Kiss News

I want to make this statement about my views on depression for the record and to clarify my prior remarks.

To the extent my comments reported by the media speak of depression, I was wrong and in the spur of the moment made remarks that in hindsight were made without regard for those who truly suffer the struggles of depression. I sincerely apologize to those who were offended by my comments. I recognize that depression is very serious and very sad when it happens to anyone, especially loved ones. I deeply support and am empathetic to anyone suffering from any disease, especially depression.

I have never sugarcoated my feelings regarding drug use and alcoholics. Somewhere along the line, my intention of speaking in very directly and perhaps politically incorrectly about drug use and alcoholics has been misconstrued as vile commentary on depression. Unkind statements about depression was certainly never my intention. Fully, you will know that and I do not intend to defend myself here and now, by listing the myriad charities and self-help organizations I am involved with. Rather, I simply want to be clear that my heart goes out to anyone suffering from depression and I deeply regret any offhand remarks in the heat of an interview that might have suggested otherwise.

KISS' 40th Anniversary Tour with Def Leppard destroys the Alpine Valley Music Theater in East Troy, Wisconsin tonight!

The Dead Daisies open the show at 7 pm.

Photo by Terry Wilson for KISSONLINE.

Not many bands can claim as much influence on today�s hard rock and metal scene as the makeup-wearing, blood-spitting, pyro-shooting foursome. PG caught up with current guitarist Tommy Thayer, along with Francis and Michael Berger, to dig into all the axes (in some cases, literally), effects, and amps that the band brought out on their 2014 tour with Def Leppard.

Tommy Thayer is a longtime Les Paul man and brings several on the road with him. A Custom Shop �59 Standard with Seymour Duncan JB pickups sees most of the action. Gibson had just delivered a new white Les Paul Custom that could see some considerable onstage time. Thayer�s black Les Paul Classic houses the classic Kiss pyro behind the headstock. When he needs some midrange honk, he reaches for a Custom Shop Gibson Explorer decked out in silver sparkle.

To read more on the gear used by Thayer, Simmons, and Stanley, visit: http://bit.ly/KissRR

By Tricia Manalansan

Arena football has suffered in the past due to revenue and popularity, but with the help of two KISS rockers, the AFL may be on its way to gaining the respect that it deserves. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS draws attention to their recently new partnered AFL team, the Los Angeles Kiss, and to the Arena Football League in their new show 4th and Loud. Not only has America�s top rockers helped the LA Kiss grow as a franchise, but they are also hoping to expand the entire AFL in 4th and Loud, which airs every Tuesday night on AMC.

Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley from KISS recently became co-owners of the LA Kiss, one of the AFL�s newest expansion teams and Los Angeles� only professional football team. The show follows Simmons, Stanley, head coach Bob McMillen and their football team from the start to the end of their season, opening the eyes to football fans all over the nation as they are able to compare both positive and negative points between the NFL and AFL. Simmons and Stanley also had the chance to design new helmets and uniforms for the LA Kiss, which includes the well-known KISS logo and flames. They also enhanced the entertainment aspect of the franchise, which was an obvious expectation in the initial co-ownership signing.

This week�s first episode of 4th and Loud, focused on Washington Redskins� 2008 sixth round pick, Colt Brennan. Brennan had a phenomenal record-setting college football season in Hawaii prior to the Redskins drafting him and was predicted to do well in the NFL. After being released in 2009 due to a hip surgery, Brennan entered the free agency with the Oakland Raiders. Soon after, he was involved in a car accident that nearly took his life, but left him with severe brain injuries that changed his life instantly. The LA Kiss recruited Brennan for tryouts as their number one choice to be their starting quarterback, but Brennan was left on the sidelines to watch as he awaited to be cleared by his doctors, including his neurologist. Brennan�s doctors rejected his clearance to play football and questioned whether or not he would ever be cleared to play again. The current LA Kiss quarterback is the second choice, AFL veteran J. J. Raterink.

When Americans think football, they undoubtedly think of the NFL. A significant number of the population may be clueless to the NFL�s little brother, the AFL. This league consists of 14 teams from coast to coast, including Chicago, Arizona, Orlando, San Jose, Portland, Cleveland and Pittsburgh. The Arena Football League consists of B-level football players who have either been in the NFL before, players who have played all their lives through college, and even tryout walk-ons who just love the game of football. They arguably may even have more passion for the game than NFL players as they compromise with a significant pay difference. Despite where they originated from, many of these players are looking to be recognized by recruits and to one day play for the big league. The only problem is, when being compared to the NFL, the AFL lacks the attention it needs to become even worth looking at.

The Arena Football League may have suffered from popularity before, but 4th and Loud may be the answer to draw in attention and new fans to their home teams all over the nation. Arena Bowl XXVII will be taking place on August 23. The Cleveland Gladiators will host the Arizona Rattlers in AFL�s version of the Super Bowl, but many may not be aware of this unless they have grown to be a loyal AFL follower. The Los Angeles Kiss season may be over for the year, but with the help of 4th and Loud, the Arena Football League may grow significantly and may have a expanded fanbase by next season.

