Check out these great photos of KISS rocking our US Troops and Veterans with a special private show last night at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Virginia.
July 20, 2012
Last Night's KISS Show
Check out these great photos of KISS rocking our US Troops and Veterans with a special private show last night at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Virginia.
Concert For The Troops.
Rock And Honor Every Vet
Friday night marks the official launch of Kiss‘ summer tour, a mammoth cross-country jaunt in support of the band’s upcoming album, “Monster.”
Talk to a local veteran, however, and he’ll tell you that the real tour started on Thursday evening, when Kiss staged a private show for 1,600 members of the U.S. military.
“We owe so much to the brave men and women who voluntarily put on that uniform and go to places where people don’t like them,” Gene Simmons explained earlier this week, several hours before he and his three band mates — Paul Stanley, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer — paid a visit to patients at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
“The vets that we’ve met never ask for praise, glory or money,” he added. “They just want to re-enter society and get a job. We do these all-vet shows to show our appreciation, because what they do for us is beyond comprehension.”
Kiss have a long history of paying tribute to vets on both sides of the Atlantic. Earlier this summer, the guys staged a small show in London to benefit the British troops, and their 2011 tour featured a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance during each concert.
“We used to stop every single show in the middle,” Mr. Simmons remembered, “and hoist the Stars and Stripes before saying the Pledge of Allegiance, right there in the middle of the concert. Very cornball, very not cool, but I don’t care. Sometimes, you gotta flush cool down the toilet and just arch your back and stand proudly, realizing that you’re living in the greatest country on the face of the planet.”
For the upcoming tour, the band has some additional tricks up its sleeve. For starters, Motley Crue will co-headline every show. The two groups have been friends since 1982, back when Kiss handpicked a relatively unknown Motley Crue as the opening act for the “Creatures of the Night” tour.
“They were loud, proud kids from the street, which was exactly what we wanted,” Mr. Simmons recalled. “You want the opening act to come up there and challenge you. What’s the use of being the world champion boxer if the guy who’s in the ring with you isn’t gonna give you a run for your money?”
“If they challenge you,” he continued, “it makes you a better fighter, and it makes for a better fight. That’s why we take great pride in the bands we’ve brought on tour with us. They’re always able to stand on their own two legs … and then we come out and crush them.”
To crush Motley Crue’s elaborate stage show, Kiss will fill their own performances with “more firepower than most Third World countries.” Fans can also expect plenty of pyrotechnics and Kiss classics, as well as the new single “Hell or Hallelujah.”
“With all due respect to everyone else,” Mr. Simmons said, “when you see fireworks going off at a McCartney show, where do you think he got that from? Gerry and the Pacemakers? We are the masters of bells and whistles, and we are going to leave the audience exhausted at the end of every show.”
Being a member of Kiss sounds a little exhausting in its own right. Before every performance, the guys spend an average of two hours in the dressing room, applying makeup and strapping 45 pounds of armored costumery onto their bodies. Once showtime hits, they move around the stage on 8-inch platform shoes.
“If that’s not enough,” added Mr. Simmons, “I fly up to the top of the light system at the speed of eight feet per second, Paul flies over to the soundboard over the heads of the audience, Tommy levitates up into the air, Eric’s entire drum kit levitates up into the air, and that doesn’t count the entire band’s descent from the heavens before the first song even begins.
“It’s physically exhausting, but I’ll tell you, there’s nothing as satisfying. Because when you see that you’re not the only one who’s drenched in sweat — that the audience is just as wiped out as you — there’s something else happening beyond the usual, ‘OK, this is my next song.’ “
The 7/19/2012 Show
On the eve of KISS’ massive national tour with Mötley Crüe, the legendary iconic rock band honors the U.S. military with an intimate concert at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Virginia. On July 19, KISS, longtime supporters of the military, will put on their infamous rock show for over 2,000 service men and women. Presenting sponsor Boomer Magazine, Virginia's source of entertainment for baby boomers, coordinated the free ticket distribution through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and various military agencies. Troops and Veterans attending will receive a special commemorative KISS t-shirt.
