KISS News Bits

[indeedido]

There aren't many bigger KISS fans than myself, but Psycho Circus sucked. No doubt about it. When I first got it, I thought these solos don't sound like Ace. Something is off. Come to find out they weren't. Bruce Kulick played on Within! Thayer played on it too. Shit Paul played the solo on the title track. He tried to Ace it up. I'm pissed they called it a reunion album, yet Ace and Peter are no where to be found other than the artwork. That crossed the line.

[Vinnie Velvet]

There aren't many bigger KISS fans than myself, but Psycho Circus sucked. No doubt about it. When I first got it, I thought these solos don't sound like Ace. Something is off. Come to find out they weren't. Bruce Kulick played on Within! Thayer played on it too. Shit Paul played the solo on the title track. He tried to Ace it up. I'm pissed they called it a reunion album, yet Ace and Peter are no where to be found other than the artwork. That crossed the line.

Considering that, do you honestly think Gene played ANY bass on this so-called new album?

I would think not.

Bruce likely received a nice pay check for his services recently.

[davehagarfan]

It means "Tommy and Eric both manhandle Paul's cock".

Yeah but will they be as good at it as Ace and Peter were.......

[davehagarfan]

You`ve answered your own statement.

Considering Paul wrote more than half the songs then by your own admission the album isn`t great.

The biggest problem is it falls between too many stools, there`s a half assed concept in there that goes nowhere and far too much self congratulary cheese.

Pyscho Circus is really great.....I like Dreamin' too so I guess Paul's material is 50/50 for me. Ace's song is the worst it's a real peace of shit. That's why I think Psycho Circus is bad because of Into The Void more so than Raise Your Glasses or that one really gay Salute song Paul has. For as reveered as Ace is he really doesn't back up his shit very often.

[indeedido]

That song was a throw away from the album he's been working on for 20 years. He was a hired gun and I guess didn't want to throw away a song on this turd of an album.

[Mr Walker]

I'm a pretty big KISS fan and to be honest... I don't think they've released a solid album since Rock And Roll Over.

[chefcraig]

Fuck the weird inner-band policies and questionable judgment of this group over the past decade or so...read this, and tell me you don't feel moved.

KISS Fulfills Cancer Patient's Dream - July 3, 2009

By William Croyle
wcroyle@nky.com

NEWPORT -- Critter Smith flew on an airplane for the first time June 27.

"It was awesome taking off and looking out the window at how high we were," he said.

But that was nothing compared to what was waiting for him and his mom, Carol, after they landed in Milwaukee.

They were flown there as guests of KISS, one of the world's most famous rock-n-roll bands, for a concert that night.

Critter got to meet the band - Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer - before the show, take pictures during the show and returned home with a stash of memorabilia almost too big to carry.

"When Tommy was on stage, he came down and gave me his pick," Critter said. "And Eric walked right up to me and gave me his drumsticks. It was pretty sweet."

They also gave him a load of KISS merchandise, including notebooks, pencils, trading cards, action figures and...

"Look, they gave me a KISS toothbrush that plays 'Rock and Roll All Nite' when you brush your teeth," Critter said with a big smile.

The 11-year-old was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a cancer of the white blood cells, in July 2007. For the next five months he underwent five rounds of chemotherapy and a round of radiation.

On Nov. 9, 2007, he received a bone marrow transplant and spent six weeks in the hospital. He returned to Fourth Street Elementary School, and was in remission for 15 months, until this past January.

He's been receiving chemotherapy all year and is back in remission. He'll continue treatments for three years, then must wait another five years before he can be declared cured.

When a story about Critter that appeared on nky.com in March mentioned his love for KISS, word circulated among KISS fans and eventually reached Keith Leroux, who manages the band's Web site and merchandising. Leroux contacted the band, which was rehearsing in South America for its current tour.

The next day, while in Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Critter received two calls - one from Stanley and one from Singer. They gave him words of encouragement and invited him to a concert.

"I knew they said they'd do something for him, but I never expected this," Carol Smith said about the all-expenses-paid trip. "I don't think I'd ever seen Critter so happy. He was on top of the world."

Critter (whose real name is Christopher) said the band was in full makeup when he met them back stage before the show.

"Paul walked in and was like 'Hey Gene, this is Chris,'" Critter said. "It was so cool that Paul knew who I was."

Critter said Simmons was "a really big guy, and really nice guy."

"He said to me - well, I can't remember what he said to me," Critter said. "I was just so stunned."

Leroux said the band does things like this quite often, but is pretty humble about it.

"They do a lot and donate a lot, but they don't like credit for it," Leroux said. "They're really good guys."

Stan Smith, Critter's dad, said the band's generosity has lifted his son's spirits.

"It's just so nice of them to do all of this for him," he said.

Critter's next chemotherapy treatment will be Tuesday. He said he dreads having to go through it each time, but KISS makes it more bearable.

"They really help me," Critter said. "KISS music really makes me happy."

KISS fulfills cancer patient's dream | Kentucky Enquirer | nky.com

[indeedido]

I'm a pretty big KISS fan and to be honest... I don't think they've released a solid album since Rock And Roll Over.

That is my favorite KISS album, songs and artwork both.

[davehagarfan]

I'm a pretty big KISS fan and to be honest... I don't think they've released a solid album since Rock And Roll Over.

You don't like Love Gun? I always liked Love Gun.....and call me what you want I think Dynasty is a solid piece of output by the band despite the change in direction for them. I like most every song on it.

