KISSopolis

KISS Makes The "Ten Loudest Rock Bands" List

2012-01-28T13:56:00.001-05:00

www.gibson.com

It Might Get Loud: The 10 Loudest Rock Bands of All Time

Volume can be a musician’s friend or foe.

Playing six-string in a straight-up rock or country band with a drummer who hits like a kicking mule, a bassist with severe hearing loss and a keyboard player or rhythm guitarist who turns up to 11 is like shouting in the midst of a tornado – pointless and painful. It’s even worse if you’re also the singer. On the other hand, if your band is called something like Nihilistic Death By 10,000 Taloned Demons, it’s likely a dream come true and you’re probably the loudest member.

This story is about groups for whom high-level volume was or is a badge of courage – a scientifically measurable gauge of power and intensity. Any volume measured at more than 85 decibels (dB) is considered dangerous and can potentially cause hearing loss or damage, like the permanent ringing known as tinnitus. For our list of the 10 loudest bands of all time, we’re only considering performers whose volume has checked in at an eardrum-rampaging 115 dB and above.

Our list of volume-drunk champions:

KISS
Thirty-six-years into their career KISS were still making headlines and defying gravitas. During a 2009 concert in Ottawa the group was reportedly clocked at 136 dB and were forced to turn down after police responded to complaints from neighbors in the area around the sports arena.

Read more HERE.

The Torpedian Harmonists Cover "Talk To Me"

2012-01-28T13:01:00.001-05:00

www.youtube.com

The Torpedian Harmonists cover the KISS song "Talk To Me".

Tommy Thayer Talks Monster Mini Golf

2012-01-28T12:46:00.001-05:00

KISS' Tommy Thayer talks Monster Mini Golf on KOMP Las Vegas radio.

Gene Simmons & Shannon Tweed Being Interviewed For ABC's 20/20

2012-01-28T01:08:00.000-05:00

Photo: Gene Simmons

Here's a photo of Gene Simmons and Shannon tweed being interviewed for ABC'S 20/20 show.

KISS Fans Ready To Paint The Town At Sunday’s KISS Off

2012-01-28T00:59:00.001-05:00

John Katsilometes/www.lasvegassun.com

There will always be a forum for anyone blessed with a lengthy tongue, musical acumen, and a willingness to slather on layers of face paint.

KISS By Monster Mini Golf is making certain of that.

This weekend marks the “KISS Off” finale, scheduled for 2-6 p.m. Sunday at Body English at Hard Rock Hotel. The free-admission, open-to-the-public contest is to award the top KISS tribute band on the planet, or at least the top KISS band among the 200 entries submitted to company officials, who then tracked more than 29,000 votes online to determine the top four entries.

That fortuitous four, and their representative countries/states are KISS Forever (Hungary), Mr. Speed (Ohio), Rock and Roll Over (Texas) and KISSteria (Australia). Opening will be Las Vegas’ own Las Vegas KISS. The finalists will be judged on talent, performance, appearance, showmanship and, of course, evening gown competition (hashtag-sheckykats).

The latter is a joke, yes, but there is a serious prize awaiting Sunday’s contest winner. The victorious band will perform at the opening of KISS By Monster Mini Golf on March 15. Those who don’t win will need to find their own gigs that night.

KISS By Monster Mini Golf is more than just an 18-hole, glow-in-the-dark, indoor putt-putt course with a giant tongue leading to the 18th hole. Also featured will be an arcade game area, a gift shop, a wedding chapel and a cafe. See, KISS is no longer just a band. It is a way of life.

Appearing at Sunday’s event will be longtime KISS lead guitarist Tommy Thayer, the current Spaceman character of one of the most popular bands in the history of contemporary music. He’ll serve as the judge of the KISS Off, as few musicians not named Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley understand KISS sensibilities more than the band’s current lead guitarist. The man once painted Stanley’s house, long before he painted his own face, so his dedication to the cause cannot be questioned.

Folded into the event are the finals of the Lady Demon spokesmodel competition, where six demonic lovelies compete for the right to don a custom-designed, $10,000 KISS-inspired, studded, black-leather wedding dress on the black carpet at the grand opening of the attraction.

Those who don’t win will be forced to dress as the Bay City Rollers, and again that is a joke.

Judging the Lady Demon finals are golf attraction founder Christina Vitagliano, 97.1 the Point personality Steph MacKenzie and Las Vegas celeb photographer Erik Kabik. The hosts – and this is of particular interest – are Brian “Lowercase g” Thomas (you might know him as Lucky the Leprechaun at O’Sheas, or maybe from his poolside appearances as the immortal Baby Carlos), along with Tricia McCrone and myself. In a fortuitous bit of timing, Tricia and I have interviewed Thomas for this week’s episode of “Kats With the Dish,” which airs at 6 p.m. Friday on KUNV 91.5-FM.

