PAUL STANLEY'S ART SHOWS IN LA JOLLA, CA.-NEXT WEEKEND

Wentworth Gallery is pleased to present two art exhibitions by artist, rock icon, and legendary KISS frontman Paul Stanley.

Paul will make two special appearances at the Wentworth Gallery in La Jolla, CA.

Wentworth Gallery - Prospect Square - 1025 Prospect Street - La Jolla, Friday, December 5, 2008 -- 7-9 PM Saturday, December 6, 2008 -- 6-9 PM

For details on the VIP Reception with Paul Stanley or to RSVP please call 858-551-7071 or 800-732-6140.

PAUL STANLEY INTERVIEW WITH ASKMEN.COM

AskMen.com recently conducted an interview with KISS guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley. A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
by Shawn Loeffler

AskMen.com: Can fans look forward to new KISS material in the near future?

Stanley: Actually, it looks like we'll be going in the studio shortly to do the first new KISS album in 10 years. It's going to be very much a vintage, classic, '70s KISS album without much regard to what's happened since then; it's back to the roots.

AskMen.com: Back in the '80s, a decision was made in order to respect the fans that Vinnie [Vincent] and [Eric] Carr would have to wear new face makeup; why was the decision made to allow [Eric] Singer and [Tommy] Thayer to wear the makeup of original members?

Stanley: It wasn't to respect the fans; it was a misstep, if anything. The idea that we should dilute the four icons, which are world-known (not by name, but by character) and come up with like "Frog Man" or "Turtle Boy" was a big misstep. Those iconic figures are known worldwide; you show anybody in the world a photo of KISS and they'll tell you it's KISS. So, it just sold everybody short to think that when somebody left the band that they should take those characters with them. In a sense, we all created each others' characters because it was the four of us together and the synergy between the four of us that made those characters. Could we have done it on our own? I don't think so. It was all of us together that came up with it.

AskMen.com: Is there any truth to the rumors about a "Kiss II" reality show?

Stanley: It's kind of gotten distorted into something that it really isn't. The idea that some guys are going to take our place and we're going to go home is never going to happen. Really, what it was and remains is the idea that Gene and I have created and nurtured something for 35 years… [and] as successful and consistent as we've been kind of makes people wonder what it would be like if we put together another band and gave [them] that experience. It's much closer to that.

Read the entire interview at AskMen.com.

KISS ON VH1 CLASSIC SATURDAY - ALL DAY!

VH1 Classic will be airing 1 hour blocks of KISS on the music channel on Saturday, November 29. In honor of the KISSOLOGY series and the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, VH1 Classic will be airing KISS all day.

ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN

KISS/Vh1 Schedule:

2p-4p - KISS' '98 Dodger Stadium concert (from KISSOLOGY Vol. 3)

4p-5p - Rock Fest Kiss (an hour of various KISS videos from all eras)

5p-6p - KISS Live from the Summit ('77 Houston from KISSOLOGY Vol. 1)

6p-7p - Hangin' With KISS (w/Eddie Trunk: the KISSOLOGY Vol. 1 special)

7p-8p - KISS Live from Sydney (Nov. 22, 1980 from KISSOLOGY Vol. 2)

8p-9p - KISSology: The Volume 2 Special

9p-11p - Kiss Live from LA (repeat of '98 Dodger Stadium from Vol. 3)

GENE SIMMONS OPENS UP ABOUT NEW KISS ALBUM

GENE SIMMONS recently spoke with Canada's Sun Media telling Jane Stevenson plans for a new KISS studio album that PAUL STANLEY will produce. It's expected Kiss will begin recording next year with a summer 2009 release. Kiss will follow with a limited tour.

"We'll do a handful of shows just to keep in the game (next) summer, maybe 10 (dates), some Canadian shows," Simmons told the Sun Media. "I know Halifax is one, but before you get out there and start the baseball season, they hold exhibition games, that's what we're doing. 'Cause once we go out, it's going to be for a year and a half."
As for rumblings of a co-headlining tour with QUEEN, Simmons said, "Oh, I've heard that, but we don't know until it's real. I would be happy to step up on that stage. I'd (also) love to step up on a stage with the STONES."

Read more at http://www.winnipegsun.com/

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble Gobble!

ERIC CARR ARCHIVE INTERVIEW TRANSLATED TO PORTUGUESE

The ERIC CARR Archive Interview Series Part 1 through 4 have been tranlated to Portuguese in Brazil courtesy of Brazil's Kiss Killers.com. You can check out the Kiss site by clicking here http://www.kisskillers.com.br/alleyes.html

ERIC CARR ARCHIVE INTERVIEW / PART 4

November 24 will mark the 17th Anniversary of the passing of our beloved ERIC CARR. In a series celebrating his life, KISS MASK will present an Interview with Eric that first appeared in the October/December 1989 (Vol.1/No.4) issue of Kiss Mask. Eric was a strong supporter of Kiss Mask from the very beginning, always sending us notes, doing interviews and making himself available, the most accessible member of Kiss at the time.

Kiss Mask is proud to present his interview in a series of parts for you to enjoy once again. The interview, in article form, was conducted in November of 1989, during Kiss' filming of the "Forever" and "Rise To It" videos. Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Eric Carr.

By J. Frank Hagan

Part four and final installment of our interview with Eric Carr, the FOX discusses redoing "Beth" and the (then) new album, Hot In The Shade.

Although Eric's official lead vocal on a Kiss album is "Hot In The Shade," he first got a taste of singing lead on 1988's greatest hits package, "Smashes, Thrashes & Hits," re-recording the vocals for "Beth." Redoing a Kiss classic had to bring a little hesitation for Eric, "Yeah at first. I was real flattered they offered to ask me to do it. My first reaction was to say 'yes, great, let me do it'. But then I thought about it and I started to worry that people would take offense against me and I certainly didn't want fans being angry with me as though I committed sacrilege or something. It's one of those kind of songs where people that know it are used to hearing it one way. It's like if you re-did 'Stairway to Heaven,' you can get somebody to sing a great job on it, but everyone that's heard that song knows the vocal one way and if you hear anything different it's not gonna' sound good. You're used to hearing Plant sing it that way, people were used to hearing Peter sing 'Beth' that way. I was afraid no matter how good a performance I did, people just wouldn't except it. The reaction, same as when I joined the band, I didn't get all the negative stuff. Maybe fans were being kind and didn't tell me, but I get fan letters all the time. Everyone always told me how great it sounded. I'm very happy the way I sang it. I basically re sang it in a smoother voice." Eric was quick to point out that he recorded in the same studio but the same room Peter recorded it it. "We did it at Record Plant (New York City), the same room he recorded it in. For all I know it could have been the same stool he was on and the same sandwich he was eating," Eric says laughing.

Our conversation shifts back to the new album with Eric explaining he brought a ballad to the sessions he wrote titled, "Somebodys Waiting." I asked Eric how long in took to record "Hot In The Shade," "About two months for the whole thing and a few weeks for mixing. We don't usually take whole lot of time in the studio. We really come in really prepared." With an album so tight, I was interested if the band took extra time for rehearsing for the session work. "Actually no. This was interesting this time because there was supposed to be some rehearsal but as it turned out, we just didn't rehearse. I listened to tapes and got a feel for what Paul and Gene wanted on the songs. We'd get in the studio and as I would go through them, we'd make changes or add stuff or someone would suggest something which is the way we always work.

