Saturday, July 11, 2009

"Deuce" video from Sarnia July 10 2009 (July 11)

KISS was made for loving Sarnia (July 11)





KISS WAS MADE FOR LOVIN' SARNIA

By Jessica Ireland Special to the Observer

On Friday, KISS discovered that Sarnia was its own “rock city.”

“We’re proud to be here tonight,” said frontman, Paul Stanley to the energetic crowd. “Sarnia could teach big cities what rock ‘n’ roll is all about!”

Audience anticipation began to build as a black cloth with KISS splashed on it was draped to hide the stage in preparation for the explosive show.

As soon as a glimmer of sparkle off drummer Eric Singer’s outfit was seen behind the curtain - the crowd went wild.

Eventually the rest of the band members, Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer and Paul Stanley made their way onstage - clad in their iconic painted faces, platform boots and cosmic costumes. The rock legends had arrived in their signature style.

Opening with “Deuce” and “Strutter” from their 1975 KISS Alive! album - the foursome powered through songs more well-known to long-time fans but still received a rousing reception from the entire audience.

Between songs, the band took time to show their love for Canada.

“We consider Canada not our neighbours but our second home,” Stanley said to cheering fans.

“This is family tonight!” he yelled before launching into “She.” The song ended in a heart-pounding guitar solo by Tommy Thayer.

Throughout the two-hour concert, KISS kept the energy up as the audience experienced their exhilarating rock amidst fireworks, searing pyrotechnics and Simmons’ infamous tongue.

KISS ended their set with the classic rock and roll anthem “Rock and Roll All Nite” as the audience erupted into cheers and were showered by white paper confetti.

But they didn’t keep the crowd waiting long after saying good-bye, coming out for a six-song encore of crowd favourites including “Lick It Up,” “I Was Made For Loving You,” and “I Love It Loud,” with Simmons, fake blood running down his mouth, being lifted onto a platform to play above the stage lights.

Charismatic singer, Stanley, got up close and personal with audience members, flying over the crowd on a zipline and performing on a mini-stage set-up in the middle of fans’ outstretched arms.

As the encore came to a close,the band played “Detroit Rock City.” In a finale of more fireworks and thank you’s to “the most loyal, most awesome fans in the world,” KISS left audience members a little harder of hearing and even more ready to rock.

KISS opens Canadian tour in Sarnia Ont. (July 11)


KISS WOWS BAYFEST!

By TARA HAGAN

Thousands of screaming fans ‘loved-it-loud’ last night when legendary rockers KISS took to the stage at Sarnia Bayfest.

“How you doin’ people?” yelled Paul Stanley to a screaming crowd, with cameras high in the air, at 10 p.m. sharp. “Did you come tonight to get some rock and roll?

“Well you came to the right place.”

Outrageous pyrotechnics exploded on the massive stage as frontman Gene Simmons belted out the opening hit, “Deuce,” amid a thundering roar from the 21,00 strong crowd, dominated by their famous fan following known affectionately as the KISS Army.

Stanley followed up with “Strutter,” before embarking on a number of classic hits.

This probably was the most prep we’ve ever done for a show,” said organizer Michele Stokley, citing a fleet of eight trucks, four buses, 900 pounds of dry ice and enough pyro to fire-bomb a city.

“I’m going on probably an hour and a half’s worth of sleep, but when we see the show, its all going to be worth it,” she said hours before the headliners took the stage.

Jan Moran was on cloud nine.

“I just met Gene Simmons,” said the winner of The Observer’s Superfan contest, who earlier managed to swindle her way backstage to get up close and personal with the famous frontman — debunking rumours he wouldn’t make the trip to Sarnia.

“He twirled me around and said, ‘Come here, sweetie,’ and we took a picture,” she added. “He said I looked pretty hot.”

Moran and her galpals arrived at the much-anticipated KISS concert in signature rock-glam makeup and costume. The foursome snagged VIP tickets after submitted a contest video they’d dedicated to the band.

But they weren’t the only ones dressed up.

Devout fans donned the band’s infamous face paint – mimicking Simmons, the “demon” and Stanley, the “starchild” – clad in KISS costume and ready to rock and roll all night.

Ron Dunlop and his sons, aged eight, six and three, were clad in full KISS regalia and makeup while waiting in line for much of the afternoon. The family made the trip from Chalk River, Ont. for the young trio’s first KISS concert.

“It’s all the extra things they do to just make the show better than others,” said William, the eldest son.

“I’ve been a fan since I was 14,” said Dunlop. “They treat their fans with so much respect, and they’ll do anything to please them.

“They always put on a great show.”

The group — Simmons, Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer –— is on a series of Canadian stops that include Orillia, Windsor, Ottawa, Quebec City, Montreal and Halifax.

Legendary Cobo Hall closing it's doors. (July 11)


LEGENDARY KISS ARENA CLOSING DOORS

The legendary concert venue COBO arena is to become the victim of a city expansion plan. This historic structure has hosted KISS concerts on many occasions, not the least of which was the series of shows that became the KISS ALIVE! album. As producers of the documentary film "Live at COBO" we wish to get the word out to all artist who have a connection to COBO.

Detroit area filmmakers Douglas Akers, Lisa Hagopian, Eric Harabadian and Jake Hall are currently producing an independent full-length documentary feature entitled “Live at Cobo.” The film will focus on the origins of Cobo Arena and its rise as a world class venue via the remarkable variety of events presented there and the long-lasting impact it has had on our culture through musical, political and professional sporting means.