For those interested in paying more than, well, nothing for the uniquely KISS experience, a $99 VIP package is a meet-and-greet with Thayer, an autographed 8-by-10 photo (by Thayer) of Thayer, a KISS “swag bag” of undisclosed goodies (hopefully there is an old KISS Army patch buried in there), one free ticket to play the indoor course, and a pass to Vanity Nightclub for a party hosted by – of course – Thayer.

But the whole experience should be priceless, and the attire is -- succumbing to the obvious -- dress to kill.

Bruce Kulick At NAMM Jam 2012

2012-01-27T12:54:00.003-05:00

youtube.com

Former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick at the Key Club in Hollywood on Jan 21, 2012

Interview With Gene Simmons At "Sundance" 2012

2012-01-27T12:45:00.000-05:00

8747Productions

After promoting Ortsbo.com Gene Simmons catches up with 8747Productions.com and Comicbookmovie.com covering a variety of topics including:

1. How did KISS choose Audio Engineers and Producers to work with
2. Gene's thoughts on Comic icon Stan Lee
3. How KISS maintained their "Secret Identities" or "Alter Ego's" in the 70's and early 80's
4. Marvel Comics VS. DC
5. Kiss in Israel 2012
6. Thoughts on modern comic movie adaptations
7. The 2012 GOP Presidential Candidates

New KISS Retro Action Figures

2012-01-27T12:39:00.000-05:00

KISSonline.com

Figures Toy Company to Release Retro 8 and 12 inch KISS Action Figures

Finally!! "You Want It You Got It" "The Hottest Band in the World" "KISS"

KISS Collectors, Rock Fans get ready. Figures Toy Company is about to introduce KISS action figures, reminiscent of the action figures first released in 1977-1978 by the Mego Toy Company. These figures will have rooted hair, cloth clothing, 16 points of articulation and for the first time will be available in 8 inch as well as a re-release of the 12 inch.

CFO Anthony Balasco states, "I never understood why 8 inch KISS action figures were not produced back in the 1970's when The Mego Toy Company had already released the 12 inch versions. Our first release will have the retro look from the 1970's, but future releases will cover all time periods in KISS's almost 40 year musical career from 1973 to 2012". Look for special exclusives and limited edition releases. Collectors will be able to find these at toy stores, comic shops, music stores and on-line retailers starting in March 2012.

Each 8" KISS action Figure comes with a mini replica Love Gun album cover, and each individual 12" Figure comes with 1 of 4 retro mini KISS concert T-shirts!

The Love Gun Action figures will be followed by Sonic Boom, Dressed To Kill and the first KISS album Figure Series!

Visit www.figurestoycompany.com for more info on this exciting KISS Action Figure Series!

Gene Simmons Talks About LIVE, Global Q&A With Stan Lee

2012-01-26T17:42:00.000-05:00

Did you know that rock legend Gene Simmons speaks 5 languages? He showed off his multilingual skills for genConnect in Park City, Utah as part of a live Q&A event with himself and pop culture icon Stan Lee.

Mount KISSmore

2012-01-26T15:18:00.003-05:00

www.KISSOnline.com

Introducing: Mount KISSmore! A brand new polystone monolith featuring KISS is now available for pre-order from Factory Entertainment. You can order now by clicking the link below or visiting their Facebook page! “Like” their page and you can save 5% by using their Facebook store! Hurry, supplies are limited and it ships next month!

Mount KISSmore Full Scale Polystone Sculpture

Featuring the Demon, The Starchild, The Spaceman and The Catman, this polystone monolith is a fitting tribute to one of the most influential rock & roll bands of all time. Each sculpture is handcrafted in granite effect resin and can be displayed free standing or mounted on a wall.

A numbered limited edition of 2000 pieces. Mount KISSmore measures 15” wide x 10” high x 4” deep. It weighs 5 LBS and is boxed in a full color box.

Get yours HERE.

Gene Simmons Wants To See Mitt Romney As 2012 GOP Nominee

2012-01-25T23:44:00.001-05:00

Hollie McKay/www.foxnews.com/Photo: AP

Who said Sundance was just for independent films?

Rock icon Gene Simmons was just one of the many stars plugging something of a different kind at the Park City, Utah-based film festival this year His venture is Ortsbo.com, a real-time experimental language translation platform, which enables folks from all the around the world to engage in conversation in their native language.

But technology and tunes aside, there is something else the “KISS” star likes to discuss – politics.