But at least this time there were a lot more things completed than they usually are. And that's not just us, a lot of bands start recording an album and you may have one or two songs written and writing is going on during the recording. It's real difficult to have all the songs you want, the perfect combination of songs ready at the same time. You gotta' remember new songs come up as you're working. Something you thought was great may not sound so good anymore and somebody may come up with a really cool song. Like 'Little Caesar' came out of nowhere and that worked for the album. If we has locked into the fifteen songs or the fourteen before hand that song may not have made it on there. It was just too good to let go."

KISS FANDOM

KISS MASK Artist & KISS ARMY PENNSYLVANIA LEADER, MATT PORTER and GENE SIMMONS, at Gene's appearence (Kiss Cologne Tour) at Boscov's, Oxford Valley Mall, Oxford Valley, PA. Matt is actually asking Gene why he is only signing Kiss Cologne and nothing else. Check out KISS ARMY PENNSYLVANIA at http://www.myspace.com/kissarmypa

QUIET RIOT DRUMMER FRANKIE BANALI REMEMBERS ERIC CARR

Interview by Byron Fogel

Byron Fogle : How did you first meet Eric and do you have any stories you can share with us .

Frankie Banali : I am sorry to say that I only had one opportunity to meet Eric. Between Eric's schedule with KISS and mine with QUIET RIOT and session work, our paths only crossed once. This was at a record release party for Judas Priest.

BF: What is your favorite album from Eric's era with Kiss ? FB: I enjoyed Eric's work on all the KISS releases, particularly the Asylum record. BF: What is your favorite song (or songs) that Eric played on ?

FB: "Tears Are Falling" from Asylum and "I Love It Loud" from Creatures of the night were standout performances from Eric. He always seemed to play just what the KISS songs called for. Great groove and feel on Eric's part, the songs would have easily fallen apart without his controlled execution behind them.

BF: What changes do you feel Eric style brought to the Kiss's music in the 80's and early 90's ? FB: A more mature style of drumming which the band has not had before or since.

BF: Back in the Metal Health era there was a rumor started the Quiet Riot was Kiss without makeup circulating in some magazines, probably having to do with the fact that you and Eric looked very much alike (had the same hair, facial features etc) were you ever mistaken for Eric by anyone besides by his family backstage?

FB: At the party I mentioned before in question number one. It was held at the Queen Mary liner that is permanently docked at the harbor in Long Beach, CA. Eric and I were standing talking about, what else, drums. A young fan walked up to us and asked me for my autograph. I was getting ready to sign it and add QUIET RIOT, when he says "I love your drumming with KISS!" I looked over at Eric and he starts to laugh. I said to the fan, well, you better have the real KISS drummer sign this then! Afterwards Eric say's to me "Earlier tonight I signed two autographs for QUIET RIOT fans before they realized I wasn't you," we both cracked up, talked a little longer, hugged and went our separate ways. In retrospect, It's a shame that I never had the opportunity to spend time with Eric, but I have one memorable meeting to reflect back on. He was a genuinely nice person.

BF: Have you seen Kiss live with Eric, if so what are your thoughts on the drum solos he put together.

FB: Unfortunately no, so I have no basis to form an opinion. But with as talented a drummer as he was, it must have been something to see as well as hear!

BF: Did Eric influence your playing or drum sound at any given time during your career?

FB: No, not really. The style of music that KISS played while Eric was in the band called for a more controlled studio sound than I've always sought out.

BF: Have you seen the Inside Tale of The Fox DVD or heard Rockology (Eric solo record) ?

FB: No, I'd like to!

BF: Eric was known for his love of practical jokes and pranks were you ever part of one of witness to him in action.

FB: As I said before, since we only met once, the practical joke was played on both of us by fans and mistaken identity. I do remember saying to Eric that since he was the Fox in KISS, had I'd been in the band the only animal left for me might have been "Frankie the Dog Face Boy" of KISS. He must have laughed for about ten minutes straight! We got a lot in during our brief meeting.

BF: As a fellow drummer what do you think Eric most contributed to the world of drumming?

FB: He was able to make wonderful drumming contributions while in KISS and at the same time bring a dynamic live flair to the band visually which is no easy thing to do when working with Gene and Paul who are bigger than life. He was always a focal point and never just background dressing. He held his own and stood out admirably. 100% star power.

Special Thanks to I AM THE BREEZE of the Kiss.News.de KISS Forum

Q&A: THE KISS DYNASTY

The KISS DYNASTY is a KISS fan/musician who creates music to KISS music. I met him on MySpace and I am very excited to bring his story to you. Be sure to check out his music at his MySpace page at: http://www.myspace.com/thekissdynasty


How long have you been a KISS fan?

Sorry if I get all nostalgic in answering this question. It’s more like a story.

To be very honest, I haven’t always been a true KISS fan. I’m a person who’s life doesn’t mean much without music. KISS entered my life in a very early stage. I was 9 so I kinda grew up with it. Not because of my parents or any other relatives liked KISS… Nope, it was just me. As it turned out, there was one other guy in the street I grew up in, that liked KISS too. I accidentally met him when I was hanging around, looking for something to do, and he was playing a tape, repeating ‘I was Made For Loving You/Hard Time’s over and over again. He only had the single… He was 15, what was a big age difference: I was thinking about comic books, while he was worrying about his acne and what girls would think of that. You know what I mean? And I was the proud owner of Destroyer, so I shared that one and KISS made us spent a lot of time together, despite the fact he was 6 years older than me. We used to make our own magazines, drew about a zillion Pauls, Genes, Aces and Peters… I guess every KISS fan has similar memories. Due to that KISS obsession I started dreaming about playing music myself. We even rehearsed our show with tennis rockets and sticks. If only people could have seen us making fools of ourselves, a 15 and a 9 year old, head-banging on ‘Shout it Out Loud…’

At some point I gave up on the band (seriously… ever since Creatures Of The Night, I never listened to another KISS album). I guess it became something that belonged the memories of my childhood and I sold all my KISS albums and stuff like the rest of my ‘toys’.
I started to listen to whole other kinds of music. I became a New Wave addict (what that first girlfriend can do to a person…) so listening to ‘metal’ bands like Poison, Def Leppard, Guns ‘n Roses was like so BORING! I heard KISS tried hard to become one of those metal-bands (I guess they succeeded, I never had any interest in that), even if it took them two of the founders. So with Ace & Peter gone, to me the myth and magic was completely gone too. Until KISS MY ASS, an album that made me curious again since it was all about the ‘classic KISS songs’ and Lenny Kravitz was on it. But again, the interest faded away.

In 1996, I heard about the first reunion on MTV and I thought: well, that must be great for Peter and Ace. I never expected a friend telling me a couple of months later, KISS was going on tour in full make-up with the original 4 members. I even wasn’t all that enthusiastic when they planned a concert here in Belgium. But I thought I owed it to that little child of 9 I used to be, buying KISS albums while everybody else was having fun at the carnival and I wouldn’t waste any money…
The day of the concert, I must have been standing there like that 9 year old boy again. With a stupid grin on my face and overloaded on adrenaline. Every fantasy on how a KISS concert would look like came true. I guess kids today, in times of internet and multimedia, can’t understand that feeling anymore. In those days in Belgium, (I’m talking late ‘70’s) finding a real picture of KISS was like finding a treasure. Looking at that concert was like finding the city of gold. I‘ve seen over a 1000 concerts in my life, but that one will always be one of the most cherished. I was surprised to find out how many songs I still knew by heart, even if it was like over 15 years ago. So in some way the band always stayed present in my mind, inactive, but still... That concert made it clear that I never stopped being a KISS fan and that’s about 30 years now.