By Nancy J. Parisi

With an elaborate set that blasted retina-searing flames, zip lines and trademark costumes and face paint, Kiss delivered a solid night of hard rock �n� roll kabuki theater. If the band�s Wednesday night gig in the Darien Lake Performing Arts Center was shy of a sellout, the sheer volume of fan adoration � the Kiss Army as they are called � made it a mega sonic triumph.

A giant black and white Kiss scrim dropped to reveal a 60-foot metal skeleton spider, a lighting rig hovering over the rock happening. Hitting the stage at 9:45 p.m. were co-founding members bassist Gene Simmons (�The Demon�) and guitarist Paul Stanley (�Star Child�). Simmons and Stanley, bandmates for four decades despite some well-publicized bumps in their rock �n� roll road, were joined by newer members Eric Singer on drums and Tommy Thayer on lead guitar. Singer holds �The Catman� position formerly held by Peter Criss and Thayer �The Spaceman� spot long held by founding member Ace Frehley.

Amid dramatic lighting and a dense cloud of smoke, streams of white confetti shot from the stage as Kiss emerged. �Psycho Circus� started off the explosive party. The song illustrates the entrepreneurial powers of Simmons and Stanley: it is the title of the song, an album, a video game, and a series of comic books inspired by the band. Kiss is a machine, a theatrical, successful and fan-loving one.

Giant bursts of flame (not quite eyebrow-endangering, but face-warming even in section 200 seats) erupted during �Deuce,� from the band�s first release. The set list featured songs from mid-�70s to mid-�90s Kiss, veering away from tracks off of its latest few recordings. During the song Simmons, Stanley and Thayer came together at center stage and played as they menaced the crowd with synchronized dance stepping and guitar neck brandishing.

Stanley, in a voice that is always pleasantly and surprisingly sweet, addressed the crowd. �Let�s have ourselves a good time. We�ve been coming here a long time � how many people have never seen us before?� There were some shouts in reply, but not many. He referred to the night as being Aug. 31, not 13, until the audience set him straight. �OK, so I�m dyslexic, tonight is a night you�ll never forget, even if I can�t remember it!�

A young Kiss Army enlistee from Alden, Mackenzie Budziszewski, 17 and a fan since she was 10, was in full Catman facepaint � with her mom, not in face paint. Although one of the band�s younger fans, this was not her first Kiss concert. The last time the band played Darien Lake, she got backstage for a meet and greet, confirmed by iPhone images proudly shared.

Nearby was lifelong, 40-year fan and Kiss scholar Edward Elliott with his wife and three young kids. It was after explosive �God of Thunder,� during which Simmons flew up to the top of the lighting spider, that Stanley asked how many fans brought their children, second-generation army members. There were many.

�Hold �em up,� Stanley said and in-house cameras panned the crowd showing many children (some in face paint) being held aloft. �I say this with the greatest of pride,� Stanley said. �We were there for your parents and we�ll be there for you.� He flew over the crowd to a small and rotating circular stage during �Love Gun� before a pyro-rich encore of early hits �Detroit Rock City� and �Rock and Roll All Nite.�

Sharing the bill was equally long-running and hard-rocking Def Leppard, who came armed with a set list of their revered hits and legions of long-running fans. As The Who�s �Won�t Get Fooled Again� blasted from the sound system, the band hit the stage and began with anthemic �Let It Go.� It was on to �Animal� and then radio hit �Foolin.� �

Lead vocalist Joe Elliott was in fine form, and guitarist Vivian Campbell was stellar throughout. Drummer Rick Allen delivered an extraordinary, sternum-crushing drum solo during �Switch 625,� an early-�80s composition. The band delved into visual nostalgia with a few photo montages showing its history in vintage photos and footage during, most notably, �Hysteria.�

It was buzz-kill time during �Armageddon It,� a later song, nearly at set�s end. With an array of visuals behind the band, it was a statement about humanity�s war on the planet and each other.

�Pour Some Sugar On It,� one of Def Leppard�s best-known sing-alongs, lightened it up again before the solid set�s end.

Opening the show was Dead Daisies from Australia. The band has the distinction of playing this venue�s twice this season: the hard-working hard rockers also opened for Bad Company and Lynyrd Skynyrd earlier this summer. The band repeated its well-paced 30-minute set that features a worthy rendition of The Beatles� �Helter Skelter.�

Here's Paul Stanley flying back to the stage last night in Darien Center, NY.

Photo by Dean Snowden for KISSONLINE.

KISS at Alpine Valley Music Theater in East Troy, Wisconsin Friday

By Piet Levy of the Journal Sentinel

The traditional gift for a 40th wedding anniversary is a ruby. Maybe there's a party, or a trip.