“I want a real political and economic debate. On the one hand, you've got President Obama, who I voted for, last minute. I wasn't going to vote for him because he didn't have a good resume. He only had two years of local political experience, he's never run a company, he'd never been overseas, and he didn't know any of the political leaders. I voted my conscience, based on some sort of - well, it's the right time in history,” Simmons told FOX411’s Pop Tarts column prior to Tuesday’s Ortsbo-powered Live Q&A with comic book legend Stan Lee during the Sundance Film Festival. “But I want Mitt Romney and Barrack Obama to face off on the economic and political issues of our time. I want a real dialogue, and I, as a private citizen, want to be able to vote my conscience . More often than not, I want business men and business women in politics, not college professors."

The rocker also gave his two cents on why the GOP primary seems to have become a fierce competition focused on more on morality than economic concerns.

"That's because 50 percent of the population are women. They are interested in if the candidate is married, or not –I actually don't care,” he continued. “I want government to become business, because countries aren't businesses."

And although Sundance founder Robert Redford last week vowed that the 34-year-old indie festival, at its heart, was for the “99 percent” and served to share their stories – Simmons found such a remark a little off-the-mark.

"Redford means well, he's a great guy. But it's a bit hypocritical, since he's part of the one percent, to address the 99 percent. The truth is that Sundance represents America, period,” Simmons said. “Either we are all Americans, or you're going to fall victim. This is the reason why the old Roman Empire died, it fell from within. Division from within is one of the stupidest things you can do. So demonstrate all you want, say ‘I don't like this, I don't like that’ – then basically shut up and vote; get somebody you like. If you like Mitt Romney, or President Obama, or Ron Paul - vote whoever it is you like, because that's how you get power."

Simmons added that his platform will help Americans to do so.

"Use Ortsbo to communicate your political message to anybody you'd like, equal access to everybody, that makes it 100 percent not 99 percent,” he added."Ortsbo is the universal language of planet Earth - it's the way people can communicate, without having any communication barriers."

Read original story HERE.

The Famous "KISS Loft" At 10 East 23rd Street In New York City

2012-01-25T12:15:00.000-05:00

www.KISSopolis.com

Inside 10 East 23rd Street in New York City - The famous "KISS Loft" where it all began for KISS.

You can also view photos of the loft HERE.

Gene Simmons Teams Up With Stan Lee To Introduce New Venture

2012-01-25T11:53:00.000-05:00

www.abc4.com

PARK CITY, ABC 4 News) - Comic book legend Stan Lee, and Gene Simmons of KISS, made a stop in Park City Tuesday. The duo is there for a premiere of the documentary “With Great Power: The Stan Lee Story” about the Marvel creator’s life.

The two icons might seem like an unlikely pair, but Gene Simmons was the focus of two Marvel Comic books decades ago. The rocker says his relationship began with Stan Lee years before that, and long before the two met.

Simmons was an immigrant and says his early years in America were spent feeling like an outsider. “I had to empower myself and become my own superhero. I had to get my self esteem in order. By reading Stan Lee’s comic books I noticed there was a character called Peter Parker who was a pimply faced teenager that girls didn’t care about.”

He says he related to the Marvel superheroes because they weren’t perfect, they all had weaknesses and frailty but each also had enormous strength. Simmons was deeply impacted and even wrote Stan Lee a heartfelt letter. “When Stan Lee sent me a post card as a 13-year-old boy saying ‘you will do great things’ it felt like a missive from the gods.”

Tuesday the two highly successful friends sat side by side fielding questions from around the world. Simmons has launched another endeavor that brings web video, in real time, with translation, in dozens of languages. Lee and Simmons accepted questions from viewers in Asia, Europe, South, and North America, using the Ortsbo translation technology.

Simmons says he has an answer to one question that wasn’t asked by his worldwide fans. He says the secret to success goes beyond just having comic book confidence. “We all start out as pimply faced teenagers with a big dream and the difference is whether you go work for it.”

Stan Lee says everyone has imagination. "It’s just how you use it". He credits Simmons as highly imaginative. “I find him one of the most fascinating guys I’ve every known and I’ve never known anybody like Gene. Simmons says Lee is one of the great American heroes, and is as powerful as the superheroes he’s created.

Transcript From The Stan Lee & Gene Simmons Ortsbo Live Chat

2012-01-25T11:49:00.001-05:00

Today, Stan Lee gave a live and global webcast with host Gene Simmons from the Sundance Film Festival to promote his biographical documentary which will be screening at the festival this year. Fans could submit questions in 53 languages while also getting live subtitles in any of those languages of the conversation, and Nerd Reactor tuned in to catch the action.

Lee, who will be turning 90 this year, was in good spirits and eager to speak with fans using the Ortsbo technology, the engine which translated the interview in real-time. The live interview attracted approximately 250 watchers throughout the hour and took questions from fans in several countries around the world. Despite the mass amount of questions submitted, Nerd Reactor managed to get a few to Stan “The Man” himself. Lee not only discussed future endeavors that will be released by his company, Pow Entertainment, but also expressed his opinion of the up-and-coming Spider-Man film as well as some of his favorite creations.