You made a really cool version of "Only You" from THE ELDER, I loved it with a dance beat, what inspires you to remake a KISS song?

Thanx! Pitty, it’s no longer on my profile for now since I had to make room for some other songs. But it will return later.
I never had the intention to make it more like a ‘dance version’ by the way. I heard some kind of Massive Attack arrangement in it and started dropping my bass strings as low as possible. On a certain level (around A) the human ear can no longer identify tones, so I had to stop before I started making music for whales or so.
Anyway… It wasn’t very easy to keep everything in tune. It was a bit of a challenge.
What brings me to the other question: what inspires me?
Hmm… That’s a bit different with every song. It just kinda hits me and I need to be challenged. I took up remixing songs as a hobby. And at some point it took a turn to KISS songs.

What does it take to go in and rework a KISS song?

It’s more like a combination of things. First of all, there’s the ‘hitting me’ factor: do I hear a complete different arrangement or not?
To my opinion, in remixing (I know some people think remixing songs is like playing with some samples and beats – but if you really want to do it right, there’s a whole lot more to it) you have to get a grip on the ‘soul of the song’ (so it stays the same song but in a different suit) OR you have to turn it into a complete different tune that appears to be remembering people to another song they know. Am I talking bullshit? Wait, I’ll try to explain with an example. Don’t shoot me for this…

You probably know the song ‘Hung Up’ by Madonna. Yes? Well, then you definitely know the melody the keyboards play: yeah right, the song from ABBA, Gimme Gimme Gimme. Now that’s an example of turning a well know song into something else.
In the case of remixing KISS songs, I choose the other way: I literally try to jam with the members of the band, using the original basslines, drums, guitars, vocals,… and add something new to the picture. I personally like my version of Love Theme very much. The tune is still Love Theme, but I’ve approached it in a totally different angle (I think…)
And that is what I try to do: get into the song, skip the obvious touch (like making a dance version of I Was Made For Loving You… that’s easy… don’t mind me saying so) and turn it into a more ‘up to date’ but still classic KISS song while I fantasize being there with them (sometimes on stage, like in She’ mpansee… ;-)

Have you tried it with other artists?

I certainly have! I started to use my pc as an instrument about 3 years ago. Remixing was more like a process to learn about the software I had to use. I’ve started recording and composing songs at home, but somehow that remixing thing kept on coming back. I’ve remixed a bunch of songs by different artist, just for myself and a few close ones to get some feedback. Picking up KISS was more like a favour I wanted to do for a friend of mine who’s a real ‘die hard’ KISS fan for years. I wanted to surprise him by giving him something no-one else had. And, well, I did surprise him and it turned out to be surprising the other way around too: he liked it so much, he didn’t wanted to keep it for himself. He told me about the loyalty of KISS fans, the bond KISS Army’s have (I thought: there we go again, the man who’s life is called KISS) and that I should try to get these remixes out in the world. So I did.

‘The Kiss Dynasty’ profile went on-line about 3 months ago with an idea behind it to create something special for all KISS fans all over the world. I wasn’t really sure about it: I expected reactions like ‘Okay, nice try’ or ‘BOOOOOORING’ or ‘Get these freaking songs off-line or the KISS army will hunt you down!’. After about a week, I really started to believe in the fact that KISS fans actually liked my ideas. And now, after 3 months, over 4500 hits, at least 350 KISS related My Space Friends, I’m positive: I’m really sure that the KISS Army’s will be pleased about what I’m holding up my sleeve! It’s amazing how tight KISS fans are. It’s definitely unique! So all those remixes I’ve made from other bands… really… don’t matter anymore. I’ve found my mixing destiny… ;-)

What instruments do you play?

Well, I’m mostly a live bass player for about 20 years now (no I don’t have a tongue like Gene). I started out back in 1986, buying an electric guitar because I didn’t knew the difference between a 6 string and a bass. Imagine that! I went out to buy a guitar (I figured it would sound as deep as Stings guitar, who was my hero at the time), but came home with a 6 string. It took me about a week to find out I’ve bought the wrong instrument. But I had it in my hands and at home, people weren’t actually cheering to buy another one. So I had to learn how to play a 6 string. Since then I got the hang of playing some keyboards and drums, experimenting with some specials like a didg and a harp… And off course: the bassguitar! I’m not saying I’m some sort of multi-instrumental talented guy! I guess every musician knows the basics of several instruments and if not, well, you should!

What are your favorite KISS songs that you've reworked?

Like I said before, I really like my version of Love Theme. Recently I’ve finished a ‘Saturday Night Fever –ish’ version of Easy As It Seems. I like that one too! But my true favourite isn’t on-line yet. I’ll tell you about it when it’s there!

What KISS songs you haven't reworked but are planning to do?

You’re way to curious LOL! Definitely some tracks from the solo’s, specially the Ace Frehley album. Rip It Out is growing in my head and so is Ozone. Got a very weird thing going on about that last one. And I really want to take a look at the possibilities on Radioactive by Gene. I always liked the intro… but what happens than? I mean: it’s like fireworks before the start of the show, expectation growing like… WTF is going to happen next! And then… well… sorry if the DIE HARDS are angry now, but it’s like a very sexy woman getting ready for some great sex and you having an orgasm before your pants are down… I’d like to try to pump it up to real Radioactive sex!
Besides that, believe it or not, a couple of My Space friends have send me some requests. Maybe I’ll pick up some of those. What else? Really, I don’t know yet.

Has anyone from the band heard your remakes?

As far as I know, I don’t think so. I haven’t made any efforts to get in touch with the (ex) band-members yet. I’d like to wait a while until my idea is finished and on-line. After that, I’m gonna try to get in touch with them.
For now I’m trying to ‘collect’ as much KISS related profiles and comments so everything becomes some kind of package to show to them if they’re ever interested in listening to my remixes. I guess the four originals have so much more on their minds then surfing My Space looking for their own songs in different versions. So if I ever want them to take a look, I’d better make sure it’s worth it.

If you ever got a call from Gene or Paul about your music, what would be your first reaction?

If that would ever happen, I really hope they try to contact me by e-mail so I’ll be able to prepare myself. I think I would be nailed to the ground and speechless if I would pick up the phone and somebody would say: Hi, this is Gene Simmons.
I would really like to make it clear to them that I don’t have any wrong intentions with my ‘work’ and that it’s nothing more than a tribute to KISS. No, I’m not taking this on stage like other tribute bands, I’m using the internet as a stage. I’m not trying to sell these versions, I just like to do this as a dedication to the band that made me pick up a guitar and learn how to play it.

Of course, if Gene would say: listen man, we really like this stuff and we think you should release it, or even better: we’d like to release it ourselves(yeah right, like that would happen)… I would be … nailed to the ground and speechless LOL.
Serious, I would be so honoured. As a matter a fact, getting any reaction at all from one of the four (positive or negative) would be such a big compliment since they would find it worthy of taking time for it. You know what I mean?

Any final thoughts about your KISS inspired music?

