Top 10 KISS songs?

You Wanted the Worst!!!

For your listening displeasure, I took the liberty of creating a list consisting of the ten absolute worst KISS songs. Each of these songs is unbearably awful in its own way. Some people might ask me "now why on earth would you spend your time doing such a thing?" To those I'll say only this: you just don't get it, do you?

1) I'm Gonna Love You (Peter Criss)
2) When You Wish Upon A Star (Gene Simmons)
3) Secretly Cruel (Asylum)
4) Lonely is the Hunter (Animalize)
5) Tossin' and Turnin' (Peter Criss)
6) Easy as it Seems (Unmasked)
7) The Street Giveth and the Street Taketh Away (Hot in the Shade)
8) When Your Walls Come Down (Crazy Nights)
9) Burn Bitch Burn (Animalize)
10) What Makes the World Go Round (Unmasked)

Whooza Sad Kitty!!

Cheer up Catman. It can't rain all the time.

This is an old picture taken from the days when Paul still wore the Bandit makeup.

BREAKING NEWS: EVERY ACE-SUNG KISS SONG TOTALLY RULES!!!

Contrary to popular belief, there’s more to being an esteemed KISStorian than rocking and rolling all night. The truth is, I spend most of the day’s hours poring over important KISS documents while listening to KISS. After crunching numbers in the middle of the night, I suddenly came upon an astonishing discovery that could very well save lives: Every Ace-sung KISS song is really great. Don’t believe me? See for yourself:

Shock Me (Love Gun ‘77)
Rocket Ride (Alive II ‘78)
2000 Man (Dynasty ‘79)
Hard Times (Dynasty ‘79)
Save Your Love (Dynasty ‘79)
Two Sides of the Coin (Unmasked ’80)
Torpedo Girl (Unmasked ’80)
Talk to Me (Unmasked ‘80)
Dark Light (Elder ’81)
Into the Void (Psycho Circus ’98)
In Your Face (B-side ’98)

You will notice that the Space Ace only sings 11 KISS songs aside from his ’78 solo album. But every goddamned one of them is a gem.

PAUL STANLEY Hits The Road Sans KISS

Nearly three decades after releasing his debut solo album, KISS singer/rhythm-guitarist PAUL STANLEY is set to deliver a follow-up, and will back the disc with a fall tour.

Stanley has lined up a three-and-a-half-week outing that launches Oct. 21 in Atlanta and is scheduled to make stops in more than a dozen cities by mid-November. Details are shown below.

Three days after kicking off his tour, Stanley will issue "Live to Win," his sophomore solo effort. The album's title track will be available exclusively via Apple's iTunes Music Store starting Sept. 26.

Stanley's first solo collection, which surfaced in 1979, is a self-titled set that he released in unison with solo albums from each of his KISS bandmates at the time: GENE SIMMONS, ACE FREHLEY and PETER CRISS. Each member appeared in full KISS makeup on his respective album cover, and all four albums bore the KISS logo.

During the years between solo discs, Stanley has remained plenty busy with KISS. The group, which shed its makeup in the early '80s after losing original guitarist Frehley and original drummer Criss, mounted a reunion tour in 1996 that featured Stanley, Simmons, Frehley and Criss in full makeup and costume. A new studio disc, titled "Psycho Circus," and supporting tour followed in '98.

In 2000, the quartet launched what it said at the time would be its farewell tour. Simmons and Stanley have since continued to tour, with drummer ERIC SINGER--who first joined the group during the band's non-make-up years--and guitarist TOMMY THAYER wearing the makeup and costumes originally made famous by Criss and Frehley, respectively.

Stanley's years of touring and jumping around on stage have apparently taken a toll on the musician; he underwent hip-replacement surgery in October of last year, and had to undergo a second hip-replacement a few months later due to complications with the first operation. That second surgery reportedly didn't solve the problem, and he is expected to undergo a third attempt at some point.

Aside from KISS, Stanley's work in recent years includes a 1999 run as the lead in a Toronto production of "Phantom of the Opera," and, more recently, his debut as a painter; he began exhibiting and selling original works of art last year.

Also last year, Stanley married his longtime girlfriend, Erin Sutton. Their first child, a boy, was born earlier this month.

New KISS Tour? Probably; Album? Unlikely

The KISS Army may be able to pack its gear for a tour in the near future, but not an album. The group's PAUL STANLEY, preparing for the Oct. 24 release of his solo album "Live To Win" and an attendant tour, tells Billboard.com he's "sure there will be a [Kiss] tour at some point."