[Mr Walker]

You don't like Love Gun? I always liked Love Gun.....and call me what you want I think Dynasty is a solid piece of output by the band despite the change in direction for them. I like most every song on it.

Yeah, I like it, but the production was thin and it was obvious they were running out of ideas. If Peter wasn't such a douche and they had to go the solo album route... I think the follow up to Alive II would have been killer... if they would have taken all the best from Paul, Ace & Gene's solo discs... fuck Pete and his stinky solo album.

As I said, I'm a pretty big KISS fan and honestly... I'm really looking forward to the new disc... I'm buying the hype that they just said fuck it... got together and bashed out some songs without alot of thought or pretense... they have nothing to prove... and I'm hoping that attitude will back up their claims that this is gonna be a great disc (btw, yes, I do have a few drinks in me).

[Mr Walker]

ERIC SINGER

"You Wanted The Best?

Well the wait is almost over...

I have been hearing KISS fans say for a longtime that 'All's we want is NEW KISS music'... Well, sometimes wishes do come true!

Last December Paul called me up saying he wanted to make a new KISS record. He seemed very keen and was very specific about the approach to our latest endeavors.

He basically said he wanted us to make a KISS record and music in the purest sense. Meaning No outside writers, the BAND plays on everything, and we use vintage equipment.

Guess what?

The end result is everything I could have hoped for.

I have to say this has been the most fun and pleasure making a record I have ever been involved in. The chemistry and overall vibe really made for such a great atmosphere and the playing, sounds and songs just really capture what KISS is all about. Classic Rock & Roll.

As we were working up song ideas everyone was very in tune and conscious of our goals at all times. Gene and Paul would retrace their steps from the past and focused on paying tribute to their roots of the early styles of Classic KISS by paying close attention to the way they sang and the sounds of the instruments.

The camaraderie between everyone and especially Gene and Paul really made it easy for all to bring the best out of each other.

Paul took the reigns and headed up the project like the leader that he has been for over 35 years but, this time with a renewed, inspired and very patient style (he is a great dad after all). He really knew what he wanted from each of us individually and collectively.

We did the 11 new songs in small batches by getting into a rehearsal studio first to work up ideas. We then would move to the recording studio. The recordings would entail all of us playing "live" together in the room. As we captured each performance we would then add extra guitar parts and usually put a guide vocal on the track so we could live with it for a few days and make sure the tempos and vibe was right.

By the way we used NO click tracks on this record I am proud to say. We really went for capturing the live feel and essence of each song. And, Paul, Gene, Tommy and myself are the only musicians playing these songs. A true band effort and performance!

As for the songs?

Well, no ballads, no slow songs, no filler...

The band really has come full circle.

Just pure straight ahead rock and roll that has all the elements that made you love KISS from day one.

Everyone sings lead on a song (Tommy and myself) and even trade off vocal lines and parts throughout the record.

Believe me the wait IS over and well worth it!

I hope you all enjoy listening to it as much as we did making it...

More as it happens!"

[indeedido]

I like Dynasty too, but I also don't mind The Elder. Not saying The Elder is wonderful, but I like Under the Rose and Dark Light. Yeah too bad they couldn't get their shit together after Alive II. I would have liked to hear Ace play All American Man and Larger Than Life instead of Bob Kulick.

[Mr Walker]

KISS vocalist, guitarist PAUL STANLEY has issued the following update via KISSOnline.com:

"If you been reading KISSOnline, it's no surprise to you now. We ARE done recording our new album.

What might well be a surprise is that at the least, the album is right up there with our best. As much as we may have tried at some other times to achieve this, the chemistry, line-up or lack of total commitment from everyone might have been cause for it being impossible. Not now. Not this time.

I know that when you hear it you will agree.

Before we began the album, I said I was only interested in doing it if I produced and we followed set ground rules; Total commitment by everyone, pure guitar driven KISS, no outside writers, no outside players and my opinion and say would always be final.

All said yes and I know we'd all say we've never had more fun together.

All four of us made this our priority. Everyone was involved everyday. From the first day of writing to the last day of recording everyone was there giving 100% to making this the album we knew we had in us. I've never seen Gene more selfless (yes... Gene!), focused or harder working. His bass playing, songs and overall contribution help to make this the album you've wanted for so long. Without his spirit, this wouldn't have been possible.

As far as Tommy's guitar playing, he took this chance at bat to consistently hit it out of the park. His playing is fiery and rooted firmly in our history, while making his own mark. Tommy's singing, writing contributions and total involvement made clear what's been missing for so long.

In the twenty years I've known Eric, I've never seen him this relaxed or creative. His playing is the foundation of our next step forward. Relentless and full of spit and swagger. Many lead singers don't have Eric's chops or range. He's singing great on his track and all over the album.

Wait till you hear what we've got for you.

Do I sound proud of everyone and what we've done together? I am, and I should be.

Eleven songs. Eleven winners.

This IS KISS. Classic KISS.

It's been a long time coming."

[bueno bob]

LMAO @ the notion of Kiss not using outside writers and musicians.

I don't believe it. Not for one fucking second do I believe it.

[bueno bob]

I like Dynasty too, but I also don't mind The Elder. Not saying The Elder is wonderful, but I like Under the Rose and Dark Light. Yeah too bad they couldn't get their shit together after Alive II. I would have liked to hear Ace play All American Man and Larger Than Life instead of Bob Kulick.

Dark Light was actually a pretty good song, I have it on my MP3 player still...