After a short delay ZO2 was the first band to take the stage featuring Paulie Z and Joey Cassata from the KISS tribute band KISSNation. I personally didn’t get a chance to watch a lot of these, but from the fans reaction around me they must have done a great job.

I always wanted to see Poison in the eighties. So I was very excited that Poison was opening for my favorite band of all time. They sounded pretty good in my opinion. Nothin’ But A Good Time and Unskinny Bop were my favorites from their set. One of their biggest hits Talk Dirty To Me got the crowd really into their set. The whole band looked healthy and sounded great.

The local paper listed the attendance at around 11,000. Verizon Wireless supposedly holds about 24,000 people and it looked almost full. So I am not sure if that is the correct attendance or not. It also sounded like a lot more people than that as the fans were out of their seats and screaming all night.

As band opened the show with Love Gun there was smoke and pyro everywhere. It seemed as though there was a ton of effects throughout the night. Always lots to watch and experience. Something was going on constantly. There were several screens on the stage and a big one behind the band. The screens were very cool and used constantly.

After going to a couple shows on the World Domination Tour I really didn’t have as much fun as in previous tours. So when we heard from Eric he was back in the band I couldn’t wait to see him with KISS again. We have went to a few Alice Cooper shows in the last couple years and Eric just seemed to get better with each show. Instead of slowing down, as he gets older he seems to get better. He and Tommy really bring new life to the band. If you close your eyes and listen you will think is 1975 all over again. Paul is always Paul and seems to bring it every night. Gene is always Gene.

I have heard some KISS fans are upset that Tommy and Eric are in the band now. My advice to those people is go see a show. You won’t think that way when it’s over. I have been a fan since the 70s also, but this show was probably the best KISS show I have ever been too. Musically is sounded better than anything I have been to. Eric and Tommy are phenomenal bringing new life to the world’s greatest band. I do miss Ace’s antics and personality on stage, but Tommy does a better job-playing Ace than Ace did. Gene and Paul KEEP THIS LINEUP and keep touring!

My favorite songs of the night were I Stole Your Love, War Machine, 100,000 Years and Makin’ Love. I Stole Your Love and 100,000 Years were amazing I could have sworn it was 1977 all over again.

The Instant Live cds available at the show after its over is an awesome idea! How many times do you hunt down a bad bootleg after a show you liked or had a personal connection too? Now you don’t have to want, just buy one and pick it up minutes after the show. I got one from this show and its fantastic. If you go to a show get one, its definitely worth it.

Overall it was a fantastic show, I am definitely going to more shows on this tour. I can’t remember a KISS show having this much pyro, smoke and confetti it was unreal. No KISS fan should miss this tour!

Setlist

Love Gun
Deuce
Makin’ Love
Got To Choose
Lick It Up
I Stole Your Love
War Machine
Christine Sixteen
I Want You
I Love It Loud
100,000 Years
Unholy
Shout It Out Loud
I Was Made For Lovin’ You
Detroit Rock City
God Gave Rock & Roll To You
Rock & Roll All Nite

From: Indystar.com
By David Lindquist
July 4, 2004

When Kiss signed on for an Independence Day weekend show at Verizon Wireless Music Center, a party was guaranteed.

On Saturday, an audience of 11,500 experienced that and more (without even mentioning the rain that arrived during the concert's encore).

Beyond the expected blood, fire and dry ice, 29-year-old Kiss delivered a music-based performance -- one that supplied substance in equal measure to showmanship.

The larger-than-life rock franchise, which embarked on its first "farewell" tour in 2000, can offer more than gimmickry these days because Eric Singer is playing drums and Tommy Thayer is playing guitar.

It's easy to criticize mainstay members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley for treating original band mates Peter Criss and Ace Frehley like hired hands and nudging them toward their eventual exits from the group.

Nevertheless, the current lineup's abilities make a compelling argument against loyalty.

Thayer and Singer were sturdy and competent enough to make the evening something new, even if Kiss played zero songs recorded after 1992.

Singer hammered -- a verb rarely associated with Criss -- the intro to "Got To Choose," a 1974 tune brought out of the archives for this tour.

Thayer was allowed to jam at the conclusion of "Christine Sixteen," earning a strong crowd response for his gritty, minor-key riffs.

Stanley portrayed his customary role of cheerleader. He also sang every note without a hint of wear or tear, perhaps sailing highest on "I Stole Your Love," a 1977 souvenir that featured a refreshing pop backbeat.

It's Simmons, of course, who's on a tenacious mission to keep the Kiss machine rolling. He's every bit the hard-working man described in "Deuce," which showcased his bullhorn voice early in the show.

