The offical Kiss thread

Listened to 'em last night. Sounds like KISS to me!

I like it!!! Sounds like a mix of 70's & 80's KISS - I can totally hear a 70's influence in the music (especially since I have been listening to the 70's albums again). Can't wait to hear the whole thing on CD.

On a few tunes, I hear a Mick Taylor era Stones vibe, kinda/sorta like a few Paul songs from Rock and Roll Over.

Let's see if KISS can beat AC/DC's Black Ice sales. I doubt it!


AC/DC's "Black Ice" album was released globally on October 20, 2008 and topped sales charts in 29 countries. In the U.S. alone, "Black Ice" sold 780,000 copies in its first week and has since shifted in excess of 2 million units.

I doubt it too. Would be cool though. I've been listening to my leaked CDr three times a day, and I think it's a lot better than Black Ice. It'll probably end up in my top 10 KISS albums.

Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe spoke with KISS guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley. Sections from the interview follow below.
The Boston Globe: Congratulations on the nomination [for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame]. How are you feeling about it?
Stanley: There's a long way between a nomination and induction. That being said, this is really something that I think is exciting. There is a very vocal segment of KISS fans and rock fans who have wanted us in. And so for them I'm very, very pleased.
The Boston Globe: What was the impetus for the new album, since you probably could have carried on successfully as you have until you retired?
Stanley: I think this lineup [with drummer Eric Singer and lead guitarist Tommy Thayer] is so terrific and being in the midst of our most successful, biggest tour ever . . . it was so obvious, not only to me, but to the fans, how great the band is and how quintessentially we are KISS. For me it was just a matter of one stumbling block, and that would be me producing the album. It really was about, at this point, making sure that I didn't have to make apologies for something that came out.
The Boston Globe: Why have Eric and Tommy wear Ace and Peter's makeup? Were the characters they came up with just really lame, like sunflower man or something?
Stanley: We've built those characters over 35 years and the idea that anybody owns those is ridiculous. We were there when they were created and we've worked our butts off for 35 years, so the idea that we should have "snail man" in the band is ridiculous. We did that at one point and realized that it really was a disservice to the fans because the fans know those four iconic figures. That's KISS to everybody, and whether someday somebody wears my makeup, I'd consider it an honor, quite honestly. It would mean that the band is continuing with the same philosophy and thriving without me.

manny wrote:

The Boston Globe: Why have Eric and Tommy wear Ace and Peter's makeup? Were the characters they came up with just really lame, like sunflower man or something?
Stanley: We've built those characters over 35 years and the idea that anybody owns those is ridiculous. We were there when they were created and we've worked our butts off for 35 years, so the idea that we should have "snail man" in the band is ridiculous. We did that at one point and realized that it really was a disservice to the fans because the fans know those four iconic figures. That's KISS to everybody, and whether someday somebody wears my makeup, I'd consider it an honor, quite honestly. It would mean that the band is continuing with the same philosophy and thriving without me.

What a crock! I haven't met one single fan that feels that Tommy and Eric should be wearing the Cat and Space Ace make-up. I've seen this incarnation of the band live and they were quite good. However, I sort of wish they would have come up with new characters or just taken the make-up off again and continue on without it.

Also, Kiss without Paul Stanley? I can't imagine anyone would support that no matter who is wearing the Star makeup.

ultmetal wrote:

manny wrote:

The Boston Globe: Why have Eric and Tommy wear Ace and Peter's makeup? Were the characters they came up with just really lame, like sunflower man or something?
Stanley: We've built those characters over 35 years and the idea that anybody owns those is ridiculous. We were there when they were created and we've worked our butts off for 35 years, so the idea that we should have "snail man" in the band is ridiculous. We did that at one point and realized that it really was a disservice to the fans because the fans know those four iconic figures. That's KISS to everybody, and whether someday somebody wears my makeup, I'd consider it an honor, quite honestly. It would mean that the band is continuing with the same philosophy and thriving without me.

What a crock! I haven't met one single fan that feels that Tommy and Eric should be wearing the Cat and Space Ace make-up. I've seen this incarnation of the band live and they were quite good. However, I sort of wish they would have come up with new characters or just taken the make-up off again and continue on without it.