My biggest wish is to get personal permission by Gene, Ace, Paul and Peter to make my versions downloadable for free.
Considering the quality of some available stuff, I’m pretty sure that at some point some-one will pick up the tracks and starts bootlegging them to make money. I only hope every KISS fan will remember where they heard it first and before buying the versions, they try to get in touch with me for a free copy.
Unless of course the KISS members would have other plans. If they would believe that my project could actually become part of the KISS legend… I’d die a very, very happy man.

So for now, I hope you all keep on enjoying my versions and please don’t stop visiting my profile to hear the latest tunes!

Thanks!!

No, thank YOU for the interest and giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts.

ERIC CARR: JULY 12, 1950-NOVEMBER 24, 1991

Today, we remember a great friend and an amzing drummer, ERIC CARR, on the 17th Anniversary of his passing. Eric will always be remembered for his passion, humanity, compassion, humor and his music. We miss you dear friend.
Please enjoy Eric's Drum Solo:
1984 Animalize:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6KjNUpKzCI



Eric during soundcheck 1990:

ERIC CARR ARCHIVE INTERVIEW / PART 3

November 24 will mark the 17th Anniversary of the passing of our beloved ERIC CARR. In a series celebrating his life, KISS MASK will present an Interview with Eric that first appeared in the October/December 1989 (Vol.1/No.4) issue of Kiss Mask. Eric was a strong supporter of Kiss Mask from the very beginning, always sending us notes, doing interviews and making himself available, the most accessible member of Kiss at the time.

Kiss Mask is proud to present his interview in a series of parts for you to enjoy once again. The interview, in article form, was conducted in November of 1989, during Kiss' filming of the "Forever" and "Rise To It" videos. Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Eric Carr.

By J. Frank Hagan

In Part 3 of our Interview with Eric Carr, we discuss the album (Music From) The Elder, his first tour of Europe with KISS and a frightening but hilarious story surrounding their show in Milan, Italy, and singing lead on a Kiss album for the first time.

Was there a proposed tour to support "The Elder?," I did not hear anybody say a tour. It kind of stands to reason that there would be a tour. There certainly was a plan to do a movie and maybe part two of the score. All of that stuff was depended on how the album did. if an album doesn't do well, and it's a score for a film, why do the film? The fans are telling you, for whatever reason, that this is not necessarily their cup of tea. So you're gonna' give them a film with the same music? It doesn't make any sense. Eric was very curious over the sudden 'rediscovery' of the album from fans and was very interested in my own thoughts on the topic.

I asked him what was the craziest incident that happened to him and the rest of the band on tour. Eric preceded to tell me of one of the scariest moments that happened on the road that could easily pass as of the craziest.

The scariest by far was definitely in Milan, Italy on the European tour (1980). We were playing an outdoor soccer stadium, getting ready to go on, and the dressing rooms are in these catacombs underground. We were walking down these long corridors and we're getting ready to walk up this long flight of stairways that lead up to the grass and then we have to climb another flight of stairs to the stage. We are walking all costumes, makeup and platforms. All of a sudden our tour manager, George Sewitt, comes running back, 'Go back! Run! Run! What had happened is that there was about fifty or sixty skinheads in the front that had broken through the barricade. They were trying to charge downstairs yelling 'Kiss Fascists!' I guess we represented Capitalism at it's worse or best, however you want to look at it. We ran and they (Kiss tour crew) barricaded us in the dressing room. There was no way out because we were underground and you have concrete walls which are three feet thick around you. If they had broken through and gotten us, there was no way out. We were scared shit. We were lucky because someone stood up in front of the guys when they were charging downstairs. He knew karate and apparently broke a couple of arms, broke a nose here and there and stopped them. Ace talks about this story in an interview recently. It's the most scared I've ever been with Kiss. We still went out and did the show.

A funny part of that was Gene... Whenever we were walking, offstage or onstage, in those days he would be dragging along. We'd say, 'C'mon! C'mon! Move your ass!' (Gene) 'I can't run in these boots. I can't run in all this stuff!' He ran so fast. He beat all of us when he was running back to the dressing room. Forget about how much costume he had on, he flew! We always tease him about that. We were just locked in there looking at each other. Everyone of us looked liked scared rabbits because we were scared shit. We realized if they broke through, that was it. We would have been killed.

1990 marks Eric's 10 year anniversary with Kiss. Although he's been with the band longer than original drummer, Peter Criss, it has taken ten years to sing lead on a Kiss album. Why the delay?

I think we wanted to wait until we had an album that was good enough for my voice to be heard on, jokes Eric. No, I'm kidding. I really don't know. I just think it was a matter of the timing was right. People I know have the idea sometimes that Gene and Paul don't want me to sing, they wouldn't let me do this, and that's not true. It's always been basically up to me. I've brought material, lots of material to the band over the years and the band has used some of the stuff I have written. Other people have used it and other material have not been used, but that goes the same with Gene, with Bruce, Vinnie, and with Paul. It's the same situation. I think if I had come up something that was completed or that sounded really cool and I had a good idea for a vocal years ago and it sounded right for us, it would have been on the album.

Eric continues, The song that I brought, 'Little Caesar,' to Gene seemed to fit with what we were doing. Although I didn't think it at first, I just let him hear it as a joke. I brought that song to Gene, let him hear it and 'Oh by the way, what do you think of this tune?' He loved that and it was right for the album. Just the way we were doing this album and what we wanted try and achieve, this was the right time for me to finally do a vocal. I'm really happy the way it turned out. Overall, there are a couple of things I probably would have changed here and there, but I'm really happy with my performance, happy with the arrangement and the way it sounds. I just hope everyone likes it!

Like it? Everyone loves it!

Next up: Part 4- Eric discusses re-recording "Beth" and the new album, "Hot In The Shade." Part 4 will appear online on Wednesday, November 26.

BRUCE KULICK & NICK SIMMONS IN THE STUDIO

NICK SIMMONS and BRUCE KULICK in the studio recording a track for Bruce's upcoming CD release (November 2008). Photo courtesy: Kulick.net.

BRUCE KULICK TO TAKE PART IN MONSTER CIRCUS CONCERT

BRUCE KULICK is among the artists to take part in the in the first Monster Circus performance in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Masquerade Showroom at the Rio Suite Hotel Casino on December 9. The band will play a set of some of the greatest songs of all time with a "Las Vegas twist.

Bruce Kulick (KISS)

Rudy Sarzo (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, DIO)

Tony Montana (GREAT WHITE)

Bobby Rock (SLAUGHTER, VINNIE VINCENT INVASION)

John Corabi (MÖTLEY CRÜE)

Dee Snider (TWISTED SISTER)

Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, but everyone is encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to be collected by the National Guard as part of the Toys For Tots campaign. If you would like to bring canned goods, those will also be donated to families in need with the support of the National Guard.

PAUL STANLEY SNAPS

We saw this spoof photo online and had to print it here... Too funny!

KISS & QUEEN? GENE SIMMONS TALKS TOURING AT CONFERENCE

Mitchell Peters, L.A.
Having recently completed a 30-plus-date European tour, Kiss will "eventually when we're ready tour America," co-founder Gene Simmons said during a keynote address today (Nov. 20) at the fifth annual Billboard Touring Conference, held at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York.Referring to Kiss as the "juggernaut of all rock'n'roll brands," Simmons said the band is currently working out future tour details. "We've been talking with [manager Doc McGhee] about Europe and then doing a year-long tour maybe this coming summer, but we'll see," Simmons said. "Kiss and Queen, that would be a smash. That would kill. So far (it's) 50/50."

