Kiss News

by Nicole Pajer, L.A.

KISS is celebrating their upcoming 40th anniversary in a big way, with the launch of a massive new photo book. Standing at 3 feet high and 2.5 feet wide, "Monster" follows the journey of the band through 127 rare and never before seen photographs taken from the Kiss archives. The book, which was printed by the same binder used by The Vatican, is limited to 1,000 copies and is hand signed, dated, and numbered by the band. Price tag: $4,250.

The rockers showed up, sans face paint, at the Viper Room in West Hollywood on Tuesday to debut their latest endeavor. After they climbed on stage, Paul Stanley told the media-centric crowd that the band really hasn't been in contact with former band members, implying that Ace Frehley and Peter Criss had little to do with the book.

Added Gene Simmons, "You've had girlfriends before, right? You're happy that you had the girlfriends and now you're happy that you don't have those girlfriends. That's our life too. They were fantastic for the formative years but not everybody is designed in their DNA to run marathons."by Nicole Pajer, L.A.

KISS is celebrating their upcoming 40th anniversary in a big way, with the launch of a massive new photo book. Standing at 3 feet high and 2.5 feet wide, "Monster" follows the journey of the band through 127 rare and never before seen photographs taken from the Kiss archives. The book, which was printed by the same binder used by The Vatican, is limited to 1,000 copies and is hand signed, dated, and numbered by the band. Price tag: $4,250.

The rockers showed up, sans face paint, at the Viper Room in West Hollywood on Tuesday to debut their latest endeavor. After they climbed on stage, Paul Stanley told the media-centric crowd that the band really hasn't been in contact with former band members, implying that Ace Frehley and Peter Criss had little to do with the book.

Added Gene Simmons, "You've had girlfriends before, right? You're happy that you had the girlfriends and now you're happy that you don't have those girlfriends. That's our life too. They were fantastic for the formative years but not everybody is designed in their DNA to run marathons."

Stanley later told Billboard that the band's forthcoming album, also dubbed "Monster," out Oct. 16, is all original.

"I'm a big believer that when people recycle old stuff, they should leave it where it was," said Stanley, who produced the album. "When you hear bands that are lifting riffs that they had 15, 20, 30 years ago, I think, 'My God. Can't they come up with anything new?'"

Guitarist Tommy Thayer explained that Simmons tried to bring old riffs to the table, but Stanley was having none of it. "It was like, how about this one? How about no?" said Stanley, adding that, "you can't polish a turd."

As far as advice for aspiring musicians, Stanley said he'd recommend that they quit unless it's something that they have no choice but to pursue. "The industry is in such shambles that if you're doing it for any other reason than it being your quest, give it up because the chances are slimmer than ever."

Stanley touched on his relationship with Simmons after 40-plus years, referring to it as, "a marriage where thankfully I don't have to see him naked."

As Kiss approaches their 40th anniversary as a band, the members reflected on whether or not they have another ten years in them. Will they reach a 50th?

"All bets are off at this point. We're in uncharted waters. I never thought we'd be here today. Forty years ago, if you told me I'd be doing this now and loving it and doing it with pride, I'd tell you that you were crazy. What will I be doing in ten years? I have no idea," stated Stanley.

Added Simmons, "All I know is we're having the time of our lives getting up on stage and living up to our motto - 'You wanted the best. You got the best.' This is the hottest band in the world."

Retrospective is 'a celebration and a victory lap,' says singer Paul Stanley

By Steve Appleford

Kiss is a band that appreciates dramatics � but even for them, things can get out of hand. Minutes before unveiling their massive new 45-pound photography book, Monster, onstage yesterday at the Viper Room in West Hollywood, California, the band gave Rolling Stone a preview backstage. As bassist Gene Simmons and drummer Eric Singer cracked open a copy and slowly began turning the pages, the easel holding it up started to creak. Singer shouted "Whoa!" as the duo struggled to keep the book from falling to the floor. Watching nearby with a grin, singer Paul Stanley joked, "And for comedy relief, ladies and gentlemen: Singer and Simmons!"