Also, Kiss without Paul Stanley? I can't imagine anyone would support that no matter who is wearing the Star makeup.

100000% in agreement with you.

Ace has some interesting, but not very surprising comments:
Stop Smiling magazine recently spoke with original KISS guitarist Ace Frehley. Sections from the interview follow below.
Stop Smiling: The original members of KISS reunited in 1996 after 17 years. Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss and yourself. What are memories of the reunion tour?
Ace Frehley: It started off great. It was really strange because we wearing our old costumes, and it wasn't that different from tours from the past. I remember a couple of times doing shows feeling like I'd really gone back in time. It was bizarre. But as the tour progressed, things got weird, people started saying the same old things, pushing people's buttons, and it wasn't fun anymore. It was like the early '80s all over again.
Stop Smiling: What, specifically, were people saying?
Ace Frehley: I don't want to get into specifics. People started doing a lot of the same things that they were doing around my first departure [in 1982]. Making decisions without me. Originally it was put together in the spirit of we were all gonna kind of do this together, and the next thing I know, I'm feeling like a hired gun and I don't have any say in anything. And that's not fun. The four of us invented KISS and brought it to the world. It just wasn't fun anymore.
Stop Smiling: After 17 years you were reunited. Was it all business or did you ever have moments were you hung out with the other guys in the band just as friends?
Ace Frehley: It wasn't like the old days. Pretty much everyone went their own way.
Stop Smiling: You and Peter didn't share your old bond?
Ace Frehley: Not like we used to. I wasn't really allowed to drink on that tour. It was a business. It was a machine. After we got into the day-to-day business of it, it made me remember why I quit the group in the first place [Laughs].
Stop Smiling: On one of the "Kissology" DVDs that came out a few years ago, they talk about a Southern California concert that you almost pulled a no show. What happened?
Ace Frehley: That was crazy. I was in New York and I had to fly in for the show and I'd missed a flight and I was having some family problems and my daughter ended up flying out with me. I think we had missed the second flight even. We were gonna land about an hour before the show. I know Tommy [Thayer, KISS's road manager at the time and current KISS guitarist] was already in make-up. They had a chopper waiting for me when I landed that took me to Irvine Meadows. I put the make-up on in a half-hour and did the show. [Laughs]. I feel bad because I gave a lot of people some tense moments. And that wasn't the only time. I feel bad about it, but I wasn't all there.
Stop Smiling: When did KISS go from being this glitter-punk New York street band to a business?
Ace Frehley: It wasn't one day, it's just the way things started getting more about merchandising and became more about marketing than the music. I got involved in rock and roll because I loved it. And it was fun. And for a time, I said, "I'm the luckiest fuckin' guy in the world. I'm doin' something I love to do and I'm getting paid a lot of money for it." And I was gettin' to see the whole world and it was great. And then all of a sudden when you start reading contracts and fine print and you realize that people are deceiving you about this and that and your lawyer tells you it's a lot more money than you thought, and it starts not being fun anymore. You think that everyone is doing it in the spirit that you think they are doing it, and then you find out there are ulterior motives.
Stop Smiling: Who are you speaking about?
Ace Frehley: I don't want to mention names. It was people who were handling us. We had to sue our record company. We had to sue our business managers. And then the IRS takes a crack at you. It wasn't fun anymore and it's all because of being mismanagement and people trying to take this and that they shouldn't be taking.

manny wrote:

ultmetal wrote:

manny wrote:

The Boston Globe: Why have Eric and Tommy wear Ace and Peter's makeup? Were the characters they came up with just really lame, like sunflower man or something?
Stanley: We've built those characters over 35 years and the idea that anybody owns those is ridiculous. We were there when they were created and we've worked our butts off for 35 years, so the idea that we should have "snail man" in the band is ridiculous. We did that at one point and realized that it really was a disservice to the fans because the fans know those four iconic figures. That's KISS to everybody, and whether someday somebody wears my makeup, I'd consider it an honor, quite honestly. It would mean that the band is continuing with the same philosophy and thriving without me.