He likely made the brilliant choice of booking Poison as the tour's opening act.

Although vocalist Bret Michaels and guitarist C.C. DeVille rarely acknowledged each other's presence, Poison played a catalog of hits written primarily about having fun.

"Nothin' But a Good Time" gave way to "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," which was followed by "Talk Dirty To Me." What more could be asked of a warm-up band?

Kiss legend on money, sex and Bush
by Steve Hammer

Gene Simmons, the fire-breathing, legendary leader of Kiss, is one of the easiest and best interviews in the music business. Part artist, part salesman, part preacher, all you have to do to get him going is to say hello.

So instead of the typical rock-star interview, here are the thoughts of Chairman Gene, taken from his recent phone chat with NUVO.

On Indiana:

I have many good memories of Indianapolis, but it has less to do with buildings and shows than the female of the species. The women of Indiana match up quite well actually. Over the years, I’ve been welcomed in Indianapolis often with open arms and sometimes with open legs.

The new tour:

We are doing, because of the present lineup with Eric and Tommy, very obscure material, in some cases material we’ve never done live. “Unholy,” “God Gave Rock and Roll To You,” “She,” “Love Her All I Can,” “All The Way,” “Christine Sixteen.” You’re still going to get “Rock and Roll All Night,” but at least half the set is stuff we hardly ever play. It feels great, because the original lineup couldn’t do it. It didn’t have the muscle.

As much as everybody loved Ace, Paul, Peter and Gene, the original lineup couldn’t pull off these songs.

You’re always going to have the vocal minority and we’re in the majority business. If 5 percent of the audience says you can’t survive without Peter Criss and the 95 percent is quite happy to fill the coliseums anyway, the 95 percent have spoken.

On whether the original Kiss would ever reunite:

No. It’s too late now. It’s been 30 years. Everybody loves Ace and Peter. They’re sweethearts. They deserve to be happy. But they shouldn’t be on the road. The road chews them up and spits them out. We all care about them, they deserve to be happy. But Kiss deserves to be happy.

On drugs:

I refuse to hurt myself. The idea of somebody holding a gun is a frightening idea to me, but the rest of the world has no problem with smoking cigarettes. It defies logic. Just because you don’t die right away doesn’t mean you’re not going to die of cancer. Says so right on the box.

Same with drinking. People don’t think there are repercussions for getting high and drinking. There are.

I’ve never been high or drunk in my life. Never smoked. There’s no reason to. As corny as it may sound, your mom was right. She said get plenty of sleep at night, eat your vegetables and don’t get high. And all your friends who get high and think they’re cool, they’re morons. They’re your enemies. And your mom, who you thought was corny, was absolutely right.

On money:

It’s an awkward subject to talk about because people get queasy when you talk about success and money. You’re talking about a country that is self-conscious about being the most powerful and well-off country in the history of mankind. We walk around in jeans and soft sell the idea of how enormously wealthy this country really is.

When a guy like myself works hard, joins a band like Kiss, the band bravely decided to not look around and not tug on anyone’s shirt sleeves to see if it’s OK to live the American dream, it shocks people. And they don’t know what to make of it. Rock bands, by and large, don’t do licensing and merchandising well. Kiss does, it did, it will. It always has and always will because it’s fun. The proof is in the pudding. The fans want it. It seems to me that commercialism is a good word. It means somebody wants to buy your stuff, whether it’s a record or a concert ticket or anything else that has your band’s name on it. If you’re lucky, you’re not just a band, you’re a brand.

On being loved:

That’s not as important as being successful. You can be loved universally and be dirt poor. Having been poor, I can say that while money can’t buy happiness, it’s still better to be rich than poor. If you’re going to be a miserable son of a bitch, you’re better off being a rich son of a bitch than a poor miserable son of a bitch. Capitalism speaks. It makes no value assessments, it just says, “This is what people want.” People who vote with money speak louder than people who just speak with words. Criticisms are words. And they’re valid to the extent they are, but if somebody buys a ticket or an album or a T-shirt, that’s worth more.

On performing:
It is a privilege to get up on that stage. This is not a birthright. We still introduce ourselves with “You wanted the best, you got the best.” Whether you’re in Peoria or Paris, the people there deserve the best. That means, if you’re the Lakers and you’re not putting out, you will lose. Doesn’t matter how good you are. You’ve got to roll up your sleeves, get out there and go to work.