During the address, Simmons, who is also a reality TV star and entrepreneur, stressed the duties of being a live performer. "I don't care if you're Axl Rose, forgot to tie your shoelaces or your father molested you when you were three -- you're a bitch if you don't show up onstage when it says 9 o'clock," he said, drawing loud applause from the audience."You need to have the integrity and self-respect to respect the promoter who paid you the money in advance, the hall and the people who makes all our lives possible," he continued.

Read more at http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003895376

PAUL STANLEY ON ELECTRIC MORNING SHOW

PAUL STANLEY recently did a phone-in interview with the Electric Morning Show with Jack Hammer & Andre. Click link below to listen-
http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/9/25/1457906/paul%20stanley.mp3

NEW KISS FAN SITE- KISS UNITED

There is a brand new KISS Fan Site- KISS UNITED! It's a place for KISS fans to meet up. It's like a MySpace for KISS Fans. Check it out at http://www.kissunited.com/

GENE SIMMONS TODAY AT THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE

GENE SIMMONS rang the opening bell today at the New York Stock Exchange. Click the link below to see the video.
http://www.nyse.com/events/1226920892113.html

KISS FANDOM

PAUL STANLEY with KISS ARMY PENNSYLVANIA Leader Matt Porter (behind Paul's left shoulder in plaid shirt) and winners of the WMMR Paul Stanley Soundcheck Contest at The TLA Theatre, Philadelphia, PA., 10/30/06. Check out KISS ARMY PA., @
http://www.myspace.com/kissarmypa .

KISS MASK'S FANDOM

(Photo: Paul Stanley and I in Allentown, PA., HOT IN THE SHADE Tour June 28, 1990)

Do you have a photo of yourself and KISS? A photo of you and a KISS bandmember? Send it in to the KISS MASK WEBZINE. Just copy and paste your photo into an email (please put KISS FANDOM in the subject matter) and a short summary of your photo. Email us at Kissmask8895@aol.com and you'll see your photo here at KISS MASK'S FANDOM.

KISS MEETS THE PHANTOM-1978

Klassic KISS Klip from "KISS Meets The Phantom of the Park" performing "Shout It Out Loud" & "Black Diamond."

KISS- I WAS MADE FOR LOVIN' YOU- 2008

Here's a clip of KISS performing "I Was Made For Lovin' You" on the Footy Show in Australia.

KISS- WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN -1986

Here is a classic clip of KISS doing the Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" from the ASYLUM Tour, Fort Worth, Texas.

ERIC CARR INTERVIEW TRANSLATED TO ITALIAN

KISS MASK'S Interview with ERIC CARR (Parts 1 & 2) has been translated to Italian thanks to my buddy Fabio who runs a really cool website devoted to KISS, DeuceNews. His site is in English as well as Italian. Check out one of my favorite websites at:
http://deucenews.jimdo.com/deucenews.php

PAUL STANLEY ART EXHIBITION/ LA JOLLA, CA.- DECEMBER 5 & 6

Wentworth Gallery

Prospect Square, 1025 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA.

Friday, December 5, 2008 7-9 PM

Saturday, December 6, 2008 6-9 PM

For details on the VIP Reception with Paul Stanley or to RSVP please call 858-551-7071 or 800-732-6140.

(Pictured- TOP: Paul with NY Yankee Jesse Damon, his wife Michelle [and their new painting], and former Kiss Wrestler, Dale Torborg. BOTTOM: Paul with NY Yankee Jesse Damon and his wife Michelle at Paul's Orlando, Florida Exhibition November, 16.)

PAUL STANLEY TALKS ABOUT A NEW ALBUM...AGAIN

PAUL STANLEY talked to Classic Rock Magazine about doing a new KISS album. Here's what he had to say--
Kiss rhythm guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley has confirmed to the Clog that the band are seriously considering recording a new album. Rumours of a brand new Kiss release first surfaced last week on photographer Ross Halfin’s blog. Now Geoff Barton has taken it upon himself to grab the Classic Rock poker and agitate the embers of speculation (poetic, huh?!).Barton recently talked to Stanley and asked him:
What does the future hold for Kiss?
It looks like we’ll be touring Europe as well as the States next year. You’ll be getting more of what you saw at the Download festival this past summer – the Kiss Alive! vibe amped up to the max.
There might even be a new Kiss album at some point. I have been ambivalent to the idea in the past but I’m much more open to it now.
Why is that?
Well, I thought that I'd be content for Kiss to remain a heritage act, just playing our greatest hits – Detroit Rock City and all that. But the new Kiss line-up with Tommy Thayer (guitar) and Eric Singer (drums) is proving to be so good, so strong in spirit, it would interesting to see how we perform in the studio. I must stress that no recording time has been booked at this point. But it if we were to go into the studio, the intention would be to make a Kiss album in the style of our 1970s recordings. A classic Kiss album, unmistakably.
(Read more in the January issue of Classic Rock, on sale December 10.)
Click the link below to Classic Rock's Website-
http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/page/classicrock?entry=paul_stanley_open_to_the

PAUL STANLEY FLORIDA ART EXHIBITIONS NOV.14,15 &16

Friday November 14, 2008Wentworth Gallery – The Gardens Mall3101 PGA BlvdPalm Beach Gardens, FL*call for details on Special VIP Reception with Paul Stanley 561-624-0656 or 800-732-6140
Saturday November 15, 2008Wentworth Gallery – Town Center Mall6000 Glades RoadBoca Raton, FL*call for details on Special VIP Reception with Paul Stanley 561-338-0804 or 800-732-6140
Sunday, November 16, 20081 – 4 p.m.Wentworth Gallery - The Mall at Millenia K2964200 Conroy Road Orlando, FL

ESP ADDS PRAGUE DATE

ESP has added another date to their European tour in Prague, Czech Republic, February 6, 2009.
ESP Tour Dates 2009-
2/4: Mainz, Germany/KUZ
2/7: Freiburg, Germany/Ganter Brauereihalle
2/8: Kaiserslauten, Germany/Halle Nordtribühne
2/12: Milan, Italy/Legend 54
2/13: Treviso, Italy/New Age
2/14: Pinarella Di Cervia, Italy/Rock Planet
2/18: Pratteln, Switzerland/Z7
2/21: Jevnaker, Norway/ Glassheim

PAUL STANLEY SAYS NEW KISS ALBUM 'IS IN THE WORKS'

PAUL STANLEY told David Brody of the Brody Blog plans for a new KISS album. Paul had this to say, "We just came back from the biggest, most successful tour of Europe we've ever done. We did thirty shows in seven weeks, played to about 400,000 people and we're playing the entire KISS ALIVE! album and some other songs. It was huge, so, it only gave us to think, well, let's, ah, hit the studio again, do a new album, so that's in the works now."
Paul had previously spoke with Photographer Ross Haflin about doing a new Kiss album earlier in the week. Paul told Haflin that it would be a 70s style Kiss album with Paul producing.

PAUL STANLEY INTERVIEW 11/08/08

(Photo: J. Frank Hagan)

A new PAUL STANLEY Interview by David Brody of the Brody Blog (November 8). Click the link below to hear it via YouTube. Paul discusses doing a new album, his dvd One Live Kiss and the new KISS box-set IKONS.

THE BRODY BLOG:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYK2ccDMIc4&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=108832

(thanks Blabbermouth.com)

DO YOU HAVE KISS NEWS?

