Eric Singer and Paul Stanley.
"Fans can expect some iconic KISS 'Alive' classics as well as some hits off our new release, 'Sonic Boom,'" said Stanley in a recent press statement.
RIGHT NOW: Read full KISS fan stories from our readers online. Here's a sample:
"Gene Simmons had written some songs while on tour that he wanted to get recorded and booked some studio time at the studio. Long story short, I ended up in an all night session with Gene." -- Paul Hanewinkel, Broken Arrow
"The first word I learned to spell as a child was 'KISS' complete with lightning bolt S's. The second thing I learned to spell was my own name, complete with lightning bolt S. KISS took priority even over my own name!" -- Steven P. Conrad, Tulsa
By JENNIFER CHANCELLOR
KISS touts itself as the "greatest rock band in the world." Its army of fans agrees.
For more than 35 years, the New York-formed pyrotechnics kings have ruled the roost of combustible rock.
The Demon, Spaceman, Catman and Starchild stomped out their niche in music history with their larger-than-life live act, which included mile-high platform shoes, greasepaint, elaborate costumes, explosions - and loud, loud, loud rock 'n' roll.
The current KISS tour lineup includes Tommy Thayer, Gene Simmons, Eric Singer and Paul Stanley.
"Fans can expect some iconic KISS 'Alive' classics as well as some hits off our new release, 'Sonic Boom,'" said Stanley in a recent press statement.
RIGHT NOW: Read full KISS fan stories from our readers online. Here's a sample:
"Gene Simmons had written some songs while on tour that he wanted to get recorded and booked some studio time at the studio. Long story short, I ended up in an all night session with Gene." -- Paul Hanewinkel, Broken Arrow
"The first word I learned to spell as a child was 'KISS' complete with lightning bolt S's. The second thing I learned to spell was my own name, complete with lightning bolt S. KISS took priority even over my own name!" -- Steven P. Conrad, Tulsa
"My favorite KISS story is actually about my mom. ..." -- Damon Lewis, Owasso
"There they were, side by side, pictures
of us as Kiss and as ourselves including our real names. Our classmates were blown away." Frank Mitchell, Tulsa
"I first became a KISS FAN in 1974, when I bought their eight track tape, because of the cover." -- Benny McClintock, Bartlesville
Read their full stories and more online at tulsaworld.com/KissStories.
KISS touts itself as the "greatest rock band in the world." Its army of fans agrees.
For more than 35 years, the New York-formed pyrotechnics kings have ruled the roost of combustible rock.
The Demon, Spaceman, Catman and Starchild stomped out their niche in music history with their larger-than-life live act, which included mile-high platform shoes, greasepaint, elaborate costumes, explosions - and loud, loud, loud rock 'n' roll.
The current KISS tour lineup includes Tommy Thayer, Gene Simmons, Eric Singer and Paul Stanley.
"Fans can expect some iconic KISS 'Alive' classics as well as some hits off our new release, 'Sonic Boom,'" said Stanley in a recent press statement.
RIGHT NOW: Read full KISS fan stories from our readers online. Here's a sample:
"Gene Simmons had written some songs while on tour that he wanted to get recorded and booked some studio time at the studio. Long story short, I ended up in an all night session with Gene." -- Paul Hanewinkel, Broken Arrow
"The first word I learned to spell as a child was 'KISS' complete with lightning bolt S's. The second thing I learned to spell was my own name, complete with lightning bolt S. KISS took priority even over my own name!" -- Steven P. Conrad, Tulsa
By JENNIFER CHANCELLOR
KISS touts itself as the "greatest rock band in the world." Its army of fans agrees.
For more than 35 years, the New York-formed pyrotechnics kings have ruled the roost of combustible rock.
The Demon, Spaceman, Catman and Starchild stomped out their niche in music history with their larger-than-life live act, which included mile-high platform shoes, greasepaint, elaborate costumes, explosions - and loud, loud, loud rock 'n' roll.
The current KISS tour lineup includes Tommy Thayer, Gene Simmons, Eric Singer and Paul Stanley.
"Fans can expect some iconic KISS 'Alive' classics as well as some hits off our new release, 'Sonic Boom,'" said Stanley in a recent press statement.
RIGHT NOW: Read full KISS fan stories from our readers online. Here's a sample:
"Gene Simmons had written some songs while on tour that he wanted to get recorded and booked some studio time at the studio. Long story short, I ended up in an all night session with Gene." -- Paul Hanewinkel, Broken Arrow
"The first word I learned to spell as a child was 'KISS' complete with lightning bolt S's. The second thing I learned to spell was my own name, complete with lightning bolt S. KISS took priority even over my own name!" -- Steven P. Conrad, Tulsa
"My favorite KISS story is actually about my mom. ..." -- Damon Lewis, Owasso
"There they were, side by side, pictures
of us as Kiss and as ourselves including our real names. Our classmates were blown away." Frank Mitchell, Tulsa
"I first became a KISS FAN in 1974, when I bought their eight track tape, because of the cover." -- Benny McClintock, Bartlesville
Read their full stories and more online at tulsaworld.com/KissStories.