He even confirms that one of the ideas being discussed is a traveling version of the orchestral shows KISS played in 2003 in Australia, which resulted in the "Kiss Symphony" CD and DVD releases.

"It's not out of the realm of possibility," says Stanley, who welcomed his second son, Colin, with wife Erin on Sept. 6. "Anything's possible, but we're far away from conforming or committing to something like that. I'll let you know when it's true."

New KISS music is another matter, however. Stanley says as far as he's concerned, trying to make a new album in the shadow of Kiss' classic repertoire is, at the very least, a challenge. "The fact is, [fans] may tolerate the new songs, but it's the old ones you want to hear," he notes. "I think Jimmy Page and Robert Plant found that out. The [Rolling] Stones certainly know it. The Who certainly know it. So unless you're willing to go into the studio accepting that how your album will be received will never match your expectations, I'm not sure it's worth the effort."

What would it take to change his mind? Control, Stanley says. "I would consider doing it if I could do it the way I wanted to do it," he explains. "If 'Live to Win' was good for anything, it was me confirming how I believe I'd like music to sound that I'm a part of. To do another KISS album, I would not be willing to compromise my point of view perhaps as much as I have in recent years."

But how would that go over with longtime KISS partner GENE SIMMONS? "Well, y'know, you'll have to see if we go into the studio," replies Stanley -- who says he's not yet watched an episode of Simmons' new A&E reality show, "GENE SIMMONS Family Jewels."

Stanley takes a break from diaper duty to begin a 15-date solo tour on Oct. 21 in Atlanta.

Lyrical Analysis: You Matter to Me by Peter Criss

"I ain't no good at talking,
So girl I'll tell it to you straight.
My heart is just like an oven.
I hope I'm not too late!

Because you matter to me and that's why (and that's why)
You still matter to me
And that's the only reason I need to get by (to get by).
You still matter to me."

Ok, the more I stare at the words that comprise this catchy little ditty, the more I become hopelessly confused. The fact that she matters to Peter is the only reason he needs to get by. ...huh? Wha-wassat? Let's try this again. You matter to me and that's why you matter to me? It just doesn't make sense any way you slice it. The Catman is just singing away, without a care in the world about the words that come out of his mouth. And what's the deal with that oven reference? I think the real key to understanding lies in that very first line.

This KISSOLOGY set sounds like a must-have!

For the KISS Army, the release this Halloween of "KISSology: Volume One 1974-1977" marks the arrival of nothing less than a Holy Grail: 6 solid hours of vintage KISS going all the way back to the deep early roots of the band's classic line-up -- GENE SIMMONS, PAUL STANLEY, ACE FREHLEY and PETER CRISS -- captured and re-mastered on 2 state-of-the-art DVDs featuring more than 70 live performances and four full concerts bundled along with unreleased tracks and never-before-seen footage.

"KISSology: Volume One 1974-1977" goes all the way back one of the band's earliest live performances in the New York pre-punk glam rock bar scene of the early 1970s before tracing the rocket-paced transformation of KISS into international rock gods who filled the world's largest arenas as the undisputed hottest band in the land by 1977.

Disc One of "KISSology: Volume One 1974-1976" takes a look back at an early bar-band KISS (freshly risen from the shards of Wicked Lester) already thinking much bigger than any of their contemporaries. 1974 is covered with a live concert in Long Beach as well as KISS's televised appearances on ABC's "In Concert" and an interview/performance on "The Mike Douglas Show." By 1975, KISS was playing San Francisco's fabled Winterland, headlining NBC's "Midnight Special" and making videos for "C'mon & Love Me" and their signature "Rock and Roll All Night," all included on "KISSology." In 1976, KISS came to Detroit for an incendiary concert at the Motor City's Cobo Hall, captured on Disc One of "KISSology."

Disc Two of "KISSology" picks up the threads of 1976 with the band's interview and performance of "Black Diamond" on "So It Goes," a must-see and much-discussed interview and performance of "King of the Nighttime World" on "The Paul Lynde Halloween Special," and personal band footage from May 1976. The 1977 material on Disc Two captures the band at the pinnacle of its international fame, performing to tens of thousands of fans at the legendary Budokan Hall in Tokyo in April '77 and, a little more than a month later, headlining "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert." Disc Two closes with scorching concert footage from The Summit in Houston, Texas on September 2, 1977, showing KISS laying down the creed that still beats at the heart of the band: Rock & Roll All Night and Party Every Day!!!