KISS also teamed up with Hiring Our Heroes, a campaign by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and supported by NBC News that aims to get veterans back into the workforce. KISS has hired a military veteran to be a roadie for their upcoming national tour. KISS co-founder Gene Simmons said that hiring veterans "is the most important thing that we can do.” The band held an open call and after receiving over 1,900 applications for the job, Paul Jordan, an army serviceman from Buford, Georgia was chosen. Jordan, who has devoted over 20 years to the military serving three voluntary tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, is a life-long KISS fan and member of the KISS army who sports a tattoo of Gene Simmons on his chest. Jordan reports for his new job as roadie, with his first full show on July 19.
Following KISS's lead, Boomer Magazine held an online contest to support Hiring Our Heroes and hired a veteran to conduct an interview with KISS. Robert Crespo, an Army serviceman, was chosen. Crespo served in Iraq's combat zone and listened to KISS ALIVE Symphony often while in the desert. "KISS was the motivation to keep going," Crespo explains. Crespo's interview with his idols, KISS, will be featured in the August issue of Boomer Magazine and video footage will be available at www.FaceBook.com/BoomerMag.
On October 16, KISS will release their 20th studio album, Monster, through the Universal Music Enterprises. The 12-track, CD is a celebration of the band’s signature sound featuring collaborations among all four members—including co-founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons and longtime members, guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer. On Monster, the group goes back to their own beginnings. Their first single, the full-throttle, autobiographical rocker “Hell or Hallelujah,” was recently made available digitally and debuted #1 on the iTunes Rock Song chart.
During KISS’ illustrious, 40-plus year history the band has earned 28 U.S. gold albums, the most gold records for any American rock band, 40 million sales in the U.S., and a total exceeding 100 million worldwide.
July 16, 2012
Gene At Comic-con
Gene Simmons is among the attendees at this weekend's Comic-Con convention in San Diego.
July 10, 2012
July 7, 2012
Les Paul
I had the opportunity to get a first hand look at the prototype of my new Epiphone Tommy Thayer signature 'Spaceman' Les Paul while in London this week. The guitar looks and plays phenomenally. There are still a couple tweaks to be made and then it will go into production.
I gave it a test run at the Gibson London offices as a part of my interview with Simon Bradley from Guitarist magazine.
Thanks also to Julian Grace, Paul Airey and photographer Joby Sessions. More to come soon!
— Tommy
July 6, 2012
Charity Gig
Legendary rock band KISS delight fans at London's Kentish Town Forum with a one off gig to raise money for the Help For Heroes charity. (July 5)
July 5, 2012
London Setlist
iTune Charts
Check it out - KISS' "Hell or Hallelujah" single is topping the charts all over the world!
Here are some of the most recent fan reviews:
5.0 out of 5 stars By PyroMessiah
Brilliant stuff! The second kick ass lead single in a row following the equally kick ass 'Modern Day Delilah' from the last album Sonic Boom.
MONSTER will be a KILLER album if this single is anything to go by. Fast paced and powerful. Love it!
5.0 out of 5 stars By Anthony Williams
Looks like KISS fans won't be disappointed with the new album when it's out if this track is anything to go by. A good solid tune with the classic Kiss style, reminiscent of the earlier years but still with the Sonic Boom feel.
5.0 out of 5 stars By Neal.W
KISS are back with a BANG! With what Paul Stanley described as just great rock n roll! and I couldn't agree more. Following on from the great Sonic Boom album, Kiss seem to have stepped it up another gear for this new single and hopefully the new album {out in oct 2012}. This track still has the old Kiss feel with great riffs and a catchy chorus but this time with a harder edge, what's not to like.
5.0 out of 5 stars By S. E. Jones
Was expecting to be disappointed by this song. After the excellent Sonic Boom album, there was a lot more anticipation leading up to the new material... I need not have worried. Following the rule that if it ain't broke, don't fix it... Hell or Hallelujah has all of the best bits of KISS from the late 70's through to the mid 80's.... and (listening to it as I write this) it's just put a whopping smile on my face... Just listen to that gonzoid guitar attack!!! AWESOME!