As Monster was rested safely on a nearby couch, Simmons composed himself and straightened his shades. He explained proudly, "It's five feet wide, weighs close to 50 pounds. It's spectacular." At well over $4,000, the book is also a pricey, limited edition item, much closer in luxury to the infamous Kiss Kasket than the band's other book retrospective from the Nineties, the two-volume KISStory. It is a prority for the band; their press appearance at the Viper Room came midway into their 40-date North American tour with M�tley Crüe.Retrospective is 'a celebration and a victory lap,' says singer Paul Stanley

By Steve Appleford

Kiss is a band that appreciates dramatics � but even for them, things can get out of hand. Minutes before unveiling their massive new 45-pound photography book, Monster, onstage yesterday at the Viper Room in West Hollywood, California, the band gave Rolling Stone a preview backstage. As bassist Gene Simmons and drummer Eric Singer cracked open a copy and slowly began turning the pages, the easel holding it up started to creak. Singer shouted "Whoa!" as the duo struggled to keep the book from falling to the floor. Watching nearby with a grin, singer Paul Stanley joked, "And for comedy relief, ladies and gentlemen: Singer and Simmons!"

As Monster was rested safely on a nearby couch, Simmons composed himself and straightened his shades. He explained proudly, "It's five feet wide, weighs close to 50 pounds. It's spectacular." At well over $4,000, the book is also a pricey, limited edition item, much closer in luxury to the infamous Kiss Kasket than the band's other book retrospective from the Nineties, the two-volume KISStory. It is a prority for the band; their press appearance at the Viper Room came midway into their 40-date North American tour with M�tley Crüe.

Stanley told Rolling Stone that a more affordable "Mini-Monster" may become available at some later date but, for now, he maintained that the deluxe version was necessary. "[Not releasing it] wouldn�t be fair to the people who can afford it and will appreciate it... If we didn�t make it high-end, it would be compromised," he said. "Part of what makes it special is the quality and the size. There was no way to do that without excluding some people. We�re putting something out that celebrates 40 years of victories. This is a celebration and a victory lap. It means a lot to us.�

A project spearheaded by guitarist Tommy Thayer, the book collects live photographs of Kiss performing in makeup and body armor amid their onstage pyrotechnics, going back through their four-decade career. Each volume of Monster is autographed by all the band's current members and is limited to 1,000 copies in each of 10 countries. It was partially inspired by the original 1999 edition of SUMO, the massive career retrospective of photographer Helmut Newton that came with its own metal display table. (Simmons owns a copy.)

The book shares its title with Kiss' upcoming album, which is set for release on October 18th and is their first since 2009's Sonic Boom. While the last album was released in an exclusive deal with Walmart, Kiss is now back with Universal Records, which owns the band's catalog back to its first round of stardom on Casablanca Records in the Seventies. "They made it very clear they wanted us to be back in the fold and made their intentions known," said Stanley, "not only with goodwill but good money, and the two go hand-in-hand. We're very happy to be back there. We will be shooting from all cylinders."

Added Thayer, "It's a real band album, too. No outside writers, no agenda with power ballads or radio songs. Just rock & roll, pure and simple, from start to finish."

Hours after their Viper Room appearance, Simmons and Stanley stopped by Universal in Santa Monica to share four songs in a private meeting with the label's movie and TV music supervisors. In a downstairs lounge, the rock icons sat on a small stage and introduced each of the songs, beginning with the driving Sixties-style grind of "Long Way Down" and continuing into "Wall of Sound," which rocked with a grinding boogie rhythm. Still wearing what he called his "asshole glasses," Simmons joked with Stanley between tracks and offered to personally close the deal with any filmmaker considering use of a new Kiss song. Both also complained about the room's sound system, which gave the songs a muddier sound than intended; Stanley joked about buying the label a new one.