Q: Our first question is from Cecily in Denmark, and she asks you in dutch, “What was the first comic book you ever read?”

Lee: I think it was probably captain America. When I was a kid. And I couldn’t believe it, how exciting it was, and well drawn it was. And it really got me interested in comics.

Q: Fatso asked you in Finnish, “If you could have a super power, what would it be and why?”

Simmons: Well, I am proud to say that having been a marvel comic book myself, thanks to Mr. Lee in 1978, I fought Dr. Doom because I was able to fly, spit fire, and had super strength, thanks to the wonderful comic book that — I am just all heart. [Laughter] And then I found out that it was just one of Dr. Doom’s robots dressed as him, drat!
Lee: I was not going to let you defeat my favorite villain in real-time that way.

Q: From Nick in Colombia, who is asking in Spanish, “What is your advice for the public youth who want to become writers or comic book artists?”

Lee: Write comic books! [Laughter] No, obviously, the first thing you have to do is read the comics and get familiar with them, and you will find almost every comic book is written in a different style. Decide what style you prefer and most closely, parallels your own writing style, but you can’t write something unless you are familiar with the medium, so you have to steep yourself in comics first, and then you either have the ability or not.
There is no magic formula that anybody could give.

Q: Gene, it’s Rachel in the Philippines, who is asking in Filipino, “Who is your favorite comic book character?”
Lee: You better answer that correctly.
Simmons: [Laughter] It’s a loaded question because the “Kiss” Archie comic books came out as well as the forth coming line of “Kiss” comics. First time in history, two separate comic book companies have agreed on putting out the same characters in different styles.

Read more HERE.

Bruce Kulick & Nikki Sixx At Paul Stanley's Birthday Party

2012-01-24T19:07:00.001-05:00

Photo: Bruce Kulick/www.kulick.net

Here's a cool photo of former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick and Motley's Crue's Nikki Sixx at Paul Stanley's 60th birthday party on January 20, 2012.

The KISS Demon Robot Toy Promo Ad

2012-01-24T13:55:00.001-05:00

Here's the promo ad for the new KISS 'Demon' Robot" 11-inch tall figure that is now available online and in stores.

Click on photo to view larger image.

Epiphone Ace Frehley "Budokan" Les Paul Custom At NAMM 2012

2012-01-24T11:58:00.000-05:00

youtube.com

Epiphone is proud to announce our tribute to Ace Frehley, one of rock's most influential guitarists, with the Epiphone Limited Edition Ace Frehley "Budokan" Les Paul Custom Outfit. As the lead guitarist for KISS (and the original designer of the famous KISS logo) Ace Frehley is renown around the world as one of the Les Paul guitar's most exciting ambassadors as well as one of rock's greatest showman. Ace single handedly inspired a generation of guitarists to pick up rock and roll's most powerful axe. Now, Epiphone makes this iconic guitar available to players everywhere.

The Budokan Les Paul: Ace's original "Budokan" Les Paul made its stage debut in 1977 during KISS's "Rock and Roll Over" world tour, which helped establish KISS as the #1 live act on the planet. Ace made the "Budokan" Les Paul his main axe at the very time KISS's fame was exploding around the world thanks to prime time television appearances, a sold out debut at Madison Square Garden and the release of their classic album, Love Gun, which included Ace's signature hit, "Shock Me," ranked #50 in Guitar World's "100 Greatest Guitar Solos" ever. But 1977 is most remembered as the year KISS sold out four nights at the Budokan Theater in Tokyo, Japan, breaking the record previously held by The Beatles since 1966. Ace returned to Japan with his "Budokan" Les Paul the following year for the Alive II tour where KISS broke the record again with a sold out five night stand.

Gene Simmons Look-A-Like Robber

2012-01-23T15:11:00.001-05:00

latimesblogs.latimes.com

Gene Simmons look-alike robs stores in Sacramento

A Sacramento-area robber with a possible Gene Simmons complex is wanted by police.

Sacramento police responded to a business robbery Jan. 19 around 8:45 p.m. after a suspect wearing a white clown mask similar to makeup worn by KISS, Simmons' rock band, climbed over the counter and fired two shots near a store employee, Sgt. Andrew Pettit said in a news release. The masked robber grabbed money from the register and fled on foot.

About 45 minutes later, the suspect entered a liquor store wearing the same mask and clothing. He fired a single shot inside the store and robbed the employees at gunpoint, Pettit said.

The suspect made his escape in a blue or black four-door sedan.

