Pucker up, baby. The legendary KISS, with original members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, will perform Friday at Montage Mountain.

IF YOU GO
Who: KISS, with Poison
Where: Ford Pavilion at Montage Mountain, Scranton
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Tickets: $65, $55, $25 and $14.35, available at the Ford Pavilion box office, Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge-by-phone at 693-4100 or at www.ticketmaster.com
More info: 961-9000

Any doubts about whether a certain legendary rock band made the right move in continuing on, despite announcing its 2000 "Farewell Tour" would be its last?

Take a look at the devoted fans coming out in droves to catch the current tour, vocalist/guitarist Paul Stanley says.

Feel the love. And the wisdom of the decision.

The band-fan covenant is sealed. Sealed with a KISS, in fact.

"Interestingly, the only people that seem to want to know why you've come back are the people that wish you wouldn't," Stanley says with a chuckle. "It's been an amazing response, and the turnouts have been incredible. I couldn't have wished for anything this good. Not only big crowds, but huge, boisterous approval of the show. The only thing louder than the band is the audience."

KISS, formed in New York City in 1973, has earned more gold albums than any American rock band. The original line-up of Stanley, vocalist/bassist Gene Simmons, vocalist/guitarist Ace Frehley and vocalist/drummer Peter Criss stayed intact throughout the '70s, but by 1982, only Stanley and Simmons remained.

In 1996, however, the original four reunited, and despite some recurring inner turmoil, they stayed together five years to again become one of rock's top-grossing acts. Now, Frehley and Criss are out again, replaced by guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer. Stanley, who acknowledges Criss and Frehley can be tough to work with, says keeping the re-formed original line-up together for just five years was challenging.

"I don't think a lot of people know the half of it," he says. "It was very difficult. Ace and Peter ... sometimes the problems that are there from the beginning don't really go away. They may recede into the background, and then they rear their ugly head again."

Stanley says KISS has regained its focus. No member is bigger than the band, he says.

"Ultimately, the most important thing has always been KISS, and KISS is a tradition, a legend and something that the public wants on no uncertain terms," he says. "The band has never been better. ... The set that we're playing and the flexibility we have now is amazing, and the crowd response - and I mean, to the die-hards - is fanatically positive. People are coming over after the show and saying 'This is by far the best I've ever seen the band and by far the best show I've ever seen.'°"

KISS has again attracted large crowds on its current tour, indicating its fans are happy the group has gone back on its "farewell" words of four years ago. (The Who and Ozzy did it, too.) Still, some have questioned why Thayer and Singer are donning the famous "Spaceman" and "Catman" costumes of Frehley and Criss. Stanley, the "Starchild," had always said those personas were direct extensions of their individual personalities, and when new members joined the group in the early '80s, they were given a new costume and new makeup character.

The move was similar to sports, in which certain jersey numbers are respectfully retired. Now, however, those numbers, or costumes, have been passed out again.

"The fact is that those original notions - ours or anyone else's - were a mistake," Stanley says. "We spent 30 years building KISS into the icon that those images are. You could take a picture of KISS arguably anywhere in the world, and people would know that it is in fact KISS, but they wouldn't necessarily be able to name all of the members. That's the point. To dilute what KISS has built with a lot of hard work - and not always from the same people, mind you - by having to come up with 'giraffe-boy' or 'ant-man' is ridiculous. It ultimately compromises the fan, and the fan - and I mean the vast, vast majority of fans - want KISS and want KISS as those four iconic images."

KISS also has changed its set list, sprinkling nuggets such as "Got To Choose," "She" and "All The Way" among the classics. Though Stanley chooses not to comment on the musical abilities of Frehley and Criss, he does say playing with the new band has been liberating.

"I would rather talk about all of the positives over the years and let the live band, and everything that we are and everything that encompasses us, speak for itself," he says. "'We virtually became prisoners of our own set list, and that was also because of some of the internal problems. To now be able to celebrate all that we are and all that we've accomplished is glorious, and it's what we should be doing."

At 9 p.m. Saturday, VH1 will debut a new KISS special, "When KISS Ruled the World," which will focus on the band's incredible success in the '70s when a Gallup Poll revealed it was America's favorite group. And a new CD, "The Best of KISS Vol. II," celebrates the group's success in the '80s, when without makeup, it earned a string of platinum albums and scored hits such as "Heaven's On Fire," "Tears Are Falling" and "Forever."

Stanley says he's glad to see some of those tunes get their due.

"There's no way that the '80s - although those albums sold millions of copies - can compete, impact-wise, with the makeup persona," he says. "So as great as those songs are, they sometimes get a bit overlooked. I always find it funny when people say they grew up in the '80s, and almost have to apologize, because there are other people saying, 'Yeah, but the '70s was the real deal.' It's like going to a party and having somebody say, 'You think this party is good? You missed the real party.' It's nonsense. Whenever you show up is the beginning of the party for you."

Although KISS' most famous tune, "Rock and Roll All Nite," talks about "partying every day," many '80s-era KISS songs spoke about individuality, self-worth and self-confidence. Stanley, who was in his mid-30s at the time, says he wasn't trying to be a role model but simply singing about what he believed in.

