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July 30: Frank
Turner song : "Wherefore Art Thou Gene Simmons"
From
:
Kiss Related Recordings (Thorbjörn Brorsson)
April 2013 Xtra Mile/ Polydor have released Frank Turner's fifth
solo album "Tape Deck Heart" which deluxe edition contains a Gene
Simmons '4600 photographs, stuck into a scrapbook' inspired / parody
song entitled: "Wherefore Art Thou Gene Simmons" as a bonus track.
Frank Turner s an English folk/punk singer-songwriter from Meonstoke,
Hampshire, UK. Initially the vocalist of post-hardcore band Million
Dead (active between 2001 and 2005), Turner embarked upon a
primarily acoustic-based solo career following the band's split,
both in the studio and during live performances.
Read the lyrics of "Wherefore Art Thou Gene Simmons"
HERE.
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July 24 : Peter Criss Has Started To Work On Rock Album
From
:
Eddie Trunk
Eddie Trunk has checked in with the following update:
Had a great time last night at Mayhem Fest in NJ. Only made it in
time to see Rob Zombie as I had some other stuff to deal with, but
was cool to see so many I knew, both bands and fans. Was great to
hang with Peter Criss most of the night! Peter lives in NJ near the
venue and came as a guest of John 5 and the Zombie guys, who
needless to say are huge fans. Peter was recovering from some hernia
surgery but otherwise in great spirits and having a blast. Was
really cool to see Rob give Peter such huge props from the stage
during the show. Standing next to Peter when he did it you could
tell how much it meant. I truly think Zombie’s show is the best
theatrical rock show out there today. It gets bigger every time I
see it and there is something always happening on stage! I tweeted
some great photos with more to come on this site so please check my
Twitter timeline. Zombie continues on Mayhem, then does some
headline shows, then Rob will start work on his next film, a hockey
movie on the Broadstreet Bullies. Peter Criss told me he has started
to work on a rock solo album and was recently revisiting the
material. No timetable for that but good to hear he still wants to
do it. |
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July 23 : KissFAQ
To Launch 1978 Solo Album Retrospective July 29
Press release from KissFaq (Tim Tim McPhate)
Retrospective to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the 1978 KISS
solo albums with all-new interviews, original features, special
content, and much more
As KISS celebrate their 40th anniversary in 2013, on July 29
KISSfaq.com will launch Back In The Solo
Album Groove: The KISS Albums. 35 Years Later..., an ambitious
multi-week retrospective dedicated to arguably the biggest milestone
in KISStory: the 1978 KISS solo albums.
"Everybody's grown tremendously with their albums. And the really
nice thing about it is that when the albums [are] all done, [and]
each of us hears the other, it's really a great way of saying, 'Hey,
this is what I'm about. This is the way I've always heard things.'
It's like really getting to know somebody even better than you do."
-- Paul Stanley, 1978
By 1978 KISS had transformed from merely a rock band into a cultural
phenomenon.
Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss had just
completed their busiest year to date in 1977: a 12-month cycle that
yielded two studio albums, "Alive II" and an intensive touring
itinerary, including the band's first tour of Japan.
Under the direction of manager Bill Aucoin, what followed was a year
that would take "Super KISS" over the top. KISS would release
"Double Platinum," the band's first proper greatest hits package, in
April 1978. The quartet also embarked on filming "KISS Meets The
Phantom Of The Park," a television movie that premiered on NBC in
October. Meanwhile, a flood of KISS merchandise -- from belt
buckles, sleeping bags, makeup kits, and dolls -- infiltrated retail
outlets.
Most notably, Stanley, Simmons, Frehley, and Criss would make music
history with the simultaneous release of four individual solo albums
on September 18, 1978. It was music that surprised, titillated and
shocked both KISS fans and critics.
Stanley expanded his creative horizons, mixing straight-ahead
KISS-inspired numbers with dynamic tracks that showcased his
impressive vocal range and popular culture influences. The Starchild
tapped an able group of musicians, including guitarist Bob Kulick,
who had ghosted guitar tracks on the studio side of "Alive II." In a
sense, Stanley's album would chart a course for his future output in
KISS.
Simmons called on a cavalcade of stars for his LP, from artists such
as Donna Summer and Helen Reddy to Aerosmith's Joe Perry and Cheap
Trick's Rick Nielsen. Comprising a breadth of Simmons-penned
material, the album spanned Beatles-inspired tunes, lushly
orchestrated ballads and electrifying rock tracks, with a cover of
the Disney classic "When You Wish Upon A Star" thrown in for good
measure.