12/05/2009
KISS: NOTHING IN MODERATION
TD BankNorth Garden in Boston, MA
October 5, 2009
KISS Live show review By DJ Sterling Golden
KISS Live Photos by Lena Lamoray
Excerpted from Lena Lamoray Magazine
KISS never does anything in moderation. That's not what one expects from the group nicknamed "The Hottest Band In the World". When the KISS ALIVE 35 World Tour recently reached North America after a year and a half of performing to sold-out arenas and stadiums the world over, one had to know it would be one of their biggest, most impressive setups to date. The end result included a massive screen stretching across the wall of the stage like a movie screen that just got outed for steroid use. Said screen was anchored by an endless amount of smaller screens, all neatly wrapped in enough towers of flame and fiery explosions to level a small town.TD BankNorth Garden in Boston, MA
October 5, 2009
KISS Live show review By DJ Sterling Golden
KISS Live Photos by Lena Lamoray
Excerpted from Lena Lamoray Magazine
KISS never does anything in moderation. That's not what one expects from the group nicknamed "The Hottest Band In the World". When the KISS ALIVE 35 World Tour recently reached North America after a year and a half of performing to sold-out arenas and stadiums the world over, one had to know it would be one of their biggest, most impressive setups to date. The end result included a massive screen stretching across the wall of the stage like a movie screen that just got outed for steroid use. Said screen was anchored by an endless amount of smaller screens, all neatly wrapped in enough towers of flame and fiery explosions to level a small town.
Last night's show was the 10th time I've seen KISS. Just as they did at my first show in 1992, KISS held the standing-room-only crowd at TD Garden in their collective palm, treating the audience to a two-hour-plus set of hits and history backed by the aforementioned visual presentation. It's what the band is best known for in the live setting, and last night's show certainly reminded everyone why they are the unquestioned kings of the live concert experience. The set got off to a bombastic start, with their incredible cover of the Hollywood Stars' "King of the Night Time World", followed by "Deuce", a favorite dating back to the band's earliest days. Gene Simmons belts out the track with as much power and panache as he did when he was just a young, aspiring, twenty something Demon looking to attain rock 'n' roll stardom. Audience participation was rampant throughout the evening, as Paul Stanley -- the longtime star of the KISS center stage and the band's onstage emcee -- would lead the crowd through fist-pumping call-and-response sessions, punctuated by his acceleration above the audience from the main stage to a smaller stage in the back of the arena, to belt out "Love Gun" surrounded by some of his greatest admirers.
As Stanley made clear last night, KISS has never been a band who dealt with talking politics or preaching about the world's troubles. The music of KISS changed the world by providing music lovers with escapism in its purest, most basic form, better than any other band in history. In keeping with this ideal, the band turned TD Garden into a rock 'n' roll dance party, as fans of all ages and cultures filled the aisles, letting the music take over their minds and bodies. Tracks including new single "Modern Day Delilah" and classics ranging from "100,000 Years" to "Lick It Up" to the band's immortal anthem "Rock And Roll All Nite" provided the crowd with more than enough reason to forget their worries and concerns with everyday life and turn a Monday night into something resembling a late Friday night. Amidst showers of light and ivory confetti, KISS delivered what was, far and away, the biggest and best live concert event anyone in the Bean has ever experienced. Yes, that includes U2 and that silly giant crab they gave us at Gillette Stadium a few weeks ago. Sit down, Bono.
As exhibited onstage, the band's current lineup of Stanley, Simmons, lead guitarist Tommy Thayer and three-time KISS drummer Eric Singer is arguably the most musically dynamic KISS lineup since their acclaimed early 90's lineup (which, interestingly, contained a near-identical lineup; just swap out Thayer for Bruce Kulick). The overall musical performance was tight, precise, and more energetic than anyone could expect from a group whose members' age ranges from 48 to 60. In particular, Thayer and Singer impressed, the former exhibiting impressive guitar chops and the latter bashing the skins with ferocious execution. The snarling bass licks of Simmons showcased his underrated musical talent, while the golden voice of Stanley, while slightly weathered after over 35 years of performing, still showcased great range and brought chills up the spines of the beautiful cougars in the crowd who screamed ecstatically with every gyration of his hips and wiggle of his ass.
All of this comes during a tremendously exciting time for KISS. Their first new studio joint of original material in 11 years, Sonic Boom, drops this week exclusively at Walmart, amid huge anticipation and promotional hype. The band is fresh off receiving their long-deserved nomination into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Without a doubt, the world's ready to be KISSed like never before. If last night at the Garden was any indication, it's a KISS they will not soon forget.