On politics:

I do have very strong political viewpoints but they’re not black and white. Most peoples’ aren’t. That’s why the presidency has been occupied by Democrats and Republicans pretty evenly. Most people vote on the issue and the person. As regards President Bush, I disagree with most of the things he stands for. The environment, women’s rights, separation of church and state. But I fully support his foreign policy. If this was a time of peace, I’d go for Kerry. But because the war is ongoing, and al Qaeda is a living, breathing thing, I’d say Mr. Bush will do a better job. If you have cockroaches in the kitchen, you don’t want somebody to come in and have a conversation with them. You need an exterminator. And exterminators are not popular guys. They stink up the house. They’re not fun. You don’t want them around, but they’re exactly what you need when you have cockroaches in the kitchen. Mr. Bush is doing what exterminators need to do: go out and find out where the roaches are.

Awesome new shirt for the female KISS fan. Great image featuring KISS member boots and the phrase "These Boots Were Made For Rockin'". Great shirt available in Small, Medium and Large.

Only $19.99 plus shipping!

[Click here to go to the KISS Freaks store and order]

From: Kyle W. Barlow

Steve,
I just wanted to pass along some news to you & to the rest of the KISS army NASCAR fans. The upcoming NASCAR race at Richmond International Speedway. The Chevy Rock & Roll 400 on September 11th 2004 will have the following drivers driving KISS themed vehicles in 3 separate NASCAR events over the weekend. Attached are the pictures of the vehicles.

It's going to be a rockin' weekend.

Cheers,
Kyle - kisskrazed

WEBSITE: BACKSTAGEAUCTIONS.COM

We are excited to inform you about our upcoming 2004 Classic Rock Auction featuring “The Private Collection of Eddie Kramer”.

Eddie Kramer’s recording and producing career spans more than 3 decades and includes awards winning achievements with Rocks’ greats such as Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, KISS, Peter Frampton, Joe Cocker, Carly Simon, David Bowie, John Mayall, Santana, Rolling Stones, the cast of “Hair” (Jobriath, Delores Hall and Alan Nichols), Dionne Warwick, Roy Ayers, Lena Horne, Tommy Bolin, Vanilla Fudge and many, many others.

The auction will include hundreds of rare collectibles, such as original recording tapes, acetates, test pressings, vintage vinyl, promotional t-shirts, paper goods, posters, backstage passes and much more.

While the list of artists/bands included in this auction is too long to list, we can assure you the artist/band you support and promote through your website is featured in this collection.

The auction will go live July 18, 2004 and will run for 2 weeks. Currently on our website, we are highlighting just a few of the great items that will be featured in the auction.

We are sure that you – and the visitors to your website – are interested in viewing (and hopefully participating in) the auction. Attached is a press release which you can place either in full or in any abbreviated version on your site. Your web visitors can also be pointed directly to our website at www.backstageauctions.com.

Backstage Auctions, Inc. is a music memorabilia auction house that exclusively represents musicians and music industry professionals. Our firm belief is that high-end collectibles deserve nothing less than 100% guarantee of authenticity. After all, nothing is more thrilling than owning a piece of memorabilia from a trusted source.

We welcome your support to announce this upcoming auction on your website. No fan would want to miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Feel free to contact us at info@backstageauctions.com with any questions.

Thank you and kindest regards
Jacques van Gool
Backstage Auctions, Inc.

From: cnn.com

He still has all the old gimmicks -- the bat wings, the leather everything, the fire breathing, the blood spitting. And, yes, his tongue is still usually found dangling somewhere down around the end of his chin.

Gene Simmons and the boys of Kiss -- the poster band of 1970s glam rock -- are back.

OK. Stop. That's not completely true.

[Click here to read the rest]

Glassboro, NJ (June 24 2004) – Hot on the heels of the release of KISS bassist Gene Simmons’ new solo effort, Sportsology is offering 10 copies of his CD ***hole in a brand new contest!

The “Be An ***hole” contest contains 20 Gene Simmons-related questions. Answer them all correctly to be entered into a drawing for one of 10 prize packages.

One Grand Prize winner will acquire an ***hole CD, a KISS Symphony CD, a limited edition 4-card set of KISS cards, an autographed KISS Symphony poster signed by Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Peter Criss and Tommy Thayer and other prizes.

Hints to the answers to these questions can be found in our review of the CD and in our audio interview with the biggest ***hole of them all, Gene Simmons.

The contest will run from June 25, 2004 until July 24, 2004. Full details can be read online at http://www.sportsology.net/simmons/terms.php.

Visit the contest page today to enter. It can be found at: http://www.sportsology.net/simmons/.

From: Blender
Hey,
I just wanted to let you know that the June/July 2004 issue of Blender
magazine features an article on Gene Simmons' answers to personal
questions posed by Blender readers. Here's a link to the updated www.blender.com that will give you a taste of what the issue has to offer.

Thanks,
Avril Perry
Four Corners Communications

We have now added all of the gold records from California Gold to the KISS Freaks Store. Check out our awesome prices on these very cool collectibles!