"KISSology Volume One 1974-1977" provides ample evidence of why KISS has lasted so long and continues to mean so much to so many millions of people. KISS is 100% dedicated to the heart and soul and power of ROCK and when the house lights go down, KISS is still the hottest band in any land.

KISS: GENE SIMMONS (*)- FROM THE EYES OF A KISSTORIAN

All right fellow KISS fantatic(s), today we'll be concentrating on Gene Simmons' 1978 solo album known as KISS: Gene Simmons. As you are all well aware, the four members of KISS released solo albums simultaneously. They all went platinum. Ace's was awesome. But when discussing the '78 solo albums, it's easy to spend your time focusing on the baffling Peter Criss release.   Today we'll give the Catman a break and have a closer look at Gene's overblown pile of suck. 

In 1978, Ace was peaking musically while losing his Spaceman head in the clouds.   To keep Ace in the band but still maintain control, Gene and Paul quoth "Fine, do a solo album.  We'll all do solo albums. We'll put KISS in the corner to unite them." (Stanley 22:14) The game was on. 

Gene called in every favor available and hoped guest stars including Cher and the guy from Cheap Trick with the double guitar would be enough.  This approach failed miserably and Gene's '78 solo album forever rests in the "great album cover, shit album" category.  

A quick track by track breakdown: 

Radioactive: A barely acceptable head-bopping rocker to open the album. 

Burning Up With Fever: Straight up atrocious. Not so good on the ears.

See You Tonite: Ok, I love this song.  While miles away from the standard KISS tune, it shows that Gene was more than capable of writing a catchy, Beatlesy ditty when he wanted to.  

Tunnel of Love: By listening to this song you'll earn 3:52 of awful, made painfully worse by gospel singers.  

True Confessions:  Dreadful.  More gospel singers vomit on another forgettable track. 

Always Near You/Nowhere to Run:   I'm embarrassed that I just typed the title.

Man of 1000 Faces: Almost a guilty pleasure, but not quite... because it sucks. 

Mr. Make Believe: At this point in the album it's quite obvious that Gene has no intention whatsoever of rocking out.   Combine terrible with lame and sprinkle in a little more terrible = this horrendous song. 

See You in Your Dreams:  Here you'll find a mediocre song that was already released (Rock and Roll Over, '77) made much, much worse. 

When You Wish Upon a Star:  The Demon does Disney. Seriously. This song should be used for punishment purposes only.

Paul Stanley live New Haven 12.03.89

Paul's solo tour in 1989. Starts off in the middle of Love Gun, then tears into Goodbye from his '78 solo album. KISStorically pretty important. It ends with a Led Zeppelin cover of Communication Breakdown.

20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection, Volume 3

KISS' "20th Century Masters: Millennium Collection, Volume 3" CD will be released by Universal Music on October 10th. "Volume 3" is the companion piece to The Best of KISS, The Millennium Collections Volumes 1 & 2 and the first ever KISS collection to focus on the Band's 90's recordings!

Tracks:

God Gave Rock 'N' Roll To You II
Unholy
Domino - Live
Hate
Childhood's End
I Will Be There
Comin' Home - Live Unplugged
Got To Chose - Live Unplugged
Psycho Circus
Into The Void
I Pledge Allegiance To The State Of Rock And Roll
Nothing Can Keep Me From You

Paul Stanley Fantasy Camp

The 2007 Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camp has been announced and will run from February 15-19 in Hollywood, CA and will feature PAUL STANLEY (KISS), Bret Michaels (POISON), Steve Vai, Scott Ian (ANTHRAX) and many more. According to their website, "camp starts at Thursday, February 15th with no night off throughout the camp. Just send in a $2500 deposit to secure your spot at the camp! Also, save $500 if you register before October 31st!

There are three ways you can sign up:
1) By Phone: Call us at 1.888.ROC.BAND (888.762.2263)
2) By Fax: Fax your registration form with credit card information to 917.591.9470
3) By Mail: Fill out the registration form and send it in with your check or credit card info to:

Rock 'n Roll Fantasy Camp
252 W. 71st Street
New York, NY 10023

Tickets are available online at www.rockandrollfantasycamp.com, by calling the home office at 1.888.ROC.BAND, at the venue box office. Tickets are also on location and through Ticketmaster."