For his solo album, Frehley teamed with renowned producer/engineer
Eddie Kramer, who was fresh from spearheading the band's recent two
studio albums and "Alive II." With only two lead vocals to his
credit at that point, Frehley's album was arguably considered the
wildcard of the bunch. But with an armory of guitars and amps, a
bolt of confidence and drummer Anton Fig in tow, the Spaceman had an
ace up his sleeve.
Meanwhile, Criss fulfilled his musical dreams by presenting a song
cycle reflecting his diverse interests, from R&B and old-time rock
and roll to delicate ballads, including pre-KISS material written
with longtime confidante Stan Penridge. The Catman was aided by a
collective of A-list studio musicians and the talents of KISS
creative guru Sean Delaney and Grammy-winning producer/songwriter
Vini Poncia.
Now, 35 years later, through a series of brand-new
KISSfaq interviews, original features and
related special content, Back In The Solo Album Groove will put the
four 1978 KISS solo albums center stage like never before.
More than 30 brand-new interviews were conducted with various
individuals who either worked directly on the solo albums or have a
strong connection of sorts. The interviews will offer readers fresh
first-hand perspectives straight from studio musicians, producers,
engineers, and collaborators, and the creative professionals working
in the KISS camp at the time.
Topical features will shed more light on KISS' activity in 1978
while dissecting the albums and offering in-depth analysis and
biographical information on the albums' participants. Also featured
will be a 1978 KISS calendar, a roundup of other notable album
releases in the rock genre in 1978, a spotlight on "Double
Platinum," and much more.
Are you ready to get back in the groove? Back In The Solo Album
Groove kicks off July 29, only at
KISSfaq.com !
About The 1978 KISS Solo Albums:
KISS made music history when they released four solo albums
simultaneously on September 18, 1978. The albums were backed by an
unprecedented marketing and publicity campaign and a total of more
than 5.3 million units were shipped to retailers, creating KISSteria
and representing perhaps one of the last examples of record industry
excess in the '70s.
Musically speaking, the KISS solo albums reflected the musical
personalities of original KISS Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace
Frehley, and Peter Criss. Each album has been certified platinum by
the RIAA. "Gene Simmons" reached a peak chart position of No. 22;
"Ace Frehley" reached No. 26; "Paul Stanley" reached No. 40; and
"Peter Criss" reached No. 43. Frehley scored the lone hit single of
the four solo albums with the Russ Ballard-penned "New York Groove,"
which peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1979. |
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July 22 : Ace Frehley Working on New Album
From
:
Gibson / Peter Hodgson
Guitar legend Ace Frehley is in the studio working on a new album,
the follow-up to the critically-acclaimed Anomaly.
Ace is recording with members of his live band, drummer Matt Starr
and bass player Chris Wyse. Starr posted a pic of himself and Ace in
the studio on his blog with the caption: "Had a great week in the
studio with Ace Frehley and Chris Wyse making some great new music
Ace's new record. Stay tuned."
Wyse added "Had a blast these last few days playing with Ace Frehley
and Matt Starr!!! Exciting new record coming from Ace!"
When pressed for further details on his official Facebook fan page,
Starr said "No details yet. Just that we're working on it & it's
gonna ROCK!" |
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July 22 : DESMOND
CHILD interview - about working with KISS
From
:
rockpages.gr
Greeces Rockpages Web Magazine did an interview recently with
Desmond Child regarding his entire, illustrious career. Desmond
Child talked about Kiss, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith and the possibility of
doing yet another album with his first band Desmond Child and Rouge.
Read the full text and listen to excerpts of the interview
HERE. |
July 19 :
BRIGHTON ROCK post teaser for ‘Creatures Of The Night’
From
:
bravewords.com
Canuck hard rock legends BRIGHTON ROCK will debut their video for
'Creatures Of The Night' from the upcoming cancer benefit album -
A World With Heroes (A 40th Anniversary Tribute To KISS)
- on August
1st. The clip was filmed on June 15th at a 'secret' location in
Ontario. The band has posted a teaser of the song.
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July 12 : Gene
Simmons Records Duet With Englebert Humperdinck
From
:
ultimateclassicrock.com
Gene Simmons might not seem like he’d have much in common with a
veteran adult-contemporary crooner like Englebert Humperdinck, but
appearances can be deceiving.