New Eric Carr Tribute Album Released

2012-01-22T22:58:00.000-05:00

www.KISSfaq.com/BolognaRockCityRecords.com

Bologna Rock City Records in partnership with Ericcarr.com are glad to introduce you to the Official Italian Tribute to Eric Carr "I'M A LEGEND TONIGHT". 15 bands has taken part of this project and we are proud to announce was everything realized in friendship with Loretta Caravello and all Eric Carr family.

This cd has been made to support also ANT (Ass.ne Nazionale Tumori) to contribute human fight against cancer.

Track Listing:

1. Danger Zone - CRAZY CRAZY NIGHTS
2. Crying Steel - LICK IT UP
3. Markonee - WHO WANTS TO BE LONELY
4. H.A.R.E.M. - UNDER THE GUN
5. Midnite Sun - WAR MACHINE
6. Deadly Tide - FOREVER
7. Neurasthenia - I LOVE IT LOUD
8. Sange Main Machine - CREATURES OF THE NIGHT
9. Kissexy - I'M A LEGEND TONIGHT
10. Noise Pollution - KING OF THE MOUNTAIN
11. Superhorrorfuck - HEAVEN'S ON FIRE
12. M. Luppi / R. Priori - A WORLD WITHOUT HEROES remix
13. Gunsmoke - ROCK AND ROLL HELL
14. Live 4 Win - HIDE YOUR HEART
15. Kiss Web All Star - UH! ALL NIGHT

Order YOUR copy HERE.

Tickets For KISS By Monster Mini Golf, Vegas Now On Sale

2012-01-22T15:02:00.003-05:00

www.monsterminigolf.com

Tickets for KISS by Monster Mini Golf, Vegas NOW on sale!

Book your Mini Golf date and Tee Time at www.monsterminigolf.com/kiss

"Archie Meets KISS" Meets Thomas Jefferson

2012-01-22T12:12:00.001-05:00

www.popmatters.com

How strange is it, that it would be Sam Peckinpah to articulate this moment?

Right at the end of The Wild Bunch there’s a moment that has absolutely no place in that movie. The Bunch have met up again, they’ve holed up in some anonymous house, but they encounter each other changed men. One look in their eyes and you know, individually, they’ve each committed themselves to rescuing Angel, held prisoner by the Mexican General, the movie’s chief villain.

It’s a flawless, near silent cinematic moment. The camera sweeps across the room. Each of The Bunch know with a certainty that the tensions between them will never be resolved. There’ll never be restitution. And yet, with an equal certainty, each one of them is now, uncharacteristically, committed to this greater thing of rescuing Angel.

And of course, this moment has no place in this movie. The Wild Bunch is a deep, resilient meditation on the breakdown of the Old West. Set at the turn of the twentieth century, The Wild Bunch is about a life that can no longer be sustained, and the Hard, Bad Men who are staring down the dissolution of the Frontier.

And right at the point where this movie culminates, is a cinematic moment that doesn’t belong, a secret love letter to the high life of crime. A statement every bit the equal of Capote or Chandler or Tupac. The idea that there’s no justice that isn’t made by hand, and that for The Bunch, the time for making justice has run out.

What stands out is that idea of meeting, the inevitability of it. That idea of banding together. And that same sense stands out again, in Archie Meets KISS. It’s the idea of two titans of popculture finally together. That idea of inner workings playing out desperately over time, that idea of unseen forces pushing these two together.

Or maybe that’s your sense for the first few moments, before an inner cynic can kick in. What do Archie and KISS have to do with each other anyway? Why, a wholesome, fun all-American setting, and a heavy metal glam band?

Read more HERE.

Tommy Thayer & Eric Singer At NAMM 2012

2012-01-21T23:34:00.000-05:00

Photo: Carol Port

Here's KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer and KISS drummer Eric Singer at NAMM 2012 with the KISS Army Vixens.

Former KISS Guitarist Bruce Kulick At NAMM 2012

2012-01-21T23:31:00.001-05:00

Photo: Carol Port

Here's a photo of former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick and The KISS Army Vixens at the NAMM 2012 show in L.A.

Bruce is at NAMM 2012 signing autographs at the GIT strings booth.

Paul Stanley Singing On His 60th Birthday

2012-01-21T22:48:00.000-05:00

www.KISSonline.com

Paul Stanley singing at his 60th birthday party ("You Shook Me" by Led Zeppelin) with Ty Taylor of Vintage Trouble (Soho House in Los Angeles, January 20, 2012).

Paul Stanley's 60th Birthday Cake

2012-01-21T12:08:00.003-05:00

Photo: KISSonline.com

Here's a photo of Paul Stanley's 6oth birthday cake! Happy Birthday, Paul!

80's KISS Photos From Photographer David Plastik

2012-01-20T22:32:00.000-05:00

Photos: David Plastik

Check out this gallery of 80's KISS photos by photographer David Plastik.

View the gallery HERE.