What a crock! I haven't met one single fan that feels that Tommy and Eric should be wearing the Cat and Space Ace make-up. I've seen this incarnation of the band live and they were quite good. However, I sort of wish they would have come up with new characters or just taken the make-up off again and continue on without it.

Also, Kiss without Paul Stanley? I can't imagine anyone would support that no matter who is wearing the Star makeup.

100000% in agreement with you.

I agree as well. Without Paul,it just wouldn't be KISS.

At least Ace handles these questions with some class. He doesn't mention names and put down his old bandmates. Very cool. Very classy interview. Wish there was more to it.

ultmetal wrote:

At least Ace handles these questions with some class. He doesn't mention names and put down his old bandmates. Very cool. Very classy interview. Wish there was more to it.

Very true - I saw that interview yesterday. Ace has taken the high raod, while Gene/Paul seem to be attacking Ace/Peter in the press again (like in the 80's)

No way this album comes close to AC/DC. All told, they'd be lucky to have even half of total sales.

It will go gold quite easily, but anything after platinum is wishful thinking, I believe.

Metal Misfit wrote:

No way this album comes close to AC/DC. All told, they'd be lucky to have even half of total sales.

It will go gold quite easily, but anything after platinum is wishful thinking, I believe.

It'll go platinum, but mot much more than that!

thejokeriv wrote:

Metal Misfit wrote:

No way this album comes close to AC/DC. All told, they'd be lucky to have even half of total sales.

It will go gold quite easily, but anything after platinum is wishful thinking, I believe.

It'll go platinum, but mot much more than that!

Let's hope so... As I recall, Psycho Circus only went gold.

How odd that people say an album will "ONLY" go Gold or Platinum, like that's a bad thing. LOL!

ultmetal wrote:

How odd that people say an album will "ONLY" go Gold or Platinum, like that's a bad thing. LOL!

No joke!!!!!! It'll go platinum, i think with Walmart and the pent up demand (among fans) for new KISS music after all the comps, people will buy it!!!! KISS isn't as big as AC/DC or Metallica, but has a big enough fan base to go platinum!!!! It would be nice if it goes Double Platinum (pun intended!).

They will sell more than the recent excellent releases from Heaven & Hell, Megadeth, etc.

KISS RULES!!!!!!!

I wonder how many copies of the KISS CD Wal-Mart has ordered. However many it was, you can be DAMN sure they will find some way to move all of them, even if they have to throw them in free with a purchase of KISS M&M's or Underoos or whatever. They will get their investment back.

Dave the Boss wrote:

As I recall, Psycho Circus only went gold.

....and just barely gold, at that.

Fat Freddy wrote:

I wonder how many copies of the KISS CD Wal-Mart has ordered. However many it was, you can be DAMN sure they will find some way to move all of them, even if they have to throw them in free with a purchase of KISS M&M's or Underoos or whatever. They will get their investment back.

Dave the Boss wrote:

As I recall, Psycho Circus only went gold.

....and just barely gold, at that.

And it took a while...... But if they had record the album as a BAND and had a different producer other than Bruce "Throw some horns in that song" Fairbain, it would have been a better album!

Quote :

Bruce "Throw some horns in that song" Fairbain

That made me choke on my coffee. He certainly did like using the brass section, didn't he.

thejokeriv wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

I wonder how many copies of the KISS CD Wal-Mart has ordered. However many it was, you can be DAMN sure they will find some way to move all of them, even if they have to throw them in free with a purchase of KISS M&M's or Underoos or whatever. They will get their investment back.

Dave the Boss wrote:

As I recall, Psycho Circus only went gold.

....and just barely gold, at that.

And it took a while...... But if they had record the album as a BAND and had a different producer other than Bruce "Throw some horns in that song" Fairbain, it would have been a better album!