Simmons and Humperdinck are collaborating on a track for the
latter’s upcoming duets album, which also includes performances by a
number of other surprising artists. Humperdinck broke the news
during a recent interview with Noise11, enthusing about the guest
list on the record, which is due in October. You can watch the video
above.
“Isn’t that something? It is going to be very exciting,” Humperdinck
said of the Kiss member’s involvement. “There’s Elton [John],
there’s Smokey Robinson, there’s Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers and
Neil Sedaka, and it goes on and on and on. It is very exciting names
on this particular album. I’m so thrilled that everyone has
responded and wanted to work on the album with me, and I think it
has been a very exciting project.”
The album could mark a return to the charts for Humperdinck, who’s
maintained a presence as a steady touring act since his ’70s heyday,
but hasn’t had a truly high-profile song since he contributed his
version of ‘Lesbian Seagull’ to the ‘Beavis & Butt-Head Do America’
soundtrack in 1996. |
July 11 : Good
Rats Singer Peppi Marchello Dies
From
:
Billboard.com
Long Island rock legend Peppi Marchello, who for decades fronted The
Good Rats, lovingly dubbed "the world's most famous unknown band,"
died on Wednesday July 10 of an apparent cardiac arrest. He was 68.
Read the full report
HERE.
Prior to joining KISS, Bruce Kulick played guitar for the Good Rats
from 1980-1983, including work on the group's 1981 album "Great
American Music."
From
:
Kulick.net - Message from Bruce Kulick.
 Sadly,
The Good Rats, a legendary group from Long Island that I worked with
from 1980 till 1983, has lost founding member Peppi Marchello. His
powerful voice, songwriting skills, and wild live performance nature
(shorts, high gym socks, and a baseball bat in hand!!) wowed fans
across the tri-state area of NY/NJ/PA for many years.
Not restricted to just the tri-state area, however, The Good Rats
fans are both passionate and worldwide. I remember joining KISS in
1984, and while on tour in France someone in the radio business
there knew about my years in The Good Rats and was freaking about
that, not me being in KISS!
So let's remember Peppi, with that baseball bat in his hand, leading
strong band members throughout the years and entertaining his fans
from his heart and soul.
He will be missed.
R.I.P. |
July 11 : Song
Premiere: Heat "What Does It Take" Ft. Vinnie
Vincent
From
:
KissFaq (Tim Tim McPhate)
Just in time for summer, Heat -- an early '80s West Coast
R&B/rock/fusion collective led by bandleader/principal songwriter
Tom Saviano -- are primed for a comeback with the release of "HEAT
Revisted" in Japan on July 17. Of interest to KISS fans, the album
includes a 1981 unreleased HEAT track, "What Does It Take," which
features lead guitar by Vinnie Vincent (as Vinnie Cusano) and offers
a snapshot of his pre-KISS days as a session musician.
 Listen
to the premiere of "What Does It Take"
HERE.
Tom Saviano met Vinnie Vincent at the same studio where Saviano
did some early work for Vini Poncia, at Fidelity Recording,
Artie Ripp's studio, which is now Studio City Sound. For a a
while Vinnie Vincent was doing session work there and hanging
out at that studio. In 1981 Tom Saviano was doing some of the demos for
the 2nd HEAT album "Still
Waiting". Together with Vinnie Vincent
they tracked a song entitled "What Does It Take". The song was
in the running for the "Still Waiting" album, but was pulled off
because HEAT kept the album R&B. Still, Vinnie Vincent was
credited as Vincent Cusano on the liner notes of the "Still
Waiting" album.
In addition to founding Heat, Saviano is a well-known session
musician on the Southern California scene. KISS fans will recognize
his name as the horn arranger for select tracks on Peter Criss' 1978
solo album, including the Catman's cover of "Tossin' And Turnin'."
Saviano has collaborated with high-profile musicians such as Brenda
Russell, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sheena Easton, and Rahsaan Patterson,
among others. His more recent work includes sessions on recordings
for Muse, Maroon 5, Meatloaf, Neil Diamond, Ray Charles, and Tim
McGraw. Saviano has also shared the stage with musicians such as
Ziggy Marley, Lee Ritenour, Clarence Clemons, Steve Ferrone, and
members of Stone Temple Pilots.
In conjunction with the exclusive online debut of "What Does It
Take," KissFAQ caught up with Saviano to chat about the "Heat
Revisited" project and his recollections of working with Vinnie.
Read Tim McPahte's interview with Tom Saviano
HERE. |
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