[Click here to go to the KISS Freaks Store]

I have gotten quite a few real good images from KISS fans keeping this feature alive. I have added several of them to the site, so stop by the Features section of KISS Freaks and check them out! Keep 'em coming!

[Click here to go to the Features section]

GENE SIMMONS, founding member of KISS, America's No.1 Gold Record Champions Of All Time (RIAA - Group Category),has rock and rolled all night and partied every day for over 30 years and is nowhere near hanging up his platform boots. The band recently proudly released its KISS SYMPHONY - ALIVE IV on the KISS Records/Sanctuary Music Group imprint. The DVD debuted at No.1. KISS has broken box office attendance records set by Elvis Presley and the Beatles and is the juggernaut of the licensing merchandising world, with over 2,000 KISS toys and games -- from KISS Visa Cards, KISS comic books and KISS Caskets!!! Not one to rest on his laurels, the next GENE SIMMONS epoch continues, stronger than ever.

Produced by SIMMONS, this forward thinking, genre splitting effort, is an ambitious musical tour-de force through SIMMONS' psyche, revealing yet another side to the multi-talented artist. “Doing a solo record is important because I write so many different kinds of songs. I literally have hundreds of songs that are demoed up that aren’t right for KISS, and some songs that weren’t used on KISS records I still like, like ‘Carnival Of Souls’ and ‘Sweet & Dirty.’ In assembling the album, I went and reviewed over a hundred songs that I had lying around, and then it was by process of elimination I determined what would go on the record. But at the end of the day, above and beyond style, I had to like the songs.” stated SIMMONS.

Like his 1978 self-titled solo album, ASSHOLE is a model of versatility, drawing together an eclectic swath of styles including hard rock, blues, thrash, neo-psychedelia, Beatlesque pop, rap, prog-rock and even power ballads. “My taste is eclectic and all over the place. I love all kinds of artists, from Patsy Cline to the Beatles, Motown to Hoobastank. As for the record’s stylistic diversity, I’m a child of The Beatles. They created this sort of hybrid white version of American music. They could do it all-- Little Richard, country, pop, soul, psychedelia. They had no rules. That had a major effect on me and that influence comes through on the record.” SIMMONS said.

Transcending genres and confounding expectations, ASSHOLE resounds with a surprise at every turn. Like the artist’s self-titled solo effort, a number of musical luminaries join in on the fun. BOB DYLAN and GENE co-wrote the album's “Waiting For The Morning Light.” FRANK ZAPPA and GENE share co-writing credit on “Black Tongue” and the ZAPPA Family, DWEEZIL, AHMET, MOON, GAIL and FRANK ZAPPA himself sing and play guitar on the song . Other guests featured on the album include DAVE NAVARRO, ex-KISS members BRUCE KULICK and ERIC SINGER, new SIMMONS RECORDS/Sanctuary Music Group signing BAG, as well as GENE's longtime live in SHANNON TWEED and their two children, SOPHIE and NICHOLAS.

Track listing is as follows (order subject to change):

1. Asshole
2. Carnival of Souls
3. If I Had A Gun
4. Weapons
5. Waiting For The Morning Light
6. Whatever Turns You On
7. Sweet & Dirty Love
8. Beautiful
9. Dog
10. Now That You're Gone
11. Black Tongue
12. I Dream A Thousand Dreams
13. Firestarter

Drawing together over three decades of record making, ASSHOLE is a grand, and swaggering portrait of SIMMONS in the 21st Century, a brave musical statement from a man unafraid of pushing the envelope and exploring new boundaries.

Click here to check out the video for Firestarter!

by Doug Cataldo
2004-05-31

Gene Simmons of KISS has been the topic of many conversations lately. Whether it's been about him spouting off about the Middle East, the current KISS tour with two wannabes replacing original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss, or his latest solo effort that is aptly titled "Asshole," Simmons is a true believer that any press is good press. The guy is throwing his own Asshole parties for crying out loud. While the title is "Asshole", Simmons who is always thinking about the almighty dollar was smart enough to put asterisks in the right places so that the CD could still be sold in your finer chain stores like Target and Wal-Mart. Delayed from May 18, the CD is slated to now hit stores on June 8th.
[Click here to read the full review]

June's giveaway is for a KISS This Solo Faces Sticker. You just have to be a member of the KISS Freaks Email List, doesn't matter when you joined. Wanna buy one? We have them in the KISS Freaks Klearance Store, just click here!

What do you have to do to win? Just sign up for the KISS Freaks Email List below. I will pick one fan at random at the end of the month, email that fan to notify them and get address info, then ship the cd.