"Independence and standing your ground knows no age," he says. "What I celebrate and sing in song are the same things that I celebrated and sang in songs on the first album. It's believing in yourself, reaping the rewards and enjoying them to fullest. It's playing by your own rules and winning."

In 1978, KISS' members all released solo albums on the same day. Stanley's is often considered the best. He says he plans to unveil another early next year but won't reveal any details.

"Talk is cheap, and the last thing I want to do is sell sizzle," he says. "I'm more about selling steak. It's very easy to razzle-dazzle people with a tap dance and all kinds of stuff, and then afterwards they kind of wonder what they actually got. I'm spending time making sure it's a great album with great songs, and I'll let it speak for itself."

Bravado has never been a problem for The Starchild, and when talking about the future of KISS, he stays true to form.

"You ain't seen nothing yet," Stanley says. "The band is on steroids, and the only thing that matches it is audience. The response, nightly, is overwhelming, but I gotta say it's justified."

July 18, 2004
KISS & MAKEUP
(from App.com)

KISS
With Poison and Z02
7 p.m. Tuesday
PNC Bank Arts Center
Exit 116 off the Garden State Parkway, Holmdel
$79.50, $47.50, $30
(732) 335-8698
www.artscenter.com

Published in the Asbury Park Press 7/16/04

By MARK VOGER
STAFF WRITER

Explosions, fireballs, confetti canons, stage blood -- it takes a lot to fuel a Kiss concert. But there was a time, before the painted rockers' '70s breakthrough, when any onstage special effects were of the decidedly low-tech variety.

"In the club days, of course, we could not do very much of anything," recalls bassist Gene Simmons, one of two founding members currently in the band along with singer-guitarist Paul Stanley.

"I remember there was a red pail. And on the pail of what should have been water, it said 'Fire' on the outside, as in, 'In case of fire, use this pail.' And most people thought there was water inside the pail.

"So in the early days before we could afford anything, during (the song) 'Firehouse,' we would fill that up with confetti. And of course, during the song, Paul would grab the pail and dowse the audience with the stuff, and they thought water was going to come out, but -- 'Oh, look at that! Confetti!' And then it was sort of fun."

You can bet audiences will get more than a bucket of confetti during Kiss' "Rock the Nation" tour, which is set to visit Holmdel on Sunday.

Stanley and Simmons are being joined by guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer (in the costumes of on-again, off-again Kiss members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, respectively). Opening the shows are '80s glam-rockers Poison, who've stolen a few tricks from Kiss' makeup bag.

When Kiss' self-titled debut album hit stores in 1974, the band seemed like little more than a novelty act. But the following year, a hit song ("Rock and Roll All Nite") and platinum-selling live album ("Alive") catapulted the pancake-and-leather-wearing foursome to superstardom.

"It was astounding, but on the other hand, we expected it," recalls Stanley.

"We were certainly jubilant, but it was a time of adapting to this newfound success, where a year before, people just said, 'Kiss who?' And now, we were virtually on the cover of every rock magazine at any given time. If they wanted to sell copies, we were on the cover. It was an amazing time, and we certainly enjoyed it tremendously."

Thanks to the makeup, Kiss members could enjoy this success in relative anonymity -- that is, except for Stanley.

"I was recognized all the time," he recalls. "People wanted to believe that this was a Clark Kent/Superman situation. But the truth of the matter was, if you saw me walking down the street without makeup, I was still in 8-inch heels; I still had black, curly hair way past my shoulders; I was still over 6-feet-tall.

"You either knew that the circus was in town, or it was a member of Kiss. Because certainly, nobody ever mistook us for doctors."

Minus makeup -- and minus Frehley and Criss -- Kiss sustained its success through the '80s and '90s. In 1996, the original lineup reunited in costume. Ever since, Kiss has worn the makeup onstage.

Some Kiss members have complained about having to slap on all of that face powder, but not Stanley.

"You know, the makeup has always been such an important part of our success," the singer says.

"I think to find any downside to it is just showing disrespect or a lack of gratitude for the success we've been given. I always say that if you win the lottery, don't complain about the taxes.

"The makeup is a badge of honor. It always has been. It's a way of really magnifying, not necessarily only our personalities, but the personalities of our fans."

Stanley and company work hard for that response at shows. The 62-year-old singer is asked if aging ever crosses his mind when contemplating yet another tour.

"Aging is a fact of life; it just doesn't have to be death," he says with a laugh.

"There's no reason you can't, you know, hold your ground. I have to say that every time I hit the stage, I'm well aware that the people who could come close to what I'm doing can be counted on one hand. And you wouldn't need all of your fingers, either."

July 17, 2004
SPEAKING IN TONGUES CD/DVD
Gene Simmons will be releasing a "Speaking in Tongues" CD/DVD on August 10th, 2004. More infos at www.genesimmons.com

July 16, 2004
KISS TO PLAY SEVERAL SHOWS IN MEXICO
After adding a second show in Monterrey, Kiss are also playing a concert in Mexico City. More infis at Pollstar.