Gene Simmons Punisher-2 Bass Promo By Cort

2012-01-20T12:14:00.002-05:00

For over 35 years GENE SIMMONS has been defining Rock with his unique flair. Now he has teamed with Cort to produce a signature bass with the all new GS-Punisher-2.

Chrome Bridge Cover

Each GS-Punisher-2 features a chrome bridge cover which adds to the overall beauty and protects your hand from sharp saddle screws.

Happy Birthday Paul Stanley

2012-01-20T00:01:00.001-05:00

www.KISSopolis.com

We would like to wish Paul Stanley a very Happy Birthday today!

KISS To Shoot Photo For New Album Cover Today

2012-01-19T16:21:00.003-05:00

www.KISSopolis.com

According to a tweet by KISS lead guitarist Tommy Thayer, KISS is shooting the photo for their forthcoming new album "MONSTER" today. Tommy tweeted:

"Heading into town to meet Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, and Eric Singer for album cover photo shoot."

Gene Simmons Offers Life Lessons To Private Equity Crowd

2012-01-19T16:12:00.000-05:00

San Francisco Business Times by Mark Calvey, Senior Reporter

Gene Simmons, who has turned the 1970s band Kiss into a licensing powerhouse, offered plenty of advice on how to succeed in business and life in speaking this week to a private equity audience in San Francisco.

“Spreading the risk is not just good business advice, it’s an important life strategy,” Simmons told 500 people attending the Association of Corporate Growth’s 2012 West Coast Corporate Growth Conference in San Francisco Jan. 17.

Simmons shared some the history behind the creation of Kiss in 1973, while he was working as a New York public school teacher.

“You can’t just do the rock-band thing. You need something else to fall back on,” was his mother’s early career advice. (Asked later who is his most influential adviser, Simmons was quick to say, “My mother. She’s very pragmatic. She’s the smartest person I ever met.”)
“I played in a band because I noticed when the Beatles played on the Ed Sullivan show, all the girls were going nuts,” Simmons said. “That looked like a pretty good job.”

And definitely a step up from his first job at the age of 12, scraping the fat off a butcher’s block and bringing up meat from downstairs.

Simmons was far ahead of today’s career advice to brand one’s self.

“The business model of Kiss was decidedly different than almost any other band that came before us -- underlying rights, ancillaries, these are big words like gymnasium,” Simmons said. “I had to find out about trademarks and how to amortize our costs and maximize profits.”

What prompted him to trademark the Kiss face?

“The audience told me everything I needed to know,” Simmons told the San Francisco Business Times after delivering his luncheon address. “Before people were thinking of licensing and merchandising, I noticed people started wearing our faces.

Chat With Gene Simmons And Stan Lee Live Over the Web

2012-01-19T16:01:00.004-05:00

www.marketwatch.com

Ortsbo Live and Global Presents Stan Lee and Gene Simmons at Sundance Streaming Live Over the Web in Your Choice of 53 Languages

Rock Icon Gene Simmons of KISS will host a Live Q&A with Comic Book Legend Stan Lee Featuring Web Video with Real-Time Translation for Audiences Worldwide to Log On and Ask Questions

NEW YORK, NEW YORK AND LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA AND SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA AND TORONTO, ONTARIO, Jan 19, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Intertainment Media Inc. ("Intertainment" or the "Company") (tsx venture:INT)(otcqx:ITMTF)(frankfurt:I4T) announces that its social media, real time, experiential communications platform, Ortsbo.com is teaming up with two of pop culture's legendary names Stan Lee and Gene Simmons for "Ortsbo Live and Global at the Sundance Film Festival". The event will be live to audiences worldwide on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 from the Canyons Grand Summit Resort in Park City, Utah. For people wanting to watch or join the conversation they can do so via www.Ortsbo.com.

Peter Criss Dedicates His Drum Legend Induction Award To Bill Aucoin

2012-01-19T13:03:00.001-05:00

Peter Criss dedicates his Drum Legend award to Bill Aucoin at Guitar Center's Drum-Off event at Club Nokia in Los Angeles on January 14, 2012.

Ace Frehley Talks ‘Budokan’ Les Paul Custom

2012-01-19T12:34:00.000-05:00

www.gibson.com

Gibson Custom has recreated one of the most famous guitars in music history – the Ace Frehley “Budokan” Les Paul Custom. The master craftsmen at the Custom Shop have forged this tribute to the KISS guitarist’s most famous axe. Frehley nicknamed his Les Paul “Budokan” because it was the very guitar he played when KISS broke The Beatles' sell-out record at Japan’s legendary Budokan arena in 1977. It also was Ace’s main touring guitar throughout ’77 and ’78, was his go-to studio guitar after that and was used in the 1996 KISS reunion.