KISSOLOGY

KISSOLOGY VOLUME ONE 1974-1977" first installment on DVD in stores October 31, 2006.

Monumental 6 Hour 2-DVD Box Set Chronicals ascendary of KISS from New York glam rockers to Hottest Band In The Land.

NEVER BEFORE SEEN FOOTAGE of the band's rise to music stardom with more than 70 live performances and FOUR full concerts.

Signal the troops for an enormous KISS Army alert! KISS will be the subject of a three-volume DVD project (volumes 2 & 3 are being prepared for release in 2007) chonicling the career of the hottest band in rock & roll history. The rock 'n roll journey begins with "KISSOLOGY VOLUME ONE 1974-1977" which will be released on Halloween, Tuesday, October 31, 2006 for SRP $29.99.

Disc One of "KISSOLOGY VOLUME ONE 1974-1977" takes a look at early bar-band KISS quickly on the rise. 1974 is covered with a live concert in Long Beach as well as KISS' televised appearances on ABC's "In Concert" and an interview/performance on "The Mike Douglas Show." By 1975, KISS was playing San Francisco's fabled Winterland, headlining NBC's "Midnight Special" and making videos for "C'mon & Love Me" and "Rock And Roll All Night," all of wich is included on "KISSOLOGY VOLUME ONE 1974-1977". In 1976, KISS came to Detroit for an incendiary concert at the Motor City's Cobo Hall, also captured on Disc One.

Disc Two of "KISSOLOGY VOLUME ONE 1974-1977" picks up the threads of 1976 with the bands interview and perf,ormance of "Black Diamond" on "So It Goes" a must-see and much-discussed interview and performance of "King Of The Nighttime World" on "The Paul Lynde Halloween Special," and PERSONAL BAND FOOTAGE from May 1976. The 1977 material on Disc Two captures the band at the pinnacle of its international fame, performing to tens of thousands of fands at the legendary Budokan Hall in Tokyo in April '77 and, a little more than a month later, headlining "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert." Disc Two coles with scorching concert footage from The Summit in Houston, TX on September 2, 1977, showing KISS doing, quite simply, what the band still does better than anybody else: Rock & Roll All Night And Party Every Day!!!

View a trailer, and more information (including the FULL track listing) at www.flashenhanced.com/mtv/kissology/kissology.htm

Paul will see you soon

PAUL STANLEY's LIVE TO WIN Tour kicks off October 21st in Atlanta. The current tour dates are listed below. Additional shows may be added.

10/21 Atlanta, GA - TABERNACLE
10/23 Ft. Lauderdale, FL - REVOLUTION
10/24 Orlando, FL - HARD ROCK LIVE
10/26 Baltimore, MD - RAMS HEAD
10/27 Atlantic City, NJ - HOUSEOF BLUES
10/28 New York, NY - IRVING PLAZA
11/1 Pittsburgh, PA - PALACE THEATRE
11/3 Milwaukee, WI - RAVE
11/5 Detroit, MI - EMERALD THEATRE
11/6 Chicago, IL - HOUSE OF BLUES
11/7 Minneapolis, MN - QWEST
11/10 Seattle, WA - SHOWBOX
11/11 Portland, OR - ALADDIN
11/13 San Francisco, CA - FILMORE
11/14 Los Angeles, CA - HOUSE OF BLUES

Lunch time!

Check out this sweet 1978 KISS lunch box! I wish I had this baby back in the day. Perhaps if I did I wouldn't have been beaten up by Jimmy Johannis every other day. Instead I had these lunch boxes.


Granted the gentle comedy stylings of a Mr. Gabe Kaplan made for some light laughs, but it did not make for a "cool" lunch box. God, what the hell was I thinking?

Okay, this Planet of the Apes lunch box isn't as offensive, although the artwork sucked. The back is a little better.

Okay, here's the worst lunch box ever - no, I didn't have this one, jerks.

Don't Let it Get You Down Catman!

Tomorrow's gonna be another day. What is it about Peter looking sad that makes me laugh so damn hard?

On this day in KISStory...

Paul: How 'bout you put your hand in front of my face and I'll put my hand in front of yours? That'll be a great shot!

Gene: No way, I'm not gonna do it.

Paul: Gene, we're out there trying to compete with Bon Jovi. And in order to do so, we need to show off our fun-loving side.

Gene: Forget it Paul, there's no way in hell.

Paul: I'll give you ten bucks.

Gene: Sold, let's do it.