Tellingly, the new cut "Freak" banged with classic-rock riffs and a searing Thayer guitar lead. "It doesn't matter how rich you are, how successful; we proudly wave that flag," Stanley told his audience of the song. "We are freaks, remain freaks, and hopefully you do, too."

CLICK HERE for more info on the KISS MONSTER Book

By Phyllis Pollack / Examiner.com

Kiss debuted their new Monster Book in Los Angeles today at the Viper Room for members of the media. The band arrived without their make-up on.

Over three feet high, it is the largest rock and roll book ever printed, and the priciest, at $4250.00 per book. �It�s not for everyone,� said Kiss bassist Gene Simmons, noting the price.

The band contended that it weighs about 40 pounds.

Simmons explained that it wouldn�t be fair to the people who paid so much money for the book to do a less expensive, smaller version of it later.

Quipped Kiss guitarist Paul Stanley, �Someone should have gotten my joke about Kiss midgets.�

�We understand it�s not for everybody,� noted Stanley. �But it wouldn�t be fair to the people that can afford it, and who will appreciate it, to not put it out. It�s something that is for a select few.�CLICK HERE for more info on the KISS MONSTER Book

By Phyllis Pollack / Examiner.com

Kiss debuted their new Monster Book in Los Angeles today at the Viper Room for members of the media. The band arrived without their make-up on.

Over three feet high, it is the largest rock and roll book ever printed, and the priciest, at $4250.00 per book. �It�s not for everyone,� said Kiss bassist Gene Simmons, noting the price.

The band contended that it weighs about 40 pounds.

Simmons explained that it wouldn�t be fair to the people who paid so much money for the book to do a less expensive, smaller version of it later.

Quipped Kiss guitarist Paul Stanley, �Someone should have gotten my joke about Kiss midgets.�

�We understand it�s not for everybody,� noted Stanley. �But it wouldn�t be fair to the people that can afford it, and who will appreciate it, to not put it out. It�s something that is for a select few.�

The band said that quality was the reason why they went for a high-end book.

�If we didn�t make it so high end, we would be compromising it,� said Stanley. �Part of what makes this book special is the quality of it, and the size.�

Simmons said he had momentarily considered shipping the book in an anvil case with the Kiss logo.

Each copy was hand stitched-and-bound in Italy, by the same binder used by The Vatican.

Why did Kiss opt to have the same printing press that the Vatican uses? �We got a good deal on Holy Water,� Simmons joked.

�The Italians are known for great craftsmanship with leather goods,� said drummer Eric Singer.

�Each edition is hand made and hand bound, one at a time,� added Thayer.

�In all seriousness, I learned this from Tommy, who spent most of the time baby-sitting this project,� said Simmons. �So he�s the one that lifted all the heavy weight. Each book, because of its weight, has to be�There�s a binding process that�s different from other books.�

Simmons continued, �So a person has to be there physically so the weight doesn�t sort of dilute the pages. So it�s a very high quality product, and we�re very proud of it.�

"It�s nice of Gene to say what he said, but it was really a band project,� Thayer countered. �We all enjoyed picking through photos and selecting the best we could find that would look great in the book. We really did it together.�

There will be ten versions of the book, each representing a different country and its fans.

�Fortunately, we own an amazing catalog of photos and video,� Stanley pointed out. Discussing B-roll on television, he said, �Most of the photos you see on network TV showing Kiss footage, they come to us for.�

�We�ve got a vast library. The photos that we have in our library are unbelievable. So this is not even a smattering. This is a fragment of what we have,� elaborated Stanley.

�I think we wanted to find the most dramatic photos we could find that really capture the essence of Kiss live on stage, and the excitement. Not only with the band on stage, but the Kiss Army, the fans. There are a lot of photos of our fans in there, too,� Thayer pointed out. �That�s a very important element of the whole thing.�

Is it the largest book of all time? Simmons responded, �We�re told it might be. I�m making no claims. But it doesn�t matter. This is impressive any way you look at it.�

�The company that made this made the single largest book in the world,� said Singer.