With the Ace Frehley “Budokan” Les Paul Custom, Gibson Custom has painstakingly recreated every single one of the idiosyncrasies of Ace’s customized guitar, drawing on digital scanning technology and working closely with Frehley and the guitar’s current owner, Matt Swanson. When Frehley recently took one of the guitars for a spin, he was amazed at how much the guitar felt, played and sounded like the real deal.

Check out Gibson’s exclusive interview with Ace below, in which he shows off the new “Budokan” Les Paul Custom, talks about KISS’s early days and shares some stories from his new book, No Regrets.

See the interview HERE.

New Paul Stanley Washburn “Starfire” Guitar

2012-01-19T12:24:00.003-05:00

www.KISSonline.com

Paul Stanley of KISS is legendary around the world, and he has partnered with Washburn Guitars to release the amazing PS21012 “Starfire” signature guitar.

The PS2012 features a carved “raised center” solid Mahogany body with chrome hardware, and has two Seymour-Duncan® SM-3 Mini Humbuckers, controlled by two volume knobs, two tone knobs, and a 3-way toggle switch. A custom Tone-Pros® Tune-O-Matic bridge and custom Paul Stanley tailpiece machined from solid aluminum completes this rocking body. This USA made guitar is available in Black and White.

The neck is also Mahogany and has a bound ebony fingerboard with 22 Jumbo frets and stunning “split” block inlays, with the top half being Pearl, and the bottom being Abalone. The PS2012 Starfire embodies rock and roll in a way only Paul Stanley and Washburn can.

Washburn Guitars is owned by US Music Corp, located in Mundelein, IL.

For more information on Washburn Guitars, visit www.washburn.com

Finalists For KISS "KISS OFF" Tribute Band Contest

2012-01-18T21:30:00.000-05:00

www.KISSonline.com

Congratulations to the following four finalists in the Monster Mini Golf and KISS "KISS OFF" Tribute Band Contest!

KISS FOREVER- Hungary
MR. SPEED - Ohio
ROCK AND ROLL OVER - Texas
KISSTERIA - Australia

The top four bands must be able to attend the finals on January 29th in Las Vegas, Nevada. If any of the top four bands cannot attend on this date, we will contact the next highest vote-getter to join the final four. We look forward to seeing everyone on the 29th!

_____________________________

The “KISS® OFF”, ultimate battle of the bands finale will be on Sunday, Jan. 29 at Body English at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino located at 4455 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109. No cover charge for this event. Free for fans!

Besides bragging rights, the “KISS® OFF” winner will:
* Perform at the Grand Opening event of KISS® By Monster Mini Golf®.
* Receive a complete set of authentic KISS® costumes and boots (valued at $3,000)
* Meet and Greet with Tommy Thayer
* Appear on KISS® by Monster Mini Golf® website, social media, publicity and
advertising campaigns and collateral materials.
* Free “Lifetime Pass” KISS® by Monster Mini Golf® for each of the four band
members. (Valued at $1,000)
* Free framed 8x10 portrait of choice for KISS® FAN PAPER featured in the KISS® By Monster Mini Golf® Fan Wall (one for each band member, Valued at $1,000)

Tribute bands will be judged based on talent, performance,
appearance and showmanship. Sound, lights & back line provided for all bands.

KISS By Monster Mini Golf is located across from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino at the Shoppes at Harmon Square at 4501 Paradise Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89069. For more information, visit this link.

New Ace Frehley Gibson Les Paul Specifications

2012-01-18T16:17:00.000-05:00

www.gibson.com

Here are the specifications for the new Ace Frehley Gibson Les Paul. Check the official Gibson web page launch later today at www.gibson.com. Full download of these pages will be available in the catalogue tomorrow.

3-piece (plain/lightly figured maple) top
70’s style, “pancake” body
Multi-ply white/black binding on top and back
3-piece mahogany neck
1974 Ace Frehley neck profile
Single-ply white binding on neck
Ebony fingerboard with 22 jumbo frets
Pearl block inlay
Fiber headstock veneer with split diamond inlay
24 3/4” scale length, 1 11/16” nut width
Grover acrylic button tuners
ABR-1 bridge
Lightweight aluminum tailpiece
2 DiMarzio PAF & 1 DiMarzio Super Distortion
(Only Bridge pickup is wired like original)
Gold speed knobs
Heritage Cherry Sunburst finish

300 (50 Signed & Aged; 100 Aged; 150 VOS)

50 Aged & Signed Collateral
•Artist Signature
•Each played by the artist during final approval
•Certificate of Authenticity-Engraved and leather-bound
•Hard Shell Custom Shop Case, Silk-Screened with Ace’s Signature

100 Aged Collateral
•Certificate of Authenticity-Engraved and leather-bound
•Hard Shell Custom Shop Case, Silk-Screened with Ace’s Signature