Once again, the people of Boston have experienced firsthand why KISS are America's biggest band ever. The Bean has been conquered one more time.
October 5, 2009
KISS Live show review By DJ Sterling Golden
KISS Live Photos by Lena Lamoray
Excerpted from Lena Lamoray Magazine
KISS never does anything in moderation. That's not what one expects from the group nicknamed "The Hottest Band In the World". When the KISS ALIVE 35 World Tour recently reached North America after a year and a half of performing to sold-out arenas and stadiums the world over, one had to know it would be one of their biggest, most impressive setups to date. The end result included a massive screen stretching across the wall of the stage like a movie screen that just got outed for steroid use. Said screen was anchored by an endless amount of smaller screens, all neatly wrapped in enough towers of flame and fiery explosions to level a small town.TD BankNorth Garden in Boston, MA
October 5, 2009
KISS Live show review By DJ Sterling Golden
KISS Live Photos by Lena Lamoray
Excerpted from Lena Lamoray Magazine
KISS never does anything in moderation. That's not what one expects from the group nicknamed "The Hottest Band In the World". When the KISS ALIVE 35 World Tour recently reached North America after a year and a half of performing to sold-out arenas and stadiums the world over, one had to know it would be one of their biggest, most impressive setups to date. The end result included a massive screen stretching across the wall of the stage like a movie screen that just got outed for steroid use. Said screen was anchored by an endless amount of smaller screens, all neatly wrapped in enough towers of flame and fiery explosions to level a small town.
Last night's show was the 10th time I've seen KISS. Just as they did at my first show in 1992, KISS held the standing-room-only crowd at TD Garden in their collective palm, treating the audience to a two-hour-plus set of hits and history backed by the aforementioned visual presentation. It's what the band is best known for in the live setting, and last night's show certainly reminded everyone why they are the unquestioned kings of the live concert experience. The set got off to a bombastic start, with their incredible cover of the Hollywood Stars' "King of the Night Time World", followed by "Deuce", a favorite dating back to the band's earliest days. Gene Simmons belts out the track with as much power and panache as he did when he was just a young, aspiring, twenty something Demon looking to attain rock 'n' roll stardom. Audience participation was rampant throughout the evening, as Paul Stanley -- the longtime star of the KISS center stage and the band's onstage emcee -- would lead the crowd through fist-pumping call-and-response sessions, punctuated by his acceleration above the audience from the main stage to a smaller stage in the back of the arena, to belt out "Love Gun" surrounded by some of his greatest admirers.
As Stanley made clear last night, KISS has never been a band who dealt with talking politics or preaching about the world's troubles. The music of KISS changed the world by providing music lovers with escapism in its purest, most basic form, better than any other band in history. In keeping with this ideal, the band turned TD Garden into a rock 'n' roll dance party, as fans of all ages and cultures filled the aisles, letting the music take over their minds and bodies. Tracks including new single "Modern Day Delilah" and classics ranging from "100,000 Years" to "Lick It Up" to the band's immortal anthem "Rock And Roll All Nite" provided the crowd with more than enough reason to forget their worries and concerns with everyday life and turn a Monday night into something resembling a late Friday night. Amidst showers of light and ivory confetti, KISS delivered what was, far and away, the biggest and best live concert event anyone in the Bean has ever experienced. Yes, that includes U2 and that silly giant crab they gave us at Gillette Stadium a few weeks ago. Sit down, Bono.
As exhibited onstage, the band's current lineup of Stanley, Simmons, lead guitarist Tommy Thayer and three-time KISS drummer Eric Singer is arguably the most musically dynamic KISS lineup since their acclaimed early 90's lineup (which, interestingly, contained a near-identical lineup; just swap out Thayer for Bruce Kulick). The overall musical performance was tight, precise, and more energetic than anyone could expect from a group whose members' age ranges from 48 to 60. In particular, Thayer and Singer impressed, the former exhibiting impressive guitar chops and the latter bashing the skins with ferocious execution. The snarling bass licks of Simmons showcased his underrated musical talent, while the golden voice of Stanley, while slightly weathered after over 35 years of performing, still showcased great range and brought chills up the spines of the beautiful cougars in the crowd who screamed ecstatically with every gyration of his hips and wiggle of his ass.
All of this comes during a tremendously exciting time for KISS. Their first new studio joint of original material in 11 years, Sonic Boom, drops this week exclusively at Walmart, amid huge anticipation and promotional hype. The band is fresh off receiving their long-deserved nomination into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Without a doubt, the world's ready to be KISSed like never before. If last night at the Garden was any indication, it's a KISS they will not soon forget.
Once again, the people of Boston have experienced firsthand why KISS are America's biggest band ever. The Bean has been conquered one more time.
12/05/2009
KISS GUITAR TAB FEATURED IN GUITAR EDGE