It still boggles my mind that they have the original band back together to do another album after a hugely successful reunion tour and THEY DON'T LET THEM PLAY ON THE ALBUM! I read that it was Bruce Fairbain's decision, but DAMN, fire the guy. The best song on the album is Ace's song, the only song to feature Ace, Paul, Gene and Peter.

ultmetal wrote:

thejokeriv wrote:

Fat Freddy wrote:

I wonder how many copies of the KISS CD Wal-Mart has ordered. However many it was, you can be DAMN sure they will find some way to move all of them, even if they have to throw them in free with a purchase of KISS M&M's or Underoos or whatever. They will get their investment back.

Dave the Boss wrote:

As I recall, Psycho Circus only went gold.

....and just barely gold, at that.

And it took a while...... But if they had record the album as a BAND and had a different producer other than Bruce "Throw some horns in that song" Fairbain, it would have been a better album!

It still boggles my mind that they have the original band back together to do another album after a hugely successful reunion tour and THEY DON'T LET THEM PLAY ON THE ALBUM! I read that it was Bruce Fairbain's decision, but DAMN, fire the guy. The best song on the album is Ace's song, the only song to feature Ace, Paul, Gene and Peter.

No joke!!!! I read Paul originally wanted Bob Ezrin to produce, but he was "unavailable" - probably because he thought the demos of the songs sucked!!!!!

ultmetal wrote:

manny wrote:

The Boston Globe: Why have Eric and Tommy wear Ace and Peter's makeup? Were the characters they came up with just really lame, like sunflower man or something?
Stanley: We've built those characters over 35 years and the idea that anybody owns those is ridiculous. We were there when they were created and we've worked our butts off for 35 years, so the idea that we should have "snail man" in the band is ridiculous. We did that at one point and realized that it really was a disservice to the fans because the fans know those four iconic figures. That's KISS to everybody, and whether someday somebody wears my makeup, I'd consider it an honor, quite honestly. It would mean that the band is continuing with the same philosophy and thriving without me.

What a crock! I haven't met one single fan that feels that Tommy and Eric should be wearing the Cat and Space Ace make-up. I've seen this incarnation of the band live and they were quite good. However, I sort of wish they would have come up with new characters or just taken the make-up off again and continue on without it.

Also, Kiss without Paul Stanley? I can't imagine anyone would support that no matter who is wearing the Star makeup.

I agree with you. But we all have to remember that it is no longer the hard core fans that "feeds" the band, and fills the concert venues. It's the average joe, going to see a show. I bet you not even 25% of the crowd at any given KISS show owns half of the bands albums. And those people go to see 4 familiar painted faces. If the Egyptian Ankh or Fox would appear, they would probably ask for their money back. And they would never set their foot on a KISS concert ever again. Nostalgia sells, it's as easy as that.

Kmorg stated:

Quote :

I agree with you. But we all have to remember that it is no longer the hard core fans that "feeds" the band, and fills the concert venues. It's the average joe, going to see a show. I bet you not even 25% of the crowd at any given KISS show owns half of the bands albums. And those people go to see 4 familiar painted faces. If the Egyptian Ankh or Fox would appear, they would probably ask for their money back. And they would never set their foot on a KISS concert ever again. Nostalgia sells, it's as easy as that.

That is why this new lp is gonna sell somewhat decent, lots of folks shop Wal-Mart and just the aspect of the stores being plastered with lots of KISS merch. is gonn elevate sales. It moved alot of AC-DC cds and they are part of that nostalgia wave as well.

James B. wrote:

Kmorg stated:

Quote :

I agree with you. But we all have to remember that it is no longer the hard core fans that "feeds" the band, and fills the concert venues. It's the average joe, going to see a show. I bet you not even 25% of the crowd at any given KISS show owns half of the bands albums. And those people go to see 4 familiar painted faces. If the Egyptian Ankh or Fox would appear, they would probably ask for their money back. And they would never set their foot on a KISS concert ever again. Nostalgia sells, it's as easy as that.

That is why this new lp is gonna sell somewhat decent, lots of folks shop Wal-Mart and just the aspect of the stores being plastered with lots of KISS merch. is gonn elevate sales. It moved alot of AC-DC cds and they are part of that nostalgia wave as well.

If I remember correctly, Stiff Upper Lip didn't go Platinum. The Walmart only boosted sales big time!