The filmakers have been granted full access to COBO arena for filming interviews there with the artists about their experience there during its golden era. Time is running short for us to give artists one last opportunity to step into the hall that help make music history. Please pass this information along to anyone that can help us document the stories before COBO is gone.

Contact us at www.liveatcobo.com.

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Gene Simmons reveals 3 new song titles (July 9)


GENE SIMMONS Reveals More New KISS Songtitles - July 9, 2009
KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons has told The Canadian Press that the band's new album, which is due this fall, will feature such songtitles as "Russian Roulette", "Modern Day Delilah" and "Stand".

Lead guitarist Tommy Thayer will write and sing his first song on the album, while drummer Eric Singer will also get his first opportunity to sing a lead vocal on an original song.

Simmons also promises there were no outside writers working on the Paul Stanley-produced disc.

And as for the sound of the album?

"No strings, no keyboards, no synths, no tambourines, no nothing -- just meat and potatoes," Simmons said.

According to Simmons, KISS is planning on taking some time off toward the end of the summer.

"We have a lot going on, I mean there's KISS M&Ms, there's KISS Dr. Pepper, there's KISS everything, soon it's gonna be Planet Kiss," Simmons notes.

In late September, the band will head out on its North American tour, which Simmons promises will include a return trip north of the border. "We're gonna hit Canada again," Simmons said, "because you've been very bad and you need to be punished."

Read more from The Canadian Press.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

New KISS "Legends Of Rock" compilation coming in Aug (July 8)


It's coming out on July 14th from Universal Music Canada.

Track Listing:
Heaven's On Fire
Lick It Up
Strutter
Hotter Than Hell
Deuce
Hard Luck Woman
Shout It Out Loud
I Was Made For Lovin' You
Christine Sixteen
Black Diamond
Detroit Rock City
King Of The Night Time World
Calling Dr. Love
She
Rock And Roll All Nite (Alive Version)

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Paul's message on new KISS CD (July 7)


MESSAGE FROM PAUL

THIS IS KISS. CLASSIC KISS!

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

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

I know that when you hear it you will agree.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eleven songs. Eleven winners.

This IS KISS. Classic KISS.

It's been a long time coming.

PAUL

Monday, July 6, 2009

Message from Tommy on new KISS CD (July 6)


MESSAGE FROM TOMMY

YOU'RE GONNA LOVE IT!


Well the brand new KISS studio album is almost ready to go - actually more like ready to EXPLODE! We finished recording last week, with the exception of one tune that needs an hour or so more --- I have to tell you it KICKS!

Paul has done a fantastic job keeping everyone in line and the direction clear. As you might have heard, all the tunes were written within the band and recorded analog -- which means hot, heavy and rockin' in the classic sense!

We definitely didn't over-think it.

From the beginning stages of writing, rehearsing and arranging the tunes, to putting the trax down on tape, we went with our GUT... kept it raw and real. We didn't go more than two or three takes when we recorded the basic tracks, which by-the-way, we recorded with all four of us together -- which is a rare (or non-existent) occurrence with bands in this modern digital age. We had a laugh when we were tracking the 11th and very last tune and Eric said, we have to get this in two or three takes like all the others or it ain't no good!

The true test for how new tunes hold up is when you play them live. As everybody probably knows, we haven't played any of these brand-new songs in concert, but we did run a few of them at our sound check in Milwaukee last week. Yep, you guessed right... They SCORCHED! Our tour crew guys were like, HOLY S**T, what was that?!!

It's been a gas doing this record with Paul, Eric and Gene -- truly a collaborative effort! I told the guys the other day that in my humble opinion, this is by far the most cohesive sounding record KISS has made in a long, long time -- meaning that ALL the tunes are great, the sound kicks my ass, and it all fits together perfectly as an album.

IT DON'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT!

Can't wait for you to hear it... You're gonna LOVE it!

TOMMY

"360" or "Sonic Boom"? (July 6)

ARE WE GOING TO BE TURNED BY 360° OR BLASTED AWAY BY A SONIC BOOM??

As the D-Day is getting closer as much rumors about new KISS album title are popping up on the net. We told you lately of the stories around 360°.

With the recent comment by Eric on KISSonline "The band has come full circle" that "possible" title gained points on another rumored title like SONIC BOOM. This last one came out from recent comments on the new "old sound" the KISS music will have.

Nevertheless, Michael Doret, the artist father of the Rock and roll over cover and also of the new baby is closed in a secreted silent and he doesn't say a word about...

KISS in the past rejected some cool possible titles like:

The harder They Come, original title for Hotter Than Hell
At Midnight, original title for Dressed To Kill

Severe Cuts, original title for Killers
War Of The Gods, original title for the follow up of the Elder
Dragonfly, original title for Animalize
Who Dares Wins, original title for Crazy Nights and also considered for Hot in the shade
Head, original title for Carnival of Souls......

Meantime yesterday night Gene stated that "KISS just finished recording almost all of the new KISS studio album! It's the first studio album of new material in 10 years..."

Sunday, July 5, 2009

New message from Eric Singer on new CD (July 5)


MESSAGE FROM ERIC

NO BALLADS, NO SLOW SONGS, NO FILLERS!

You Wanted The Best ?

Well the wait is almost over...

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

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

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

Guess what ?

The end result is everything I could have hoped for.

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

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

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

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

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

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

As for the songs ?

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

The band really has come full circle.

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

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

Believe me the wait IS over and well worth it !

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

More as it happens !

ERIC