150 VOS Collateral
•Certificate of Authenticity
•Hard Shell Custom Shop Case, Silk-Screened with Ace’s Signature

50 Aged & Signed Serialization: “Ace Frehley #2 - Ace Frehley #51”
100 Aged Serialization: “Ace Frehley 001 - Ace Frehley 100”
150 VOS Serialization: “AFB 001 - AFB 150”

The Ace Frehley "Budokan" Les Paul Custom Outfit

2012-01-18T11:47:00.002-05:00

www.epiphone.com

Ltd Ed Ace Frehley "Budokan" Les Paul Custom Outfit: Epiphone is proud to announce our tribute to Ace Frehley, one of rock's most influential guitarists, with the Epiphone Limited Edition Ace Frehley "Budokan" Les Paul Custom Outfit. As the lead guitarist for KISS (and the original designer of the famous KISS logo) Ace Frehley is renown around the world as one of the Les Paul guitar's most exciting ambassadors as well as one of rock's greatest showman. Ace single handedly inspired a generation of guitarists to pick up rock and roll's most powerful axe. Now, Epiphone makes this iconic guitar available to players everywhere.

The Budokan Les Paul: Ace's original "Budokan" Les Paul made its stage debut in 1977 during KISS's "Rock and Roll Over" world tour, which helped establish KISS as the #1 live act on the planet. Ace made the "Budokan" Les Paul his main axe at the very time KISS's fame was exploding around the world thanks to prime time television appearances, a sold out debut at Madison Square Garden and the release of their classic album, Love Gun, which included Ace's signature hit, "Shock Me," ranked #50 in Guitar World's "100 Greatest Guitar Solos" ever. But 1977 is most remembered as the year KISS sold out four nights at the Budokan Theater in Tokyo, Japan, breaking the record previously held by The Beatles since 1966. Ace returned to Japan with his "Budokan" Les Paul the following year for the Alive II tour where KISS broke the record again with a sold out five night stand.

Recreating A Historic Classic: KISS's Budokan appearances helped make Ace's "Budokan" Les Paul his trademark guitar. Now, Epiphone's signature luthiers who helped create collectable artist models for Slash, Tak Matsumoto and Joe Bonamassa, present perhaps the most talked about signature model yet, the Epiphone Limited Edition Ace Frehley "Budokan" Les Paul Custom Outfit. Epiphone worked closely with Ace and his original "Budokan" Les Paul to create a faithful reproduction of his favorite Les Paul as it stands today, including a period correct 3-piece hard Maple top, 3-piece Mahogany neck with volute, Grover™ tuners with pearloid buttons, and the famous "Eagle" sticker. Unlike Ace's original however, all three humbuckers on Epiphone's Ltd. Edition "Budokan" Les Paul are wired and ready to go. We'll leave the explosive power all to you!

KISS Cruising On Halloween

2012-01-18T11:14:00.001-05:00

B.J. Hammerstein/Detroit Free

All that face paint might keep them from getting perfect tans, but the members of Kiss want to soak up some sun with fans on a cruise this Halloween.

Cruise organizers said Tuesday that Kiss Kruise II aboard Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Pearl will set sail Oct. 31. A similar cruise was held last fall to great success.

The four-night trip, which departs from Miami and sails to the Bahamas, will include photo opportunities, question-and-answer sessions, costume contests and activities led by band members like Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. The band will do an acoustic show, without makeup, on the ship's deck and perform a wild Halloween concert, too.

Cabins, beginning at $750 per person, go on sale March 15. For pre-sale info and more announcements, go to www.thekisskruise.com.

Jannik Hansen Gets Gene Simmons To Sign His Stick

2012-01-17T15:42:00.005-05:00

Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun

It was during Sunday night's pre-game warm-up when Jannik Hansen noticed a guy sitting in the penalty box who sure didn't look like your typical NHL official. Hansen, a big fan of the Family Jewels TV show, realized it was none other than aging rocker Gene Simmons.

So the Canuck winger skated over to the penalty box, opened the door and asked Simmons to sign his stick.

"It's not every day you get a chance to meet a guy like that," Hansen said Monday. "He was happy to do it."

Asked if he is a KISS fan, Hansen said: "They are a little older than I am. But I am definitely a Gene Simmons fan."

It should be noted that the Canucks are 0-2 with Simmons in the house. Simmons and wife Shannon Tweed also attended the Canucks' New Year's Eve game in L.A., which Vancouver lost 4-1.

Peter Criss Talks KISS, Comeback Terms & Beating Cancer

2012-01-17T10:31:00.001-05:00

artisan news

Peter Criss was honored with the Guitar Center Drum Legend award, and he talked about kicking cancer, his cat-like transition, and the possibility of rejoining Kiss one final time.