July 16, 2004
GENE SIMMONS IN COUNTRY MUSIC VIDEO
(from www.Blabbermouth.net)
KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons filmed a cameo appearance in the new video from country artist TRICK PONY on June 17 at the Heartland Mansion in Las Vegas, Nevada. The video, for the track "The Bride", features Simmons in the role of the "whore priest," according to Gene. Watch the video at TRICK PONY's web site: High-Speed, Low-Speed. Click here to see pictures from the video shoot from Wire Image.

July 16, 2004
KISS AT # 2 ON POLLSTAR THIS WEEK
Kiss are at number 2 this week on Pollstar:
http://www.pollstar.com/news/top50.pl
The Charts are determined by the number of times the artists itinerary is accessed during the week (and not ticket sales).

July 16, 2004
BATTLE OF THE SONGS
The opinion poll continues with "The Elder".  What is your favorite song from this album? Everybody is able to vote only once, othewise you will be punished by Britney Spears...

THE ELDER

Click here to Vote for your favorite song of other albums!

July 15, 2004
12 HOURS OF HEAVY METAL ON SWEDISH TV
(from Jan Laursen)
Swedish Television has announced a 12 hour long themeday for tomorrow (Friday July 16) evening and night about Hard Rock and Heavy Metal. This includes Penelope Pheeris' ducumentary The Decline of Western Civilization, part 2: The Metal Years, that includes interviews with Gene Simmons.
Read more at http://svt.se/svt/jsp/Crosslink.jsp?d=15624

July 13, 2004
STANLEY CAN TELL KISS TALES ALL NIGHT LONG
(from The Enquirer)
By C.E. Hanifin / Enquirer staff writer

Thirty years after KISS first recruited its millions-strong army of fans, the band keeps on marching.

The group will take over Riverbend Music Center on Sunday with two of its original four members (Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons), and all the hard-rock anthems, black-and-white face paint and onstage antics with fire and dry ice that landed KISS biggest-band-in-the-world status in the '70s.

This isn't the same old show, though, says Stanley. (He's the guitarist and vocalist with the black star painted over his right eye). Along with monster hits such as "Detroit Rock City," KISS will rock 'n' roll all night with songs that haven't been performed live in decades or, in some cases, ever, he says.

"The tour has a whole renewed energy to it," he says. "The songs are fresh and played with a lethal precision."

The revamped show is designed to allow the whole crowd to catch the explosive (sometimes literally - these dudes still love their pyrotechnics) action. Twenty-one video monitors will be mounted on the main stage. A second stage will be positioned in the middle of the audience; mid-set, Stanley will swoop above the crowd on cables to the small platform and play from there.

Stanley, who plans to release a solo album early next year, says the members of KISS are in peak form, and they're definitely not ready to unlace their platform boots just yet.

"There's no denying that KISS is better, stronger, tighter and purer than it's ever been," he says.

Here's Stanley's take on the current tour, the proliferation of KISS merchandise and how to cop the band's classic style.

Why was '80s hair-metal band Poison chosen as the opening act for the tour?

Poison is a band that gets up there and has fun and gives the audience a really good time.

What's the coolest special onstage effect?

Oh, me. When I get a chance to fly over the audience and play from a smaller stage and give the people in the back a front-row seat, that's an awesome experience.

What's the strangest merchandising request the band has received?

Toilet paper was pretty low, no pun intended, on the list.

KISS's songs have been covered by indie rockers, string quartets and even country star Garth Brooks. What's your favorite cover?

I like the ones that are a little more challenging and offbeat. There's a great version on "Rock and Roll All Nite" by Toad the Wet Sprocket that actually sounded more like Jackson Browne than KISS.

Do you have any fashion tips for fans who want to emulate KISS's look?

Cheap hairspray, cheap lipstick and lots of attitude.

July 13, 2004
GENE SIMMONS ON RUSSIAN RADIO CHARTS
(from Alex)
Gene Simmons is on # 4 this week on the charts from radio Roks St. petersburg in Russia (http://www.roks.ru/parad/) with the song "Black Tonge" (it was #13 last week).

July 11, 2004
KISS IN THE PRESS
There are some new magazines out featuring Kiss on the cover, such as Fireworks (July 2004, England), Aquarian weekly (USA), Australian Musician (Winter 2004) and a Swedish magazine also had Gene Simmons on the cover recently.


July 10, 2004
GENE SIMMONS ON RUSSIAN RADIO CHARTS
(from Alex)
Gene Simmons is on #13 this week on the charts from radio Roks St. petersburg in Russia (http://www.roks.ru/parad/) with the song "Black Tonge" (it was #16 last week).

July 7, 2004
ADDITIONAL SHOWS
There are two more shows added - in Monterey, Mexico and El Paso,TX. More infos as always at Pollstar.

July 5, 2004
PAUL STANLEY GUITAR LESSON
Paul Stanley auctioned off a guitar lesson for charity. It went for US $ 7.100,-.

July 5, 2004
BELIEVE IT OR NOT, KISS IS BACK AGAIN
(from MaconTelegraph.com)
By Steve Fryer

Knight Ridder Newspapers
The press releases promise that Kiss' current Rock The Nation Tour will provide "more fire, more screaming guitars and more spectacle than ever."