5.0 out of 5 stars By Martin
Wow. A fantastic return to rocking form for the men in the make-up. If the upcoming album Monster is half as good as this track, it's going to be immense!
5.0 out of 5 stars By BILL DOOR "STOOOPOTT!"
This is a real return to KISS of old. A brilliant song, and with a one off concert on 04/07/12 in London for Help For Heroes, the 'Hottest band in the World' are back.
5.0 out of 5 stars By Crad
Excellent new single from the mighty KISS from their upcoming new album Monster.
If all the songs are as good as this Kiss fans are in for a real treat.
5.0 out of 5 stars - Joshua Sharrock
I have been waiting for this single and the whole album for ages! This is more than I expected, one again KISS have outdone themselves. Great pounding in your face guitars. Can't wait till the whole of "Monster" comes out!
July 4, 2012
Preorder Monster
KISS' upcoming album "MONSTER" is now available for preorder at Amazon.com. The album will be released on October 16, 2012.
London Tshirt
Here is the actual art comp sheet for the KISS T-shirt being sold at tonight's HMV Forum show in London, England.
Monster Book On UK
LONDON — American glam rockers KISS are unleashing their “Monster” on the UK public.
The band — Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer— was in London on Tuesday to launch its new retrospective book, “KISS Monster,” and to hold a news conference.
The limited edition book — which is three feet (1 meter) tall — features unseen photographs from the band’s 40-year career.
“A band that is bigger than life deserves a book that’s bigger than life. You could call it a coffee table book, but if you put legs on it, it is a coffee table,” joked Stanley.
Only 1, 000 copies of “KISS Monster” will be on sale and each one will be signed by the band. It will retail at a staggering >2,742 ($4,299).
“It’s not a cheap book because it is hand bound, hand put together. It’s the Rolls-Royce of books,” said Simmons.
“KISS Monster” is now on sale in the U.K. online at: www.kissmonsterbook.com
Monster Book
Signing In London
KISS spent several hours this morning autographing the band signatures page of the KISS MONSTER Book. The pages will now be sent to Italy, where they will be bound inside the books.
July 3, 2012
UK TV & Radio
From London
KISS did a full day of press in London today promoting the release of our new single "Hell Or Hallelujah" from our forthcoming album Monster. Interestingly, the interviews took place at Ringo Starr's famed 1960s London flat, 34 Montagu Square. In 1966 Paul McCartney used it as a demo studio composing Beatles classics like "I'm Looking Through You" and "Eleanor Rigby." Jimi Hendrix wrote "The Wind Cries Mary" when he lived there for three months in 1968 and John Lennon and Yoko Ono lived in the flat in 1968 when the Beatles were recording the White Album. The notorious nude cover photos of Lennon and Ono's Two Virgins album were taken in the upstairs bedroom. So much history and rock & roll lore has taken place in the hallowed halls of 34 Montagu Square, it's amazing. If only these walls could talk!
#1 At Amazon UK
KISS' "Hell or Hallelujah" single is the #1 rock single on Amazon UK!
KISSOnline has been receiving fan reports that the debut single from MONSTER is topping charts everywhere internationally!
The single will be available in North America tomorrow.
Early reviews:
Called "Hell or Hallelujah", the song flashes back to classic tracks like 1976's awesomely trashy "Makin' Love", with more than a dash of their speedier 80's output. - Fangoria Magazine
A tantalizingly raw opening riff straight out of Paul Stanley‘s ‘I Stole Your Love’ playbook kicks off ‘Hell or Hallelujah,’ the new single from Kiss. - Classic Rock
Back In The UK
KISS is taking over the UK this week with not just a new single, but also the Monster book release, and a sold-out show at London’s Forum on the 4th of July!
The band arrived in London last night and will launch a major press campaign today, with numerous interviews and appearances with radio, TV and print outlets.
Ahead of the new KISS album ‘Monster’ (due out in Autumn) the band will be releasing their "Hell or Hallelujah" single in the UK today!
KISS will also launch their MONSTER book this week. Monster is a collection of artworks and 126 photos from the band’s 40-year career including never-before-seen images.
Then the band wraps up their UK visit with a special show at The Forum in London for Help for Heroes on Wednesday, where they'll perform "Hell or Hallelujah" for the first time!