Have a KISS News item? Email us at Kissmask8895@aol.com

Email us your photos with the band... Having a KISS fan expo? Email us all the neccessary information. Have a KISS tribute band? Send us your electronic press kit with photos and information.Once approved, you can see it on KISS MASK WEBZINE.

ACE FREHLEY PHOTOS FROM CLEVELAND

TalingMetal.com has posted photos of Ace Frehley and Henry Juszkiewicz honoring Les Paul at the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. Check them out at http://fuseblog.typepad.com/talkingmetal/

NOTE FROM ERIC CARR 1988

ERIC CARR ARCHIVE INTERVIEW/PART 2

November 24 will mark the 17th Anniversary of the passing of our beloved ERIC CARR. In a series celebrating his life, KISS MASK will present an Interview with Eric that first appeared in the October/December 1989 (Vol.1/No.4) issue of Kiss Mask. Eric was a strong supporter of Kiss Mask from the very beginning, always sending us notes, doing interviews and making himself available, the most accessible member of Kiss at the time.

Kiss Mask is proud to present his interview in a series of parts for you to enjoy once again. The interview, in article form, was conducted in November of 1989, during Kiss' filming of the "Forever" and "Rise To It" videos. Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Eric Carr.

By J. Frank Hagan

We begin part two of our interview with Eric talking about the audition that changed his life, the day he auditioned for Kiss and leading up to his introduction to the world.

"Where's the men's room? I never felt so strong about anything ever, before or since then. I knew from the time I called, I just had a feeling I was gonna' get it. So by the time I found out that they wanted to continue rehearsing with me, it wasn't much of a surprise," explains Eric. Gene Simmons said in a 1982 interview, "We found a little puddle behind the drum kit," on Eric's audition.

"When I joined, their idea was to be a 'Hawk,' a bird of prey. We tried during this time, three weeks, a month, to come up with hawk makeup. I was trying every kind of idea I could come up with. Just using lots of different colors on my face which made it look like Zulu warrior makeup. Meanwhile, there was a costume designed for me which was yellow like San Diego chicken. It was yellow tights covered by a padded chest piece, another chest piece with yellow feathers on it, a vest and a big cape, something like the one Gene used to wear. The only thing missing was the beak and the big claw feet," laughs Eric.

"It was hysterical! I remember standing there in the costume place. Bill Aucoin and Paul were there putting the stuff on me. I'm saying to myself, 'This is nuts! But I guess they know what they're doing, but this looks ridiculous to me!' Luckily for me, Paul and Bill were thinking the same thing at the same time and realized it was ridiculous," recalled Eric.

Eric had about three weeks to prepare for a stadium tour and to introduce himself to the die hard Kiss Army. Thus meaning, learning the set, rehearsing, costuming, developing a persona and preparing himself for the worse. Not an easy task, joining a Supergroup that had won the Gallup Poll for the #1 rock band in the world for the last three years in a row, 1977, 1978, and 1979. Kiss is the only band, second to the Beatles who is recognizable by face and a first name basis.

Eric's makeup did not evolve until the first live appearance with Kiss, July 25, 1980, with a sold out performance to introduce Eric to the Kiss Army at New York's Palladium. "I was in the dressing room of the Palladium, Gene was sitting across the room, still sketching faces on a sketchpad. I came up with this idea, I knew even before I showed it to Gene what he was gonna' say. I said 'Hey Gene. What do you think of this?' He said 'Interesting, but it looks like a fox.' I said 'Yeah.' And the light bulbs went off, instantly it seemed to be it. From that second on, it was the Fox. Of course I changed it after the Palladium show, adding the white up the center, making the black smaller. It made it a lot better. I wore it (that way) that one show and the People Magazine cover," reminisces Eric.

Eric's family had to keep the fact that their son was in Kiss a secret, leaving them with some quick explaining as to why they were at the Palladium to see Kiss, when approached by people they knew.

Going from clubs to stadiums in a matter of three weeks had nerve-racking let alone mind blowing, I was all excited, but I had been playing clubs and in front of people for so long. All I was concerned about is that I'm gonna do the best that I can. Either the fans are gonna' love me or hate me. So, I went out there and it's like, 'What are you gonna' do? Get scared when the solo comes up and the drum risers moving forward and and say I can't do it?' That's bullshit! I said 'fuck it! I'm out here, I have no choice!'"

Next up: Part 3- "The Elder" and re-recording "Beth." Part 3 will appear on Thursday November 20.

RAFAEL MOREIRA'S MAGNETICO UNLEASHES NEW VIDEO

RAFAEL MOREIRA (Paul Stanley, House Band) has issued a new video with his band, MAGNETICO, called The Emperor. Check out this exciting new track at:
http://br.youtube.com/watch?v=ILvdusofDWE
You can find more about Magnetico at: www.myspace.com/magnetico

GENE SIMMONS TO APPEAR AT BILLBOARD EVENT

(Photo: J Frank Hagan)

GENE SIMMONS will appear at the 5th Annual Billboard Touring & Conference Awards. The event will take place from November 19-20 at the Roosevel Hotel in New York City. This two-day event, programmed by Billboard's Ray Waddell, will feature informative panels, controversial discussions, invaluable networking opportunities, and an awards reception targeted to promoters, agents, managers, venues, sponsors, and production professionals. Don't miss your chance to hear from elite industry players and learn about the latest opportunities to gain a competitive edge!

2009 KISS US TOUR

Kiss Mask Webzine contacted Kiss' booking agent, Creative Arists Agency, in regards to a US 2009 Kiss Tour and recieved a "no comment." Rumors are swirling regarding the highly anticipated Kiss Alive/35 tour to play US cities. Although Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley have stated in media outlets that there will be a 2009 US tour, information we've gathered (with no confirmation) is pointing to a spring into summer tour that could also possibly feature a co-headlining tour in the vein of the Kiss/Aerosmith which was one the highest grossing tours of 2004.

Now with Ross Haflin hinting of a Kiss album, would it make sense for Kiss to do a spring/summer tour when there is a possibilty of an album coming? Would that mean a Kiss tour could be put on hold to promote a new Kiss product? We tend to think that a new album is just "talk" at this point and a tour is much more feesible especially knowing Gene (and Paul's) feelings of the current state of the recording industry. However, it makes great news and builds up intentsity for a long overdue tour for the men in the greasepaint.

PHOTOGRAPHER ROSS HAFLIN HINTS A NEW KISS RECORD

(Photo: Ross Haflin)

Rock photographer Ross Haflin posted this on his website- November 9:

"I had breakfast with Paul Stanley,The Love Gun (if I don't put that John Bionelli starts bombarding me with emails and leaving me voice messages singing Kiss songs). Paul told me they may make a Kiss record, which he'll produce. A real 70s Kiss style record. If Paul can stop painting which is his other career."

You may purchase some of Ross Haflin's extraordinary photos by visiting his website at http://www.rosshalfin.com/home/intro.php

ERIC CARR ARCHIVE INTERVIEW/ PART 1

November 24 will mark the 17th Anniversary of the passing of our beloved ERIC CARR. In a series celebrating his life, KISS MASK will present an Interview with Eric that first appeared in the October/December 1989 (Vol.1/No.4) issue of Kiss Mask. Eric was a strong supporter of Kiss Mask from the very beginning, always sending us notes, doing interviews and making himself available being the most accessible member of Kiss.