�It�s literally about fifteen feet high,� added Simmons.

When at the Viper Room, the band also signed a book, which they are donating to the organization Wounded Warriors.

The band donated $200 thousand dollars, and Motley Crue, with whom they are currently on tour, gave $100 thousand to what Simmons called, �Those poor victims that were shot up in Colorado.�

Kiss also donated $250,000 to the Wounded Warriors project. �Our heroes aren�t in comic books,� he noted, before speaking about their support for soldiers.

Despite all the band�s over-the-top superlatives at their concerts, which include large immense of pyrotechnics and the band's iconic make-up, Simmons insisted the band is not about hype. �It starts with the songs.�

Despite the high price tag, Kiss has managed to sell more types of merchandise than any other band. One of the items they have marketed is Kiss coffins.

As far as an expensive book, �There was no way to do it without excluding some people, and also celebrating what we think is worthy of that kind of price,� the bassist explained. �Something that celebrates 40 years of victories.�

Those victories include selling more than 40 million albums U.S.; 20 million RIAA certified, and worldwide sales exceeding 100 million.

Although Kiss has had a forty-year career, and is one of the most successful bands in rock and roll, Stanley stated, �The music business is in shambles. If you�re doing it for any other reason than you must, if it�s your quest, if it�s something that you have no choice except to pursue it, then great.�

�But if you have any second thoughts, or are doing it to succeed, or make money, give it up. Because the chances of that are slimmer than ever. Most of the companies are in shambles,� he commented.

He then joked about the band�s label Universal Music Group, calling it a �phoenix rising from the ashes of the music industry.�

Simmons said of Universal Music Group, which has signed the band for a multi-million dollar deal, �They listened to 4 or 5 songs. We�re going to play 4 or 5 more for them today.�

He added, �Universal loves the songs. That�s why we�re in business together again.�

The band also discussed their Kiss Monster album will be produced released October 16. It will be their 20th studio release. �I can�t remember how many albums we have,� said Simmons.

�We spent some of the best months of our career doing this album. We�re very proud of it, and you will love it,� said Simmons. The album is produced by Paul Stanley. Rock and roll, pure and simple, from start to finish.

The songs are written by the four of us said Kiss drummer �No gender bender or power ballads said Tommy Thayer. "Rock and roll, pure and simple, from start to finish."

�I think the music will speak for itself,� said Stanley. �It�s not just a classic Kiss album, it�s a classic rock album.�

�All the performances on it, vocals, guitars, everything on it is stellar,� said guitarist Tommy Thayer. �It�s top grade, all the way. We�re really proud of it.�

Destroyer Resurrected was released today by their label.

KISS�S LANDMARK RELEASE DESTROYER: RESURRECTED

NEWLY REMIXED BY ORIGINAL PRODUCER BOB EZRIN

�Destroyer boasts plenty of sound effects, orchestras, and choirs that paved the way for other bands to rip them off for many years to come� easily one of the best albums in the Kiss canon.� - Pitchfork

Order KISS DESTROYER: RESURRECTED at iTunes.

Order KISS DESTROYER: RESURRECTED at Amazon.

KISS is regarded as one of the most influential rock and roll bands of all-time and holds the honor as one of America�s top gold-record champions. On August 21, 2012, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) will release KISS�s 1976 multi-platinum, landmark album Destroyer: Resurrected, newly remixed from the original master tapes by the album�s original producer, Bob Ezrin. Ezrin pulled the tapes from the vaults and painstakingly remixed the entire album, enhancing the sound and bringing out its rich texture and vibrancy, while keeping the integrity of the original recording intact. Destroyer: Resurrected will also include rare and unreleased recordings rediscovered during the remixing process, plus the originally intended cover artwork.KISS�S LANDMARK RELEASE DESTROYER: RESURRECTED

NEWLY REMIXED BY ORIGINAL PRODUCER BOB EZRIN

Order KISS DESTROYER: RESURRECTED at iTunes.