Eric & Tommy Interview
KISS' drummer and guitarist in KISS talk concerts, the band's farewell tour, and making the best album in years.
Saturday night Kiss was the last band on the final night of Kollen Sommerfestival. This was one of two concerts the band is doing in Europe this summer. Then, they're off touring the United States with Mötley Crüe. There are several reasons why Norway and London were the only stopovers in Europe.
"That's because you are special, we just had to play in Oslo," laughed Tommy Thayer. "No, it is a combination of several factors. Originally we were going to play at Sonisphere, but it was for some reason canceled. But then we had a partial event in London that were already planned, and we also got a surprise offer to play at this festival. So a lot was about the timing."
Fans who met up at Sommefestival did not hear the new single "Hell Or Hallelujah", which is the first track from the upcoming album, Monster, even though the single is being released next Monday.
"The main reason we came here was to make preparations for the upcoming single release in London, so we're going to play it when we get there. We can't play it until it is actually released on Monday," explained Eric Singer.
"There is some sense to that," Thayer added. "We don't want the new track's premiere to be from some cheap recording on YouTube."
Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer have different backgrounds for becoming a part of Kiss, where Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons are the only remaining original members. The two have had their lives turned on their heads after they were included in the traveling circus.
Eric Singer feels lucky that ended up in Kiss.
"Everything in life is to some extent influenced by it, but I feel very fortunate and lucky. I've been in the music industry for many years. I am 54 years old and I am sure that Tommy agrees with this -- we see a lot of friends that we started playing around the same time years ago, who are trying to do the same thing for a living, but never get the chance to play in a band. We have worked hard to get where we are today, but feel fortunate to have had this opportunity."
"Playing in Kiss, one of the world's most famous bands, feels in many ways like having found 'the Holy Grail,'" says Tommy. "But we are not here only because we have had good luck."
"We are here because we're successful, and we deserved it," Singer added. "It's easy for some people in the audience to say 'That's where I could be too", or "that's easy, I'm as good as him." It's easy to be a 'back seat driver' and believe that, but there is no way that anyone can do this. This is about so much more than the ability to play the notes. There is much more to being in a band and be a professional musician at this level."
- Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons have said that the chemistry in the band is very good, and that is also a big part of the reason why KISS made a new album two years ago that got so many good reviews.
For many years said they (Paul and Gene) that we weren't going to record some new music. But our tour in Europe in 2008 went so well. So when we came back, Paul and Gene said that 'this band is really amazing, so perhaps we should record a new album.' So it was actually pretty fast and out of the blue, "said Thayer.
-So you guys just did it?
-"Yes, they [Paul and Gene] decided it They are the people who make those decisions."
Eric Singer breaks in and tells of a saying he thinks is important in this context.
"I have a saying hanging on my fridge at home – I've had it there for many years. It is by John Lennon and says; 'Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans.' It is one of the very best quotes, and I try to always have it with me. For life is not always as you intended. And I think that also applies to Kiss. The band had a particular course, possibly on its way towards the end. But the chemistry and dynamic of the band changed and it caused another change. And that change created new music and creativity. Without the changes you would probably not have seen KISS turn around the way it has today," said Eric Singer.
- When Sonic Boom came two years ago, many people realized that Kiss still could make a good album. Many believe it's the best collection of songs the band has recorded since the late 70 's or early 80 's.
"Sonic Boom was in many ways a kind of experiment.We recorded an album together, and together they found out how it was going to work," explains Thayer. "The vision was to create a classic Kiss album, and we did, and I think we did well," he added, giving fans insight as to how the next album "Monster," is going to be.
"On this album we take it to a whole new level, and here I think you'll discover that we really have got wind under the wings. I think people are going to be surprised at what they hear."
July 2, 2012
New Single
KISS' "Hell or Hallelujah" single is available Internationally today! The single will be available in North America tomorrow, but check KOL late tonight to find out where you can buy it sooner.
Meet & Greet
KISS Meet & Greet and VIP packages for 'THE TOUR' are selling quickly! Only a limited number of packages remain for most shows. Act now if you plan on having the ultimate KISS experience!