Kiss Mask is proud to present his interview in a series of parts for you to enjoy once again. The interview, in article form, was conducted in November of 1989, during Kiss' filming of the "Forever" and "Rise To It" videos.Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Eric Carr.

By J. Frank Hagan

Eric Carr, the musician, the rock star, wasn't anything I expected। Purely the type of guy I could easily go down to the corner bar, have a beer and shoot a game of pool with. The man who could pound the spots off a leopard talks about the bands before KISS and joining the band in this candid interview.

Eric played in two bands prior to joining KISS, the first one he explains, "Started off as being called Salt and Pepper in 1970 and went on to Creation in the mid-1970s and the late 1970s Mother Nature, Father Time. What happened is that in the early 1970s when we first started, it was top 40, but top 40 then was every type of music. You could hear really heavy acid, funk, ballads and everything else. The mid- 1970s we started moving towards the rhythm and blues and in 1977 we started doing disco exclusively. We became a disco band and one of the best, we kicked ass!. There were six people in the band, six part harmony and everybody sang leads. We would switch the instruments and I would play bass on some songs, guitars on some songs. It was cool."

However, considering the collection of demo and live tapes floating around amongst fans, I don't think you will find any of Eric's former band. "No, you would never because they would be tapes that I made by me when we did certain gigs. I do have some tapes around, but they have been through floods, so I don't know if they're playable anymore. The problem with my stuff is that it was just a club band and it was long ago, people that may have been there and seen me play are probably old or dead now. They took it with them ," Eric laughs.

Soon after the split of that band, Eric joined what he describes as the, "First real rock band I was ever in, a copy band. We did the Van Halen, the Clash, the Cars, the Who, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC. We did everything! I have a tape of that... the band was called Flasher. We played around Queens in little clubs. It was a four-piece band but after three months our keyboard player left and we went on as a three piece."

Eric found out about the audition for Kiss through an ex-band mate, that very same keyboard player. "I just happened to run into him at a club I was playing the next night. I invited him down, he was the one that told me about the audition for Kiss. If it wasn't that I ran into this guy, I would have never known it."

With the release of the undeniably poppish album, UNMASKED, and the departure of Peter Criss, fans (including myself) were unsure of the status of Kiss. But not long after the news broke of Peter leaving came word that Brooklynite Eric Carr would fill the seat that had been vacant. Kiss fans ordered a sigh of relief knowing the band would go on.

Next up: Part 2-The audition that changed Eric's life and the preparation of his debut with Kiss at New York's Palladium. Part 2 will appear on Thursday, November 13.

PAUL STANLEY ART SHOW APPEARENCE/LA JOLLA, CA.

Wentworth Gallery is pleased to present two art exhibitions by artist, rock icon, and legendary KISS frontman Paul Stanley. Paul will make two special appearances at the Wentworth Gallery in La Jolla, CA. Wentworth Gallery - Prospect Square - 1025 Prospect Street - La Jolla, CA

Friday, December 5, 2008 -- 7-9 PM

Saturday, December 6, 2008 -- 6-9 PM

For details on the VIP Reception with Paul Stanley or to RSVP please call 858-551-7071 or 800-732-6140.

PAUL STANLEY MEDIA SCHEDULE

According to PaulStanley.com, Paul has the following radio spots set up for Monday November 10.
08:00 WRIT - Milwaukee - Dave & Meg08:10 WHCN - Hartford, CT - Renee DiNino08:20 KQRC - Kansas City - Johnny and Carrie08:30 WXZZ - Lexington - Twitch08:40 KTEG - Albuquerque - Buck & Dex08:50 KLBJ - Austin - Dale, Bob & Charlie09:00 WRQK - Canton, Ohio - Todd Fisher09:10 KBOB - Quad Cities - Dave & Darren09:20 KUFX - San Jose-SF - Greg Kihn09:30 WKKT - Charlotte - Paul & Sarah09:40 WXKR - Toledo - Mark Benson09:50 WHTZ - New York - David Brody10:00 KLSZ - Fort Smith - Geri Richards10:10 WRBT - Harrisburg - Nancy & Newman10:20 KXGE - Dubuque - Scott Thomas10:30 WBNS - Columbus - Charley & Kate10:40 KZOZ - San Luis Obispo - Jeff, Jeremy & Lindsay10:50 KDKB - Phoenix - J.R., Mary & Watson

ERIC CARR INTERVIEW PART 1: FLASHBACK

November 24 will mark the 17th Anniversary of the passing of our beloved ERIC CARR. In a series celebrating his life, KISS MASK will present an Interview with Eric that first appeared in the October/December 1989 (Vol.1/No.4) issue of Kiss Mask. Eric was a strong supporter of Kiss Mask from the very beginning, always sending us notes, doing interviews and making himself available being the most accessible member of Kiss.
Kiss Mask is proud to present his interview in a series of parts for you to enjoy once again. The interview, in article form, was conducted in November of 1989, during Kiss' filming of the "Forever" and "Rise To It" videos.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr. Eric Carr.

By J. Frank Hagan
Eric Carr, the musician, the rock star, wasn't anything I expected. Purely the type of guy I could easily go down to the corner bar, have a beer and shoot a game of pool with. The man who could pound the spots off a leopard talks about the bands before KISS and joining the band in this candid interview.

Eric played in two bands prior to joining KISS, the first one he explains, "Started off as being called Salt and Pepper in 1970 and went on to Creation in the mid-1970s and the late 1970s Mother Nature, Father Time. What happened is that in the early 1970s when we first started, it was top 40, but top 40 then was every type of music. You could hear really heavy acid, funk, ballads and everything else. The mid- 1970s we started moving towards the rhythm and blues and in 1977 we started doing disco exclusively. We became a disco band and one of the best, we kicked ass!. There were six people in the band, six part harmony and everybody sang leads. We would switch the instruments and I would play bass on some songs, guitars on some songs. It was cool."
However, considering the collection of demo and live tapes floating around amongst fans, I don't think you will find any of Eric's former band. "No, you would never because they would be tapes that I made by me when we did certain gigs. I do have some tapes around, but they have been through floods, so I don't know if they're playable anymore. The problem with my stuff is that it was just a club band and it was long ago, people that may have been there and seen me play are probably old or dead now. They took it with them ," Eric laughs.

Soon after the split of that band, Eric joined what he describes as the, "First real rock band I was ever in, a copy band. We did the Van Halen, the Clash, the Cars, the Who, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC. We did everything! I have a tape of that... the band was called Flasher. We played around Queens in little clubs. It was a four-piece band but after three months our keyboard player left and we went on as a three piece."

Eric found out about the audition for Kiss through an ex-band mate, that very same keyboard player. "I just happened to run into him at a club I was playing the next night. I invited him down, he was the one that told me about the audition for Kiss. If it wasn't that I ran into this guy, I would have never known it."

With the release of the undeniably poppish album, UNMASKED, and the departure of Peter Criss, fans (including myself) were unsure of the status of Kiss. But not long after the news broke of Peter leaving came word that Brooklynite Eric Carr would fill the seat that had been vacant. Kiss fans ordered a sigh of relief knowing the band would go on.

Next up: Part 2-The audition that changed Eric's life and the preparation of his debut with Kiss at New York's Palladium. Part 2 will appear on Thursday, November 13.

ONE LIVE KISS CHART POSITION

PAUL STANLEY'S ONE LIVE KISS Live Home DVD drops from #3 to #10 on this week's Billboard Top Music Video Sales for the week of November 15, 2008.