Order KISS DESTROYER: RESURRECTED at Amazon.

�Destroyer boasts plenty of sound effects, orchestras, and choirs that paved the way for other bands to rip them off for many years to come� easily one of the best albums in the Kiss canon.� - Pitchfork

KISS is regarded as one of the most influential rock and roll bands of all-time and holds the honor as one of America�s top gold-record champions. On August 21, 2012, Universal Music Enterprises (UMe) will release KISS�s 1976 multi-platinum, landmark album Destroyer: Resurrected, newly remixed from the original master tapes by the album�s original producer, Bob Ezrin. Ezrin pulled the tapes from the vaults and painstakingly remixed the entire album, enhancing the sound and bringing out its rich texture and vibrancy, while keeping the integrity of the original recording intact. Destroyer: Resurrected will also include rare and unreleased recordings rediscovered during the remixing process, plus the originally intended cover artwork.

Hot on the heels of their breakthrough hit album Alive!, KISS released their fourth studio album Destroyer which is considered the most ambitious studio recording of KISS's '70s catalog. Bob Ezrin, who had previously worked with Alice Cooper, was brought in to produce the album and among the production flourishes Ezrin introduced to KISS were sound effects, strings, a children�s choir, reversed drumming and the eerie, echoing sounds of screaming children over Gene Simmons� vocals on �God of Thunder.� Upon its release, Destroyer reached the No. 11 position on the Billboard Top 200 and, with the help of the surprise top-10 hit �Beth,� was their first album to go platinum.

Originally released as the B-side to the single �Detroit Rock City,� �Beth,��the heart-yearning ballad co-written and performed by drummer Peter Criss�was quickly picked up by radio nationwide and became the first top 10 for KISS, climbing all the way to the No. 7 position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. While going through the original tapes, a forgotten vocal piece that was originally edited out in the final mix of �Beth� was discovered and now, for the first time, the complete original vocal recording has been restored and is included in the final mix. Other rediscovered gems include a complete, alternate guitar solo for the track �Sweet Pain,� now heard for the first time since it was originally recorded. The newly remixed �Sweet Pain� with the original guitar solo will be included as a bonus track. In addition to the treasures found buried in the hours of recordings, KISS classics such as �Detroit Rock City,� �Shout It Out Loud,� �Do You Love Me?� and �God of Thunder� were painstakingly remixed by Ezrin as he fleshed out the drums and guitars, bringing out the bottom end to the bass, making his mixes tight and tough.

In addition, Destroyer: Resurrected will now be issued with the originally intended cover art thought too controversial for the time. Created by artist Ken Kelly, the �brown� cover depicts KISS dressed in their ALIVE! costumes and standing on rubble in front of a burning city in ruins. At the time, the record company thought it was too violent and settled for the tamer �blue� version known today. This release also marked the first time that a comic-book illustration of the band appeared on the cover, confirming that the band was transforming from hard rockers to superheroes.

To this day, Destroyer remains one of the group�s most ambitious recordings and greatest accomplishments. In both Kerrang! and Guitar World magazine it is listed as one of the "100 Greatest Heavy Metal Albums of All Time" and in 2003, it was included on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Now, with today�s state-of-the-art technology, this landmark release can be heard the way that KISS intended.

The KISS legacy continues to grow, generation after generation, transcending age, race and creed. KISS releases their 20th studio album, Monster, in October 15 internationally and October 16 in North America.

The unparalleled devotion and loyalty of the KISS Army to the �Hottest Band in the World� is a striking testament to the band�s unbreakable bond with its fans.

CD TRACK LISTING
1. Detroit Rock City
2. King Of The Night Time World
3. God Of Thunder
4. Great Expectations
5. Flaming Youth
6. Sweet Pain
7. Shout It Out Loud
8. Beth
9. Do You Love Me?

Bonus Track:
Sweet Pain (Original Guitar Solo)