The following cities are either SOLD OUT or only have a few packages remaining.
Virginia Beach (7/21), Atlanta (7/25), Charlotte (7/25), Birmingham (7/31), The Woodlands, TX (8/3), Dallas (8/4), Englewood (8/8), Las Vegas (8/11), Irvine (8/14), Tulsa (8/26), St. Louis (8/27), Cincinnati (8/31), Indianapolis (9/1), Detroit (9/5), Chicago (9/7), Toronto (9/13), Mansfield (9/16), Camden (9/19) and Wantagh (9/22).
Here's your chance to have the ultimate KISS experience on "THE TOUR" 2012 tour! Enjoy a KISS VIP Tour package, or a KISS Meet & Greet package that includes exclusive access to KISS' preshow soundcheck!
KISS - Meet & Greet + Soundcheck Package
Package includes:
- One reserved tickets located in the first 10 rows of the stage
- Exclusive Meet & Greet with KISS
- Personal Photograph with KISS
- Autograph Session with KISS
- Exclusive access to KISS's Preshow Soundcheck
- Specially Designed KISS Tour Shirt
- Custom Designed, KISS Ring (18k gold plated, exclusive to ticket packages)
- Set of Official KISS Guitar Picks (with custom case)
- Official Meet & Greet Laminate
- Commemorative VIP Ticket
Crowd- free merchandise shopping
On-site VIP Host
KISS - VIP Tour Package
Package includes:
- One reserved tickets located in the first 15 rows of the stage
- Specially Designed KISS Tour Shirt
- Custom Designed, KISS Ring (18k gold plated, exclusive to ticket packages)
- Set of Official KISS Guitar Picks (with custom case)
- Official VIP Laminate
- Commemorative VIP Ticket
- Crowd- free merchandise shopping
- On-site VIP Host
Visit www.vipnation.com to order!
July 1, 2012
KISS Rocks Oslo
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KISS played a set of well-selected songs, with a solid close to the first night of Kollen Sommervestival
By: Jørn Gjersøe
Photo by Jørn Gjersøe
For many years KISS sat stuck in a mud of lack of creativity and originality. The band made a few less-impressive albums in the 1990s and 2000. But the turning point came in 2010. After a long wait, we got one of the best albums we'd heard in a long time – Sonic Boom was a breath of fresh air for KISS.
One can criticize Kiss for being cynical and just thinking about the money, but it can't be the money that is driving them anymore. They have enough to buy a tropical island and sit there for the rest of their lives But there's one thing they're always going to have: they always deliver on stage, and this Saturday was no exception. The band appeared even more inspired than I have seen them in the past and it's obvious that they are enjoying a new era as a group.
The concert in Oslo, Norway is not part of any major tour, but it can also be viewed as a warmup for this summer's planned United States tour along with Mötley Crüe. With an opportunity to warm up this summer, KISS opened with the classics "Detroit Rock City", "Shout It Out Loud" and "Deuce." With the crowd singing both during and between songs, the band glided effortlessly into "Making Love."
KISS is never about only the show or just the music -- it's a synthesis. Fans must take both parts together. And, as long as KISS plays songs from three different decades, something "Crazy Nights" was a good example of tonight, KISS is impressive, undeniably impressive.
Also impressive, KISS never attempts using prerecordings of any form or sampled, recorded backing vocal tracks. The band hammers it out trouble-free, blowing off off more pyro than a average Norwegian municipality on New Year's Eve.
"Are you getting what you came for?" asked Paul Stanley rhetorically, knowing the answer he'll receive. And it's good. The older crowd, mixed up with some of their offspring, got exactly what they had come for.
Tommy Thayer sang the vocal on "Shock Me" and his teaming with Eric Singer has been a good addition to this musical community.
We had all the usual ingredients with the blood-spitting Gene, Tommy's rocket-shooting, and even an extra bazooka blast from Eric. Paul could still throw the microphone too.
We ended in a sea of white confetti that made this site look like any other ski jump-on Saturday, before the accompanying smash of Paul's guitar.
All in all, it was a solid last blast, which set the tone for the first night of the Festival.
Set List
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