EDDIE TRUNK POSTS NEWS ON ACE FREHLEY'S NEW CD

EDDIE TRUNK sheds some light on ACE FREHLEY's new CD-

"Well, I finally made the trip to his place in Westchester, New York yesterday [November 5] and we had a great time as always.

"Ace has been a close friend for over 20 years now and was the first artist I ever signed and worked with at a label in the '80s. Amazingly he has not done a new CD since. Obviously, much has gone on in his life since 'Trouble Walkin'', KISS reunions, career ups and downs, and most importantly he got sober. Another huge thing that has happened is a radical change in the music business and how people make and market records and how many they can sell. Ace knows he can trust me and knows I will give it to him straight, which is why he really wanted me to come and help him make some decisions on what to do next and hear where he's at with a CD he has been talking about for years."

Ace lives in the woods of Westchester, New York. A really nice country area. There are a couple houses and his studio on the property. The studio is a converted barn. A really cool place, to say the least. The studio is a very lived in rock and roll place. Original KISS gold and platinum records are on the walls, many falling apart in the frame due to being over 30 years old. Still cool and authentic. Other KISS/Ace memorabilia from the years is all over the place, including stuff from the reunion and some of Ace's KISS stage clothing. "Ace has been a close friend forever, but it's still so cool as a fan to take all this in and go back in time. We even looked at some photos from the '80s and early '90s from the original solo bands and tours and it brought back many memories! Needless to say there are guitars and instruments all around and a really cool main control room to the studio with the latest computer recording equipment. Ace was one of the first guys I ever knew really into computers, so it's natural he has fully embraced it for recording."

As for the music. I first heard three songs Ace was mixing about a year ago at a studio in New York City. All sounded good to me, but obviously I hadn't lived with them like Ace has. He now has about 15 total songs, six of which have been mixed by two different people. Jay Messina, who has worked with KISS and AEROSMITH, to name a few, in the past, and Michael Barbiero, best know for the production team in the '80s of Thompson/Barbiero (TESLA, GUNS N' ROSES) also mixed some stuff. There are also many songs not mixed, some not complete, and some still being written. You can already see where the delays are. This is an album in several phases of completion. If he wanted to put out a five-ong EP it's pretty much done, but the challenge is figuring out the direction he wants the album to be, what songs make it, and what mixes. Some of the songs I heard include 'Sister', which has been around for years and was played live, 'Pain In The Neck', which Ace said could be the album's title, 'Genghis Khan', which may be an instrumental, and my favorite so far, 'Change The World', which has a very heavy BEATLES vibe. "

As far as the direction, the album is more in line with classic KISS than anything that has been on any original members' solo releases thus far. Gene's [Simmons] last album was a little quirky and all over the map, Paul's [Simmons] glossy and pop leaning, Peter's [Criss] more ballads- and standards-influenced. This is straight-down-the-middle, in-your-face, loud-guitars hard rock. Exactly what KISS fans would expect.

You can read more at www.eddietrunk.com:

ACE'S APPEARENCE AT CHILLER SPARKS INTERNET CONTROVERSY

Editorial

There has been a flurry of controversy regarding Ace charging for autographs at his appearence at Chiller Expo in New Jersey last month. This site has recieved it's share of complaints and emails as well. KISS MASK would like to address this recent activity.

Although I understand the fan's point of view, the reason to charge a fee ($30.00 as it has been reported) has more to do with (in my opinion ) controlling just how "many and what" a person can get signed. And I believe greed plays a more important role than on Ace's part. If you allow "as many items as you wanted," dealers and those posing as fans, would bring as much as they could possibly carry, tying up what would be an already long line. And since Ace's autograph is also one of the most sought after signatures out of the original four members of KISS, one item per person also controls to a point just how many autographs will turn up in ( as many did on Ebay the day after the event ) hands of dealers which make an already lucrative market on Ebay.

Some emails from fans feel betrayed by Ace's decision not to autograph guitars or pick guards though it probably has a lot more to do with Ebay dealers rather than "hurting the fans."

It is also a known fact that many celebrities who attend these expos, such as Monster Con and Chiller, do indeed charge for their "John Hancock."

Celebrities now can take a more controlled approach to deciding what gets signed and how many. And with the controlled atmosphere it also insures your signed Ace item much more exclusive and as rare as it can be- JFH

GENE WINS $500.000 FOR PEDIATRIC AIDS CHARITY

GENE SIMMONS appeared on tonight's Celebrity Edition of FOX- TV's Are Smarter Than A 5th Grader? Gene responded to every answer correctly before folding on the final million dollar question avoiding the risk losing the $500,000 prize money. Gene played for his charity the Elizabeth Glazer Pediatrics AIDS Foundation.

(Photo: Gene appears here in his original 1979 costume)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMMY!

KISS MASK would like to wish TOMMY THAYER a very Happy Birthday!

ACE FREHLEY AT ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME ON NOVEMBER 11

ACE FREHLEY will appear as a special guest in honor of Les Paul for "The Gibson Sound: A Night with Henry Juszkiewicsz Featuring Ace Frehley" at the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH., on Tuesday, November 11 at 7pm. The event will be an in-depth look at the history and innovative sound of the distinguished Les Paul style guitar. For more information, please go to http://www.kayosproductions.com/
Ace is pictured above with his classic Les Paul Sunburst.

Click to see ACE performing in Mt. Clemens, MI 2008/"Rock Soldiers"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28tIxNSd14U&eurl=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=108379

PAUL STANLEY "SHOWMAN OF THE YEAR" , GENE SIMMONS ON "5TH GRADER" , ESP TO TOUR EUROPE, TOMMY THAYER DONATES ROYALTIES FROM HIS SIGNATURE AMP

Classic Rock Magazine announced PAUL STANLEY has won the "Showman of the Year" award at the magazine's fourth annual Classic Rock And Roll Honors awards show. Congratulations Paul!! ...
GENE SIMMONS will guest on FOX-TV's Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? Celebrity Edition this Friday (11/7) at 8pm est. Gene will be playing for his charity, the Elizabeth Glazer Pediatrics AIDS Foundation. Check out a preview clip here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z87yqjkefS8&eurl=http://www.kissonline.net/index.php...
ESP, the ERIC SINGER PROJECT, which also features BRUCE KULICK, CHUCK GARRICK and JOHN CORABI will tour Europe in early 2009.
ESP Tour Dates- 2/4: Mainz, Germany/KUZ; 2/7: Freiburg, Germany/Ganter Brauereihalle; 2/8: Kaiserslauten, Germany/Halle Nordtribühne; 2/12: Milan, Italy/Legend 54; 2/13: Treviso, Italy/New Age; 2/14: Pinarella Di Cervia, Italy/Rock Planet; 2/18: Pratteln, Switzerland/Z7; 2/21: Jevnaker, Norway/ Glassheim...
TOMMY THAYER has donated his Hughes & Kettner Amp royalties to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Hughes & Kettner launched the "Tommy Thayer Signature Duotone Head" in May 2008 to coincide with KISS' Alive 35 World Tour. Tommy has donated all of his royalties from sales of this amp to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. "Caring for children and their medical needs is so important to me. Childrens Hospital Los Angeles is dedicated to providing the highest quality pediatric care anywhere in the world and they make it happen every day," says Tommy. Hughes & Kettner has entered a second production run of his signature amp.