KISS is celebrating its 40th anniversary on the road � including an Alpine Valley show with Def Leppard Friday � "with a 60-foot spider that does everything but give birth," said the flamboyant rock band's tongue-wagging bassist and co-lead vocalist, Gene Simmons. "And there's more firepower than most third-world countries."

KISS fans, of course, wouldn't have it any other way.

The black and white face paint, the metal-studded leather costumes, the pyro-powered live show spectacles, and songs like "Rock & Roll All Nite" are immortalized in rock history. This year, it became official, when KISS was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The band has been eligible for 15 years, and regardless of the protests, petitions and letters from the most devout members of the KISS Army fan base, it seemed recognition would never come. Critics weren't always receptive to the KISS circus, and between the comics, toys, a much-maligned TV movie, a Las Vegas limo service, even a "KISS Kasket," the band sometimes appeared more interested in branding than the music.

But the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame isn't strictly about the music either, Simmons said.
Slamming a 'sham' honor

"It's become a sham, a political organization," Simmons said. "My only question for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is, when is KISS going to be inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame?... Then what the (expletive) is Run-D.M.C. doing in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Are you kidding me? It's ridiculous."

But KISS showed up for its honor in April anyway, "because the fans wanted it," Simmons said. The acceptance speech marked a reunion with Simmons and co-frontman and guitarist Paul Stanley with their estranged former bandmates Ace Frehley and Peter Criss. But the original lineup didn't perform together, because, according to an interview Stanley gave to Rolling Stone, current KISS members Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer weren't allowed to perform at the ceremony, nor were they inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The decision not to play received some negative feedback; even Stevie Nicks criticized KISS' choice in an interview. But from his perspective, Simmons suggests fans wouldn't want to see Frehley and Criss perform in KISS again anyway.

"The reason I know that is because there hasn't been a single show where I've seen anyone holding up a sign," for Frehley and Criss, Simmons said. "Why don't you get back together with your first girlfriend? Well, why should it be different for us?"

"We love Ace and Peter and wish them all the best, but with all the alcohol and drugs and dark clouds (in the past), they're not allowed to be in KISS anymore," Simmons said. "These are hallowed grounds. If you can't respect yourself enough, you're not allowed to be in the band. They were given three chances. They're out."

What the fans really want, Simmons suggests, is what he still wants out of KISS: "to be the hottest band in the world."
Wisconsin memories

From the first Wisconsin gig in 1974 � where Simmons still reminisces about an "encore" with a "friendly local girl" at a Holiday Inn � to playing for 40,000 people at Rock Fest in Cadott, Wis., in 2007, listed on the band's website as one of its top accomplishments, KISS, in the eyes of many, has lived up to that mission statement. And KISS will keep at it "as long as it's convincing," Simmons said.

"After all the money, all the fame and all that stuff, pride is what you want, to get up there on that stage and live up to our mandate," Simmons said. "It's a spectacle, but what we see is a fan spectacle. We see three generations of fans standing on their seats going nuts. And when there's a 5-year-old kid sitting on the shoulder of his dad, and they're wearing KISS makeup, it's emotional. It's not just a show. You get a lump in your throat."

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NEW SONG, NEW TV SHOW

As KISS turns 40, it's still working on new material. Simmons told the Journal Sentinel that he recently wrote a song, "Your Wish Is My Command," that could appear on a possible follow-up to "Monster," its 20th studio album, released in 2012.

But KISS, being KISS, is working on new promotional opportunities, too. That includes the LA KISS Arena Football League team co-owned by Simmons, Stanley and band manager Doc McGhee. The team's inaugural season is the basis of a new reality series, "4th and Loud," that premiered on AMC this week.

"This is real kick-ass stuff," Simmons said of the show. "The drama is real, the injuries are real, the players have real stakes."

� Piet Levy

A PAUL STANLEY KISS-AND-TELL

KISS co-frontman Paul Stanley wasn't available for an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, but he had a whole lot to say in his autobiography, "Face the Music: A Life Exposed," released in April.

Here are three revelations from the book:

1. Actress Donna Dixon was in a relationship with Paul Stanley when she secretly married actor Dan Aykroyd in 1983.

2. Gene Simmons wasn't invited to Stanley's wedding to Erin Sutton.

3. After a car accident in 1990, no one from the band called Stanley to check on his condition.

IF YOU GO

Who: KISS and Def Leppard with the Dead Daisies

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Alpine Valley Music Theatre, W2699 County Road D, East Troy

Tickets:$36 to $160 at the box office, (800) 745-3000

CLICK HERE to view the Toronto Sun's full KISS concert photo gallery.

KISS IS EVERYWHERE!

Thanks to Tara (Reilly) Adams for sharing this image of KISS on the cover of the latest issue of The Weekender (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA)!

We�re giving our fans early access to Fashion Rocks Live tickets a day before the general public! The code runs from 10am ET to 10pm ET today.